Thursday, November 12, 2026

Agenda posted for Joplin City Council meeting



JOPLIN CITY COUNCIL
 REGULAR MEETING AGENDA
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2026
5th FLOOR COUNCIL CHAMBERS
602 S. MAIN ST. JOPLIN MO
6:00 P.M.


1.

Call To Order

Invocation
Pledge of Allegiance of the United States of America
2.

Roll Call

3.

Presentations

1.

Grant Project Status Update

4.

Finalization Of Consent Agenda

5.

Reports And Communications

1.

News From The Public Information Office 

6.

Citizen Requests And Petitions

1.

Jade Schumann (Pryor)

2.

Chris Swanton

3.

Maurice Filson 

7.

Public Hearings

8.

Consent Agenda

1.

Minutes Of The November 2, 2026 City Council Meeting 

2.

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2026-159

AN ORDINANCE authorizing the City of Joplin to enter into a Work Authorization with Allgeier, Martin and Associates Inc. for Professional Engineering Consulting Services for the Miscellaneous Wastewater Treatment Plant Improvements 2027 in the not to exceed amount of One Hundred Thirty-One Thousand and 00/100 Dollars ($131,000.00) and authorizing the City Manager or his designee to execute the same by and on behalf of the City of Joplin; and, setting a date when this Ordinance shall become effective.

Documents:
  1. CB2026-159.PDF
3.

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2026-160

AN ORDINANCE authorizing the City of Joplin to enter into a Work Authorization with Allgeier, Martin and Associates Inc. for State Revolving Fund (SRF) Planning Services for Wastewater Treatment Plant Improvements in the not to exceed amount of Two Hundred Fifty Thousand and 00/100 Dollars ($250,000.00) and authorizing the City Manager or his designee to execute the same by and on behalf of the City of Joplin; and, setting a date when this Ordinance shall become effective.


Documents:
  1. CB2026-160.PDF
4.

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2026-282

AN ORDINANCE providing to vacate approximately 96 feet of right-of-way known as Walnut Ave, lying near property described as 2414 W 4th St, City of Joplin, Jasper County, Missouri.

Documents:
  1. CB2026-282.PDF
9.

Resolutions

1.

RESOLUTION 2026-019

A RESOLUTION declaring the intention of the City Council, subject to certain conditions, to obtain tax-exempt financing to finance a portion of the costs to rehabilitate Memorial Hall and to reimburse costs of the City advanced prior to obtaining such financing, provided that the qualified electors approve an increase in the City’s existing transient guest tax.

2.

RESOLUTION NO. 2026-020

A RESOLUTION    accepting the outstanding and valid encumbrances shown on the books and records of the City at the close of business on October 31, 2026. 

3.

RESOLUTION NO. 2026-021

A RESOLUTION    approving a request for the reappointment of three members of the Board of Directors for the 32nd Street Place Community Improvement District.

10.

Ordinances - Expedited

11.

Ordinances - First Reading

1.

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2026-012

AN ORDINANCE submitting to the electors of the City of Joplin, at the general municipal election on Tuesday, April 6, 2027, the question of whether the City shall increase the Occupational License Tax on the gross rental receipts derived from transient guests for sleeping accommodations on hotels, motels, tourist courts, and short-term rentals, from Four Percent (4%) to Six Percent (6%); prescribing a form of Ballot thereof.

2.

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2026-162

AN ORDINANCE approving Work Authorization AMA-OC-026-015 with Allgeier Martin and Associates, Inc. (AMA) in the not to exceed amount of One Hundred Thousand and 00/100 dollars ($100,000.00) for professional engineering services for the MS4 Program and Floodplain management support project and authorizing the City Manager or his designee to execute the same by and on behalf of the City of Joplin; and setting a date when this Ordinance shall become effective. 

3.

