Sedalia Council Approves Two BUILD Grant Applications

On Tuesday night, Sedalia City Council heard four presentations from department heads, including EDSPC, Bothwell Regional Health Center, Finance and Parks & Rec.

In her presentation, Finance Director Jessica Pyle said that fiscal year to date figures show an increase in use tax (15.1%) and net sales (.06%).

Marijuana tax is higher than last year by $28,032, or 12.8%.

Franchise tax is lower at $510,721.

Transportation tax is higher ($74,070) due to the gasoline tax, which is about 5 percent higher this year.

Vehicle sales are up 4 percent, while vehicle fees are flat, she said.

As for property tax, the City has received one payment from the state and is expecting another one soon.

“We had budgeted a four percent growth, and we are off budget by about $274,000, Pyle noted.

First Ward Councilman Jack Robinson told Pyle he thought it would be helpful “if we could have an overview of how they relate to the funds they feed into, and where we’ve been in the past, that would be really helpful.”

Council approved amendments to the Finance Department’s job descriptions to “Better align roles with current operational needs.”

A project designed to evaluate existing services and billing practices in the City’s IT Department resulted in “significant and measurable savings through the identification of unused phone lines, correction of overbilled services and recovery of previously incorrect charges.

The final cost of the project was $26,740.35, which was well over the $5,000 that was originally budgeted for it. However, officials said that $13,274.66 in savings had been realized as a result. So a budget amendment was need to offset the rest of the cost of the “Spyglass” consulting fee project.

Under Public Works, Council approved an updated ordinance for a runway rehab grant for Sedalia Regional Airport. The project took place but exceeded MoDOT’s 12-month timeline for execution. Therefore, an updated ordinance was necessary to maintain AIG grant compliance and allow reimbursement of costs.

Council then approved $47,674 to be spent on a “scope of work” professional services contract with HDR Engineering for the Washington Avenue Bridge (or Viaduct) rehab. A draft of a BUILD grant application is due Feb. 13 with final submission required by Feb. 24.

The next item concerned the submission of two BUILD (Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development) grant applications to the US Department of Transportation for transportation planning and engineering initiatives.

The first BUILD grant concerns the Washington Avenue Bridge (or Viaduct); the second concerns the construction of a roundabout at Main and State Fair Blvd.

Next on the agenda was an item to allow parking on the south side of West Second Street between Ohio and Osage after a review by the Traffic Advisory Commission.

Under Public Safety, Council approved the cost of repairing of Sedalia Fire Engine #2 at a cost of $32,529.16.

The repairs were needed after the truck was involved in a traffic collision October 10. No injuries were reported and the SFD was determined not to be at fault.

The funds are required to start repairs and return the truck to service, even though the driver responsible for the accident was insured and reimbursement is expected through the other driver’s insurance. The claim has yet to be finalized.

Council then approved a new “G2” alerting system for the new fire station on 5th street.

The cost is $116,829.07 and will be payable to US Digital Designs by Honeywell. It includes one system at Joint Communications and one at each fire station.

Under Community Development, Council agreed to a Paul Bruhn Revitalization Grant administered by the National Park Service.

The agreement concerns property at 606 South Ohio that will have windows replaced, masonry work done and storefront repairs completed by KSJ Construction, LLC.

The total project cost is $78,050.00 with $60,099 funded through the federal grant and $17,951 provided by the “property owner.” No city funds will be used for construction costs, it was noted, and the city’s role is limited to administration and compliance oversight.

The agreement, once executed, will be forwarded on to the National Park Service, where a final technical review will take up to 90 days. Once approved, the agreement will allow the project to proceed in compliance with federal requirements and allow for reimbursement of grant-funded expenses.

Melissa Turner was appointed by the Mayor to the Public Library Board, completing Jackie Marshall’s term ending June 30.

Council then approved three liquor license renewals, including:

*John Swearingen dba JA Lamy Manufacturing, 108 West Pacific, liquor by the drink, $450

*Lovell Curry dba The Den, 115 West Main, liquor by eth drink and Sunday Sales, $750

*Shelly Shugart dba The End Zone, 3129 West Broadway, liquor by the drink and Sunday sales, $750

Council meets again Feb. 2. The public is invited to attend.

In the  top photo: Second Ward Councilwoman Tina Boggess questions City Administrator Matt Wirt concerning the BUILD grant application for the Washington Avenue Bridge on Tuesday night.