Joplin City Council Meeting - July 6, 2026

The Joplin City Council held a regular meeting on July 6, 2026, addressing citizen petitions, rezoning, special use permits, a detailed data center ordinance, multiple capital improvement contracts, and administrative items. The meeting included public testimony on mosquito control and infrastructure planning, followed by unanimous approvals on most items except the data center ordinance, which was tabled for further study.

Consent Calendar

• The consent agenda was finalized with no items pulled for separate discussion.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Lilena Booth urged the city to end routine complaint-driven mosquito fogging with permethrin and adopt a data-driven integrated pest management (IPM) approach. She cited that blanket adulticiding is ineffective, harms pollinators, compromises organic gardens, accelerates insecticide resistance, and wastes funds. She referenced Kansas City and Ellisville as Missouri communities that stopped routine fogging. Councilmember Cows asked about an opt-out option; the city manager noted that the fogging truck had been down for weeks and that a news release with opt-out links is issued annually.
• Frank Thompson presented a report detailing repeated concerns over capital projects at the Donald E. Clark Justice Center over the past 2.5 years, including the chiller project, electrical upgrades, water line replacement, and the museum HVAC project. He questioned lack of comprehensive planning and transparency, and requested his report be entered into the public record. The city manager offered to prepare responses to the unanswered questions raised in the report.

Public Hearing: Rezoning at 2601 S. Joplin Avenue (CB 2026-270)

• The request from Leadford Construction and Development sought to rezone a parcel from C1 and R1 to R2 for two-family residential development. Staff and the Planning & Zoning Commission recommended approval as consistent with the comprehensive plan. Public speaker Gideon Jasinski supported the rezoning. The council voted 9-0 to pass the ordinance on first reading.

Public Hearing: Special Use Permit for Boutique at 612 W. East Street (Resolution 2026-014)

• Applicant Angela Hudson sought a special use permit for a boutique in a historic landmark district. The boutique will open the second weekend of each month and by appointment, selling furniture, home decor, and local maker goods. Councilmembers expressed support for revitalizing the neighborhood. The resolution passed 9-0.

Public Hearing: Data Center Use Standards (CB 2026-271)

• Staff recommended tabling the ordinance to incorporate new information from the Missouri Municipal League conference and public feedback. The proposed ordinance would regulate data centers via special use permit, with requirements including 300-foot setbacks from sensitive uses, 45 dB sound limit at 50 feet (C-weighted), closed-loop water systems, cool roofs, LEED certification, and advanced generator standards. Council discussion touched on noise, pollution, setbacks, water regulation, and potential legal overreach. Councilmember Copeland expressed general opposition to data centers and proposed a moratorium, but the majority supported tabling. Motion to table and send back to Planning & Zoning passed 9-0.

Key Outcomes

• CB 2026-352 (Demolition of dangerous building at 2027 S. Byrd Ave): Passed on expedited basis (9-0). Bid of $4,899 awarded to Prime Contracting; cost to be placed on a tax bill.
• CB 2026-131 (Airport parking lot mill & overlay at old terminal): Passed on first reading (9-0). Contract with Belvin's Asphalt for $184,665; budget amendment approved.
• CB 2026-135 (Sanitary sewer service agreement with Cunningham Investment for property east of Coyote Drive): Passed on first reading (9-0). Includes future annexation clause.
• CB 2026-136 (Engineering services for Davis Boulevard improvements): Passed on first reading (9-0). Olson Associates contract for $309,510 for conceptual design.
• CB 2026-272 (Final plat of Prospect Village Edition): Passed on first reading (9-0). Mixed-use development with conditions on ownership consolidation and easements.
• CB 2026-450 (Health department contract with Missouri DHSS for $39,954): Passed on first reading (9-0).
• CB 2026-613 (Annual Microsoft software support renewal for $247,932.42): Passed on first reading (9-0).
• Board and Commission Appointments: Approved for Building Board of Appeals (Ben Kessinger) and Library Board (Eric Dethridge) – 9-0.
• New Business: Councilmember Koppel requested the city manager follow up on road restriping at North Park Crossing CID. Councilmember Cows asked for staff review of board/commission appointment processes and lodging ordinances to ensure consistent minimum standards; staff agreed to work on both.