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2026-165

AN ORDINANCE authorizing the City of Joplin to enter into a Work Authorization with Allgeier, Martin and Associates Inc. to provide professional engineering consulting services for I-44 and Range Line Interceptor Replacement in the not to exceed amount of Three Hundred Sixty-Four thousand and 00/100 Dollars ($364,000.00) and authorizing the City Manager or his designee to execute the same by and on behalf of the City of Joplin; and, setting a date when this Ordinance shall become effective.

4.

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2026-166

AN ORDINANCE authorizing the City of Joplin to enter into a Work Authorization with Allgeier, Martin and Associates Inc. to provide professional engineering consulting services for the 32nd Street Interceptor Improvements Project in the not to exceed amount of One Hundred Fifty-Five Thousand and 00/100 Dollars ($155,000.00) and authorizing the City Manager or his designee to execute the same by and on behalf of the City of Joplin; and, setting a date when this Ordinance shall become effective. 

5.

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2026-167

AN ORDINANCE authorizing the City of Joplin to enter into a Work Authorization with Allgeier, Martin and Associates Inc. to provide professional engineering consulting services for the Tin Cup Original Parallel Line in the not to exceed amount of One Hundred Seventy Thousand and 00/100 Dollars ($170,000.00) and authorizing the City Manager or his designee to execute the same by and on behalf of the City of Joplin; and, setting a date when this Ordinance shall become effective.

6.

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2026-283

AN ORDINANCE authorizing the City of Joplin to enter into an Agreement with Confluence for Professional Planning Services relating to the creation of the Downtown Master Plan and Comprehensive Plan updates for the City of Joplin; authorizing the City Manager to execute said Agreement for the City of Joplin; amending the Annual Budget of the City of Joplin for the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 as adopted by Ordinance 2026-159 on October 19, 2026; and, setting a date when this Ordinance shall become effective.

7.

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2026-531

 AN ORDINANCE dissolving the Special Allocation Fund for the Hope Valley Tax Increment Financing Redevelopment Plan and terminating the designation of the Redevelopment Area of the Hope Valley Tax Increment Financing Redevelopment Plan.


8.

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2026-532

AN ORDINANCE approving termination of the Tax Increment Financing Contract for Redevelopment Project I of the Hope Valley Tax Increment Financing Redevelopment Plan. 

9.

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2026-533

AN ORDINANCE    dissolving the Special Allocation Fund for the South Main Street Tax Increment Financing Plan and terminating the designation of the Redevelopment Area of the South Main Street Tax Increment Financing Plan. 

10.

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2026-534

AN ORDINANCE approving termination of the Tax Increment Financing Contract for the South Main Street Tax Increment Financing Plan. 

11.

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2026-622 

 AN ORDINANCE approving a Contract by and between the City of Joplin and Total Electronic Contracting, Inc., in the amount of Two Hundred Ninety Thousand Nine Hundred Dollars and No Cents ($290,900.00) for Park Security Camera Installation, authorizing the City Manager to execute said Contract by and on behalf of the City of Joplin; amending the Annual Budget of the City of Joplin for the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 as adopted by Ordinance 2026-159 on October 19, 2026; and, setting a date when this Ordinance shall become effective.

12.

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2026-623

AN ORDINANCE Authorizing the City of Joplin to issue a purchase order to Don Brown Chevrolet in the amount of Three Hundred and Forty-Eight Thousand, Seventy-Two Dollars and No Cents ($348,072.00) for the purchase of six (6) Chevy Tahoe Police vehicles; authorizing the City Manager to execute the same by and on behalf of the City of Joplin and setting an effective date.

12.

Ordinances - Second Reading And Third Reading

13.

Unfinished Business

14.

New Business

1.

Essential Air Service Proposal

2.

Discussion Of Vacant Council Seat 

3.

