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Record of Proceedings

Joplin City Council Meeting - September 2, 2025: Boarding Bridge Replacement, Minimum Wage Compliance, and Recycling Grant Approved

City Council — Tuesday, September 2, 2025

BodyJoplin, Missouri

SessionCity Council

DateTuesday, September 2, 2025

StatusFILED

Video Record

0:00 / 1:33:03

Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

0:05

Call in the order the regular 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.

0:27

Amen.

0:34

I do, thank you.

0:35

This evening, I'd like to welcome Lucy Perez and Kayleen Washington.

0:42

Kaylee, sorry, I beg your pardon.

0:44

Come forward, if you will.

0:47

Members of the Joplin High School Student Council, not just members, Lucy's actually the president of the of the student council.

0:57

And Kaylee is the um you're the 12th grade.

1:03

You're the oh, she's the treasurer.

1:06

Okay, great.

1:07

Perfect.

1:08

Even I didn't know that.

1:09

All right, that's great.

1:10

Well, we welcome you this evening, and we're so proud to have you here.

1:14

Um to tell everybody a little bit what the Joplin High School Student Council does.

1:19

They represent grades nine through twelve, and they help organize um school spirit events like Homecoming, Spirit Week, um parades, proms, winter formal, and importantly for the students, they actually act as liaisons for students by voicing concerns, ideas, and opinions to the administrative body, both teachers and administrators.

1:49

So they have a platform to really develop and practice their leadership skills, and I think that's so important.

1:58

So thank you for doing that.

2:02

And uh also uh my compatriot here says that you also have a lifelong volunteer job because once you graduate, you have to come back and help plan alumni events.

2:16

So we hope to see more of you.

2:18

So, Lucy, would you lead us in the pledge?

2:25

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands.

2:34

One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

2:41

Thank you, ladies.

2:45

Outstanding, thank you.

2:48

That was pretty awesome.

2:50

You'll be tell this whole experience tomorrow when you're walking the halls of the high school.

2:58

All righty, roll call.

3:01

Mr.

3:01

Bard, present, Miss Carlin.

3:04

Present, Mr.

3:05

Coppel, present, Mr.

3:06

Ditar, present, Dr.

3:08

Farnham, present, Mr.

3:09

Jackson, present, Mr.

3:11

Lawson, present, Mr.

3:12

Shaw, present, Mayor Cortez.

3:15

Present.

3:16

Presentations.

3:17

We have none.

3:18

Finalization of consent agenda.

3:20

Council, anyone on this body have any issues with the consent agenda.

3:25

Is there anyone present in the audience that has any concerns with the consent agenda?

3:32

Seeing none, I deem the consent agenda finalized.

3:35

Reports and communications.

3:43

Good evening, Leanne.

3:45

How are you?

3:46

I'm doing well.

3:47

Thank you.

3:47

Good morning.

3:48

Good good morning.

3:49

I'm sorry.

3:49

Good evening, Mayor and Council members.

3:52

Oh.

3:53

Okay, so let's get started.

3:55

Uh this Thursday, Joplin Area Transportation Study Organization, which we commonly call JATSO.

4:02

I'll hear that name a lot.

4:03

Is hosting an open house to share its findings and gather feedback to update the Metropolitan Transportation Plan.

4:11

Everyone is invited to review the proposed updates and maps, ask questions, and provide their input to the project staff.

4:18

This open house will be held over at the library, Joplin Public Library at 1901 East 20th.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Tourism And Marketing█████████████13%

Public Safety████████████12%

Procedural█████████9%

Marketing and Outreach█████████9%

Building Code Enforcement█████████9%

Personnel Matters████████8%

Grant Management███████7%

Community Engagement█████5%

Airport Management█████5%

Summary of Proceedings

Joplin City Council Meeting - September 2, 2025

The Joplin City Council met on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, at 12:00 PM (Central) to consider a range of items including emergency ordinances for airport boarding bridge replacement, compliance with Missouri's new minimum wage law, and a recycling education grant. The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance led by Joplin High School Student Council President Lucy Perez and Treasurer Kayleen Washington. All nine council members were present.

