Joplin City Council Meeting - December 2, 2024

The Joplin City Council met on December 2, 2024, at 6:00 PM for a regular session lasting approximately 3.5 hours. The meeting included presentations, public comments, project funding updates, a lengthy discussion on police take-home vehicles, public hearings on annexation and rezoning, and approval of several emergency ordinances. Council members present: Carlin, Koppel, Ditar, Jackson, Lawson, Shaw, and Mayor Cortez. Absent: Bard and Farnham (excused).

Consent Calendar

• Routine approvals and unanimous consent items were approved without objection.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Mary Price (citizen) criticized the city's handling of ARPA grant projects, highlighting a $6.7 million shortfall on the DORA and Ewert Splash Park projects. She questioned the council's packet size (451 pages) and urged closer scrutiny of city finances before approving new taxes.
• Nicole Brown (One Joplin) and Kathy Mason (co-chair, transportation sub-team) requested updates on the trolley service, which has been closed since November 2022 due to driver shortages. They asked when it would reopen and why a dispatch supervisor and part-time driver positions were denied in the budget.
• Teddy Steen (business owner, recovery outreach) emphasized the trolley's importance for employment access and asked for a firm reopening date. Mayor Cortez responded that the trolley is expected to restart at the end of January or early February 2024, with 16 drivers now employed (14 full-time, 2 part-time).

Presentations

• Boards and Commissions Recognition: Certificates and keys to the city were presented to outgoing members: Shelise Cooper (6 years), James Weber (7 years on Sports Authority), Lauren Coppel (6 years on Tree Board), Carol Humbard (9 years on Housing Authority), Bob Loudermilk (6 years on Airport Board), and David Lane (10 years on Library Board and Board of Adjustment).
• Chase the Chill Proclamation: Mayor Cortez proclaimed December as “Chase the Chill Month,” recognizing the volunteer effort that has distributed 10,384 scarves, hats, and gloves over 10 years.

Discussion Items

• Project Funding Update (presented by Leslie Haas):

  • Dover Outdoor Recreation Area (DORA): Original budget $3.76M (park stormwater tax + state and city ARPA); projected cost $6.7M, shortfall ~$3M.
  • Ewert Splash Park: Original budget $6.2M; engineer estimate $9.9M, shortfall ~$3.7M.
  • 20th Street Project: Budget $16.2M (city ARPA $2.5M, county $300K, plus capital improvement taxes); projected cost ~$14M, resulting in ~$2M savings.
  • Council discussed options, including using savings from 20th Street for other projects, cutting amenities to reduce costs, or letting state ARPA grants lapse. Councilmember Koppel prioritized Ewert over DORA; Councilmember Jackson urged caution with county joint funds. A final funding recommendation is expected at the December 16 meeting.

• Take-Home Cars for Police Department (presented by Nick Edwards):

  • Three options presented: 1) Full implementation (18 cars at $1.5M initial, $464K annual ongoing); 2) Fund via expenditure reductions (requires cutting 15-20 positions); 3) Delay to collective bargaining.
  • Council debated costs, tethering to Prop B renewal, and retention benefits. Councilmember Koppel supported the program as a retention tool, noting the department has been double-digit short on officers for six years. Councilmember Ditar raised concerns about long-term funding. Councilmember Shaw defended City Manager Edwards against perceived attacks.
  • Motion approved (7-0-2): Direct the city manager to bring back an ordinance for up to 16 vehicles in FY2025 (11 in 2025, 12 in 2026) with no mechanic added at this time. The motion passed with support from most members; Councilmember Jackson voted no but later explained his opposition to emergency ordinances, not the program itself.

• Trolley Service Update: City Manager Edwards confirmed that 16 drivers are now hired (14 full-time, 2 part-time), and the trolley is expected to restart by end of January or early February 2024.

Public Hearings

• Voluntary Annexation (CB 2024-293): Approval of annexation of 20 acres at 642 East Fountain Road (Robertson Trust, now owned by Schubert Mitchell Holmes) for future residential development. Approved unanimously (7-0-2).
• Rezoning (CB 2024-294): Rezone from R-1 to R-2 for the same property to allow 50-foot lots and higher density. A protest petition (42.07% of property owners) was noted but did not block approval. Council discussed buffer concerns. Approved on first reading (7-0-2).

Key Outcomes

• Take-Home Car Program: Council directed staff to prepare an ordinance for up to 16 police vehicles in FY2025 with phased implementation, no mechanic added.
• Emergency Ordinances: Seven emergency ordinances were passed (most 6-1-2, with Councilmember Jackson voting no on all):
  • CB 2024-158: Electrical subpanel replacements at Justice Center ($196,680, 50% ARPA, 50% public safety sales tax).
  • CB 2024-159: ARPA interceptor improvements ($1,987,927, 68% ARPA, 31% city funds).
  • CB 2024-161: Amendment for construction administration services for ARPA stormwater grant ($438,200).
  • CB 2024-162: Payment for Corps of Engineers mitigation credits ($103,606.80, for wetland impacts).
  • CB 2024-163: Window replacement at Justice Center ($196,369.25, ARPA and public safety sales tax).
• Airport Projects: Approved contracts for runway rehabilitation: construction management with Crawford, Murphy & Tilly ($626,297) and construction with Emory Sapp & Sons ($11,389,111.54) — both 95% federal, 5% local. Passed on first reading.
• On-Call Infrastructure Contract: Approved a one-year contract with Goyne’s Enterprises for utility cuts and concrete repairs, with options to extend two additional years. Passed on first reading.
• Next Meeting: December 16, 2024, where the council will consider a funding plan for the DORA, Ewert Splash Park, and 20th Street projects.