City Council - Regular Meeting

Good evening, everyone. We'll call this regular meeting of the Joplin City Council to order. Madam Clerk, the invocation, please.

Mr. Bolander, good evening. Good evening.

Let's hold questions until we hear the full presentation, please.

Okay. I think if we can have Mr. Schroeder come back up and have the two of you together, since you were working together on this handoff, this would be a good time to have both of you up front. Okay. Are there any questions at this point? Mr. Jackson?

I think I'd probably like to start my questions with our city attorney, city staff. Some of the concerns citizens raised to me is they're asking if we have, do we believe Aloe has performed all of their obligations they had in their original contract with the city of Joplin? Or are there anything that's going to be lingering out there that's not been accomplished?

I mean, and it can be even like the minor things. Like I know there's still a sidewalk portion that I reported more than a year ago that's been broken, that's never been repaired.

OK. In terms for the operation that will be here in Joplin going forward, I know part of this was the was going to have a office here, a footprint. Are we going to see something beyond a T-Mobile store with representation and management here? Or is that not going to happen?

OK, great. I don't think I have anything else at this time. Okay. Mrs. Price.

I have a few. One, I'll read a message I just received from someone. Aloe, they have laid conduit only, no fiber. They were supposed to have it done and online last November. They gave the reason that there was a fiber shortage, which might be true. They had an issue with Liberty with getting space on pools. They only got 30% of what was promised, so they're going to have to bury the line instead. Now they sold it to T-Mobile, so who knows if we'll ever see it again. That's in south of Joplin. So for customer purposes, over in Westbury, that's some of your customers over there. That just came

Okay. And then Aloe didn't get anywhere close to what was supposed to be done for the community. How will Luminous finish the job? I mean, do you know where they're at and...

When did you guys start conversations with ALOE?

When you first spoke here? Was it right after you spoke here?

I think part of some of the council members' frustration is, I guess would fall on our city manager, which is you shouldn't be having the discussions and having all the council members be blindsided and find out by the news or find out at the last minute. And I think we need to have some kind of stipulations that at least you let the mayor know so he can let city council members know that there's stuff in the works. So that's it. Thank you.

Yes. Hi. When was the city informed of this sale?

Mr. Edwards, when were you informed of this sale?

Thank you. One more question. Can you confirm that Lumos is assuming every contractual obligation ALO made to the city and its residents?

Any other questions? Okay. Thank you both very much for being here this evening. Let us know how else we can help. Stay in touch with Troy. Thank you. Okay, next presentation, Madam Clerk.

Hi, Ryan. So one thing that I didn't see addressed was how many people are allowed to stay in each room. Do we have a clear occupancy limit, and do we check that during inspections? And if so, what can we do if it's violated under our current ordinance?

And will the guest registry allow us to identify people that are staying longer than 30 days?

Thank you, Mayor. Ryan, just to help me understand the 30-day transient use type, would that have an impact if a hotel is having people on a long-term stay plan for out-of-town contractors who might be here or someone who would be here for more long-term purpose?

Basically, if you have a hotel that's got an extended stay arrangement with guests for whatever reason, here for work or, you know, staying in a hotel because their house was destroyed in a tornado or fire or something of that nature, I mean... Will there be other provisions to get through those situations?

So basically, it needs to be a specifically type of hotel, a specific type of hotel, not all of them can fall in that category. It's only going to be certain hotels with certain rooms.

But if it's just a standard room, two beds, TV and a bathroom?

Thank you Any other questions more comments All right Ryan, thank you, thank you Next presentation health inspection scoring update Having good evening Good evening council hear me.

So I've received a lot of positive feedback from the last time you visited from citizens regarding the potential scoring changes. I agree with Mr. Koppel as far as if they don't post the score, it should be a violation. And I really like the score portal idea myself. I do disagree with the immediate closure of imminent violations. I feel it's necessary. I get his point as far as the scoring goes. But I'm going to go back to the questions that I asked last time you were here, and if a business gets a bad score and they immediately correct the violation, how quickly can they be re-inspected and

Yes, it does. Thank you. And then how are we making sure that the scoring is going to be consistent between the different inspectors?

