[{"_1":2,"_98":-5,"_99":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6297309,"mediaKeyId","2510289-0940cb4078134187ba6595f45eb52808","parentId",2510289,"title","Residents press Sedalia council on demolitions, asbestos testing and water‑safety notices","audioSeconds",4160,"startMs",427000,"endMs",4587000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2510289-0940cb4078134187ba6595f45eb52808&start=427&end=4587","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2510289-0940cb4078134187ba6595f45eb52808/thumbnail_427000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6297309/Sedalia/Pettis-County/Missouri/Residents-press-Sedalia-council-on-demolitions-asbestos-testing-and-watersafety-notices","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6297309-3845739e136b27110b83963747b0f1e8/orig.mp4?Expires=1776626373&Signature=dKOYlzzfGjJKPbijKKmq2suP86TzSEJSV90g2Kv3ic0031c7SIzASucRYiRrEH9B~lt-olX8zuZ5MJF~plKTqedTBZVmXIH0k3r67oeUmWStTtHVXKypl9QTGVeVph~xZxOrgfxCXVMAehVnCOUw5hOnNB01QFNgjqw4EiNQixZrCjzW3f-Nrt9uBolcXVMBWBNFM0eyvp1jqtyAbOmBzGNmAL92P6hoA1IV5mx3ioZht~e7xCDp-8WOMpA2Ej-sd6qM4AbyTqI4ST-W~JwT8r5Tz5eEzUSe5KV-lOuBlEpaEBlqYDgY6ul45dHCImSxf3A7yDTb-w57q15Ej8doMg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-03-04T15:20:54Z","article","Several Sedalia residents used the meeting’s good‑and‑welfare public‑comment period to relay concerns about recent demolitions, asbestos handling at tear‑downs, water‑system advisories and code enforcement practices.

Speakers named specific incidents: a resident said his house was demolished in January after he said he had been working to complete repairs and believed the city demolished the structure before he could finish; others alleged inadequate asbestos testing during demolition, possible improper police procedures during enforcement, and inconsistent application of code‑enforcement rules for different property owners.

Several speakers urged the council to be more transparent and compassionate in enforcement. “You allowed the same house to remain vacant for nine months while squatters ran in and out,” said resident Debbie Covington, who criticized the city’s use of demolition and enforcement actions and called for better treatment of elderly residents and more consistent enforcement. John DeGote, a speaker who identified himself as having his house demolished in January, said he had sought help and that demolition proceeded despite repair efforts and fundraising offers from his pastor and church.

Council and staff responses

Councilman Bliss, who said he has experience with asbestos, told the meeting he believed much of the material the speakers raised was not the friable asbestos that becomes airborne and recommended testing before assuming a major contamination risk. City staff described the city’s role in water advisories: they said the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (DNR) issues boil orders, while the city may issue boil advisories for affected areas and conducts lab testing and door‑hanger notifications for impacted homes. The staff explanation emphasized DNR authority to issue an official boil order and said the city uses targeted notification for localized breaks rather than a citywide order.

A resident raised concerns about drone procurement being for non‑U.S. manufactured systems and mentioned congressional scrutiny; police and staff said they would look at grants and restrictions and noted an awarded grant had age/technology stipulations that might limit options.

What the council will do

Council agreed to return to a closed‑door session later in the meeting for legal advice and negotiations; the council later recessed to a closed session as recorded. Council members did not adopt new demolition or asbestos testing policies during this meeting; speakers asked the council to consider more consistent enforcement practices and greater transparency.

