The closure of the Washington Street Bridge in Sedalia has entered its fifth month, continuing to put pressure on the city’s emergency crews to respond to calls north of the Union Pacific railroad tracks.

At Monday night’s meeting, the city council approved the purchase and installation of a camera to monitor nearby at-grade crossings. Mayor Andrew Dawson explains how the cameras will help with response times.

The purchase and installation will cost $8,537. Dawson says an engineering firm will bring recommendations on the future of the Washington Street Bridge during a work session Tuesday.

Also at Monday’s meeting, Sedalia’s city council agreed to the purchase of an education tool from Robotronics called Freddie the Fire Truck. Dawson says the truck had been sought for years, but the purchase was deferred in favor of higher priorities.

The city council also gave formal approval to the purchase of five new tornado sirens for the city from Blue Valley Public Safety for $175,000.