OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Joplin City Council Special Meeting – April 13, 2026

City Council — Monday, April 13, 2026
BodyJoplin, Missouri
SessionCity Council
DateMonday, April 13, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
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Transcript — Verbatim
0:01

Good evening, ladies and gentlemen.

0:05

I'm a call to order the special meeting in Joplin City Council for Monday, April the 13th, 2026.

0:28

Mrs.

0:28

Naj.

0:33

Gracious God, as we come to you this day to begin another session of the Joplin City Council, we ask that you impart upon us your wisdom and guidance so that we may promote justice, assist those in need, and provide for the overall well-being of the citizens of Joplin.

0:48

Amen.

0:48

Amen.

0:50

Mr.

0:50

Shaw, would you lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance, sir?

0:53

I would be honored.

0:54

Please join me.

0:56

I pledge allegiance to the United States of America.

1:02

And to the Republicans, under God with liberty and justice for all.

1:22

Reading of the special call.

1:24

Notices hereby given that the City Council of the City of Joplin, Missouri will hold a special meeting beginning at 6 o'clock p.m.

1:30

on Monday, April 13, 2026, in the Council Chambers of City Hall, 602 South Main Street, Joplin, Missouri.

1:37

For the purpose of receiving the official report of the April 7th, 2026 General Municipal Election, administrating the oaths of office of the newly elected council members, and electing the 2026-2028 Mayor and Mayor Pro Tim.

1:53

Roll call.

1:55

Mr.

1:56

Bard.

1:56

Present.

1:58

Mr.

1:59

Coppel.

1:59

Present.

2:00

Mr.

2:00

Ditar.

2:01

Present.

2:01

Dr.

2:02

Farnham.

2:02

Present.

2:03

Mr.

2:03

Jackson.

2:04

Present.

2:04

Mr.

2:05

Lawson.

2:06

Present.

2:06

Mr.

2:06

Shaw.

2:07

Present.

2:08

Mayor Cortez.

2:09

Present.

2:11

Results of the April 7th, 2026 General Municipal Election.

2:16

The City Clerk's Office has received the official returns of the April 7th, 2026 General Municipal Election, as verified by the County Clerks of Jasper and Newton Counties.

2:26

It is found and declared that the results are as follows.

2:30

For General Council members four-year term.

2:32

Josh Ditarr, 3,04 votes.

2:35

Natasha Clue Michael, 1,965.

2:40

Brian Cal Sr., 2055.

2:43

Mary Price, 2961.

2:47

Jamie Hammond, 1,851.

2:50

Matthew Woolsey, 1,643.

2:54

For Zone 1, Councilmember.

3:06

Proposition police and fire passed with 4,443 voting yes, and 1,196 voting no.

3:14

Charter Amendment No.

3:16

2 passed, with 2,695 voting yes, and 2,519 voting no.

3:23

For the record, 8,903 persons voted in this general municipal election.

3:29

Josh Ditar, Mary Price, and Brian Cal Sr.

3:33

are the candidates who received the greatest number of votes for the Office of General Council Member and is declared elected to a four-year term.

3:41

Rob O'Brien is the candidate who received the greatest number of votes for Office of Zone 1, Councilmember, and is declared elected to a four-year term.

3:49

Eli Moran is the candidate who received the greatest number of votes for the Office of Zone 4, Councilmember, and is declared elected to a four-year term.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural█████████████████████████████████████████████50%
Personnel Matters█████████████████████████████████37%
Historic Preservation█████████10%
Public Engagement███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Joplin City Council Special Meeting – April 13, 2026

The Joplin City Council held a special meeting on April 13, 2026, to receive the official results of the April 7, 2026 General Municipal Election, administer oaths of office to newly elected council members, recognize outgoing members, and elect the Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem for the 2026-2028 term.