Why it matters

Residents described personal losses and potential public‑health concerns tied to demolition and code enforcement. City staff and council said they would follow DNR guidance on water‑safety orders and review the concerns raised by residents and may provide additional information at future meetings.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","0303 2025 City Council Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Multiple residents used the council's public‑comment period to raise concerns about recent demolitions, alleged asbestos exposure, demolition procedures and the city’s handling of water‑line incidents and boil orders; council and staff described testing and regulatory roles and promised follow‑up.","taxTitle","Sedalia, Pettis County, Missouri","taxId",54293,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6297314,"Local nonprofit asks Sedalia council for additional $100,000 from opioid settlement for housing repairs",537,170000,707000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2510289-0940cb4078134187ba6595f45eb52808&start=170&end=707","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2510289-0940cb4078134187ba6595f45eb52808/thumbnail_170000.jpg","/articles/6297314/Sedalia/Pettis-County/Missouri/Local-nonprofit-asks-Sedalia-council-for-additional-100000-from-opioid-settlement-for-housing-repairs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6297314-df14e72a668d7f56a96dad925f928e8a/orig.mp4?Expires=1776626373&Signature=jbAdUKlyL3xNmJYrOT88EvADSUz94ETKY9cC8wYKF1VzW~QuWbiidI1yboTpklLaVgCfrBI5zfUiv9-eDhdtHijW8oR6HkeKq6z1OGdK1EKVJqgD4uFrhfjCiaXIOwURqprBjGk9dFqdP5cN4g6bL6HOA3joRI50NG-6mFzPneGJeNryD6rHQCge7qF-HCOS5InhVFpbf9t49--q1G9xcxjNoOkYTg6uekwwu3KNUvvUyBZAgIKTw0VuInu2rVfdtqlC-Hf6R6IyCriVA9ugWrPI3u56nB5YxMMZmMOEQNpGUkGJ4P7iE0Y6NUSAG5qIuTfr5ILDIugb~InQwCdonQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the March council meeting, Anne Grant, representing an organization identified in the meeting as the Embassy, asked the Sedalia City Council to approve an additional $100,000 in opioid settlement funds to finish repairs on two houses the nonprofit is rehabilitating.

Grant said the organization was originally granted $50,000 last July and has billed the city $8,357.89 so far for completed work, with additional pending work still to be completed. She described work already completed—floor repairs, laundry‑room remodel, cleanup and partial fence repair—and said continued weather and foundation issues increased costs for the planned basement entry and a roof replacement at 302 West Seventh, where the group secured weatherization funds through the Missouri Valley Community Action Agency.

“We are asking City Council to grant us an additional $100,000 of funding through the opioid settlement, to complete the work that we've described,” Grant said during her presentation.

Council response and next steps

Council members asked staff to confirm how much opioid‑settlement money remains available. A staff member identified as Matthew said he would need to check the account and confirm the balance. When asked whether opioid‑settlement funds were the only source proposed for the city‑limits property work, a staff member answered, “Yes, that's correct,” and confirmed the funds are restricted to certain types of services.

Grant told council the organization had pursued other sources—she said the county had approximately $3,000 available but had allocated it elsewhere, and that the group had applied at the state level for opioid funding as well. She also noted the organization had received a $2.5 million donation of a property in the county and said that property’s funds would be used for work outside the city limits.

Why it matters

The council is the final decision maker for city‑controlled opioid settlement funds. The requested $100,000 would more than double the prior award and is intended to address structural work the presenter said was discovered after demolition and weather exposure. Council members signaled they would check available funds before deciding whether to approve the request at a subsequent meeting.

Evidence from the meeting

Grant provided project pictures and architect drawings in the presentation and itemized completed and pending billings. Staff committed to checking the remaining balance of opioid settlement funds and returning to council with that figure.","A representative for a nonprofit project in Sedalia asked the council for an additional $100,000 from the city’s opioid settlement allocation to complete foundation and roof repairs, weatherization work and a revised basement entry at two city houses.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6297319,"Sedalia council adjusts 2026 draft budget, adds trailer, drone pilot and employee disability coverage",2314,613000,2927000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2510289-0940cb4078134187ba6595f45eb52808&start=613&end=2927","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2510289-0940cb4078134187ba6595f45eb52808/thumbnail_613000.jpg","/articles/6297319/Sedalia/Pettis-County/Missouri/Sedalia-council-adjusts-2026-draft-budget-adds-trailer-drone-pilot-and-employee-disability-coverage","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6297319-c69c08246e22e162ee8098b537492548/orig.mp4?Expires=1776626373&Signature=S1~DrpQ4bpCWcc6d6R5xMz8ssQPiiq9Il7utyeRIgh-u89Yx1xJsvZMqbT79Z8YMhgCAsU0omxpmFis5Xi35MefQ4ukS7lPiwZ8LnZi5WoIk8iQ1-~LicooRWo3HHlMZJZRqGUZqfyhJbAGHoAlct2yjwkN-3CCiNWQPxg7qVaNvp7Zjk-5anARZWV2iXReol2Wr9cOpyqb50KYC7ujPesICYX14gwH0g~2OXjetmABgq-1c5MGBPNECAeEkqckgjIX0WrVOoNUO7Uk6LU-htxscCENuVrne~rBYwqQYPTwmnK4Osmse7zk7g8C0VDa~NgDKzdM~wpbZUF-c~MO36w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Sedalia City Council on March 17 adjusted its draft 2026 budget, approving several line‑item changes and one‑time purchases while staff and council members debated the effect on the city’s fund balance.

