OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Joplin City Council Regular Meeting – October 21, 2024

City Council — Monday, October 21, 2024
BodyJoplin, Missouri
SessionCity Council
DateMonday, October 21, 2024
StatusFILED
Video Record
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Transcript — Verbatim
0:02

I want to call to order the regular meeting of the Joplin City Council.

0:07

Mrs.

0:08

Nosh.

0:09

Gracious God, as we come to you this day to begin another session of the Joplin City Council, we ask that you impart upon us your wisdom and guidance so that we may promote justice, assist those in need, and provide for the overall well-being of the citizens of Joplin.

0:21

Amen.

0:22

Amen.

0:24

Mrs.

0:24

Carlin, I believe you have some special guests with us this evening.

0:27

I do.

0:28

I'd like to invite to the podium, Stephanie Brady, the executive director of the community clinic of Southwest Missouri to lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance.

0:39

I just wanted to tell you the interesting thing to me is that the clinic is one of the only free clinics in the country that receives no governmental assistance and fund all their funding comes from grants, donors, and foundations.

0:58

And that's pretty impressive considering that in 2023, they saw over 4,062 patients.

1:09

They received third who received 13,260 prescriptions.

1:17

They had 10,000 medical exams in their offices.

1:21

They had 318 dental exams, 1,400 counseling visits, and 4,075 flu and COVID vaccinations.

1:33

Now this more amazingly is done with a 100%, besides their 12 staff people, 100% volunteer team of doctors, practitioners, nurses, dentists, all volunteers that come in and serve their mission is to serve those that don't get care.

2:03

And so those people might commonly be said to be low income or are working poor in our community.

2:11

But 80% of their patients make too much money to qualify for state aid, and yet they cannot afford marketplace insurance.

2:22

And so with uh over 81 medical volunteers, 20 non-medical volunteers, and a paid staff of 12.

2:30

This represents an estimated savings to our community of over 16 million dollars.

2:38

So we want to thank you for your leadership, Stephanie, and ask you to lead us in the pledge.

2:54

One nation, under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

3:05

That is a dedicated staff of 12 people over there that do yeoman's work to take care of the uninsured in our community, and we thank our community clinic here in Joplin.

3:17

Roll call.

3:18

Mr.

3:19

Bard, present, Ms.

3:20

Carlin, present, Mr.

3:22

Koppel, Mr.

3:23

Ditar, present, Dr.

3:24

Farnham.

3:25

Present, Mr.

3:26

Jackson, present, Mr.

3:27

Lawson, present, Mr.

3:29

Shaw.

3:30

Present.

3:30

Mayor Cortez.

3:31

Presenting the Mr.

3:42

Mayor.

3:43

Mr.

3:43

Detar.

3:44

I would like to make a motion to excuse Mr.

3:46

Koppel.

3:47

Second.

3:48

Motions made and seconded for the excusal of Mr.

3:51

Koppel's absence.

3:52

Please vote.

3:55

It's eight in favor with one absent.

3:57

Presentations.

3:59

ARPA and other grants update.

4:06

Good evening, Mrs.

4:07

Haas.

4:09

Good evening, Council.

4:10

Mayor.

4:12

When the city received nearly $13.8 million in direct ARPA award, um, the city council and city manager, our city leadership, wisely was patient and visionary, waiting on final treasury guidance and ultimately deciding to leverage our ARPRA award and local resources to bring more federal, state, and county dollars to our community.

4:33

City Council awarded a contract to guide house to help with this process.

4:37

As you will hear tonight, Guide House, along with city staff has succeeded in bringing grants to do well over 81 million dollars in projects.

4:46

Guidehouse Guide House's contract will likely end in mid-November.

4:50

Tonight's presentation is the last update by Guide House.

4:54

And with that, I will turn it over to Domini and Seth.

5:00

Thank you.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Grant Management█████████████13%
Procedural███████████11%
Public Engagement████████8%
Senior Services███████7%
Arts And Culture██████6%
Budget Equity Analysis██████6%
Water And Wastewater Management██████6%
Historic Preservation█████5%
Public Health████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Joplin City Council Regular Meeting – October 21, 2024

The Joplin City Council met on Monday, October 21, 2024, at 6:00 PM in the 5th Floor Council Chambers. The meeting included an ARPA and grants update, several citizen requests regarding the Area Agency on Aging, Memorial Hall, and accountability, approval of a consent agenda, multiple emergency ordinances, first reading ordinances for property sales and infrastructure, and second/third reading approvals for the Tin Cup Trail and Bridge projects. Council also discussed next steps for Memorial Hall and directed staff to explore an urban archery program.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved unanimously (8-0-1, with Councilmember Koppel absent) the consent agenda as finalized, including minutes of October 7, 2024, and multiple Council Bills (2024-003, 2024-133, 2024-146, 2024-147, 2024-283, 2024-289, 2024-402) and Resolution 2024-018 (Joplin-Jasper County Emergency Management Plan).

