The Sedalia City Council deadlocked Monday night on a fee waiver request sought by State Fair Community College, and rejected a request to install additional stop signs near an elementary school.

The council split on the college’s request for a waiver from permit fees for the renovation of an area near the Donald C Proctor Library to add a coffee shop. SFCC President Dr Brent Bates appeared before the council to answer questions raised at the previous meeting, when the item was tabled, including who would run the shop. Bates said the SFCC Foundation would run the shop the first two years, with students learning first-hand business experience, helping to fulfill the college’s career readiness objectives.

Bates added that a donor to the foundation was covering the startup costs including equipment, with the college assuming operation of the shop after two years. However, the council ultimately voted 3-3 on the proposal, with councilwomen Rhiannon Foster and Michelle Franklin both abstaining from the vote. City administrator Matthew Wirt…

Later in Monday’s meeting, the council declined to give second reading to an ordinance that would establish a three-way stop for Southwest 32nd Street at Southwest Boulevard, near Skyline Elementary. Wirt says despite the Citizens Traffic Advisory Commission unanimously recommending a rejection of the idea brought forward by a resident, city staff still needed to bring it before the council for their consideration.

The proposal was rejected by a 5-2 vote, with council members Tina Boggess and Bob Cross in support and Franklin again abstaining.

Also Monday night, the Sedalia City Council approved a water and sewer connection agreement with a residence outside the city limits on South Ashland, and an agreement with CMT Engineering to complete an assessment of needs at the Southeast Treatment Plant. The council also received presentations on employee insurance costs and the annual strategic planning report for the city clerk’s office.