The Sedalia City Council followed the recommendation of the Citizens’ Traffic Advisory Commission and declined to move on a request to make an intersection outside Liberty Park a four-way stop.

The decision came during a meeting Monday, Feb. 23 that took place a week later than normal. City administrator Matthew Wirt says unlike last year when the proposal to add stop signs along Third Street at Park came up, the council was unanimous in their message.
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The council had initially requested city staff draft an ordinance last March that would establish the four-way stop at the southeast corner of the park, citing potential issues with traffic failing to stop for pedestrians walking to and from the park. The ordinance would have bypassed the normal process of completing a traffic study first to support the move. Council members ultimately voted 6-2 to not advance the ordinance, instead referring the matter to the traffic commission for a full review. The commission was unanimous in their recommendation last month against the four-way stop.

Monday’s meeting also coincided with a work session where the council reviewed the budget for the new fiscal year that begins April 1. Wirt says the council is working through a number of challenges.

Wirt says general expenses in the budget are expected to total $16 million, with the total budget including ongoing projects funded by grants and loan certificates ranging from $50-60 million.

Also Monday night, the council renewed their property management agreement for Spring Fork Lake with the Missouri Department of Conservation, and rejected all bids submitted for the sidewalk improvement project for 4th and 5th streets between New York and Emmet. A dozen liquor licenses received approval from the council.