The Sedalia Police Department may be purchasing some updated equipment in the near future if they are awarded a federal grant after the Sedalia City Council authorized the department to apply during Monday’s meeting.
Council approved a resolution authorizing the Sedalia Police Department to act as an agent for the City of Sedalia in the application process for the 2016 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Local Grant from the U.S. Bureau of Justice as well as authorizing an agreement with Pettis County for distribution and use of any awarded funds.
“It’s a direct allocation straight from the Department of Justice. This grant allows funds for different projects at the police department and also at the (Pettis County) sheriff’s department,” SPD Cmdr. Matt Wirt explained after the pre-council meeting. “In this particular year what we’re going to do is use that money to purchase a in-car video system for one of the police cars, a new updated one that will also work with the body cameras we have recently purchased. I believe the sheriff’s department is going to use theirs to purchase a radio.”
According to information provided in the council meeting packet, SPD will apply for $10,002 to be utilized by SPD and the Sheriff’s Office. SPD will give $4,001 to the Sheriff’s Office for use by Sept. 30, 2017, and SPD will utilize the remaining funds.
Wirt said grants such as this help SPD purchase equipment they wouldn’t be able to otherwise.
“Over the years with the economy, the grant amounts have gone down, but we do continue to receive some grant funding, which helps supplement our budget to make those bigger purchases,” Wirt said. “As with everything, things are getting more and more expensive so grant funds are great to have to afford some of those things we normally can’t do.”
During the pre-council meeting, council voted to table an ordinance granting a rezoning application by Lawrence J. Klein for property located at 1602 S. Harrison Ave., 1606 S. Harrison Ave. and 1618 S. Harrison Ave. Ward 1 Councilman Jeff Leeman said more information is needed from Klein regarding the request. Council will vote again during the June 20 meeting.
The Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously recommends approval of the ordinance. According to information in the meeting packet, if approved by council, this rezoning request would allow Klein to construct storage for his lawn-related equipment so it can be stored out of sight of neighbors and passersby.
The regular council meeting began with a public hearing regarding the past performance by the City of Sedalia and the Center for Human Services/Cooperative Workshops Inc. in carrying out the public facility improvements at CHS, 1500 Ewing Dr., and allowing any public comments regarding the close out of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) utilized to renovate the facility. No comments were made.
During the meeting council also:
• Approved appointment of Patrick Daly to the Tax Increment Financing Commission for a four-year term expiring July 2020.
• Approved an ordinance approving and accepting an agreement for municipal advisor services with Springsted Inc. According to information in the packet, Springsted is being asked to provide financial analysis for the proposed Sedalia Police Station and proposed Community Center funding. Parks and Recreation Director Mark Hewett will give a presentation regarding the progress of the proposed Community Center during the June 13 work session.
• Approved a bid of $36,000 and an ordinance approving an accepting an agreement with Reese Equipment Co. LLC for the Yard Waste Grinding No. 7 Project.
• Approved an ordinance readopting Section 2-833 of the Code of Ordinances, which establishes a procedure to disclose potential conflicts of interest and substantial interests for certain officials. This is a biannual requirement of the Missouri Ethics Commission.
• Approved an ordinance approving and accepting an ILEC Plexar II Service Pricing Schedule with AT&T relating to renewal of telephone service for the city’s telephone system.
Ward 3 Councilman Bob Cross was absent during the pre-council meeting but was present during the regular meeting.
