Joplin City Manager provides weekly update

(City Manager Sam Anselm provided the following update to the Joplin City Council Friday afternoon.)

Good afternoon, everyone. Please see below for this week’s update.

Key Meetings 

-On Wednesday, Councilwoman Lewis and I attended the monthly Downtown Joplin board of directors meeting. You may recall that in July and September, the group tested out a “parklet” on Main Street as a way to encourage walkability downtown by converting on-street parking spaces into outdoor seating/gathering areas. I have asked staff to research other cities to see if and what type of policy and procedures could be put in place to safely allow these types of spaces in downtown Joplin in the future. When we’re ready to present the information, I expect this will be a topic of discussion at a future work session.

Miscellaneous 

-The most recent update from public works can be found by following this link. In addition:

-PW has been working with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources on fixing an old mine element on Sheridan. A mine shaft under the street opened up causing a cave-in of the road. PW crews worked to excavate and cap the actual shaft, while MDNR had their contractor pump the additional voids full of concrete. PW would like to extend their thanks to the fire department as well, for use of their camera equipment to view the extent of the damage.

-As you’re well aware, the 20th Street grade separation is open to the public. There are a few clean-up and punch list items to be completed, but we’ve heard several compliments and a few hallelujahs now that it is open to traffic. We are working on some signal timing issues, but those should be resolved soon as well.

-And, if you’ve had a chance to drive down 15th Street, you are also aware that the 2016 annual overlay project is underway. As discussed in a previous update, public works is changing their approach to the overlay project, by focusing funds on the busiest streets first. That same approach will continue into the 2017 overlay project, details of which can be found in the PW update linked above.

-Progress continues on a few building projects around town, namely the library at 20th and Connecticut, as well as the public safety training center.

 In the Pipeline 

-The dedication of the East Town Mural will take place this Sunday, October 2, at 2:00 p.m. at the intersection of Broadway and Mineral. In the case of inclement weather, a rain date has been scheduled for October 9th at 2 p.m. But assuming the weather cooperates, you and the public are invited to attend. The ceremony is hosted by the JACC Cultural Affairs Committee.

-Please mark your calendars for a groundbreaking ceremony to be held on Friday, October 7th at 1:00 p.m. for the new Holiday Inn hotel. The address is 3402 S. Arizona, adjacent to the existing Comfort and Quality Inns.

-Also, our regularly-scheduled work session will take place on Monday, October 10th . Items on the agenda so far include a discussion of our building permit process, and appointment of boards and commissions. If you have any other items you would like to discuss at this or future work sessions, please let me know so that staff and I can prepare accordingly