Joplin City Council Meeting – August 3, 2026

The Joplin City Council convened on August 3, 2026, to address a range of agenda items including a Finance Committee update on a statewide tax amendment, multiple public hearings on right-of-way vacations and rezoning, a substantial discussion on proposed data center regulations (Council Bill 2026-271), and approval of several other ordinances. The meeting featured extensive public testimony on the data center issue, leading to an amendment removing the special use permit requirement before final approval.

Consent Calendar

• Council Bill 2026-137 was stricken from the consent agenda by a 9-0 vote (with Mr. Cortez excused). The remaining consent items were approved unanimously as finalized after the data center discussion.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Maurice Philson (citizen): Spoke about homelessness and drug addiction in Joplin, stating that grant money for the homeless would be wasted unless the city addresses drug addiction. He described personal interactions with individuals struggling to find jobs and said that drug dealers in Joplin are well-known to those in need.
• Data Center Public Hearing: Numerous citizens testified on Council Bill 2026-271:
  • Rebecca Collins (Director, Joplin Sustainable Technology Alliance): Expressed strong support for the ordinance, calling it a "gold standard" that provides predictable, transparent guidelines. She urged a yes vote.
  • Justin McCarty (Plumbers and Pipe Fitters Union Local 178): Supported the regulations, emphasizing the need for high-quality jobs and long-term transparency. He noted that data center cooling technology has evolved and urged decisions based on sound engineering.
  • Kimberly Barker (local environmental advocate): Supported the revised draft, stating it includes protections that were missing initially, and encouraged continued stronger regulations.
  • Brena Bauer (concerned citizen): Spoke in favor of regulations but argued they are not strong enough; she called for a moratorium on data centers, citing concerns about surveillance and community opposition.
  • Ashley Gould (citizen): Recalled past failures of city codes with heavy industrial uses and urged the council to maintain the special use permit for transparency and protection.
  • Laura Snyder (Wildwood Ranch resident): Opposed the ordinance as too weak; argued that the 300-foot setback is inadequate for a facility equivalent to 2.5 Walmart Supercenters near homes, and that data centers cause property value loss (up to 30%). She urged sending the proposal back.
  • Chris Hammer (citizen): Strongly opposed, arguing no regulation can prevent data centers from harming the city; he called for an outright ban or moratorium, citing high resource use and minimal local benefits.
  • Ellen Brolio (longtime Joplin citizen): Supported the ordinance but proposed tabling it to create a separate zoning classification (e.g., M2A) for data centers.
  • Susan Mitchell (citizen): Opposed the data center, questioning the lack of visits to "bad" data centers and noting the proximity to residences; she urged the council to study negative impacts elsewhere.
  • Kelly Jones (citizen): Supported a moratorium, expressing concerns about water and air quality for future generations.
  • Pamela Hartley (citizen): Disappointed that citizen voices were not heeded; questioned what happens if a data center becomes defunct and noted lack of transparency via NDAs (though council members stated they signed no NDAs).

Discussion Items

• Finance Committee Update (Tax Amendment): Mr. Alcorn presented an analysis of a proposed state constitutional amendment (Amendment 5) that would phase out Missouri’s income tax and potentially raise the state sales tax. He noted the amendment is vague on specifics (which services would be taxed, sales tax rate), and that the City of Joplin’s revenue should not be materially impacted if implemented properly, but uncertainty remains. Councilmember Barr expressed concerns about uncertainty and the potential for revenue loss. The committee did not give a personal opinion.
• Public Hearings – Right-of-Way Vacations and Rezoning:
  • Council Bills 2026-273, 274, 275 (Water Gardens right-of-way vacations): Passed unanimously after brief discussions on access and easements.
  • Council Bill 2026-276 (Rezone from M2 and R1 to R2 at 20th & Willard): Passed unanimously; developer plans four single-family homes.
  • Council Bill 2026-277 (Rezone from M2 to C3 at 1102 S. Illinois for animal daycare): Passed after questions about noise regulations; no outside kennels planned.
• Data Center Regulations (Council Bill 2026-271): This was the central discussion item. City Planner Tyler Belairs presented extensive amendments to the proposed use standards for data centers, including noise limits (45 dBA/dBC at property line), wastewater pre-treatment, generator emissions (Tier 4 or Tier 2 with SCR), closed-loop cooling (or equivalent technology), and 14 required reports. Council debate centered on whether to include a special use permit requirement. Councilmember Bard moved to remove all special use permit references, citing uncertainty and political risk. Councilmember Cows argued that M2 regulations should be strengthened for all industries, not singled out. After public testimony, the council voted 8-0 to amend the ordinance by removing the special use permit requirement and correcting a typo in Section 21 ("addition" to "edition"). The amended ordinance was then approved on first reading (8-0).
• Other Ordinances:
  • Council Bill 2026-134 (Republic Services trash/recycling contract): Approved on expedited basis (8-0). New contract increases rates with annual 5% increases starting April 2028, includes separate yard waste collection, and limits bulky items to 4 cubic yards per quarter.
  • Council Bill 2026-138 (Change order for 7th Street Sewer Relocation): Approved (8-0) for $169,330.52 due to unforeseen active sewer main.
  • Council Bill 2026-139 (Ten Cup Bridge project change order): Approved (8-0) for $328,213.15 despite concerns from Councilmember Coppel that the cumulative overrun exceeded the 10% threshold without prior council approval; staff cited ARPA deadline pressures.
  • Council Bill 2026-353 (Demolition of dangerous building at 1509 S. Pitcher): Approved on expedited basis (8-0).
  • Council Bill 2026-009 (Camping ordinance amendments): Passed on first reading (8-0) to clarify definitions of bedding and public place.
  • Council Bill 2026-140 (Sewer service agreement for Briar Oaks Lane): Passed on first reading (8-0).
  • Council Bill 2026-451 (WIC program contract renewal): Passed on first reading (8-0) for $730,175.
  • Council Bill 2026-515 (Budget amendment for police take-home vehicles): Passed on first reading (8-0) for $642,250.
  • Council Bill 2026-605 (Annexation consulting contract with Al Gair Martin): Passed on first reading (8-0).
  • Council Bill 2026-614 (Employee promotion policy): Passed on second/third reading (8-0).

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar: Approved as finalized (8-0).
• Finance Update: No action taken; report received.
• Public Hearings – Vacations and Rezonings: Council Bills 2026-273, 274, 275, 276, and 277 all passed unanimously (8-0 each).
• Data Center Ordinance (Council Bill 2026-271): The council voted 8-0 to amend the ordinance to remove all references to a special use permit, leaving only the use standards. The amended ordinance was then approved on first reading (8-0). It will require a second reading and public hearing.
• Other Ordinances: All remaining bills (134, 138, 139, 353, 009, 140, 451, 515, 605, 614) passed unanimously (8-0).
• New Business: Councilmember Moran requested a public dashboard for large projects; Councilmember Cows congratulated the Joplin Jailbirds and asked staff to review the 21st Century Road Housing Act; Councilmember Coppel requested staff to bring back policies ensuring all supervisors are paid more than their subordinates, and to remedy current pay inversions.