Results of the April 7, 2026 General Municipal Election

  • The City Clerk reported verified results from Jasper and Newton Counties. A total of 8,903 persons voted.
  • For General Council Members (four-year term): Josh Ditar (3,04 votes), Natasha Clue Michael (1,965), Brian Cal Sr. (2,055), Mary Price (2,961), Jamie Hammond (1,851), Matthew Woolsey (1,643). Josh Ditar, Mary Price, and Brian Cal Sr. were declared elected.
  • Zone 1 Councilmember: Rob O'Brien elected. Zone 4 Councilmember: Eli Moran elected.
  • Proposition Police and Fire passed with 4,443 yes and 1,196 no.
  • Charter Amendment No. 2 passed with 2,695 yes and 2,519 no.
  • The council unanimously accepted the election results (9-0).

Recognition of Outgoing Council Members

  • The council honored four outgoing members with plaques and remarks.
  • Doris Carlin: served from April 8, 2024 to April 13, 2026. Praised for diligent preparation and thorough review of council packets.
  • Dr. Mark Farnell: served from April 11, 2022 to April 13, 2026. Recognized for positive representation of his community and for achieving positive change in his neighborhood.
  • Captain Doug Lawson: served from April 9, 2018 to April 13, 2026 (eight years). Thanked for his dedication, including service as former mayor. He remarked on the dedication of city employees and the privilege of serving.
  • Gary Shaw: served from April 8, 2002 to April 13, 2026 (24 years, the second-longest serving councilman in city history). Received a resolution from the Missouri Senate (sponsored by Senator Jill Carter) and the Key to the City from the Joplin City Council. In his remarks, he emphasized servant leadership, listening to citizens, supporting professional staff, and led the council in prayer.

Oaths of Office

  • Judge Podleski administered oaths to the five newly elected council members in order of total votes received: Eli Moran (Zone 4), Rob O'Brien (Zone 1), Josh Ditar (General), Mary Price (General), and Brian Cal Sr. (General).

Election of Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem

  • The council nominated Josh Ditar and Rob O'Brien for Mayor. Rob O'Brien was elected Mayor (received majority vote).
  • For Mayor Pro Tem, Chuck Coppel and Keenan Cortez were nominated. Keenan Cortez was elected Mayor Pro Tem.

Key Outcomes

  • The council accepted the official election results unanimously (9-0).
  • Rob O'Brien was elected Mayor for the 2026-2028 term.
  • Keenan Cortez was elected Mayor Pro Tem for the 2026-2028 term.
  • The meeting was adjourned.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. I'm a call to order the special meeting in Joplin City Council for Monday, April the 13th, 2026. Mrs. Naj. Gracious God, as we come to you this day to begin another session of the Joplin City Council, we ask that you impart upon us your wisdom and guidance so that we may promote justice, assist those in need, and provide for the overall well-being of the citizens of Joplin. Amen. Amen. Mr. Shaw, would you lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance, sir? I would be honored. Please join me. I pledge allegiance to the United States of America. And to the Republicans, under God with liberty and justice for all. Reading of the special call. Notices hereby given that the City Council of the City of Joplin, Missouri will hold a special meeting beginning at 6 o'clock p.m. on Monday, April 13, 2026, in the Council Chambers of City Hall, 602 South Main Street, Joplin, Missouri. For the purpose of receiving the official report of the April 7th, 2026 General Municipal Election, administrating the oaths of office of the newly elected council members, and electing the 2026-2028 Mayor and Mayor Pro Tim. Roll call. Mr. Bard. Present. Mr. Coppel. Present. Mr. Ditar. Present. Dr. Farnham. Present. Mr. Jackson. Present. Mr. Lawson. Present. Mr. Shaw. Present. Mayor Cortez. Present. Results of the April 7th, 2026 General Municipal Election. The City Clerk's Office has received the official returns of the April 7th, 2026 General Municipal Election, as verified by the County Clerks of Jasper and Newton Counties. It is found and declared that the results are as follows. For General Council members four-year term. Josh Ditarr, 3,04 votes. Natasha Clue Michael, 1,965. Brian Cal Sr., 2055. Mary Price, 2961. Jamie Hammond, 1,851.

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