Sedalia council approves business-license changes, infrastructure projects and budget amendments

The Sedalia City Council on Nov. 20 approved a package of ordinances and budget actions aimed at simplifying business licensing, advancing capital projects and covering training costs for public safety recruits.

Council members passed three ordinances on second and final readings that revise the citys annual business license fee schedule, establish fee-exemption rules for governmental and school projects, and create a provisional business license allowing an applicant with a complete application and paid fees to operate for up to 90 days while awaiting state documentation. Chairwoman Boggess introduced the measures; each passed following motions and roll-call approval.

On capital projects, the council approved a budget amendment and awarded construction work for the Katy Depot to Liberty Park trail. Public Works staff reported Brad Baker Construction LLC submitted the low bid of $1,100,679; the total project cost is listed at $1,312,327.60, producing a recommended budget amendment of about $315,000. Council approved Resolution 21-56 and the related ordinances authorizing the budget change and agreement for construction.

The council also authorized task order No. 3 with HDR Engineering for construction inspection services related to the Washington Street bridge rehabilitation. HDRs proposal totals $278,658 and is part of a $1.2 million project budget; staff said HDR will provide project administration, on-site inspection and final load-rating review. Council set a projected finalization date near March 1 and approved the ordinance accepting the task order.

On public-safety spending, the council approved Resolution 21-54 and Ordinance 2025-190 to amend the FY2026 budget to cover academy tuition for three police recruits. Chief Woolery said tuition at the Central Missouri Police Academy is $6,560 per recruit, and staff recommended a $19,680 amendment to cover the total cost.

Council endorsed submission of an updated industrial pretreatment program to the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (Resolution 21-55). City staff and Drop Collaborative recommended changes to the city code, an enforcement response plan (including an escalation schedule and fine ranges up to the EPA-permitted maximum of $1,000 per violation per day), revised local limits for the North and Central wastewater plants, and phased-in cost-recovery fees for permitted industrial users. Staff said the updates respond to a 2024 enforcement action and would proceed through state public notice and a return to council for final adoption after any state comments.

Several citizen-initiated traffic items forwarded by the Traffic Advisory Commission received no motion for second reading and therefore died on the floor, including a proposed reduction of the Southwest Village speed limit from 25 to 20 mph and multiple proposed two-way stop installations.

Each ordinance and resolution was moved, seconded and approved by roll call with no recorded opposition in the meeting record.

Next steps: the pretreatment program will be submitted for state review and public notice; construction contracts move into mobilization and scheduling; and the city will incorporate the business-license changes into the fee schedule and permitting processes.

Questions about specific contract schedules, detailed fee rates, or the exact phased fee schedule for industrial users were directed to city staff for follow-up; those details were not specified in the councils verbal record at the Nov. 20 meeting.