Any other questions? Comments? Mr. Koppel.

Okay. Anything else? Okay. Devin, thank you for the work on this. I hope you have some guidance and can keep going. Okay. Thank you. All right. Have a good night. Finalization of consent agenda. Does the council have anything for consent agenda? Anyone in the public have anything for consent agenda? And I deem the consent agenda finalized. Reports and communications.

Thank you. I'm not sure if it should go to you or maybe our website. I'm getting a lot of calls on the picking up the trash and trying to get a new cart. And I received a call today saying people are furious right now because the first flyer that went out, the information going out. Is there any way that we could post? who to call to pick up your trash cans or who to give you biodegradable bags or a new cart for all of that. Sorry.

Okay. Anyone else? All right, Cassie, we're all good. Thank you very much. I understand that Mrs. Brown is scheduling conflict and won't be here this evening. She did send a flyer, though, on the One Joplin Poverty Simulation on October 28th, and I encourage council members to go if you do have time. Public hearings.

Mr. Cowles. Hi, Tyler. So as planning and zoning, there was a couple of questions on this too. And I just, I'm seeking for clarification, but I'm concerned why we're rezoning this property to R3 instead of R1.

Could they build more than one dwelling on that property?

And have they submitted any plans to you on this?

So, Tyler, looking at the map, it says the property to the south is C1, but I'm looking at Google Maps and it looks like it's a residence.

Okay. And then the structure that's zone C1 that's to the north, it looks commercial to me, but that's our residence as well is what I've been told?

Okay. Any other questions for Tyler at this point? All right. This public hearing is now open. Anyone wishing to speak in favor of this item, please approach the podium. Anyone wishing to speak in opposition to this item, please approach. This public hearing is now closed. Any discussion from council? The chair will entertain a motion.

Mayor. Mr. Dittar. I move that Council Bill 2026-279 be placed on first reading and passed. Second. Second.

Is that Mr. Koppel on the second? Thank you. Okay, we have a motion by Mr. Dittar, second by Mr. Koppel, that Council Bill number 2026279 be approved.

We have nine in favor, none opposed. Next item, please.

Hi, Tyler. Does our future land use map need to be updated to better reflect what's actually happening?

Is that a typical 10-year thing that a city would do to update that?

Thank you, Tyler. Okay. Any other questions or comments? Tyler, thank you. This public hearing is now open. Anyone wishing to speak in favor of this council bill, please approach. Anyone wishing to? Here he comes. Please, please state your name for the record, please.

Any questions? No, I don't see any. Thank you. Thank you. Anyone else wishing to speak in favor of this item? Okay. Anyone opposed, please approach. I see no one opposed. This public hearing is now closed. Council, any discussion? The chair will entertain a motion.

I have a motion by Mr. Cortez, second by Mr. Cowles that Council Bill number 2026-280 be passed and moved to second and third reading. Please vote.

Mr. Baird. Nine in favor, none opposed. Thank you very much. Next item, please, Madam Clerk.

Any questions regarding this item for Ms. Oz? Okay. Thank you. I see none. This public hearing is now open. Anyone wishing to speak in favor of this item, please approach the podium. Good evening. Good evening. Please state your name for the record, please, and you'll have five minutes.

Hey, council members, any questions? I see no questions. Thank you. Thank you. Okay. Is there anyone who wishes to speak in favor of this item? This item. I see none. I should have said this public hearing is now open. Anyone wishing to speak in opposition to this item? I see none. This public hearing is closed. So, council members, any further discussion? So Ms. Haas, as I understand it, we vote on approval of this. That's our step here.

Okay. Chair, we'll entertain a motion. Mayor, I'd make a motion that we vote on the approval of this council bill.

Okay. We have a motion by Mr. Jackson, second by Mrs. Price, that this vehicle for hire license be approved. Please vote. And we have nine in favor, none opposed. Any resolutions? I'm sorry, consent agenda. The chair will entertain a motion for the consent agenda.

