Joplin City Council Meeting January 21, 2025: Sports Complex CID and Multiple Ordinances
STREAMING COPY IN PREPARATION — RECORDING AVAILABLE FROM THE ORIGINAL SOURCE
Joplin City Council Meeting - January 21, 2025
The Joplin City Council met on January 21, 2025, and addressed a wide range of items, including the establishment of a Community Improvement District (CID) for a major sports complex development, emergency ordinances for airport infrastructure and budget adjustments, and public concerns about snow removal. The meeting included a public hearing, multiple ordinance readings, and several unanimous votes, with one councilmember excused.
Consent Calendar
- Approved the consent agenda as finalized (8-0, with one absent).
- Excused Councilmember Carlin from the meeting (8-0).
Public Comments & Testimony
- Joplin Interfaith Coalition led the Pledge of Allegiance and announced their annual bake sale on February 22 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., benefiting the Medical Loan Closet of Joplin.
- Lori Worthington, incoming executive director of the Joplin Regional Alliance for Healthcare and Health Science, was introduced. She expressed excitement about recruiting and retaining healthcare workers and making Joplin a healthcare destination.
- Jared Bruggeman (Joplin Sports Authority Executive Director) spoke in support of the sports complex CID, emphasizing the need for an indoor facility to keep tournaments local and bring economic impact.
- Morris Glaze (former councilmember) cautioned the council to fully vet the developer, referencing a failed post-tornado project 14 years ago, but stated he was neither for nor against the current proposal.
- Danny Burke (COO, Herman Lumber) spoke in opposition to Herman Lumber's inclusion in the CID, arguing the boundary was drawn to include his business while excluding its real competitors, creating an unfair 2% tax disadvantage.
- Mrs. Price raised concerns about the petition signature count, noting that multiple parcels owned by the same entity may have been counted as separate votes, potentially violating Missouri CID voting rules.
Discussion Items
- Joplin Sports Facility CID (Council Bill 2025-500): Staff and developer Drew Snyder presented the proposed 303-acre district at 20th Street and Rangeline Road. The project includes a 135,000 sq. ft. indoor sports complex, two outdoor turf fields, retail, hotel, and multifamily housing. The CID would impose a 1% sales tax for up to 27 years to fund the sports complex, which would revert to city ownership at term end. The developer's total project cost is $307 million, with $122 million from two CIDs, $38 million from TIF, and $147 million in private equity/debt. Council discussed the board of directors' selection, financial due diligence, and the timeline. A motion to have the city's Finance Committee review the project passed 6-2.
- TIF Plan (Council Bill 2025-501): The TIF redevelopment plan for Prospect Village was reviewed. It is a pay-as-you-go TIF with no city debt, capturing incremental sales and property tax increases for reimbursement. Baker Tilly reviewed the developer's financial capacity.
- Public Transit Fee Increase (Council Bill 2025-509): Staff proposed raising trolley fares from $1 to $2 per ride, with discounted fares from $0.50 to $1, effective February 4, 2025. The increase is intended to better align fees with service costs.
Key Outcomes
- Council Bill 2025-500 (Sports Facility CID) approved on first reading (8-0, with one absent). It will proceed to second and third readings on February 3, 2025.
- Council Bill 2025-501 (TIF Plan) approved on first reading (8-0, with one absent).
- Council Bills 2025-502 through 508 (TIF project areas) each approved on first reading and tabled (8-0 each).
- Council Bill 2025-102 (Airport jet bridge design/bidding services) approved on emergency basis (8-0, with one absent).
- Council Bill 2025-400 (Vita Nova Village shower system) moved to first reading and later approved on first reading (8-0, with one absent).
- Council Bill 2025-510 (Budget amendment for trolley drivers) approved on emergency basis (8-0, with one absent).
- Council Bill 2025-104 (Glendale sewer inspection services) approved on first reading (8-0, with one absent).
- Council Bill 2025-509 (Transit fee increase) approved on first reading (7-1, with one absent and one opposed).
- Finance Committee Review: Motion passed (6-2) requiring the Finance Committee to provide a review before the February 3 meeting.
- New Business - Homelessness Policies: Councilmember Ryan Jackson made a motion, seconded, to hold a work session in February to discuss ordinances addressing criminal behavior by some homeless individuals. The motion passed (8-0, with one absent). Councilmember Barr suggested including mandatory sentences.
- New Business - Snow Removal: Resident Jerry Dallas expressed frustration about side streets not being plowed. City staff acknowledged the concern but noted the current practice focuses on main roads and bridges due to limited resources.
- New Business - Veterans Trolley Discount: Mayor asked the city manager to explore discounted fares for veterans, especially homeless or disabled veterans, when the trolley service relaunches in February.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening, everyone. I want to call to order the regular meeting of the Joplin City Council. Mrs. Nash. Eternal God, as we begin another meeting of the Joplin City Council. We ask that you invest in this body your strength and wisdom to fortify us and guide us so that we may enhance the prosperity of our community and improve the quality of life for those we serve. Amen. Joining us tonight is a group from the okay, the Joplin Interfaith Coalition. They were formed in 2016, joining the United Hebrew Congregation, the Islamic Society of Joplin, Joplin Christian Church, the Episcopal Church, so Joiner's Church, the Church of Latter-day Saints, and I'm gonna butcher this. Baha'is of Newton County. Did I say that right? All right, good, I got it. They support humanitarian causes across our community. Each year, the coalition joins together for an annual bake sale to benefit such causes as tornado relief, bright futures, crossline, and raise. This year, the bake sale proceeds will go to support the medical closet of Joplin, which is a 501c3 organization, primarily staffed by volunteers and always looking for more if you're interested. Anyone is welcome to donate or receive medical equipment. The annual bake sale this year will be held February 22nd from 10 to 1, and you can eat a fabulous lunch there or travel around the world buying delicious sweets and savories from each culture representative. Not to mention it's just a fun event. It is an honor to have the Joplin Interface Coalition here with us tonight to lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance. So I would invite you guys to come on up. And joining us tonight are Paul Tevereau from the Hebrew Temple, Nagat Muzaffar from the Mosque, John Metcalf from the Mormon Church, Colleen Carroll from St. Jonas Church, and Nicole Watson, founder of the Medical Loan Closet of Joplin. We're very, very glad that you are all here. And would you please lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance? I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republican for which it stands. One nation under God with liberty and justice for all. Thank you guys so very much for being here. We have made it a tradition over almost the last year that every uh council meeting we invite somebody new into our community into our council meeting so that we can, if nothing else, get you exposure. There's a lot happening in our community. There's a lot of great people, such as your organization that are behind the scenes and get a lot done and help our citizens get through some tough times. So we appreciate you and thanks for attending tonight. Mrs. Naj, roll call. Mr. Bard. Present. Ms. Carlin. Mr. Koppel. Present. Mr. Detard. Present. Dr. Farnham. Present. Mr. Jackson. Present.
openpublica.com