Residents press Sedalia council on stormwater ditches, possible landfill plans and senior-center funding

Three members of the public addressed the Sedalia City Council during the goodwill portion of the Sept. 16 meeting with concerns about stormwater ditch maintenance, possible landfill development near the city and funding for senior services.

Randy Templemeyer described erosion and overgrown ditches near Crown Hill Cemetery and nearby streets around 519 N. New York. Templemeyer said he tore ligaments in his ankle while mowing a ditch and urged the city to look for a safe maintenance solution, suggesting repurposing removed sidewalk concrete or targeted herbicide and mechanical mowing. "I'm not asking for a major rework... but I'd ask the city council to take a look at the photos and see if we can come up with a solution for it," Templemeyer said.

Derek Stanley, representing Presidio Environmental, told council he had obtained Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) notes through a Freedom of Information Act request that describe meetings with Canadian-based GFL about plans for two new landfills — one he said would be in the Muddy Creek floodplain and the other on tracting ground bordering Sedalia on three sides. Stanley urged the City of…