Joplin City Council Regular Meeting - December 15, 2025

The Joplin City Council met on December 15, 2025, at 6:00 PM. The meeting included presentations on community projects, reports from oversight committees, and extensive public comment regarding homelessness and the Hopeful Bites initiative. Council voted to table a Memorandum of Understanding for Memorial Hall renovations until January 2026.

Consent Calendar

• Approved consent agenda as finalized, including routine approvals.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Amanda Beardon criticized the city's enforcement of anti-camping ordinances, stating that four people were arrested and fined $250 each, despite some having HUD vouchers. She called for the city to include grassroots organizations in decision-making on homelessness.
• Skyler Carr (Hopeful Bites) questioned the city's request to move their food distribution from outside City Hall after 60 days of operation. He raised concerns about the lack of specific code citations and compared the cost of jailing individuals to providing meals.
• Rosalind Jordan stated that Hopeful Bites is a protest against increased camping arrests and that the group has provided a needed service with support from city staff.
• Sabrina Cole accused the city of criminalizing homelessness and urged council to treat unhoused individuals with compassion.
• Chris Hammer highlighted that food insecurity costs Missouri $10 billion annually and argued that voluntary efforts like Hopeful Bites are more cost-effective than criminalization.
• Grace Bennett shared her personal experience with homelessness and emphasized that Hopeful Bites provides consistent, dignified aid near other services.
• Christopher Diley, a homeless individual, spoke about ad hominem attacks against homeless people and his history of homelessness since 1993.
• Shauna Fisher urged compassion and criticized the city for focusing on beautification projects over helping the homeless.
• Phil Stinnett (late addition, unrelated to homelessness) addressed the Memorial Hall MOU, expressing concerns from hotel owners about the project's feasibility and the lack of consultation with the Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB).

Discussion Items

• Thrive Joplin Project Kickoff: One Joplin presented a four-year initiative to address social determinants of health, including surveys and community engagement. The goal is to create a pilot model for healthier communities.
• Semi-Annual Oversight Committee Report: Leslie Haas and Nathan Mordecai reported on special sales tax projects (parks, stormwater, public safety, pension). The committee confirmed tax collections exceeded expectations and funds are used responsibly.
• Grant Project Update: Leslie Haas provided an update on multiple grant-funded projects, including 20th Street construction, trail improvements, and affordable housing initiatives. She noted the workload but emphasized the community benefits.
• Zora and Duquesne Roundabout Beautification Options: Dan presented options (dyed concrete, murals, lights, sculpture). Council discussed costs, safety concerns (vehicles striking features), and potential partnerships with Missouri Southern State University or Crowder College.
• Hopeful Bites Discussion: Following public comments, council engaged in a heated exchange with representatives of Hopeful Bites. Council members raised concerns about sanitation, liability, and obstruction of public right-of-way. Mayor Cortez acknowledged the group's passion but stated the city had been accommodating for 60 days. Councilman Jackson cautioned against exploiting vulnerable populations. Amanda Beardon later called for the city to include grassroots advocates in policy discussions.
• Council Bills:
  • 2025-153: Approved first reading for a MoDOT agreement (8-0).
  • 2025-156: Approved first reading for engineering services for Willow Branch Improvements (8-0).
  • 2025-554: Approved first reading for health department fee adjustments (including EV charging station fees) (8-0).
  • 2025-555: Approved first reading for budget amendments (motor carrier safety grant and emergency communications equipment) (8-0).
  • 2025-624: Approved first reading for replacement mobile data computers for police (8-0).
  • 2025-625: Approved first reading for synthetic turf at baseball/softball fields (budget amendment from $1M to $1.589M) (8-0).
  • 2025-627: Approved first reading for a new rough mower for the golf course (8-0).
• Memorial Hall MOU (2025-017): Extensive discussion on the proposal to renovate Memorial Hall via a public-private partnership. Hotel owners expressed opposition via letter, questioning revenue projections. Councilman Lawson moved to table the bill until the CVB could meet and provide recommendations. The motion passed 5-3, with the item to be reconsidered at the second meeting in January 2026.

Key Outcomes

• All seven council bills (2025-153, 156, 554, 555, 624, 625, 627) passed on first reading with 8-0 votes (one absent).
• The Memorial Hall MOU (2025-017) was tabled until the second council meeting in January 2026, pending a CVB advisory board meeting and input from hotel stakeholders.
• Council directed staff to schedule a meeting with the CVB and to report back on utility cut restoration issues raised by Councilman Bard.
• No further action was taken on the Hopeful Bites situation; the discussion ended with council reaffirming the city's position and encouraging the group to pursue permits and health inspections.