I have a motion and a second. A motion by Mr. Cortez, second by Mr. Jackson. For approval of consent agenda, please vote. Nine in favor, none opposed. Resolutions, Madam Clerk?

Good evening, Troy. I just have a couple. How many tax liens is the city currently holding? And can we possibly get a list of the properties with the tax liens and the total amounts that we have outstanding? And how many years do they have to pay it off? And have we sold them as surplus? Or what happens? Is that your question?

How many of those sign their properties over to the city? Do we have a number of those?

Okay. And where when it's sold or when we bring that revenue back in, where is it recorded? Do we have an account for that?

I think it's important to have an understanding of how this process goes. I know that we're working on the administrative abatement, which would probably get us to this part a lot faster. But How long does a building sit like this before it gets to the building board of appeals? And then obviously this one took about a year to get to this. Could you walk me through that quickly on how that goes?

Okay. Troy, thank you. Thank you. Any other council discussion? No. The chair would entertain a motion.

We have a motion by Mr. Koppel, second by Mr. Bard, that Council Bill 2026-357 be approved on an expedited basis. Please vote. We have nine in favor, none opposed. Thank you all very much. We have a number of first reading ordinances tonight, so we're going to take the mayor's prerogative to take a 15-minute break.

Okay, everyone is back. We'll resume. Ordinances, first reading.

Mr. Cowles. Thank you, Mr. Edwards. Thank you, Mayor. Yeah, I brought this ordinance forward to provide just a clear and more consistent rules for our boards and commissions. It clarifies how vacancies are filled and how the members are reappointed. The attendance was something that was a concern by current board members. who stress that they very rarely have people that show up. They struggle with having the amount of people that they need to conduct business. But it more clearly states the qualification for serving on our boards and commissions. There's been some things that have been said v

Okay. Mr. Cowles, thank you. Mr. Edwards, anything more at this point? Okay. Any questions or comments? Mrs. Price? No, Mr. Moran.

To clarify, we wanted to maybe add not knowingly make material false statements about city business, proceedings, or officials or employees. Not misrepresent what the city council or board or commission has officially decided or done. Follow the same standards when communicating online and through social media. Not use social media or electronic communication to disclose confidential information. Threaten or unlawfully harass people or otherwise violate the code of ethics make clear when they're expressing a personal opinion rather than official city Rather than officially through their city p

Thank you, Mayor. There's a couple things that I agree with. The absence from the meetings dropping down to two, I fully support that. I think if you're going to step up to represent the city, you should attend as many meetings as possible. And same thing with abiding by the code of conduct. That's pretty standard for any group. I fully support that. Some things that I have concerns with and believe that they are kind of, we have created a solution but are looking for a problem kind of thing is the new application process, I believe that's an administrative hurdle, that they've already been ve

How long do we keep the applications? I mean, if somebody fills out an application, maybe— We keep them for a year.

Mr. Bard. Thank you, Mayor. I would like to mirror what Eli said. I kind of like where he was coming from with everything. As far as most of our committees, it's all public anyway, so there's nothing confidential being spoken on any of the committees that citizens are part of. I don't know as far as confidential type scenarios there, but I think we need to be very careful when it comes to preventing anyone from speaking how they want to speak. It's not in our job description to tell them what to say or how to say it or how they want to say it. I think if we just do it with the code of ethics,

Yes, I kind of want to address what Eli brought up. I understand his point, but we have past board members and some current board members that filled a vacant spot and they were just automatically reappointed for the next term. And they were unaware of that appointment. I think that by requiring an application, that doesn't mean that they're going to automatically go into the pool and be out. I think that would be a majority decision. If someone is doing good, they fill out the paperwork. Because from my understanding, the application process isn't that long and time consuming. but this would

Thank you, Mayor. Excuse me, the chocolate is still in my throat. Okay. Just to comment, at first I wasn't sure about the three absences to two absences, but then you guys kind of sold me on it. It's like if you're going to step up and do it, do it. Be there. If you're not, then let somebody else that wants to do it. As far as the code of ethics, I don't think we need any more language added to it. I think those are, I agree with Mr. Bard that there's not a lot of confidential things that are discussed and discussed. parks and rec boards or capital improvement boards or parks and stormwater. A

So, Mr. Edwards, my question, just to clarify, when we talk about absences, we're talking about unexcused absences. Is that correct? Yeah.

