Joplin City Council Meeting Summary - August 19, 2026

The Joplin City Council met on August 19, 2026, at 9:30 AM. The meeting covered financial and progress reports on several sales tax-funded programs, including parks and stormwater, capital improvements, public safety, and pensions. Staff provided updates on major projects, and council members asked clarifying questions. The minutes from the May 20, 2026 meeting were approved, and a council member was excused.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes Approval: The council unanimously approved the minutes from the May 20, 2026 meeting.
• Excusal of Council Member: Nathan Mordeca was excused from the meeting by unanimous consent.

Discussion Items

Parks and Stormwater Report (Phase 2 & 3)

• Financials:
  • Parks Phase 2: $477,818 spent; remaining project commitments total $999,505. Stormwater Phase 2 completed; remaining balance noted.
  • Parks Phase 3: $1,906,489 in sales tax revenue; $1,338,779 in ARPA grant; year-to-date spending $8,627,550; remaining projects estimated at $10.7 million.
  • Stormwater Phase 3: $1,559,854 in sales tax; $5,029,519 in ARPA funds; $7,202,648 spent; remaining projects over $13 million.
• Project Updates (Paul):
  • Ewert Park: Two basketball courts under a large structure; amphitheater painting; ice ribbon and splash park nearing completion; park expected to open mid-to-late November with ice skating first.
  • Turf fields at softball complex and Joe Becker Stadium near completion.
  • Cunningham basketball court repainted and completed.
  • Forest Park cemetery overlaid.
  • Bicycle park (Momentum) completed; hosted UCI World Qualifier Pump Track Championships with 97 riders and 1,200 spectators; total visitors ~85,000 since November.
  • Security lighting/cameras: Most parks completed; installations ongoing at Cunningham, Leonard, and Parr Hill.
  • Trash can removal program in passive parks (McClellan, MacIndoe) reported successful.
  • Parr Hill playground replacement and trail fitness equipment approved; ADA surfacing required by June 2027.
• Dog Park Discussion: No current plans for a downtown dog park; possible private partnership at Parr Hill; future park/stormwater renewal (2031) could include a new dog park on the north side.
• Ewart-Landrith Trail Connection: City staff acknowledged the need for a railroad crossing at Murphy Boulevard; currently an unfunded but high-priority need; previous successful negotiations with railroads on Fourth Street provide a template.
• Grand Falls Trail (Dan): Awaiting clearance from MoDOT; ready for advertisement once clearance received.
• Stormwater Update (Dan):
  • Crews completed post-June 13 storm limb pickup.
  • Projects completed or in progress: 3rd & North Park Lane (blocks ordered), Par Lane Inlet (partial solution), Jung Boulevard triple inlet replacement (truck damage), 26th & Wall box replacement.
  • ARPA stormwater projects completed.
  • Future projects: Sunnyvale improvements (bidding fall 2026, construction winter), DuraMakers neighborhood (design next fiscal year), 17th & Minor stormwater (design contract), Old Willow Branch Phase 1 (funds used on other projects), 1st & Joplin (later in program).
  • Emergency repairs: High Street between 5th & 6th (city crews completed), 9th & Jackson (culvert collapse repairs underway).
• 7th Street Construction: Council member asked about congestion and safety for trucks on 7th Street between Main and Rangeline; staff explained that MoDOT is the lead agency on the project and that rerouting information is available to trucking companies but not enforced by the city.
• 20th Street (Schipperdecker to Country Club): Dan confirmed that the entire 20th Street project (including the portion of interest) will be reopened by end of September 2026.
• Roundabout Art Committee: A request for proposals for roundabout artwork received one response; staff recommended creating a citizens committee to make artistic decisions. Council members noted the Joplin Arts District may participate.

Capital Improvements Sales Tax

• Phase 1: All projects complete; minor refunds processed.
• Phase 2: 20th Street ARPA grant: $2,398,826 received; $5,356,546 spent; remaining projects ~$7.5 million. Various street projects complete or underway.
• Phase 3: $5,200,381 collected; TIF developer payments of $178,484; $86.3 million in remaining projects. No completed projects yet.
• Zora Improvements: Phase 2 (roundabout to I-49) under construction, paving expected this week; Phase 3 (roundabout to Range Line) will be bid soon, construction early 2027.
• 6th Street & Virginia Park and Garage: Bid documents being prepared; sidewalk repairs on 6th Street to be included.
• 20th Street: On schedule for September completion; two roundabouts at Central City and 20th in progress.
• Bridge Maintenance: Langston Hughes Broadway bridge expansion joint fixed; Newman Bridge deck repairs completed to defer full replacement to 2031.
• Pennsylvania Avenue Viaduct: Staff preparing recommendations for council.
• Willow Branch Stormwater Project: Bidding later in 2026, construction in 2027; first segment on Wall Street (7th to 6th) will connect old and new Willow Branch.
• I-44 Culvert: Agreement with MoDOT expected soon; city funds bridge construction; downstream detention basin at 44th Street will be enlarged to compensate; trail included as part of basin project, with potential connection to Razorback Trail.
• Davis Boulevard: Design contract awarded to Olsen Associates.
• Schipperdecker Manhole Covers: Staff acknowledged low manhole covers after overlay; correction planned due to shortage of adjustment rings.

Public Safety Sales Tax

• Financials: Revenues $6.9 million YTD; expenditures: street lights $323,089, police $3.2 million, fire $3.3 million, training center $267,614; total $7.3 million; ending fund balance $4.6 million.
• Police (Chief Lewis): Staffing improved to six openings; one applicant in process, one possible lateral, potentially reducing to four openings.
• Fire (Chief Isell): All sales-tax-funded positions filled; one current vacancy, two expected soon; new Engine 2 and Engine 3 expected end of October / early November; five engines replaced in 4.5 years; Engine 3 ('Fancy') a 2011 tornado-era truck with 160,000 miles to be retired as reserve or traded.

Pension Sales Tax

• Financials: Ending fund balance $1.6 million; year-to-date collections $7.8 million; $7.7 million forwarded to pension plan; TIF developer $93,000. Expected to reach 120% funding level early 2027, at which point the tax will transition to a half-cent police and fire sales tax.

Action Plan Template

• Staff noted only about four action plans remain; all others complete or ongoing; progress continues with use tax dollars.

Key Outcomes

• Minutes of May 20, 2026 approved unanimously.
• Council member Nathan Mordeca excused from meeting unanimously.
• Next meeting scheduled for November 18, 2026 at 3:30 PM.
• Project timelines affirmed: 20th Street to open by end of September; Zora Phase 2 paving this week; Ewert Park opening mid-to-late November; Grand Falls Trail awaiting MoDOT clearance; roundabout art committee to be formed.
• Motion to adjourn passed unanimously.