With the new year comes a new budget process for the City of Sedalia, which will begin today with a public hearing.
Tonight’s Sedalia City Council meeting will begin with a public hearing to allow any comments regarding items for consideration by council in setting the strategic plan and budget for the fiscal year beginning April 1.
According to City Administrator Gary Edwards, this is the first of two public hearings regarding the Fiscal Year 2017-18 budget, with the second being hosted at the conclusion of the budget process.
“The one (today) provides citizens a chance to hear their thoughts on the budget prior to the actual budget work beginning in a few days,” Edwards said via email. “The one in March is for the conclusion of the process and just prior to final budget approval. This is the first time we have had two public hearings related to the budget, although every meeting with the council on the budget is open to the public.”
During the pre-council meeting, council will hear an annual report from the Scott Joplin International Ragtime Foundation.
Mayor Stephen Galliher will present service awards to Building Maintenance Worker James Desmond for 40 years of service and Sedalia Police Cmdr. Adam Hendricks for 20 years of service.
Galliher will also present awards to the winners of the 2016 Christmas Light Contest:
First place, Kristy Collins, 2403 S. Kentucky Ave.
Second place, Andy Stovall, 424 S. Grand Ave.
Third Place, Brett and Angie Martin, 2400 Albert Lee
During the meeting council will also:
• Review two appointments: Laura Bouslaugh to the Citizen’s Committee for Smart Growth, completing Donnie Sattler’s term expiring June 2017, and Linda Sundy to the Public Library Board, completing John Snelling’s term expiring June 2019.
• Review an ordinance amending the budget for Fiscal Year 2016-17 regarding the Oak Grove/U.S. Highway 50 intersection improvement project. According to information in the meeting packet, this reflects MoDOT funds made available and the final bid award, which includes funds for removal of roadway markings.
• Review an ordinance authorizing two non-exclusive utility easements to Septagon Construction Co. Inc. for the installment and placement of fiber optics cable in the city-owned parking lot located at East Second Street and Lamine Avenue.
• Review bids and an ordinance approving and accepting an agreement with Reese Equipment Co. LLC for the yard waste grinding No. 8 project (grinding of yard waste from the city’s Compost Facility and lot just south of 1505 N. Ohio Ave. into mulch). Two bids were received, according to the meeting packet. Reese was the low bid and the city has previously worked with the company.
• Review an ordinance amending Section 64-154(d)(11) of the Code of Ordinances regarding rear yard setbacks in District C-3, commercial district only. The Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously recommends approval. According to the meeting packet, this legislation pertains to the planned relocation of an existing business from its current location on West Broadway Boulevard to a new location a short distance to the west.
The Sedalia City Council pre-meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. in the mayor’s conference room with the regular meeting immediately following at 7 p.m. in council chambers at the Municipal Building, 200 S. Osage Ave. For more information, call 827-3000.