Yes, mr. Edwards, I think that needs to be changed to to the majority of the Board or Commission to approve a Missing meeting or two and take it taken with mr. Copples comment earlier It could just read any member of any city board or commission who shall be absent for two or three

Yes, sir. Second. So that would be just two meetings with an excuse. Okay. Mr. Barr, did you second that?

Okay. We have a motion. Mr. Koppel, seconded by Mr. Bard to amend Council Bill 2026-011 related to absences as presented by the City Attorney. Please vote. We have nine in favor and none opposed. Thank you. Okay. As Mr. Koppel mentioned, it was not to close any further discussion on this measure at this point. So any further discussion? Mr. Moran, now can be Mr. Jackson.

Thank you, Mayor. To Mr. Cowell's point regarding individuals being nominated and unaware, I would believe that that would be an internal operational or training moment as opposed to having other people go through a paper process. So what does that look like when we onboard? boards of commission members is there a standard process to bring them up to speed for what the expectation of each group and commission is what their charter to do uh... and if not i would look at that process and whether that be the chair's responsibility the councilmember liaison or the staff member that is representing

Mr. Edwards, you want to make a comment on that?

I'm kind of taking this all in and whatnot. I guess one of the concerns I have is, It's not that we need to be policing people's verbiage on everything, but I do think we've had some instances recently where commission members on certain boards have gone out of their way to say, well, the city council has said they're going to do this with our water rates. The city council does not control anything with Missouri American water. We can make whatever vote we want, but we're not going to change those water rates because that is not our place, that is not our authority, that is not our role, and w

Thank you. Mr. Cowles. Yes, I just have one question. I'm not sure who I need to address it to, but

Okay, so you have made a motion to strike the reapplication for an additional term on the board or commission. Is that correct?

We have a motion by Mr. Cortez, second by Mr. Moran to amend Council Bill 2026-011 to strike the application for a reapplication to continue to another term on the board or commission. Please vote. We have eight in favor and one opposed. Okay. And again, that is an amendment to this council bill. Any additional discussion?

We have a motion by Mr. Cortez, second by Mr. Bard, that Council Bill number 2026-011 be approved as amended. Please vote. We have nine in favor, none opposed. Thank you all very much. Madam Clerk.

Okay, any questions for Mr. Johnson here? Okay. Mayor. Dan, I see none on this one.

Mr. Bard. I move that Council Bill 2026-147 be passed on first reading and moved to advance the second and third.

Second. Okay. I have a motion by Mr. Bard, second by Mr. Dittar that Council Bill number 2026-147 be passed on first reading and advanced to second and third. Please vote. Nine in favor, none opposed. Thank you very much. Next item.

You said this is the third clarifier, but we need four?

Anything else? Okay, Dan, I think you're off the hook on this one for the moment. Okay, any further discussion on this bill? The Chair will entertain a motion. Mayor?

I'd like to make a motion that Council Bill 2026-148 be passed on first reading in advance of second and third. Second.

I have a motion by Mr. Jackson, second by Mr. Cortez that Council Bill number 2026-148 be passed on first reading and moved to second and third. Please vote. Nine in favor, none opposed. Next item.

Okay. Dan, how long have we been using this toolbox approach?

Okay. Any other questions, comments? All right. Thank you, Dan. Chair will entertain a motion.

Mayor. Mr. Bard. I move that Council Bill 2026-149 be passed on first reading, advanced second and third.

Second. I have a motion by Mr. Bard, second by Mr. Koppel, that Council Bill number 2026-149 be passed on first reading, advanced to second and third. Please vote. We have nine in favor. Thank you very much. Next item.

