OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Joplin City Council Regular Meeting - June 16, 2025

City Council — Monday, June 16, 2025
BodyJoplin, Missouri
SessionCity Council
DateMonday, June 16, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
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0:00

I'm calling to order the regular meeting of the Joplin City Council on Monday, June the 16th, 2024, 2025.

0:08

Mrs.

0:08

Nosh.

0:09

Eternal God.

0:10

As we begin another meeting of the Joplin City Council, we ask that you invest in 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.

0:24

Amen.

0:26

Mrs.

0:26

Carl, special guests with us this evening.

0:29

Yes.

0:29

This evening, we'd like to uh welcome to the podium.

0:37

Um that's Joplin's own neighborhood adult literacy action, not for profit.

0:50

Currently, they serve over 50 plus students with 25 active tutors.

0:56

NALA provides one-on-one learning as well as English learning classes and digital literacy classes.

1:03

I might have to sign up for one of those.

1:05

Okay.

1:06

At no cost to any member of the public.

1:10

Since 1981, NALA has worked to create an environment that is safe and welcoming to everyone who needs their support.

1:18

Nayla takes no state or federal funding and is supported by grants, gifts, and volunteers from the community.

1:26

They are always, of course, looking for support and volunteers.

1:33

But we thank you, Nayla, for your service to those in need.

1:36

Please lead us in the pledge.

1:40

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.

1:45

And to the Republic for which it stands one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

1:55

Thank you.

2:00

Thank you, Nayla.

2:01

We appreciate the partnership that we have with you in our community and those citizens that you serve.

2:08

So thank you for all the work that you do.

2:11

Roll call.

2:12

Mr.

2:13

Bard.

2:14

Present.

2:14

Ms.

2:15

Carlin.

2:16

Present.

2:17

Mr.

2:17

Koppel.

2:18

Present.

2:19

Mr.

2:19

Ditarr.

2:20

Present.

2:20

Dr.

2:20

Farnum.

2:21

Present.

2:21

Mr.

2:22

Jackson.

2:22

Present.

2:23

Mr.

2:23

Lawson.

2:24

Present.

2:24

Mr.

2:24

Shaw.

2:25

Present.

2:26

Mayor Cortez.

2:27

Present.

2:27

Presentations.

2:29

Public Works Department Update.

2:33

Good evening, Mr.

2:34

Johnson.

2:35

How are you, sir?

2:36

Thank you, Mr.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Community Improvement Districts██████████████████18%
Procedural█████████████████17%
Public Works Update███████████11%
Parks and Recreation█████████9%
Public Engagement███████7%
Budget Equity Analysis██████6%
Public Safety█████5%
Real Estate Transactions█████5%
Capital Projects█████5%
Summary of Proceedings

Joplin City Council Regular Meeting - June 16, 2025

The Joplin City Council convened on Monday, June 16, 2025, for its regular meeting. The agenda included a public works update, two public hearings on community improvement district boundary changes, approval of several emergency ordinances, and a contentious vote on a deer hunting ordinance. All votes were 9-0 unless otherwise noted.

Consent Calendar

  • The consent agenda was finalized with no comments from council or the public and approved unanimously (9-0). Specific consent items were not read into the record.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Citizens Requests & Petitions: Shauna Fisher and Christopher Jones were called but did not approach the podium; no testimony was given.
  • Public Hearing CB 2025-523 (Remove Herman Lumber from CID): David Enke of Herman Lumber spoke in favor, stating the company was at a competitive disadvantage compared to big-box stores not subject to the CID tax. He thanked Woodsonia for working to resolve the issue. No opposition was voiced.
  • Public Hearing CB 2025-524 (Add Properties to CID): David Geisler, attorney for Home Depot, expressed support for adding Menards, citing the need for a level playing field. Julia Woolmack, owner of Autotronics, opposed her property's inclusion, saying she never consented and that her business generates no sales tax. After developer Drew Snyder produced her signed consent and explained the property's role in meeting the 51% ownership threshold, she withdrew her complaint.