Vote To Go Into Closed Session, Which Shall Pertain To The Hiring, Firing, Disciplining, Or Promotion Of An Employee Or Particular Employees Of A Governmental Body Involving Personal Information As Set Forth In Section 610.021(3) RSMo, As Amended, 2020, More Specifically For The Purpose Of Evaluating Certain Council Employees. This Meeting, Record, And Vote To Be Closed To The Extent Provided By Law. The City Council Shall Adjourn At The End Of The Session.



Former Lamar youth program director to waive indictment, enter plea


The charge hasn't been revealed but court records indicate former About Our Kids (AOK) executive director Jerod Morey, Lamar, will waive indictment and may plead guilty during an 8:30 a.m. December 18 hearing in U. S. District Court in Springfield.

Morey, who had been associated with AOK since 2004, left the organization suddenly with the following message posted on AOK's Facebook page:









 
As of Monday, April 21, Jerod Morey is no longer with About Our Kids, Inc. Please direct any ongoing concerns or inquiries to 417 682-6002 as we continue to assist you and your families without interruption. 
Thank you for your continued support of AOK.

AOK offers after-school, summer camp and teen volunteer programs.

By waiving the indictment, Morey agrees to forego the grand jury process and allow the government file its case through charging information. The charging document is similar to a probable cause statement in Missouri state courts.

In the docket sheet, Magistrate Judge Willie Epps directs attorneys to review his standing order for all guilty pleas made in his courtroom. The standing order details the steps the government and Morey's attorneys must go through if they intend to plead guilty.

Otherwise, the case continues and moves to a District Court judge.

Morey is represented by Springfield attorneys Joseph Passanise, Tom Carver and James Hayes.


Lamar man files legal malpractice suit against Glades Law Firm


A Lamar man claims Joplin attorney Phillip Glades and the Glades Law Firm failed to file a personal injury lawsuit before the statute of limitations expired and is suing the firm for legal malpractice.

In the lawsuit, which was filed Wednesday in Jasper County Circuit Court, Travis Storm says he hired Glades to represent him following an accident that occurred August 6, 2020, when he was working as an independent contractor for Lambeth Tree Service, LLC.

Storm and his wife, Kayla, are listed as plaintiffs in the lawsuit, while Phillip Glades and the firm are listed as defendants.







From the petition:

On August 6, 2020, Plaintiff Travis Storm had been contracted by Lambeth Tree Service, LLC to trim a tree on the property of one of its clients.

To perform the tree trimming, Plaintiff Travis Storm was required to use a bucket truck provided by Lambeth Tree Service, LLC (hereinafter “Truck”).

Lambeth Tree Service, LLC, was responsible for maintenance and fueling the Truck, prior to being used in tree trimming projects.

On August 6, 2020, Plaintiff Travis Storm was trimming the tree as contracted by Lambeth Tree Service, LLC. In trimming the tree, Plaintiff Travis Storm was in the bucket of the Truck and raised into the air.

After Plaintiff Travis Storm had completed the work, he began to lower the bucket of the Truck toward the ground.

As Plaintiff Travis Storm was descending, the Truck malfunctioned and the arm of the Truck fell rapidly to the ground, causing Plaintiff to be ejected from the bucket of the Truck and suffer significant injuries.

Plaintiff Kayla Storm was nearby at the time of the incident and saw Plaintiff Travis Storm fall from the Truck.

The Truck malfunctioned due to Lambeth Tree Service’s failure to properly maintain the bucket and arm mechanism of the Truck.

In the alternative, the Truck malfunctioned due to a defect that existed when the Truck was manufactured.








A few months following Plaintiff’s accident, Plaintiffs contacted Defendant’s employee, attorney, and member to represent them to recover damages resulting from Plaintiff Travis Storm’s injury.

Defendant, through its employee, attorney, and member, agreed to represent Plaintiffs pursuant to an agreement for legal services which provides for a payment of attorney’s fees in the amount equal to Forty Percent (40%) of any amounts recovered by Defendant on Plaintiffs’ behalf.

