Joplin City Council Regular Meeting – April 6, 2026

The Joplin City Council met on the evening of Monday, April 6, 2026, at Joplin City Hall. The meeting included presentations, public comments, multiple public hearings, approval of a consent agenda, resolutions, and several first-reading ordinances. Key topics included a Fair Housing Month proclamation, an update from the Chamber of Commerce highlighting Momentum Bike Park statistics, discussion of a potential data center project, and the annexation and rezoning of a 25-acre parcel for a distribution center. Several citizens spoke on homelessness, transparency, and community concerns. The council also tabled a zoning text amendment for two-unit homes and approved a historic landmark designation for a former neighborhood grocery store.

Presentations

• Fair Housing Proclamation: Mayor Cortez proclaimed April 2026 as Fair Housing Month. Thomas Walters, Matt Moran, and Richard Husky from the Community Housing Resource Board spoke about fair housing rights and recognized the Boys and Girls Club fifth-grade poster contest winners. Winning posters will be displayed on billboards throughout the city.
• Joplin Chamber of Commerce Quarterly Update: President and CEO Betsy Mentz presented economic development highlights. Momentum Bike Park has generated over 44,000 visits since opening on November 24, 2025, from nearly 19,000 visitors across 28 states, with an average dwell time of 51 minutes. A UCI Pump Track World Championship Qualifier is scheduled for August 15-16, 2026. The Chamber reported 60 business retention visits, four facility tours, 56 meetings, and 12 ribbon cuttings. The Business Expo attracted 1,100 attendees and 100 vendors. Leadership Joplin class of 2026 has 30 participants from 24 businesses.
• MoCann Update: Amy from MoCann reported eight RFIs from the state, but none were submitted due to lack of available large buildings. Active projects include Project Pathfinder (transportation), Project Valkyrie (manufacturing/healthcare), and Project Isley (agribusiness in the county). MoCann is working on a marketing video and attended the Economic Issues Summit, noting House Bill 2409 on child care tax credits. Councilmember Koppel inquired about child care partnerships in industrial parks, and Amy discussed potential tri-share models.

Consent Calendar

• The consent agenda was finalized with no changes and approved unanimously (9-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Maurice Philson: Commended progress on traffic control but expressed concern about homelessness, stating that only Jesus Christ can solve the problem.
• Chris Hammer: Opposed a potential data center project, arguing it would be a job loser and drain resources. He cited financial costs, legal fees, and the AI bubble popping. He challenged the council to a signature collection contest to gauge public opinion.
• Christopher Swanton: Shared a personal story of homelessness and mistreatment by hospitals and police after a car accident. He urged the council to look into the situation and pray for Joplin.
• Amanda Beardon: Criticized the city's camping ordinance (2025-001) and asked for a meaningful review. She referenced the Joplin Homeless Coalition count of 154 unsheltered individuals and the death of a man named Danny Dudley. She called for accountability and dignity for the homeless.
• Hannah Dyer: Presented emails between city manager Nick Edwards and property owner Jim Riping showing support for a data center project, questioning the council's transparency. She noted that the Jasper County Commission had declined to provide tax incentives for a similar project. She asked if the city manager failed to inform the council.
• Spencer Fields: Urged community members to vote in the upcoming election and become informed about the city charter. He expressed concern about the data center project and feeling underrepresented.

Discussion Items

• Council Bill 2026-260 (Vacation of Right-of-Way): Staff recommended striking the case due to a legal overlap; the public hearing was held, no speakers, and the council voted unanimously to strike the bill.
• Council Bill 2026-261 (Zoning Text Amendment for Two-Unit Homes in R2): Tyler from planning presented the amendment to allow two-unit homes (massed as single-family) on 6,000 sq ft lots in R2 districts for infill development. Concerns were raised by Councilmembers Carlin, Koppel, and others about conversion of existing homes, fire safety, and neighborhood character. The applicant requested a tabling to May 18th. The council voted unanimously to table.
• Council Bill 2026-262 (Annexation of 25 Acres): Property near 32nd Street and Kodiak Road, intended for a distribution center. Zachary Imbis from Ambrose Property Group presented the project, clarifying it is not a data center or manufacturing facility. The annexation was approved unanimously (9-0).
• Council Bill 2026-263 (Rezoning to M2 Heavy Industrial): Same property rezoned to M2. Imbis described a 130,000 sq ft Class A distribution facility with 100 under-roof jobs and 200 road jobs. Traffic concerns were addressed, with truck trips mainly between 4-6 AM. The council approved unanimously.
• Council Bill 2026-264 (Historic Landmark Overlay): 612 West East Street, formerly Lloyd Rough's grocery store, was designated a local landmark. The owner Angela Hudson plans to restore it. Approved unanimously.
• Unfinished Business – Memorial Hall MOU: Councilmember Carlin asked about the CVB board composition and the MOU with Friends of Memorial Hall. Councilmember Jackson noted that natural attrition would allow hotelier appointments. The council affirmed its commitment to the MOU.
• Councilmember Koppel's Safety Concerns: Raised issues at Momentum Bike Park regarding a lack of fence at the top of a hill and a need for fire department turnaround access. City manager Edwards agreed to discuss with parks.
• Councilmember Koppel's Animal Control Request: Requested better follow-up on animal abuse complaints after a recent incident. Edwards will debrief with police and health department.
• Councilmember Detar's Directive on Data Center Ordinances: Proposed that staff research and draft ordinances to regulate data centers, including buffering, closed-loop cooling, noise, and alternative energy. Councilmembers Bard and Koppel supported. The council informally agreed to move forward.

Key Outcomes

• Council Bill 2026-260: Stricken (9-0).
• Council Bill 2026-261: Tabled to May 18, 2026 (9-0).
• Council Bill 2026-262 (Annexation): Approved on first reading and passed (9-0).
• Council Bill 2026-263 (Rezoning): Approved (9-0).
• Council Bill 2026-264 (Historic Landmark): Approved (9-0).
• Consent Agenda: Approved (9-0).
• Resolution 2026-006 (Historic Preservation Grant): Approved (9-0).
• Ordinances First Reading: All seven ordinances (2026-121, 122, 265, 401, 402, 509, 607, 608) were approved on first reading and advanced to second and third readings (all 9-0).
• Staff Direction: City manager Edwards will research data center ordinances as requested by Councilmember Detar.