Joplin City Council Informal Meeting – November 3, 2025

The Joplin City Council held an informal meeting on November 3, 2025, beginning at approximately 5:15 PM and transitioning to the formal council meeting at 6:05 PM. The agenda featured two major items: an update on MoDOT projects by Project Manager Craig Switzer and a presentation on dispatch staffing improvements by City Manager Mr. Edwards. Council members discussed project timelines, safety concerns, and a package of short-term and long-term measures to address a critical staffing shortage in the dispatch center.

Discussion Items

MoDOT Project Update

• Craig Switzer (MoDOT Project Manager) provided a comprehensive overview of recently completed projects (2024–2025) valued at $9.6 million within the JATSO area ($8.9 million within or adjacent to Joplin city limits). Completed projects included:
  • Route 171/Route 43 resurfacing ($3.5 M, fall 2024)
  • Traffic signal replacement at Main Street and Fountain Road ($330,000, fall 2024)
  • Intersection improvements at Rangeline/Newman Road and Main Street/34th Street ($817,000, fall 2024)
  • Rangeline and 15th Street improvements (Joplin–MoDOT cost share, $1.5 M, October 2025)
  • I-44 westbound bridge rehabilitation over Main Street ($3.1 M, summer 2025)
  • Emergency repair of David Drive Bridge over I-49 ($349,000, summer 2025)
• Upcoming projects (2026–2031) totaling $122.1 M programmed, plus Joplin’s $6 M contribution to the 7th Street project:
  • Relocation of Davis Boulevard (let May 2025, construction March–December 2026, $2.9 M)
  • 7th Street pavement and ADA improvements from Schifferdecker to Range Line (let November 4, 2025, completion December 2028, $61.6 M MoDOT + $6 M city)
  • Main Street resurfacing (Route 171 to F Street, $1.9 M, 2027)
  • I-44 resurfacing east of Range Line ($15.9 M, 2027)
  • Route 43 bridge replacement over CPKC Railroad and Turkey Creek ($12.3 M, 2028–2029)
  • 32nd Street overpass over CPKC Railroad ($27.5 M, 2028–2029)
  • I-44 capacity improvements (Main Street to Range Line, design‑build, 2026–2031)
  • Scoping studies for Route 171 capacity, Route 171/249 interstate designation, West Corridor alignment, and roundabouts at Madison/MacArthur and Bell Center Road/Schifferdecker.
• Councilmember Kobel raised concerns about a recent crash cluster at the reconfigured 34th and Main Street intersection, stating there had been three severe accidents in the last three to five months. He requested MoDOT review the design and consider signage or other improvements. Switzer agreed to have traffic engineers investigate.
• Councilmember (unidentified) asked about holiday impacts on 7th Street. Switzer noted that construction will not begin until March 15, 2026, due to a delayed notice to proceed, and that winter shutdowns will keep all lanes open.

Dispatch Staffing Improvements

• City Manager Mr. Edwards presented seven short-term proposals developed with police and fire chiefs to address a 50% vacancy rate in dispatch (10 of 20 authorized positions unfilled):
  1. Reassign existing personnel – Jailers and other staff to handle administrative and non-emergency calls to free dispatchers for 911 calls.
  2. Lateral incentive – A one‑time $5,000 bonus to attract experienced dispatchers from other agencies.
  3. Recognition program – Increased appreciation efforts to improve morale and retention.
  4. Recruitment push – A $30,000 targeted marketing campaign for public safety positions, including dispatch.
  5. Technology tools – AI‑based transcription software for 911 calls (estimated $10,000 initial cost) to reduce dispatcher workload.
  6. Improved work schedules – A goal of moving from 12‑hour shifts to a Pittman schedule (12‑hour) once staffing allows, to improve work‑life balance.
  7. Pay and compression adjustments – Addressing internal pay compression caused by the 2024 equity adjustments; raising dispatcher pay to appropriate steps, similar to what was done for transit.
• Councilmember Kobel offered extensive critique and counter‑proposals:
  • He argued the proposals are insufficient: reassignment will have minimal impact; lateral incentives brought only 8–9 police officers over five years; a “pizza party” recognition program could be seen as insulting; the $30,000 recruitment budget is too low and should not come from other departmental budgets.
  • He stressed that the root problem is pay: Joplin dispatchers earn $1.00–$1.50 per hour less than nearby Newton and Jasper counties. He advocated raising starting pay to roughly $22/hour, cutting lower steps, and fixing compression—even as a short‑term solution—to remain competitive.
  • Kobel also noted that while a new schedule is desirable, it cannot be implemented until staffing improves, citing the police department’s inability to change schedules after three years.
  • He expressed concern that pay compression adjustments for dispatch would create inequities with other city departments (e.g., police sergeants, general employees) unless the entire organization is realigned.
• Cheryl Kurnoski (Dispatch representative) clarified that about 90% of dispatcher work (including running 28/29s) could be classified as emergency‑level, contrary to an earlier estimate of 75% non‑emergency. Jailers have been trained to handle some admin calls, but fully trained dispatchers are essential.

Key Outcomes

• No formal votes were taken during the informal session. The discussion will inform the formal council meeting and future budget decisions.
• MoDOT: Switzer committed to reviewing the 34th and Main Street intersection safety concerns. Council agreed to monitor the issue.
• Dispatch: Councilmember Kobel’s suggestions—particularly immediate pay increases and a more robust recruitment strategy—were noted. The council will continue to explore long‑term funding (e.g., renewal of Proposition B sales tax) and may consider a phased approach to pay adjustments. The formal council meeting, starting at 6:05 PM, was expected to address next steps.