Despite agreeing to represent Plaintiffs on a contingent fee basis, Defendant never brought a lawsuit on behalf of Plaintiffs and against Lambeth Tree Service, LLC or the Truck’s manufacturer for negligence, negligent infliction of emotional distress, negligence under the doctrine of res ipsa loquitor, loss of consortium, or any other cognizable claim.

The statute of limitations for Plaintiffs’ claims expired on August 6, 2025.

Defendant, through its employee, attorney, and member, did not inform Plaintiffs that the statute of limitations had expired until 2026, when Plaintiffs asked Defendant for an update on their case.








At all pertinent times mentioned herein, Defendant’s employee, attorney, and member was acting within the course and scope of her employment with Defendant.

Defendant is liable for its employee’s actions through the doctrine of respondeat superior.

As a result of Defendant’s and Defendant’s employee, attorney and member’s actions and omissions, Plaintiffs have been damaged in an amount exceeding $25,000.00, the exact amount of which has yet to be determined.

The Storms are represented by McKinley Groves of the Springfield law firm of Lowther Johnson Attorneys at Law.


Joplin man pleads guilty to child pornography charge


Jeffrey Martin Steele, 50, Joplin, pleaded guilty to possession of child porngraphy during a hearing today in U. S. District Court in Springfield.

Judge Beth Phillips ordered a pre-sentence investigation. No date has been scheduled for sentencing.

The charges stem from a Newton County Sheriff's Office investigation that led to the filing of similar charges against Steele in Newton County Circuit Court.

The allegations against Steele are detailed in the probable cause statement:

Jeffrey Martin Steele committed the offense of possession of child pornography by being in possession of child pornography of a minor less than 18 years of age consisting of moving images depicting sexual activities with a child. 








Jeffrey Steele was contacted at in reference to information provided to law enforcement about him potential having child sexual abuse material on a phone in his possession.

While speaking with Mr. Steele, I was granted consent to look through the iPhone 16 Pro Max which Mr. Steele stated was his and that he only has access to it. Mr. Steele provided me with the passcode to access the phone and helped me locate the photo gallery on the phone.

In the image/video gallery of the phone, I witnessed several images and videos of a sexual nature with one appearing to depict a child. I selected that video where I witnessed a young female child naked on the floor with what appears to be an adult female with her.

As the video progressed the adult female depicted in the video began performing sexual acts on the child. 








At this time the video was shut down and Mr. Steele was advised of his Miranda Rights which he stated he understood. Mr. Steele consented to an additional scan of the phone where I witnessed what appeared to be more videos depicting sexual activity with children. Mr. Steele was arrested and transported to the Newton County jail was he was placed in the interview room, and he was once again advised of his Miranda Rights and he signed the associated form acknowledging his rights.

Mr. Steele also completed a consent to search form for the 16 Pro Max I witnessed the video on as well as the iPhone 14, Motorola (model and the Google Pixel which were identified through this investigation as being under his operation and control.

Tuesday, November 10, 2026

FLOCK cameras help Highway Patrol troopers locate kidnapped baby

 \


(From Missouri State Highway Patrol)

On November 10, 2026, at 11:55 a.m., Troop F Radio received a Missouri Uniform Law Enforcement System (MULES) teletype from the Lebanon Police Department (LPD) advising of the abduction of a six-week-old baby girl. 

At approximately 11:58 a.m. LPD requested an AMBER alert be issued. Troop F Radio immediately checked the FLOCK camera system and noticed the license plate had been observed twice. Once in Camden County and later in Cole County on U.S. 54. A photo of the suspect vehicle, a white 2008 Mercury Grand Marquis, was sent out to all responding troopers as they converged on U.S. 54.








At 12:07 p.m., a third FLOCK camera hit showed the vehicle was traveling on eastbound U.S. 54, near Route J, in Callaway County. Prior to the Amber Alert being issued, a trooper located the suspect vehicle on eastbound U.S. 54, west of Fulton, in Callaway County. At approximately 12:15 p.m., a traffic stop was conducted and the baby was recovered unharmed. The baby was transported to Troop F in Jefferson City and reunited with her mother.

