Joplin City Council Regular Meeting - July 7, 2025
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Joplin City Council Regular Meeting - July 7, 2025
The Joplin City Council held its regular meeting on Monday, July 7, 2025, at 12:00 PM (UTC) with all nine council members present. The meeting included a presentation on a recycling education and outreach grant, public hearings on two rezoning requests, and approval of several ordinances including an emergency measure for utility relocation. The council also discussed ongoing infrastructure projects and voted to enter closed session.
Presentations
- Recycling REO Grant Update: Tony Ruban (city staff) and Julie Davis (Burns & McDonald) presented results of a three-year EPA-funded recycling education campaign. Key findings: Joplin's overall diversion rate is 21%, below the national average of 32%. Only 10% of residents subscribe to curbside recycling. A community survey (240+ responses) found that confusion, lack of awareness, and cost are primary barriers. Trust in the city as an information source is high. Recommended strategies include building trust, increasing program awareness, and using consistent branding. A marketing firm RFP is currently out.
Public Hearings & Testimony
- Council Bill 2025-272 (2602 S Wall Avenue): Rezoning from R-1 to C-1 for a daycare property. Chase Craft (property representative) spoke in favor, noting the daycare has operated for 15-20 years and the new owner seeks compliance. No opposition. The council approved on first reading (9-0).
- Council Bill 2025-273 (4106 E Zora Street): Rezoning from R-1 to C-1 for Toro Construction to use a remodeled home as an office. Christian Hamlin (Toro Construction) spoke in favor, stating no outdoor storage of heavy equipment. Council discussed potential for future more intensive uses, but staff confirmed C-1 restrictions. Approved on first reading (9-0).
Discussion Items
- Recycling Program: Council members asked about bundling curbside recycling with trash service, sign-up at community events, and enforcement of Republic's contractual recycling education obligations. Staff noted that bin provision could boost participation to ~70% and that a marketing plan is under development.
- Microsurfacing 2025 Project (CB 2025-122): Dan Johnson presented a $1.21 million contract with Microsurfacing Contractors LLC for residential street resurfacing. Council member Dr. Farnum raised concerns about loose aggregate scratching cars. Johnson explained that temporary loose rock is typical and that the contractor will be held to performance standards.
- Emergency Ordinance for AT&T Relocation (CB 2025-130): $148,727.28 to relocate facilities for the Zora Street Phase 2 project. Approved as emergency.
- Communications Tower Ground Lease (CB 2025-004): Agreement with JASCO 911 to construct a tower at the Black Cat facility to replace a structurally unsound tower on west 13th Street. Project cost $1.2 million, estimated completion spring 2026.
- Microsoft Public Safety Software Support (CB 2025-614): $100,000+ annual payment for public safety and financial software, budgeted at same rate for third year.
Key Outcomes
- Consent agenda finalized and approved (9-0).
- Council Bill 2025-130 (AT&T relocation) passed on emergency basis (9-0).
- Council Bill 2025-004 (JASCO tower ground lease) passed on first reading (9-0).
- Council Bill 2025-122 (microsurfacing) passed on first reading, advanced to second and third (9-0).
- Council Bill 2025-126 (sewer service agreement for Briar Oaks Lane) passed on first reading, advanced to second and third (9-0).
- Council Bill 2025-614 (software support) passed on first reading, advanced to second and third (9-0).
- Council voted unanimously (9-0) to enter closed session to discuss legal actions and real estate.
Meeting Transcript
Call to order the regular meeting of the city council for Monday, July 7th. Mrs. Haas. 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. Amen. Mrs. Carlin, do you have some visitors with us this evening? Well, I do. I have uh this evening we're inviting Kelly Redden, the president of the Joplin, Missouri Museum Complex. Joplin Historical Society. And Joplin Historical Society to lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance. And I just wanted to say that the Joplin Museum Complex has been in existence in one form or another since 1931. And they've been a resource for the unique story of Joplin. From woolly mammoth fossils to glowing rocks, the Everett J. Ritchie Tri-State Museum boasts of one of the premier lead and zinc exhibits in the world. And the Dorothea B. Hoover Historical Museum houses collections of Joplin's culture and history, including artifacts from the House of Lords, Bonnie and Clyde, the Sports Hall of Fame, the National Cookie Cutter Museum, and many timely special exhibits as well as traveling exhibits. They also have a large meeting room. So if you have a group that wants to meet there, we want you to know that. And this coming up July 17th, the museum will host Pulitzer Prize nominee Michael Wallace to speak on his book, Bell Star, The Truth Behind the Wild West Legend. And that'll be from 6 to 7:30. So thank you, Kelly Bredden, President, for leading us in the Pledge of Allegiance this evening. I pledge allegiance. Allegiance to the five of the United States of America. And to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God. Thank you, Kelly. Roll call. Mr. Bard. Present. Ms. Carlin. Present. Mr. Koppel. Present. Mr. Ditarr. Present. Dr. Farnum. Present. Mr. Jackson. Present. Mr.
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