Council approves TIF ordinance

The Sedalia City Council is moving forward with a plan to establish a tax increment financing district with appointments to a commission.

The council unanimously approved an ordinance establishing a TIF commission at its meeting Monday evening in City Hall.

The commission would review the TIF redevelopment plan and make recommendations to the council whether to continue the project. The proposed district includes downtown, the Katy Depot, the former Sutherlands property on East Broadway and the shopping center in the 700 block of East Broadway Boulevard, where Woods Supermarket recently relocated.

Previously, the council awarded a contract to St. Louis firm Peckham, Guyton, Albers & Viets to research the potential for a TIF district and develop the plan. PGAV consultants found the proposed area is for a TIF district.

Elaine Horn, 1st Ward councilwoman, said following the meeting the TIF district is “a great idea.”

“I think it will help us be able to develop the central part of town, and head east,” she said.

Tax increment financing uses property taxes generated by new development to pay for improvements within the TIF district. Half of new sales taxes generated in the district are also set aside for redevelopment.

Other taxing districts, such as school districts and the county, would receive the same amount of money generated by the property before TIF went into effect.

The commission would consist of 11 people — six appointed by the city, two by the county, two by the Sedalia School District 200 and one representative for the other taxing districts.

Mayor Bob Wasson recommended, and the council approved, the following as appointments to the commission: Mark Mason, of Union Savings Bank; Brian Smith, of Coil Construction; architect George Esser; Planning and Zoning Commission member Jim Donaldson; Stafford Swearingin; and Park Board member Dan VanDyne.

The commission is scheduled to meet at 6 p.m. Aug. 25 at City Hall.

Also, the council heard from two people seeking assistance from the city. Ted Francis, of 2501 E. 16th St., asked the council to consider improving a ditch near his home. Francis, who bought the home last year, said it has been inundated with water four times this year. The house was not listed as being in a flood zone.

“I’m making my plea, and I’d appreciate it if anything can be done,” Francis said.

Another woman asked the council to consider an ordinance banning the use of dirt bikes in yards. The woman said her neighbors on South Summit Avenue use dirt bikes in their small yards, creating noise and dust.

In other business, the council took the following action:

•Accepted a $18,500 bid from J.M. Fahey Construction Co., of Grandview, for cold milling East 16th Street from South Engineer Avenue to South Ingram Avenue. J.M. Fahey, along with Columbia Curb & Gutter Co., each submitted the lowest bids, but J.M. Fahey could do the job in less time.

•Set a public hearing for Aug. 4 for the voluntary annexation of 1.48 acres next to Mitchell Road owned by E.W. Thompson Inc.

•Awarded a contract to retain Midwest Computech as the city’s information technology consultant, under which the city will have on-site technical assistance three days per week and other resources on an as-needed basis. The city will pay $3,228 per month.

•Approved a resolution supporting Fulson Housing Group’s efforts to renovate the Commerce Building at Third Street and South Ohio Avenue into 28 apartments. The developer uses the pledge of support in its pursuit of state tax breaks.

•Presented a recognition certificate to Terry Cockrell for his efforts in organizing a daytime Fourth of July celebration.

•Recognized Patrolwoman Victoria Kottman as a recipient of a People Saving People award from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Law Enforcement Traffic Safety Advisory Council. Kottman received the award after a little boy was saved from injury in a December car crash, one day after she went out of her way to install a safety seat for the tyke who was without one.

•Adjourned to a closed session in accordance with the Missouri Sunshine Law to discuss legal advice and the lease, purchase or sale of real estate.

Lauretta Emerson, 2nd Ward, was absent from Monday’s meeting.

snail@sedaliademocrat.com