And it comes from the sewer fund and staff recommends approval on first reading Okay, thank you any questions or comments I Don't see any Thank You Dan all right any council discussion Not chair will entertain a motion there what what second mrs. Price I

If we vote on this, will this be a rolled encumbrance into the next year, Nick? Like all the ones that we're voting on right now, will we be?

Okay. Any other questions? Chair, we'll entertain a motion.

Mayor. Mr. Dittar. Move for the approval of Council Bill 2026-150 on first reading, advance to second and third. Second.

And a motion by Mr. Dittar, second by Mr. Bard, that Council Bill number 2026-150 be approved on first reading, advance to second and third. Please vote. Nine in favor, none opposed. Thank you. Next item, please.

Okay. Dan, thank you. I may have missed it, but is this a particular treatment plant, or is it both?

All right. Any questions or comments for Mr. Johnson? Mr. Cortez. Thank you, Mayor.

Was this not in the original bid package for any kind of overage like this?

Any other questions for Dan or any other discussion? Council? If not, the chair will entertain a motion.

We have a motion by Mr. Cortez, second by Mr. Bard. The Council Bill number 2026151 will be approved on first reading and advance to second and third. Please vote. Nine in favor, none opposed. Thank you very much. Next item.

OK. Thank you. Mr. Bard. Thank you, Mayor. My biggest concern is, didn't we just pull a contract from D&E Plumbing and Heating for just a little while ago? Yes, we did. Because they were over-extended? Two additional contractors, yes. I know that they're the lowest bidder, but they are working with MoDOT. I know that they're extremely probably overwhelmed currently. And with this having a 120-day deadline... What makes us think that they won't get overwhelmed again and then we have to pull it again and then be 120 days behind again?

That's kind of my concern is because it's going to hold up Joplin's progress not only for us, but then MoDOT right behind it, and it's going to cause a domino.

Well, if they can't do it, they can't do it. That's kind of my, you know what I mean?

Well, I know Signature Dirt Works is only 120 ahead of that. And I know that I don't know. The D&E thing just kind of put a bad taste in our mouths previously by having two contracts pulled and delaying those work orders. And so I would be almost willing to go to the secondary on that one, guys.

Mr. Jackson. I would echo what Mr. Bard said. And unfortunately, we've got a few new council members who weren't up here for those situations. But not only did we have to pull the work away from them because they were overextended, the bids we had for the replacement contractors were even higher. So what's to say we don't go right back into that situation all over again? And there is no doubt that 7th Street is considered to be one of the most hot-button subjects in Joplin right now. You would not believe some of the phone calls that we get.

Yeah, well, but, you know, The thing is, you know, you've already got one who's in this hot pressure situation. They've already shown us they can't perform, you know, in a high pressure situation. So this one's probably bigger than what they had the last time around. I guess what I would ask of you, what additional staffing and resources have they established since they failed on our contracts before that they now have to handle the additional work they're doing on 7th Street plus this project here? Do we have a 20% increase in manpower, 30%?

I mean, to me, I think it'd be worth showing our new council members, just reminding the current council, what was the additional amount we were out having to get another contractor? We were worried about losing the opportunity for that. And what additional resources has D&E established to be able to show they can handle the workflow? All they've put out here is a number. They've not put anything about manpower out there. That's what makes me skeptical of their level of performance. Honestly, I think we probably should have just pulled their... let them fail on the other one and pull their bon

Thank you. Any other questions or comments? Mr. Cortez.

Thank you, Mr. Cortez. Mr. Dittar, is there any guarantee you can keep Signature Dirt Works on track?

Yeah. I have the concerns. I just want to throw that out there, too. It's like we don't really have any more control over any of these other guys. Actually, we probably have a little bit more over D&E with... Moda with the teamwork on it Yeah, I mean they've obviously had some issues with us in the past and that was a concern But if they didn't if they weren't tied in the modot, I think it would be something I'd be like now next Because of that there is more pressure and we have a little bit more leverage on them to get this done, right? That's my thoughts cousin.

That's it Okay, any other discussion comments? Chair would entertain a motion

Mayor. Mr. Dittar. I move for the approval of Council Bill 2026-152 on first reading, advance to second and third. Second.

