Sedalia Water Department Office Staff To Be Moved ‘In The Books’

Sedalia City Council on Monday night approved moving the Sedalia Water Department's finance and billing staff into the City's overall Finance Department as part of the transition of the department's management.

Physically moving the Water Department is still a ways off, but a possibility, said City Administrator Kelvin Shaw when questioned by City Councilman Bob Cross.

The move made Monday night moves the Water Department office personnel “in the books” only at this time, Shaw noted, and takes effect fiscal year 2018-19.

The Sedalia Water Department also has a master services agreement with Bartlett and West to provide civil engineering on an as-needed basis. An amendment was approved Monday night to allow for engineering services for a water line extension for Nucor Steel Sedalia, LLC, a new customer of Sedalia water. It also involves relocation of a water main for a rail spur at Pettis and Saline.

Council also approved an overview of bids for an HVAC system for Fleet Maintenance. The two bids that were received were rejected after $10,000 was budgeted for a new system, and then bids for the project came in at around $30,000 due to duct work that was not originally anticipated. Shaw explained that the current system quit in December. But part of the facility is not being used. Therefore, staff is looking at alternatives that will address the current space needs of Fleet Maintenance. One alternative will cost $5,600, significantly lower than the $10,000 originally budgeted for the problem.

Paul Bennett of American Legion 642 spoke to Council Monday night, requesting the City participate in the Nov. 11 “Bells of Peace” and called for a resolution honoring local military veterans by having Sedalia join a “POW-MIA CITYsm” program.

Bennett noted that 11 Missouri cities currently participate. If approved to be a POW-MIA CITY, Sedalia would receive a sign to be placed at one of the four main entrances to the State Fair City. The other four signs would have to be purchased through various fund-raisers, he said.

Nearly $25,000 was allocated for a feasibility of the City's Central Fire Station at 600 S. Hancock. FGM Architects Inc., was chosen by a selection committee and recommended to Council. The facility was built in 1974. The study of the aging facility will determine what options the City can take.

The City renewed its application to take part in the federal government's Missouri Law Enforcement Supply Office (LESO) program which allows Sedalia to receive property from the Department of Defense to be used in law enforcement activities.

This year, the City received a $9,917 grant through the Tree Resource Improvement and Maintenance (TRIM) program through Missouri Department of Conservation. One line item was a tree “re-inventory” to identify diseased and dying trees among 1600 trees located on City right-of-ways. The work will be done by an arborist who will note which trees need trimming, and which ones are diseased. The cost of the “re-inventory” is $7,040 through Davey Resource Group. This is all done in a effort to maintain Sedalia's “Tree City USA” designation.

At the start of the Council session, Monte Richardson, Sedalia's information technology manager, gave a lengthy overview of the City's IT year-by-year history and a glimpse of the future needs by strategic planning.

2006 was the first year Sedalia actively engaged in technology, and in 2012, a strategic plan was presented for the future. Technology impacts the City's customers in many ways, he said, including social media, website, emergency services, general communication, compliance, risk mitigation, public information, and historical data.

A general election will be held April 2 to elect a councilman from each of the City's four wards, it was noted.

The Council later adjourned to closed-door session.