The Sedalia City Council denied a request from the Citizens Traffic Advisory Commission to install two-way stop signs at 14th and Quincy.

Randy Kirby
Randy Kirby
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The two main reasons given for the denial were that stop signs are not warranted at that location, and by allowing them to be installed, it would set a precedent for other citizens to request stop signs near their homes in an effort to reduce speed in the area.

One citizen who has lived in the area in the 1300 block of South Quincy for three years, Mr. Dan Youngblood, argued in favor of the stop signs. He brought with him a list of 17 signatures from area residents who want stop signs erected there. Youngblood said that it is a safety issue with the large number of kids who live in the area. There is also a school bus stop nearby on the southwest corner. And no sidewalks. “How hard can it be to put up stop signs?” he asked the Council on Monday night.

Public Works Director Brenda Ardrey told Youngblood that stop signs are not always the way to manage traffic at an uncontrolled intersection like that at 14th and Quincy. The proposed signs would stop east-west traffic at the intersection.

Mayor Stephen J. Galliher added that “there are (current) laws that govern that. If we put up stop signs there, everyone with kids will want stop signs at their intersections.”

Councilwoman Jo Lynn Turley asked the other Council members, “Are we willing to put up stop signs for everyone who passes the litmus test? Councilman Don Meier noted that criteria for installing stop signs at an uncontrolled intersection are already in place. Councilman Jeff Leeman suggested Mr. Youngblood contact Connie with First Student and see if she can relocate the bus stop.

Turley later lamented that so many drivers have no respect for traffic laws in this country.

The Council ultimately denied the request from Youngblood and the Citizens Traffic Advisory Commission. The matter was tabled from the May 15 Council meeting.

The Council denied Lawrence Klein's rezoning request for his business at 16th and Harrison from C-1 Commercial to R-1 Residential based upon on his failure to comply with the City's request to completely erect a six-foot fence around the property after being granted a 30-day extension.

Councilman Bob Cross was the lone member to vote with Klein. In his defense, Klein said that an order of a half dozen pieces of metal fencing material did not arrive in time for the deadline to complete the project. "I worked all weekend on it," Klein said., adding that it would only take him 30 minutes to complete once the material arrives.

The Council also discussed the lift station situation in the Menard's area on the west side of Sedalia.  City Administrator Gary Edwards noted that $505,000 was budgeted for the project and Option B is estimated to cost over $400,000 and Option C is well over $900,000. But, he said, "Improvements are needed, no doubt about it."

Public Works Director Ardrey noted that "it really does come down to money," she said. She suggested putting off Option C for now. More engineering work is needed, she said.

No vote was taken on the matter Monday night, but Edwards pointed out that a vote may come as soon as the next regular Council meeting.

Also on Monday night, Council approved the lowest bid of six for a Sedalia Police Department Operations Review at a cost of $13,621. The bid was received from REJIS, a governmental agency based out of St. Louis. The City of Sedalia has previously worked with REJIS, it was noted.

The review will ultimately provide suggestions on ways to improve the department's operations. The City's Review Committee is comprised of Mayor Galliher, Police Chief John DeGonia, City Attorney Anne Gardner and City Administrator Edwards.

 

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