The suspect, a 17-year-old female, and the 18-year-old male driver, were taken into custody without incident.








For information on the abduction and criminal charges associated with the incident, please contact the LPD. The Patrol was assisted by the Fulton Police Department and the Callaway County Sheriff’s Office.

All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of competent jurisdiction.

Josh Hawley calls for fasting, prayer after GOP loss

By Jason Hancock 

U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley on Monday blamed Republican election losses on his party abandoning working Americans, criticizing cuts to Medicaid that he voted to approve last year.

The Missouri Republican also called for what he described as a “historic response” to last week’s election: a one-hour gathering for fasting and prayer at the U.S. Capitol next month.







Hawley’s comments came as Democrats prepared to take control of both chambers of Congress and Senate Republicans confronted growing pressure to reconsider their leadership and legislative priorities.

“When you abandon pro-lifers, when you abandon the needy, when you abandon the poor, when you abandon working people, the American people might have something to say about that,” Hawley told reporters at the Capitol, according to CNN.

Hawley pointed to a Congress that he said had neglected working families while pursuing other priorities.

“When you cut Medicaid but you fund data centers, when you cut rural hospital funding, then you fund Planned Parenthood, when you let the cost of healthcare for working people go through the roof but you can’t do anything for them on other issues of affordability from fertilizer to gas and everything else — yeah, you know what? The American public doesn’t like that very much,” he told reporters, according to Punchbowl News.

But Hawley was among the Republicans who voted in July 2025 for President Donald Trump’s sweeping tax and spending law, which the Congressional Budget Office estimated would reduce federal Medicaid spending by nearly $1 trillion over a decade.

GOP senators warn mega-bill’s new Medicaid cuts will hurt rural hospitals

The legislation passed the Senate on a 50-50 tie broken by Vice President JD Vance, with Hawley voting in favor.

Before the vote, Hawley had been one of the most vocal Republican critics of the proposed Medicaid reductions. In a May 2025 New York Times opinion column, he called cutting health coverage for working people “morally wrong and politically suicidal” and warned of the consequences for Missouri families and rural hospitals.







He ultimately supported the legislation after negotiators included a $50 billion rural health fund and delayed certain reductions in Medicaid funding mechanisms. Hawley argued those changes would help protect Missouri hospitals and pledged to fight the remaining cuts before they took effect.

Two weeks after his vote, Hawley introduced legislation to reverse some of the Medicaid reductions and expand the rural health fund to $100 billion. The measure was referred to the Senate Finance Committee, where it has remained without further action.

The election results have renewed debate among Republicans about the party’s direction following a year in which they controlled the White House and both chambers of Congress.

Democrats captured the U.S. House and Senate in last Tuesday’s election. In Missouri, Democrats gained 16 seats in the state House and two in the Senate, ending Republican supermajorities in both chambers.

Democrat Fred Wellman also defeated Republican U.S. Rep. Ann Wagner in the 2nd Congressional District, while Missouri voters rejected a congressional redistricting plan championed by Trump. And Missouri voters rejected a proposed constitutional amendment reinstating a ban on abortion that voters repealed in 2024.

Roughly 55% of Missourians rejected the proposed ban last week, preserving abortion rights while also approving a separate constitutional amendment sharply limiting lawmakers’ ability to overturn voter-approved measures.

Hawley’s assessment of the election came amid a growing dispute over Senate Republican leadership elections scheduled for Tuesday.

Several senators, including Wisconsin’s Ron Johnson and Pennsylvania’s Dave McCormick, have called for postponing the vote to allow Republicans more time to examine the reasons behind their losses.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune of South Dakota has indicated that the election should proceed, although Republicans are expected to discuss the results before voting. No challenger to Thune has publicly emerged.