Consent Calendar

The consent agenda was finalized with no objections from council or the public and was approved unanimously (9-0). No specific items were pulled for discussion.

Public Comments & Testimony

Nicole Brown (Executive Director of One Joplin) requested that council members and community leaders attend a poverty simulation on October 16, 2025, from 9:30 AM to 1:30 PM. Mayor Cortez verbally committed to attending. Councilman Jackson suggested a weekend event, but Brown noted weekday attendance aligns with leaders' schedules.

Reports & Communications

Leanne (Communications) announced the JATSO (Joplin Area Transportation Study Organization) open house on Thursday, September 4, 2025, from 4:30-7:00 PM at the Joplin Public Library to discuss the Metropolitan Transportation Plan. She also publicized a meeting on Monday, September 8, 2025, from 4:30-6:30 PM in Council Chambers regarding the Pennsylvania Viaduct demolition (built 1929, deemed unsafe). The city's annual surplus auction will be held September 13, 2025, at the street maintenance barn, with preview from 8-9 AM.
Patrick Tuttle (Joplin Visitors Bureau) highlighted multiple September events including the Route 66 Balloon and Kite Festival, JOMO Pride (Sept 5-7), Heartland Patriots Festival (Sept 6-13) with a 9/11 remembrance, the Route 66 Patriots Salute Festival (Sept 12-13) featuring Quiet Riot and Loverboy, Prairie Days at George Washington Carver National Monument (Sept 13), Monarch Festival (Sept 20), the 20th Annual Four State Open disc golf tournament (Sept 26-27), and the inaugural Whiskies and Whispers prohibition history event. Councilman Carlin asked about CVB grant transparency; Tuttle said guidelines are available upon request.

Discussion Items

Council Bill 2025-103 (Emergency): Approval of a $3,676,000 construction agreement with Wright Construction Services for replacing two passenger boarding bridges at Joplin Regional Airport. Funded 95% federal / 5% local (four federal grants). Councilman Jackson noted the bid opening was July 9 and asked about the urgency; Airport Manager explained a recently required fourth grant (IIJA) necessitated execution before the federal fiscal year end. Approved 9-0.
Council Bill 2025-123 (Emergency): Approval of a $120,986.18 construction agreement with Springfield Striping and Sealing for parking lot sealing and striping at City Hall and airport lots. Staff noted the project was delayed to potentially combine with next year's work but was expedited due to lot conditions. Approved 9-0.
Council Bill 2025-132 (Emergency): Approval of a $65,157.36 agreement with Crawford Murphy & Tilly for construction management services for the boarding bridge project (95% federal). Councilman Carlin clarified that this is separate from the previous design contract ($97,000). Completed 12-18 month timeline expected. Approved 9-0.
Council Bill 2025-531 (Emergency): Adoption of an updated fire department pay plan to comply with House Bill 567, which subjects public employers to Missouri's minimum wage. Effective August 28, 2025, the minimum wage becomes $13.75/hour; 18 firefighter EMTs currently under that rate will move to step four of the new plan, costing approximately $40,000 annually ($6,700 for remainder of fiscal year). Staff noted compression issues and a need for long-term solutions. Councilman Coppel criticized the framing of previous wage increases as insufficient and pointed to compression. Mayor defended progress. Approved 9-0.
Council Bill 2025-617 (Emergency): Approval of a $125,000 contract with Affirm Agency (Wisconsin) for marketing and education services under the EPA Recycling Education and Outreach (REO) grant (total grant $2.355M). The grant funds a $1.55 million campaign to improve recycling participation. Affirm will manage creative, placement, and reporting. The contract is reimbursable. Councilman Coppel expressed support for recycling toolkits. Affirm owner Danny Mager noted planned use of local talent and periodic in-person visits. Approved 9-0.
Council Bill 2025-006 (First Reading): Amendment to Chapter 26 (Dangerous Buildings) allowing the building inspector to defer reporting to the building board if the property owner is actively working with the city to correct violations. Councilman Jackson sought assurances against stalling; Building Official Troy said experience helps identify genuine progress. A new vacant building code is expected later in the year. Advanced to second/third reading 9-0.
Council Bill 2025-616 (First Reading): Approval of 13 festival and event grants from the CVB's $140,000 Tourism Grant Fund (funded solely by lodging tax). Awardees include: Visionary Balloon Works ($24,400), MoCan Dragway ($9,600), Ozark Christian College ($18,400), Branco Enterprises/Neosho Schools ($11,200), Murphy's Burg Preservation ($3,200), Joplin Disc Golf ($3,900), JOMO Pride ($10,300), Joplin Road Runners ($3,800), Missouri Liars ($3,000), Silver Sage Renaissance Festival ($15,000), Neosho Arts Council ($3,000), Newton County Tourism Council ($3,000), Joplin Trails Coalition ($900). Total awarded $110,300; remaining $29,700 held in reserve. Councilman Jackson recused from discussion as CVB liaison. Passed 8-1.
Council Bill 2020-539 (Second/Third Reading): Activation of TIF redevelopment project 2B (Taco Bell) under the 32nd Street Place TIF plan, originally approved in 2020. Developer Menards requested activation for a Taco Bell now under construction. Passed 9-0.
Declaration of Surplus Property: Approved the list of 359 items to be sold at the September 13, 2025, city auction. Councilman Bard confirmed same-day registration is accepted. Approved 9-0.

