Joplin City Council Regular Meeting - March 3, 2025
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Joplin City Council Regular Meeting - March 3, 2025
The Joplin City Council held its regular meeting on March 2, 2025, at city hall. All eight members present (one absent) addressed a range of topics including elevator modernization, economic development updates, public complaints on animal control, multiple ordinances and resolutions, and board appointments. The meeting concluded with a vote to enter closed session.
Consent Calendar
- The final consent agenda was approved unanimously (8-0-1) after no objections from council or the public.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Timothy Buckles spoke on behalf of three neglected dogs (Penny, Amy, Rowdy) and over 600 petition signers. He alleged that Animal Control failed to enforce city code (Section 18.5) regarding animal neglect/abuse, stating the dogs had inadequate shelter during the recent snowstorm. He requested: (1) accountability and transparency from Animal Control, including retraining on codes, communication, and compassion; (2) creation of a municipal code limiting outdoor time in extreme temperatures (citing Kansas City's code of 15-minute limits above 90°F or below 32°F); and (3) rehoming of the three dogs. Council members thanked him, asked for a copy of Kansas City's code, and indicated they would review current codes.
Discussion Items
- City Hall Elevator Update (5:10 PM) – Public Works Director Dan Johnson reported that elevator #1 has been out of service since September 2023 due to drive system issues; repair attempts failed and parts are obsolete. The recommended solution is replacing all three elevator control systems to meet 2018 code, estimated at $500,000–$900,000. Funding options include capital improvement sales tax or reserves. Council gave direction to proceed with bidding for a complete modernization, with aim to complete by fall.
- Chamber of Commerce Quarterly Update – Amy Kaufman (attraction) and Travis Stevens (entrepreneurship/industry) presented. Highlights: 2024 saw high activity; in 2025, Joplin was shortlisted for "Project Aurora" (food company, ~$233 million capital investment, 150 new jobs); the JIDA site (330 acres) is working with EPA on soil remediation (70 acres) and plans to carve out a 100–200 acre site for large projects; the NIC is at capacity; a workforce summit is planned for fall 2025; and the Hawthorne Foundation will meet in Joplin in June. Council members asked about wage data and communication on infrastructure needs.
- Public Information Office Report – Lynn Onstott announced the annual statewide tornado drill on Wednesday, March 5 at 11 a.m. (weather permitting); a paper shred event on April 12; and the March free limb drop-off on March 14–15.
- Council Member Comments – Dr. Farnum raised concerns about inoperable vehicles in neighborhoods; Mayor Cortez directed citizens to use ClickFix and noted code enforcement procedures. Mr. Jackson clarified that the previously approved police vehicle purchase ($867,360 for 16 Tahoe SUVs) is only for the vehicles; outfitting costs will be in a separate bill. Mr. Lawson praised Public Works for snow response. Mr. Detar highlighted the groundbreaking of the "The Door" outdoor recreation area. Mayor Cortez remembered the third anniversary of the deaths of Corporal Benjamin Cooper and other officers on March 6, 2022.
Key Outcomes
- Vehicle for Hire Business License (a rise mobility) – Approved (8-0-1) after public hearing.
- Easement Vacation (7231 E 24th St) – Ordinance passed on first reading (8-0-1) for AM Properties to expand engineering office, adding ~50 employees.
- Voluntary Annexation (320 acres at I-44 & S Pregmore Ave) – Stricken from agenda (8-0-1) because the petition date fell outside the 60-day statutory window; will be revisited.
- Finance Committee Appointment – Resolution 2025-003 approved (8-0-1) appointing Doug Dole to replace Andy Perigo.
- DWI Enforcement Grant – Ordinance 2025-606 approved on emergency basis (8-0-1) accepting $167,470 from MoDOT for full-time DWI unit.
- Modular Vehicle Barrier System – Ordinance 2025-607 approved on emergency basis (8-0-1) authorizing $179,209 purchase; system will be used during World Cup 2026 in Kansas City.
- Mill and Overlay 2025 Project – Ordinance 2025-106 approved on first reading (8-0-1) with a $4,382,267 contract to Levins Asphalt; budget amendment of $907,468 covers two arterial streets (Connecticut and Schifferdecker).
- 20th Street Widening Engineering Services – Ordinance 2025-110 approved on first reading (8-0-1) authorizing $104,497.95 contract with Olsson for materials testing.
- Trash Service Contract (GFL Environmental) – Ordinance 2025-111 approved on first reading (8-0-1) for a three-year agreement covering 85 containers at 43 city sites.
- Metropolitan Transportation Plan Update – Ordinance 2025-259 approved on first reading (8-0-1) accepting $181,000 contract with Olsson for the 25–30 year plan; 80% federally reimbursed.
- High Density Evidence Storage System – Ordinance 2025-608 approved on first reading (8-0-1) authorizing $295,202.93 purchase for police evidence room shelving.
- Alley Vacation (1036 S Rangeline Rd) – Ordinance 2025-252 passed on second and third reading (6-2-1), with council member Carlin expressing concern about vacating an alley in use.
- Site Plan Review (7231 E 24th St) – Approved (8-0-1) for AM Properties addition.
- Boards and Commissions Appointments – Approved (8-0-1) for 11 new appointments and 3 reappointments to various boards.
- Closed Session – Motion approved (8-0-1) to enter closed session per RSMo 610.021(3) to evaluate certain council employees.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to the regular council meeting of the Joplin City Council. Let's open this meeting. Ms. Forsythe. 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. Thank you. Mrs. Carlin, you have some guests for us this evening. I do. When a child is seriously ill or injured, the entire family needs support. And this was the understanding that led to the first Ronald McDonald House established in Philadelphia in 1974. Due to the passion and preservation and the perseverance of the Jennings family, the four states received approval for their first Ronald McDonald House in 1996. Today, hundreds of families are served by this program, this house, these volunteers, and they serve the essential needs of families who are in their greatest time of need at both Mercy Hospital and Freeman Hospital. And yet we must never forget that achieving Ronald McDonald House's mission of removing barriers and strengthening families and promoting healing when children need health care depends upon the support of an entire community. And so this year you can show your support by walking, running, strolling, volunteering, in any way participating in the St. Patrick's Day 5K run that's being presented by TAMCO Building Products, and it's free to everyone in the entire community. It will take place on March 15th in downtown Joplin. So as we asked the Ronald McDonnell House volunteers and staff to lead us in the pledge, we want to thank them for their work for their support in keeping families close together in their times of greatest need. Thank you, Ronald McDonald House, for coming and doing that for us this evening. I am fortunate that I have been to that house that we have here out by Freeman Hospital multiple times. If you ever get an opportunity to go check it out, it is amazing. It is beautiful. The work they do there is fantastic. And I've also been to the one over at Mercy Hospital as well. And thank God we have things like that in our community. And I want to I I just want to take this opportunity. She has taken it upon herself to introduce different things that we have going on in our community, different programs, different uh organizations that are doing great things in our community. So what you're doing, Mrs. Carlin is absolutely wonderful. Thank you very much for it. Roll call. Mr. Barr. Present. Ms. Carlin. Present. Mr. Koppel. Present. Mr. Ditar. Present. Dr. Farnham. Present. Mr. Jackson.
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