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Jennifer Shotwell (Area Agency on Aging, Region X) reported on the Joplin Senior Center’s performance over the past 12 months: 1,274 visitors from 23 counties across 8 states; 16,347 meals served (63% of visitors live alone); 14,271 hours of recreation; 5,800 hours of physical fitness; 76,208 home-delivered meals; 17 wheelchair ramps built; 1,100 hours of respite care; 375 hours of chore/personal care. She expressed gratitude for the city’s support and noted a decreasing average age of participants.
  • Chad Stebbins urged the council to save Memorial Hall, drawing parallels to the lost Connor Hotel. He highlighted the hall’s historic significance, listing numerous famous performers (e.g., Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, Fats Domino) and events. He argued the demolition process has moved too quickly and asked for exploration of all options.
  • Emily Frankoski (Executive Director, Connect2Culture) stated on behalf of the Connect2Culture Board of Directors that the organization supports the restoration of Memorial Hall. She explained that the hall’s large capacity (over 2,000) is irreplaceable in the city and could create an arts and cultural campus with the Cornell Complex. She noted the Cornell Complex welcomed over 28,000 guests in its first year and hosted 400+ events. She encouraged the council to explore all funding sources for restoration and offered to take questions back to the board.
  • Mary Price spoke twice: first regarding the 20th Street widening project (citizen surprise at its inclusion in the capital improvement sales tax), then later about Proposition B (a new tax for police and fire) and transparency concerns. She urged that any new tax be strictly designated for police and fire services only, not the broader “public safety” classification. She also reported delays in receiving Sunshine Law requests and questioned the city’s transparency.

Discussion Items

  • ARPA and Other Grants Update: Leslie Haas (Finance Director) and representatives from Guidehouse presented. The city received nearly $13.8 million in direct ARPA award. Through Guidehouse’s help, the city has secured grants totaling over $81 million in projects. Key numbers: 18 awarded grants totaling $34.9 million (including a new $3.15 million HUD lead hazard reduction grant), with pending applications for additional projects (e.g., a $12 million sidewalk project). The deadline for ARPA fund obligation is December 31, 2024, and expenditure by December 31, 2026. Councilmember Lawson praised the effort for bringing tax dollars back to Joplin. Councilmember Detar asked clarifying questions about the project priority list versus contingent spending plan.
  • Memorial Hall Future: After citizen testimony, Councilmember Detar requested that a proposal from an outside entity (working with Downtown Joplin Alliance) be heard in a work session. Councilmember Bard requested all members review the 2020 feasibility study. City Manager Edwards noted that staff had been working on plans for a memorial park and American Legion facility, which would be presented November 4. Council agreed to schedule a work session to hear the preservation proposal, with Councilmember Bard stating he is open to listening to exhaust all options.
  • Urban Archery Program: Councilmember Bard directed staff to investigate implementing an urban archery program to manage the rising deer population, citing success in other Missouri cities (Forsyth, Mexico, Columbia). The council concurred.