Key Outcomes

Approved emergency ordinances for airport boarding bridge project ($3.676M construction + $65,157 consulting), parking lot sealing ($120,986), fire pay plan compliance (18 employees adjusted, $6,700 FY impact), and recycling marketing contract ($125,000).
Advanced two first-reading ordinances (dangerous building amendment and CVB grants).
Activated TIF project 2B for Taco Bell.
Declared surplus property for auction.
Councilmember Coppel requested city attorney investigation of short-term rental tax enforcement.
Councilmember Jackson requested public communication about the recent resignation of the homeless services director (position filled 6 weeks prior, 30-day transition).
Council engaged in dialogue about wages and respect for staff; Mr. Shaw urged unity.
The council voted 9-0 to enter closed session for legal and personnel matters.

Meeting Transcript

Call in the order the regular 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. I do, thank you. This evening, I'd like to welcome Lucy Perez and Kayleen Washington. Kaylee, sorry, I beg your pardon. Come forward, if you will. Members of the Joplin High School Student Council, not just members, Lucy's actually the president of the of the student council. And Kaylee is the um you're the 12th grade. You're the oh, she's the treasurer. Okay, great. Perfect. Even I didn't know that. All right, that's great. Well, we welcome you this evening, and we're so proud to have you here. Um to tell everybody a little bit what the Joplin High School Student Council does. They represent grades nine through twelve, and they help organize um school spirit events like Homecoming, Spirit Week, um parades, proms, winter formal, and importantly for the students, they actually act as liaisons for students by voicing concerns, ideas, and opinions to the administrative body, both teachers and administrators. So they have a platform to really develop and practice their leadership skills, and I think that's so important. So thank you for doing that. And uh also uh my compatriot here says that you also have a lifelong volunteer job because once you graduate, you have to come back and help plan alumni events. So we hope to see more of you. So, Lucy, would you 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, ladies. Outstanding, thank you. That was pretty awesome. You'll be tell this whole experience tomorrow when you're walking the halls of the high school. All righty, roll call. Mr. Bard, present, Miss Carlin. Present, Mr. Coppel, present, Mr. Ditar, present, Dr. Farnham, present, Mr. Jackson, present, Mr. Lawson, present, Mr. Shaw, present, Mayor Cortez. Present. Presentations. We have none. Finalization of consent agenda. Council, anyone on this body have any issues with the consent agenda. Is there anyone present in the audience that has any concerns with the consent agenda? Seeing none, I deem the consent agenda finalized. Reports and communications. Good evening, Leanne. How are you? I'm doing well. Thank you. Good morning.

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