Joplin City Council Meeting - November 11, 2024
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Joplin City Council Meeting - November 11, 2024
The Joplin City Council met on Veterans Day, November 11, 2024, beginning at 12:15 p.m. The meeting included a presentation from Temple Live regarding a potential public-private partnership for Memorial Hall, a detailed discussion on establishing a police take-home car program, public testimony urging preservation of Memorial Hall, and approval of several routine items. The council voted to table a contract for design of a Veterans Memorial Park pending further exploration of private partnership opportunities.
Presentation by Temple Live on Memorial Hall
Corey from Temple Live (representing BD Capital) presented a proposal for a public-private partnership to revitalize Memorial Hall. Temple Live operates historic Masonic temples as entertainment venues. Council members expressed interest but requested more detailed financial information, including the city's contribution, operating plans, and commitment to veterans memorials. Several council members emphasized the need for a thorough competitive analysis given the presence of four casinos in the region. Councilman Jackson noted the risk of the city being a "test subject" as Temple Live's first municipal-owned building. Mayor Cortez directed the city manager to open formal conversations with Temple Live to develop more concrete terms. The council generally supported moving forward with discussions.
Discussion on Police Department Take-Home Vehicle Program
City Manager Edwards presented four options for implementing a take-home car program for Joplin police officers. Options ranged from full implementation (32 cars, $2.7 million purchase, $770,000 annual recurring costs) to delayed implementation tied to collective bargaining. Council members debated eligibility (three-year vs. one-year probationary period), funding sources (use tax, Prop B renewal, marijuana tax, general fund), and the importance of retention and recruitment. Chief Pearson testified that take-home cars are critical for competitiveness and morale, noting that 70% of officers surveyed preferred take-home cars over a pay raise. Councilman Coppel and Jackson strongly supported immediate action, while others like Councilman Ditarr favored tying funding to a renewal of Prop B. After extensive discussion, Councilman Jackson moved that staff bring back three options: one not tied to a tax renewal, one tied to Prop B, and one staff-generated option. The motion passed 6-2. The mayor requested a return by the first meeting in December.
Public Comments on Memorial Hall Preservation
Luke Gibson, representing the Downtown Joplin Alliance, asked the council to not approve the park design contract and instead give time for a community group to develop a restoration plan. He emphasized that more than $80 million in private investment has gone into downtown. Jill Hallbach noted that the building is a local landmark and that numerous citizens have offered expertise. She urged the council to hear the community and allow collaboration. Council members acknowledged the public input, with Mayor Cortez stating they are listening and open to ideas.
Consent Agenda and Other Items
The consent agenda was finalized without objection. Several public hearings were held and approved: rezoning for Ralph House International at 2517 E 20th St; vacation of utility easement at 1403 E Valley St; vacation of sewer easement at 2128 S Maiden Lane; special use permit for a home beauty salon at 2805 N Highland Ave (amended to include Saturdays, approved 8-0); reappointment to 32nd Street Place CID; appointment to North Park Lane CID; approval of stop-loss insurance contract with Berkeley; approval of stormwater project contract with Jeff Asbell Excavating; approval of transit study contract with TransPro; approval of development code fee changes; approval of Superion financial software support; approval of Central Square asset management system.
Key Outcomes
- Memorial Hall: Council directed city manager to open negotiations with Temple Live/BD Capital to explore a public-private partnership. A contract for park design (Council Bill 2024-627) was tabled 8-0 pending those discussions.
- Police Take-Home Cars: Council voted 6-2 to have staff return with three specific options (no tax tie, Prop B tie, and staff alternative) by early December.
- Special Use Permit: Approved with amendment to allow Saturday hours (8-0).
- Rezoning and Easement Vacations: All approved 8-0.
- Stop-Loss Insurance: Approved on emergency basis (8-0).
- Other contracts and resolutions: All approved 8-0 as presented.
Additional Reports
- Public Information Office reported road closure at Zora and Decane for roundabout construction, and encouraged participation in JATSO transportation survey and MoDOT's Route 66 (7th Street) virtual meeting. City also launched a new email newsletter.
- Councilman Coppel raised concerns about the city tree drop-off ending in October and about the naming of Langston Hughes Broadway (official name includes Langston Hughes) causing delivery issues. He requested staff work with the neighborhood.
Meeting Transcript
Of the memorial portion. You know, we have the names of people who gave their lives in World War One and prior to that. Can you speak to that? Absolutely. I I it's it's fitting that uh this meeting is on Veterans Day, um, so we can appreciate that. Uh we definitely appreciate um you know our military and and and vets. Um five of all five of our uh venues, current venues are former Masonic temples, so they're they're all over a hundred years old, and um we have you know the experience to kind of preserve those and and get people in them again um like they used to be. Who's next? Mr. Oh no, Mr. Ditarr. Hey Corey, thanks. Um, but for me, this was it was a nice presentation. But I think that, and maybe I'm speaking out of turn here, but would like to hear a little bit more kind of what Temple Live like we're you said we do a private public partnership, but what does that really look like? Um, you know, it's like how much are you gonna be asking from the city? I think we need to have we're getting up to crunch time on decision making on what we want to do with with this uh with this issue with this building. And so I'd I'd like to hear just maybe I know you don't have numbers put down in front of you, but kind of what's a typical project like this look for you, how much you asked for the city or the or the public ask part of us to help you find what's that I I don't think I would be able to uh expertly speak on behalf of of Mr. BD uh when it comes to the specifics of the financial arrangements. Uh I apologize. Um I was kind of hoping for a little bit more tonight than uh I think Temple Live is it's a good company, and I'd like to see it. I'd like but I'd like to have a little bit more kind of meat on the bones in order to make a decision. I'm the one that's for so I'm the one that's kind of at it's the standout here. I'm the I'm the one of the eight that's looking to try to get something done. And so uh for me, I'd like to hear a little bit more um kind of what this looks like, but again, we're kind of up against the time crunch too, because we've got some other things coming on that we need to decide what to do. And of course, those take those things take time. So um, Mayor, I don't know if we were looking for direction for to ask them to dig a little deeper if we care to hear any of that, or kind of where what are we looking to ask from Corey tonight? I think that's a good question, Mr. Dutar, but let's let's uh hold that until we get through some potential questions from the rest of the council. Mr. Coppel. Um yes, sir. In looking at the the pictures you provided and the other venues that you showed, um it seems to me that there's a substantial diff square footage difference in the other projects you've done versus memorial hall being a smaller venue, uh and I know that's going to affect potential draws for entertainment purposes coming in. Uh and also they would be in direct competition with some of our uh neighbors in the area that that do this as well. Um how do you see those two challenges uh affecting us and affecting a a project like this? Um I should mention that our uh Wichita and Fort Smith venues are around 50,000 square feet. Uh Cleveland and Columbus closer to 250, 300,000 square feet. Um what was the last part of your question, sir? How the surrounding venues that offer entertainment we in all of our markets we have uh you know competition. Um Fort Smith, we go up against the casino all the time for shows. Um we give them a good run for their money. Uh we work uh and compete, you know, against Live Nation AHE and some of the other major players out there. Okay. Well, here you'd be competing against four casinos, so just uh I'm very optimistic about this. I'm I'm glad you're coming forth. I I'm glad there is interest in this. Um I just want to make sure that if we go down this road and more importantly, if you go down this road, um, that you think that there's going to be a market in enough of a market to to make this venture um advantageous for all all parties involved. Okay. Yes, I I understand. Okay. Um Mr.
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