Presentation: Public Works Department Update

  • Director Johnson reported: the airport's new RFSRE building is in use; two passenger loading bridges are planned; five snow events used 25,000 gallons of anti-ice and 800 tons of salt; street sweepers covered 3,300 miles; 110 trouble calls and 6,000 utility locates were handled; wastewater treatment processed 3.5 billion gallons at Turkey Creek and 2.35 billion gallons at Shoal Creek in 2024; the trolley relaunched in February with 8,331 riders; MAPS ridership hit a 29-month high of 4,184 in April; recycling averaged 41.3 tons per month; a shred event collected 6,568 pounds of paper; and engineering is implementing new software. Council members asked about DNR funding for Diamond's sewer connection, the mileage of sewer (430) and lane miles (800+), and the impact of the wet spring on construction and mowing.

Reports & Communications

  • Public Information Officer Lynn Onstott announced: NOAA weather radios will have a brief interruption through June 18; a Friends and Family CPR class on June 25; the JATSO transportation survey; city office closure for Juneteenth; and trash pickup reminders for July 4th.

Discussion Items

  • Resolution 2025-008: Proposition Action Implementation and Oversight Committee requested a two-year extension. Co-chair Mr. O'Brien emphasized the need for continued citizen oversight of the 48-point initiative. The council approved the extension.
  • Council Bill 2025-527 (Budget Amendment): Staff explained the amendment increases revenues by $229,263 and expenditures by $4,311,874, reflecting grants, seasonal wages, utility costs, and other items. Council members noted the amendment aligns with state auditor recommendations for more timely adjustments.
  • Council Bill 2025-125 (Elevator Modernization): The mayor advised against moving the contract to an emergency basis, and the council agreed. A $636,348 contract with Sunrise Elevator was approved on first reading. Staff will communicate with the vendor to begin ordering materials.
  • Council Bill 2025-003 (Hunting Ordinance): On second and third reading, Councilor Ditarr expressed initial concerns about the age limit (16) but supported the ordinance after confirming restrictions requiring an 18-year-old accompaniment. Councilor Shaw voted against, stating the city should have explored other options more thoroughly.

Key Outcomes

  • Consent agenda approved 9-0.
  • Resolution 2025-008 approved 9-0 (extend committee for 2 years).
  • CB 2025-523 (remove Herman Lumber) approved 9-0 on emergency basis.
  • CB 2025-524 (add properties to CID) approved 9-0 on emergency basis.
  • CB 2025-525 (sale of 916 Jackson Ave) approved 9-0 on emergency basis.
  • CB 2025-526 (sale of 1210 Iowa Ave) approved 9-0 on emergency basis.
  • CB 2025-527 (budget amendment) approved 9-0 on emergency basis.
  • CB 2025-612 and CB 2025-613 (police grants for mental health and de-escalation) approved 9-0 each on emergency basis.
  • CB 2025-125 (elevator) passed unanimously on first reading, advanced to second and third reading.
  • CB 2025-127 (Willow Branch 7th Street engineering) passed 9-0 on first reading.
  • CB 2025-128 (Grand Falls Trail design) passed 9-0 on first reading.
  • Amended CB 2025-003 (hunting) passed 6-3 on second and third reading.
  • All board and commission appointments (reappointments and new) approved 9-0.
  • Council directed staff to address truck jake brake complaints on Newman Road and to review safety measures at city park construction sites.

The meeting adjourned after a report that aid was sent to St. Louis following its tornado.

Meeting Transcript

I'm calling to order the regular meeting of the Joplin City Council on Monday, June the 16th, 2024, 2025. Mrs. Nosh. Eternal God. As we begin another meeting of the Joplin City Council, we ask that you invest in 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. Mrs. Carl, special guests with us this evening. Yes. This evening, we'd like to uh welcome to the podium. Um that's Joplin's own neighborhood adult literacy action, not for profit. Currently, they serve over 50 plus students with 25 active tutors. NALA provides one-on-one learning as well as English learning classes and digital literacy classes. I might have to sign up for one of those. Okay. At no cost to any member of the public. Since 1981, NALA has worked to create an environment that is safe and welcoming to everyone who needs their support. Nayla takes no state or federal funding and is supported by grants, gifts, and volunteers from the community. They are always, of course, looking for support and volunteers. But we thank you, Nayla, for your service to those in need. Please lead us in the pledge. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. And to the Republic for which it stands one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Thank you. Thank you, Nayla. We appreciate the partnership that we have with you in our community and those citizens that you serve. So thank you for all the work that you do. Roll call. Mr. Bard. Present. Ms. Carlin. Present. Mr. Koppel. Present. Mr. Ditarr. Present. Dr. Farnum. Present. Mr. Jackson. Present. Mr. Lawson. Present. Mr.

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