Key Outcomes

  • Emergency Ordinances Approved (all 8-0-1 unless noted) :
    • Council Bill 2024-139 (ARPA Group A stormwater projects, $7,921,790.60 to D&E Plumbing & Heating) – passed 7-1-1 (Councilmember Jackson opposed).
    • Council Bill 2024-372 (demolition at 1016 W 19th St, $6,105 to Freeman Landworx) – eligible for ARPA reimbursement.
    • Council Bill 2024-373 (demolition at 124 N Maple Ave, $4,102 to Big Johns) – eligible for ARPA reimbursement.
    • Council Bill 2024-455 (animal shelter services contract with Joplin Humane Society) – with updated terms including managed intake and 90% capacity threshold.
    • Council Bill 2024-456 (amending animal fees in city code).
    • Council Bill 2024-457 (maternal child health services contract with MoDHSS, $34,890.01).
    • Council Bills 2024-511 and 2024-512 (life and vision insurance renewals).
    • Council Bill 2024-513 (salary administration plan update and wage adjustments for council employees – city clerk, municipal judge, public defender – 2.5% increase).
    • Council Bill 2024-514 (FY 2023-2024 budget amendment, $7,354,225).
    • Council Bill 2024-515 (FY 2024-2025 budget adoption, $203.2M revenue, $213.4M appropriations).
    • Council Bill 2024-518 (additional paid wellness day for city employees, cost approx. $47,500).
  • First Reading Ordinances Approved (all passed 8-0-1 and advanced to second/third reading):
    • Council Bill 2024-004 (sale of 1201 S Byers Ave to Vita Nova Village for $500, with deed restriction for 20 tiny homes within 36 months) – Councilmember Dr. Farnham abstained.
    • Council Bill 2024-137 (purchase of trickling filter media for Turkey Creek WWTF, $4,490,874 to Brentwood Industries).
    • Council Bill 2024-517 (economic development services agreement with Joplin Regional Alliance for Healthcare and Health Science, $50,000/year for five years).
    • Council Bill 2024-623 (printing 40,000 copies of Joplin History Guide, $18,290 to Minuteman Press).
    • Council Bill 2024-625 (HVAC upgrades at Joplin Historical & Mineral Museum, $439,305 to Satterlee Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning).
  • Second/Third Reading Ordinances Approved:
    • Council Bill 2024-140 (Tin Cup Trail construction, $1,632,717.50 to Hartman & Company) – passed 7-0-1-1 (one abstention, one absent).
    • Council Bill 2024-141 (Tin Cup Bridge construction, $1,665,698 to Elements Construction Concepts) – passed 6-2-1 (two opposed, one absent).
  • Boards and Commissions Appointments Approved: Reappointments to CVB (Pete Hall, John Starchman, Jeremy Sickman, James Columber) and TIF Commission (Derek Edwards); new appointments: Chris Zeibert (Airport Board), Crystal Harrington (Building Board of Appeals), Dylan Coonrod (Capital Improvements), Clayton Chilling and Wells (Personnel Board).
  • Next Steps: Staff to schedule a work session for the Memorial Hall preservation proposal; staff to research and bring back information on an urban archery program.

Meeting Transcript

I want to call to order the regular meeting of the Joplin City Council. Mrs. Nosh. Gracious God, as we come to you this day to begin another session of the Joplin City Council, we ask that you impart upon us your wisdom and guidance so that we may promote justice, assist those in need, and provide for the overall well-being of the citizens of Joplin. Amen. Amen. Mrs. Carlin, I believe you have some special guests with us this evening. I do. I'd like to invite to the podium, Stephanie Brady, the executive director of the community clinic of Southwest Missouri to lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance. I just wanted to tell you the interesting thing to me is that the clinic is one of the only free clinics in the country that receives no governmental assistance and fund all their funding comes from grants, donors, and foundations. And that's pretty impressive considering that in 2023, they saw over 4,062 patients. They received third who received 13,260 prescriptions. They had 10,000 medical exams in their offices. They had 318 dental exams, 1,400 counseling visits, and 4,075 flu and COVID vaccinations. Now this more amazingly is done with a 100%, besides their 12 staff people, 100% volunteer team of doctors, practitioners, nurses, dentists, all volunteers that come in and serve their mission is to serve those that don't get care. And so those people might commonly be said to be low income or are working poor in our community. But 80% of their patients make too much money to qualify for state aid, and yet they cannot afford marketplace insurance. And so with uh over 81 medical volunteers, 20 non-medical volunteers, and a paid staff of 12. This represents an estimated savings to our community of over 16 million dollars. So we want to thank you for your leadership, Stephanie, and ask you to lead us in the pledge. One nation, under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. That is a dedicated staff of 12 people over there that do yeoman's work to take care of the uninsured in our community, and we thank our community clinic here in Joplin. Roll call. Mr. Bard, present, Ms. Carlin, present, Mr. Koppel, Mr. Ditar, present, Dr. Farnham. Present, Mr. Jackson, present, Mr. Lawson, present, Mr. Shaw. Present. Mayor Cortez. Presenting the Mr. Mayor. Mr. Detar. I would like to make a motion to excuse Mr. Koppel. Second. Motions made and seconded for the excusal of Mr. Koppel's absence. Please vote. It's eight in favor with one absent. Presentations. ARPA and other grants update. Good evening, Mrs.

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