Council members voted to remove a $63 line item for the Fast Rescue Board from the general fund and rejected a motion to remove items for new breakroom tables and office chairs. Council later approved adding a $45,000 gooseneck trailer for public‑works hauling, approved a $29,500 option to begin police drone capability using existing equipment, and approved adding $50,000 for long‑term disability coverage for city employees.

The moves came as staff walked council through the draft workbook and several alternate options—micro‑paving choices, a proposed committal shelter, and equipment trade‑offs for the Capital Improvements Fund—that would change projected reserves. Council members repeatedly emphasized the effect on the target fund balance and urged caution about dipping into reserves.

Council discussion and votes

- Fast Rescue Board (line item 63): Council member Thomas moved to remove the item; the motion carried. The change altered the draft totals shown in the presentation.

- Breakroom tables and office desk chairs (line items added at prior meeting): A motion to remove $2,500 for breakroom tables and $1,000 for office desk chairs was seconded; roll call showed more “no” votes than “yes,” and the items remained in the draft.

- Gooseneck trailer ($45,000): Council moved and passed an amendment to add a $45,000 gooseneck trailer to the Transportation Fund to avoid damage to pavers and rollers during loading and unloading. Staff warned the addition reduced the fund balance percentage but said the trailer would prevent equipment damage and extra trips.

- Long‑term disability insurance (~$50,000): Council discussed an unexpected long‑term disability insurance cost that staff added to the workbook after the packet was prepared. A motion to add the coverage to the general fund passed.

- Drone pilot option ($29,500): Council voted to begin drone capability by equipping an existing drone with live 9‑1‑1 capability for about $29,500 rather than the larger $75,000 rooftop‑launched system. The chief and other supporters said the lower‑cost option would provide officers rapid situational awareness while the department pursues possible grant funding.

Items kept for later review included the micro‑paver purchase and a proposed committal shelter; staff said formal bids or updated cost estimates were still pending. Council reiterated that the March action was not the final adoption of the budget and that the council typically returns to finalize or amend the budget at a later regular session or special meeting.

Votes at a glance

- Motion to remove Fast Rescue Board (line item 63): outcome — approved (motion carried).
- Motion to remove breakroom/office chairs ($3,500 total): outcome — rejected (items remained).
- Motion to add gooseneck trailer ($45,000): outcome — approved (added to Transportation Fund).
- Motion to add long‑term disability insurance (~$50,000): outcome — approved (added to General Fund draft).
- Motion to purchase drone upgrade option ($29,500): outcome — approved (pilot implementation).

Council members and staff who spoke during the budget discussion included Vice Chair Thomas (Finance & Administration), Mayor Pro Tem Tina Vargas presiding, city staff members identified as Matthew and Jason (staff titles not specified in the transcript), and council members Robinson, Oldham, Boggess, Hiller, Cross, Foster, Holden and Bliss. Several department staff members described technical needs—public works staff explained why a gooseneck trailer would reduce damage to the paver’s screed; police staff and chiefs discussed drone options and potential grant funding.

Why it matters

The votes change the composition of the 2026 draft budget and allocate city reserves to specific one‑time capital items and a recurring employee benefit. Council members flagged implementation risk tied to available reserves and pending grant awards; staff said final adoption remains scheduled for the council’s typical March meeting or a near‑future special session.

What’s next

Staff will incorporate the approved changes into the draft and provide updated fund‑balance figures, then return the revised budget for final consideration at a later meeting. Council members signaled they expect more detailed bids on several capital items before final adoption.","At its March meeting the Sedalia City Council made several changes to the 2026 draft budget, removing one line item, keeping others, and approving purchases including a gooseneck trailer, a $29,500 drone pilot option and long‑term disability insurance for employees.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Residents press Sedalia council on demolitions, asbestos testing and water‑safety notices

Local nonprofit asks Sedalia council for additional $100,000 from opioid settlement for housing repairs

Sedalia council adjusts 2026 draft budget, adds trailer, drone pilot and employee disability coverage