Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Health And Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Residents press Sedalia council on demolitions, asbestos testing and water‑safety notices
Summary
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.
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.