Okay. I have a motion by Mr. Dittar, second by Mr. Cortez that Council Bill number 2026-152 be passed on first reading, move to second and third. Please vote. We have four in favor, five opposed. The motion fails.

Mayor, is there a way we can re-propose this council bill with an amendment to the bill that Signature Dirt Works be awarded the contract for their proposed amount?

Okay. I mean, just, I don't know if you need a head nod, but that's what I would be more comfortable doing. I was actually turning my microphone on before Mr. Detar made a motion, but fat finger in it. So, thank you.

Yes. Is there going to be any requirement for the city to have to do anything to our existing sidewalks to make it match or anything like that?

Any other questions? I see none. Thank you. Any other discussion from council? Chair, we'd entertain a motion.

Mayor. Mr. Jackson. I'd make a motion that Council Bill 2026-153 be passed on first reading and advanced second and third. Second.

Motion from Mr. Jackson, second from Mr. Barr, that Council Bill number 2026-153 be passed on first reading, advanced to second and third. Please vote. Nine in favor, none opposed. Thank you. Next item, please.

Thank you, Mayor. I do have a question about the electrical portion. With the appliance specific on the electrical being 50 amp, 30 amp, there are appliances now coming out that say no GFI. Is that worded in the 2024 to where it's – if it's a range, for instance, saying don't connect to a GFI or breaker? Because I know the 30 and the 50 amp, it's breaker only. There's no circuit that you can buy in the city of Joplin currently. So – or no recept that you can buy in the city of Joplin right now. Yeah. Does the IRC allow for that to happen when it's appliance specific that says no GFI?

if they haven't already and come out with a solution that's code compliant because they they can't make a living selling appliances that aren't code compliant i personally despise gfci breakers so despise them uh it's another question for you real quick um as far as uh microwaves is it going to be Plug-in specific, does it have to be a GFCI where you plug it in, or can it be upstream and still have the protection from the upstream GFI?

Yes, we've previously been told that because of staffing shortages, I'm going to go to the fire department code or fire code adoption, that the fire department hasn't been able to keep up with regular inspections. If by adopting these annual inspection requirements, do we currently have enough staff to actually perform them? And if we don't have the staffing, what's the plan and timeline to get every required property inspected annually?

From my understanding, the Joplin Fire Department has not been properly staffed enough to be able to do fire inspections on buildings that exist within the city due to the staffing shortages. So by adding some additional inspections... How do we plan on staffing that and being able to carry out more inspections when we're not doing that now?

Any other questions? No. I see none. Thank you. Thank you. Any other discussion? Not the chair. We'll entertain a motion for the first bill.

I have a motion by Mr. Cortez, second by Mr. Jackson, that Council Bill number 2026355 be approved on first reading, advanced to second and third. Please vote. Nine in favor. Thank you all.

I move that Council Bill 2026-356 be placed on first reading and passed second and third.

Second. We have a motion by Mr. Bard, second by Mr. Cowles. May Council Bill number 2026-356 be approved on first reading and sent to second and third. Please vote. Nine in favor. Thank you. Next item.

Any questions? I see none. Thank you. Any further discussion from council? Chair, we'll entertain a motion.

Mayor. Mr. Tatar. Move for the approval of Council Bill 2026-452 on first reading, advanced second, third.

I have a motion by Mr. Dittar, second by Mr. Cowles, that Council Bill number 2026-452 be approved on first reading, advanced to second and third. Please vote.

Nine in favor, none opposed. Thank you. Next item, please.

Okay. Now, Ryan, is a sum budgeted at $250,000? Is that correct?

Sure, up to an amount. Okay, any questions? Mr. Cowles. Yes.

So I believe the Humane Society provides a service that the city needs, and I want to make sure that They continue to do that. And I'd rather maybe consider that this partnership keep working instead of getting to a point where the city has to take, you know, more of these services over ourselves. And I'm wondering if we could, as a council, consider maybe increasing that percentage from two to five or seven percent to allow a little bit more uh... for the humane society to operate within our city the overarching question that i have is that is the city paying enough for the services that were

Anyone else? No. Okay. Ryan, thank you. All right. Any additional discussion from council? The chair will entertain a motion.