Asked Monday whether Republicans needed a change in leadership, Hawley declined to endorse the current leadership team.

“I’m not going to pledge my vote to leadership,” he told reporters. “I’ll tell you that.”

Hawley offered another response to the election Monday evening, announcing plans to bring Christians together at the Capitol on Dec. 15.

“What happened last Tuesday was shocking and historic,” he wrote on X. “It calls for a historic response. Christians need to gather and seek the Lord.”

Missouri Independent is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Missouri Independent maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Jason Hancock for questions: info@missouriindependent.com.

Sunday, November 08, 2026

Suspected killer on the loose after Siloam Springs shooting


(From the Siloam Springs Police Department)

(UPDATE; Lucas Espinosa has been captured.) 

The Siloam Springs Police Department is investigating a shooting that occurred this evening on South Oak Hill Street in Siloam Springs. 

One person was shot and has succumbed to the injury. This is now being treated as a Homicide Investigation. The victim's identity will not be released until family notification has been made.








At approximately 6:10 pm, the Siloam Springs Police Department responded to the area of South Oak Hill Street for a shooting. Officers arrived on scene and learned the suspect fled prior to their arrival. 

The suspect has been identified as Lucas Espinosa, a 32-year-old Hispanic male, 6’0, 215lbs, bald head, last seen wearing blue jeans and checkered shirt. 

Espinosa is believed to be armed and dangerous and may be traveling in a silver Kia Optima with Oklahoma license plate LNS023. 

If you see Espinosa or know of his whereabouts, DO NOT try to contact him, call 911 immediately.

Saturday, November 07, 2026

Steak N' Shake fails Joplin Health Department inspection

Steak N' Shake, 321 E. 4th Street, failed a Joplin Health Department inspection Friday, according to information posted on the department website. 

The restaurant received a priority violation for having the sanitizer concentration for chlorine in the dish machine measured at 0 ppm and six core violations, which can be found at this link.

The following establishments passed their inspections:

Casey's, 2501 S. Main Street

Walmart Supercenter Bakery/Deli, 2623 W. 7th Street

MSSU Mayes Cafeteria, 3950 E. Newman Road (re-inspection)

Jasper County Juvenile Center, 530 S. Pearl Avenue








Subway, 1501 W. 7th Street

Jack's Ice Cream (Mobile)

Yumm's Donut Palace, 1218 W. 7th Street

Love's Travel Stop, 4013 S. 43 Highway

CiCi's Pizza, 1602 S. Range Line Road

La Quinta Inn Breakfast, 3320 S. Range Line Road

Joplin Athletic Complex Soccer Fields, 3301 W. 1st Street

Zip's, 1902 E. 32nd Street

Gene Bassman Stadium, 3301 W. 1st Street

Newton County Sheriff's Office releases results of Halloween sex offender compliance check


(From the Newton County Sheriff's Office)

On the evening of October 31, 2026, the Newton County Sheriff’s Office conducted coordinated compliance checks on 73 registered sex offenders residing in Newton County. 

The operation was designed to ensure compliance with RSMo 589.426, which requires registered offenders on Halloween to avoid all Halloween-related contact with children, remain inside their residence from 5:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. unless required to be elsewhere for just cause, and leave all outside residential lighting off.







Deputies were unable to make contact with two registered offenders on Halloween night. Both individuals have since been contacted, and the investigation remains ongoing to determine whether charges will be submitted.

“Halloween should be a night of fun and safety for every child in Newton County,” said Sheriff Matt Stewart. “Families deserve to know that when their kids are out trick-or-treating, we are doing everything we can to protect them. These compliance checks send a clear message: registered sex offenders will be held accountable to the law, and keeping our children safe will always be one of our highest priorities.”

The Newton County Sheriff’s Office extends its appreciation to the Diamond, Granby, Seneca, and Neosho Police Departments for their partnership in conducting compliance checks within their respective jurisdictions.

Sheriff Matt Stewart