Joplin City Council Meeting - March 16, 2026

The Joplin City Council met on March 16, 2026, with eight members present (one excused). The meeting featured a major presentation on Proposition Police and Fire, a no-tax-increase ballot item for public safety funding, and included multiple ordinance approvals, public comments, and the certification of referendum petitions that were found insufficient. The meeting also included a special recognition of Sally Beard, a pioneer in women's sports at Missouri Southern State University, who led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Consent Calendar

• Routine approvals and consent agenda were finalized unanimously with no objections.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Mary Price (citizen): Apologized to council on behalf of citizens for recent meeting disruptions. She called for enforcement of decorum rules (Council Bill 2023-011) and urged respect. She also dismissed blame on council for the death of an unhoused citizen, Mr. Boyer, noting he was found in Newton County outside known shelter services. She expressed support for Proposition Police and Fire and the Eagle bond.
• Marla LePage (citizen): Criticized City Planning Director Mr. Bolander for unilaterally placing data centers in M2 zoning without regulations or a PD overlay, and for letting the opportunity for a special use permit pass. She claimed the decision was made before council input, and that council members were not informed. She requested a moratorium on data centers until regulations are in place.

Discussion Items

• Proposition Police and Fire Presentation: City Manager Nick Edwards, Fire Chief Gazelle, Police Chief Pearson, union representatives, and citizens spoke in support of the April 7 ballot measure. Key points:
  • The tax is a continuation of the existing Prop B sales tax with no increase; it awaits the sunset of Prop B once pension is 120% funded (expected late 2025 or early 2026).
  • Funds would hire 9 additional police officers, 6 additional firefighters, improve pay competitiveness, and address facility/equipment needs.
  • Fire Department: 9,980 calls in 2025 (highest ever), 4-7% annual increase, 8 vacancies, 30,500 hours of overtime. Need to replace a station built in 1980 and a ladder truck costing $2.4 million.
  • Police Department: 79,950 calls for service in 2025, 11 vacancies, 29 officers short (including recruits and light duty). Struggling with retention due to higher pay elsewhere. Proposal includes a new 6th police beat to reduce response times.
  • Union president Mark Cox (IAFF) and Dottie Murphy (mother of a police officer) emphasized retention, work-life balance, and shared community responsibility. CB (business owner) thanked council for getting the measure on the ballot.
• Utility Bills and Electricity Study: Dr. Farnum raised concerns about rising utility bills and proposed exploring city-owned electricity production (e.g., nuclear) through public-private partnerships, using federal loans, so citizens don't pay directly. He noted a previous motion to table a feasibility study until September. Mr. Coppel clarified the study was tabled, not dropped, and emphasized the need for a post-snow removal debriefing including discussion of 20th Street sidewalk issues near the viaduct.
• Joe Becker Protective Netting: Mayor noted netting condition and suggested extending it after patrons were hit last year.

Key Outcomes

• Proposition Police and Fire: Council took no vote; it is a ballot item on April 7, 2026. The presentation was informational.
• Referendum Petitions: The Clerk certified that petitions to repeal annexation (Ordinance 2026-041) and rezoning (Ordinance 2026-042) were insufficient. The annexation petition had 2,832 signatures (2,200 short); the rezoning petition had 2,348 signatures (2,684 short). No further action required.
• Ordinances Passed (8-0, one absent):
  • Council Bill 2026-120 (emergency): Authorized design/bidding services for restroom expansion at Joplin Regional Airport (1,126 sq ft) with Crawford, Murphy & Tilly at $234,651.40. FAA grant likely covers 95.5% federal share. Approved on emergency basis.
  • Council Bill 2026-112 (first reading): Authorized agreement with KCI Construction for Newman Bridge deck repairs ($122,290) to fix potholes; traffic will be maintained with one lane in each direction. Construction estimated 72 days.
  • Council Bill 2026-115 (first reading): Authorized engineering services (Al Garr Martin) for a third final clarifier at Shoal Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant ($430,000 not-to-exceed; 10% of total project cost).
  • Council Bill 2026-116 (first reading): Authorized engineering services for electrical upgrades at wastewater treatment plants and 16 lift stations ($98,000 not-to-exceed).
  • Council Bill 2026-117 (first reading): Authorized engineering services for lime silo and digester roof rehabilitation at Turkey Creek and Shoal Creek plants ($88,000 not-to-exceed).
  • Council Bill 2026-508 (first reading): Approved banking services agreement with Commerce Bank for four years with a one-year option to extend; interest rate based on IORB minus 1.45% (currently 2.2%).
  • Council Bill 2026-606 (first reading): Approved insurance premiums for property, casualty, and liability coverage totaling $1,700,301 for 2026, a 7.3% increase over budget. Self-insured retainage: $200,000 liability, $500,000 workers' comp (fire/police $750,000).
• Closed Session: Council voted 8-0 to enter closed session for legal matters (litigation and attorney-client privilege).
• Next Steps: The snow removal debriefing is scheduled for the following week. The feasibility study for electricity production is tabled until September 2026.