Sedalia residents raise concerns about Bothwell as council approves traffic measures

Published 5:53 am Wednesday, October 21, 2026

Sedalia residents urged the City Council to address concerns about Bothwell Regional Health Center during the Monday, Oct. 19 meeting, while council members approved traffic safety measures, financial agreements and property development proposals.

Diane Coyle, a retired nurse, and her partner Beau Williams spoke during Good and Welfare about conditions they witnessed Oct. 13 at Bothwell’s emergency department.

“I know how this place should be run, and it hasn’t been run properly for years,” Coyle said. “The entire day up there the waiting room was packed. He, along with two other patients, could have dropped dead at any time for lack of care at this hospital.”

Williams had gone to the hospital for a CT for a suspected brain bleed, but the pair waited all day and received little medical care.

“We got there at 12:30 and he left at 10:15 at night.” Coyle said. “They never really did treat the issues; they treated him with a stupid pain medication for the headache.”

She asked council members to consider a special election or another way for residents to vote on the hospital’s future.

“We need an election to allow the citizens of Sedalia to vote on whether or not we can sell Bothwell Hospital,” Coyle said. “Columbia has been wanting to buy them up, there’s also interest from Kansas City, and the people of this community deserve a decent hospital and we haven’t had one for a lot of years in this town.”

Coyle told the council she had contacted state officials and requested an investigation, including a review of emergency department records from that day.

Third Ward council member David Covington spoke up to express the concern.

“The medical field is dear to my heart right here because this is a serious matter,” Covington said. “And this is the first I’ve heard about it.”

Jessica Pyle presented an update on city revenue, reporting that net sales tax revenue was up more than $480,000, or 4.2%, compared with the same period in the previous fiscal year. The city had budgeted for a 3% increase and was approximately $136,000 ahead of its budgeted revenue pace.

Franchise tax revenue increased about $100,000, primarily because of electrical tax revenue. Transportation tax receipts also rose, with gasoline taxes up 6.4%, vehicle sales taxes up 3% and vehicle fees up 5.8%.

Council members approved an agreement with Mauldin & Jenkins for annual audit services and an $11,000 amendment to the city’s Tyler Technologies enterprise resource planning contract. The additional services will help transfer customer and utility billing information into the city’s new software system.

City Clerk Jason Myers outlined his office’s responsibilities for municipal records, public notices, elections and records requests. He said an estimated 85% to 90% of city records have been scanned, improving access and reducing storage needs. He also noted that the city’s code of ordinances, last comprehensively updated in 2010, will need to be recoded in the coming years.

Council members approved a two-way stop at South Montgomery Avenue and East Fourth Street, near a pedestrian route connecting to the Katy Trail.

A separate proposal to install a signed crosswalk at the same intersection was rejected after the council approved the stop-sign measure. The Citizens Traffic Advisory Commission had recommended a crosswalk as an alternative to a stop sign.

The council also rejected a proposal to reduce the speed limit on Brandon Avenue from 25 mph to 15 mph. Members approved a separate ordinance authorizing installation of a 25-mph speed-limit sign to remind motorists of the existing limit.

Council members rejected all four bids for a proposed committal shelter at Crown Hill Cemetery because the bids exceeded the amount a family interested in funding the project was willing to contribute.

The council then approved final plats for the Wooded Hollow and Prairie Hollow subdivisions.

Members also approved the sale of city-owned property at 201 E. Broadway Boulevard to Irma J. Lopez for $75,000. The vacant property is intended for a small retail business, with the purchaser responsible for closing costs and compliance with applicable building and property maintenance codes.

The council authorized the Sedalia Police Department to apply for the federal Patrick Leahy Bulletproof Vest Partnership grant. The department anticipates purchasing 12 vests in fiscal 2028 at an estimated cost of $15,828. The grant would reimburse approximately $7,920, leaving the city responsible for about $7,908.

Other business included approving the destruction of eligible police department records and renewing liquor licenses for County Distributing Co. Inc. and The Local Tap.

Chris Howell can be reached at 660-530-0146.