Mayor. Mr. Bard. I move that Council Bill 2026-453 be passed on first reading and advanced to second and third.

Second. We have a motion by Mr. Bard, second by Mr. Koppel. That Council Bill 2026-453 be passed on first reading and advanced to second and third. Please vote. Nine in favor. Thank you. Next item, Madam Clerk.

I have a motion by Mr. Cortez, second by Mr. Cowles, that Council Bill number 2026454 be approved on first reading and advanced to second and third. Please vote. Nine in favor. Thank you very much. Next item, please.

It's not really a question. It's just kind of a statement I received. I spoke to a business owner today downtown, and they said they'd like to see them spend some more time Marketing more on the concentration of some of the businesses downtown rather than Empire Market. They spend a lot of time on Empire Market, and some of their businesses are not getting marketed. Even at Third Thursday, it's not helping much. So I just wanted to put it out there. Don't shoot the messenger. Thank you.

Okay, thank you. Any other questions or comments?

Is this a monthly sum? Yes, sir. It's not a lump sum? First of year? Okay. Monthly? Monthly. Yes, sir. Okay. Thank you. Any other questions from this house? I have a question. Okay, and Mr. Jackson.

So on what level or metric are we measuring their performance that they are indeed providing these services to us for the said reimbursement? Well, for the said monthly allotment.

get that agreement in place, and then vote on it.

Thank you, Mary. I agree with tabling, and I think that we've agreed as a whole to give Joplin Downtown Alliance the $75,000. I think they've already even started going around and decorating the boxes that they already talked about. I don't want to put this off in that case. I think that we allow our... city manager to go and present that we get a more detailed presentation when it comes to the money but I think that you know tabling it now kind of killer counteracts what we've already agreed to when it come to last week so I I don't think we need to table it I think we just need to get a more

Mr. Dittar. Just a comment. We had an opportunity when DGA was here presenting to us to ask these questions and to talk about it. they're good partners they've been good partners with us it's frustrating to me sit there and we had opportunity to ask the questions we had opportunities to change it and make recommendations at the time that they were here talking they're not here tonight talking tonight it's a little bit like pulling the rug out from under somebody. They're a good partner. They've been doing good work for the last few years. I don't mind tabling and putting the budget. I don't th

Okay. We have a motion by Mr. Cortez. Second. And a second by Mr. Dittar to approve Council Bill number 2026-521 on first reading and forward to second and third. Please vote.

Okay. Thank you, Leslie. Any questions? Comments? Okay. Thank you. There's no additional discussion.

Chair, we'll entertain a motion. Mayor. Mr. Bard. I move that Council Bill 2026-522 be passed on first reading in advance of second and third. Second.

A motion by Mr. Bard, second by Mr. Cortez, that Council Bill number 2026-522 be approved on first reading and moved to second and third. Please vote. Nine in favor. Thank you very much. Next item, please.

I'd be happy to answer any questions any questions comments I see none, so thank you. Any other discussion by council? Chair, we'll entertain a motion. Mayor.

Mr. Dittar. I move for the approval of Council Bill 2026-618 on first reading, advanced second, third.

Second. I have a motion by Mr. Dittar, second by Mr. Bard. The Council Bill number 2026-618 be approved on first reading and moved to second. And third, please vote. Nine in favor, none opposed. Thank you all very much. Next item, please.

Anything else? No. Okay. Michelle, thank you. Thank you. Okay. Mr. Bard? Oh, I'm sorry. Did you have a question for him? Nope. Okay. Mr. Bard?

Move that Council Bill 2026-620 be passed on first reading and advanced second and third.

Second. I have a motion by Mr. Bard, second by Mr. Cortez, a council bill number 2026-620. Be passed on first reading, advanced to second and third. Please vote. We have eight in favor, one opposed. Motion passes. Thank you very much. Ordinances, second and third reading. We have none. Unfinished business.

Any questions for Mr. Robertson? Mrs. Price.

So, Mr. Robertson, you were given the amount of an employee making $140,000? Yes, ma'am. So council, just for reference. So if we have an employee making 140,000 and we give 12% raise, that would be 16,800 taking the employee to 156,000. That's not including the 4.5% between the STEP and the COLA. But then there's something else I think we as a council are missing and the city as a whole. We also pay 100% of the health insurance, the dental for employees. I mean, we've got to look. That's an additional, easily, $15,000 a year. So, I mean, I kind of agree. I think that's a little bit high on a

Mr. Bard. Thank you, Mayor. I guess where I'm having trouble comprehending, I understand the premise of where you're coming from. But comparing a person that makes $120,000, $130,000, $140,000 a year, when I say comparing, I'm not trying to be rude or crass. What I'm saying is the person that is able to make that kind of money has an education, they have experience, they have earned their way to that particular spot. Whereas someone, and I'm not, you gotta watch it here, because there's a fine line that I'm starting to walk across. So a person that actually makes $25 an hour, $30 an hour, they

So should we take that $5,000 away since they're out of the market?

That's what I'm trying to get at. We're in government. And things in the government obviously go differently.

Okay. Thank you. Mr. Cowles, I believe you were next.

Yes, there's a lot going on here. Who conducts our market studies now? Mr. Edwards?

How is the 12% determined? Is it like an across-the-board raise? How is that determined?

If I might, Mr. Kells, before you go on, that discussion, since that was prior to the minimum wage discussion, so that would have been in 2025, would that be correct, since that kicked in in 2026? Yes.

I just want to point out there is a timeline here.

One more question and I'm done. How many employees do we have that are below market value? Do we have that number?

Mr. Robertson, thank you for your time. Thank you. I appreciate it. Any other comments from council? Mrs. Price?

I did receive a message from someone today telling me that when we're looking at it, and it was a past council member that said, we should be looking at salaries of those who work within the whole city of Joplin. We should be looking at the Joplin community. Are they making and receiving the benefits that our city employees are? And they said that you're not going to hear any sympathy that the city employees are underpaid. They're receiving their pool fees, their golf fees, all the benefits. I checked. They said bigger companies like Tamco and all of them, they don't pay for health insurance.

Thank you, Mrs. Price. Mr. Edwards, you know, one more question from the mayor. We have in the budget for the coming year, I believe, somewhere around $75,000 for the next pay study. Is that correct?

I see Michelle nodding yes. So we have the opportunity going forward to do a more... intensive and detailed studies so we can really start defining the information that's been presented to us and requests have been presented to us in the coming years. So when we come up to budget time next year, we have that in hand to work with. Would that be correct? Okay. Thank you. All right. Anything else? Mrs. Price.

Just one more thing, and it's going to piggyback to Detar earlier. So, Mayor, when council members are liaison for different boards, it would be nice because the reason that they're the liaison is because they're representing the whole city council. And part of their job in the description, it says that after they meet with them, they should come back and kind of share with us. So we kind of know what's going on, too, because, like, if you're on – DJA, you know what's going on, but we don't know what's going on, or chamber or parks or any board that anybody's sitting on. So it would be nice if

Yeah, and I agree, and I would make a suggestion that that's something that we can do as a quarterly, some sort of part of a regular meeting is, liaisons, first you've got to go to the meetings. Second, come back and report on those meetings. Yeah, I think that makes sense. I think it would be great because, yeah, I don't know. It's always GSA or Parks or I don't even know what all board you guys sit on. Tree board. I want to know what's going on in tree board.

Good suggestion. Very good. Anyone else? Mr. Moran.

Yeah, just real quick. I would like to say that October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month as well as Breast Cancer Awareness Month. So I would just like to pay honor to the survivors and victims of both of those causes and just publicly state that out loud. And as your wardrobe will allow it, either wear pink or purple throughout the month of October.

Thank you. Thank you very much. Okay. I'm sure we'd entertain a motion to adjourn.

Mayor, I would make a motion to adjourn.

We'll just call it then. We are adjourned. Nothing else.