Governor appoints retired Joplin banker to Missouri Ethics Commission

(From Gov. Mike Parson)


Today, Governor Parson announced nine appointments to various boards and commissions.

Sherman “Bill” Birkes, of Joplin, was appointed to the Missouri Ethics Commission.

Birkes is a retired banker and financial analyst with over 30 years of experience. He is a retired Lieutenant Colonel with the U.S. Army Reserves and Missouri National Guard.

He graduated from Missouri State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business and a certificate from the Graduate School of Banking at the University of Wisconsin. Birkes is a former member of the Jasper County Central Fire District Board of Directors. He is also a current member of the Rotary Club of Webb City and Carl Junction and a member of the Military Officers Association of America.

John Mallott, of Kennett, was reappointed to the Seismic Safety Commission.

John Mallott is the Fire Chief for the Kennett Fire Department and the Emergency Management Director for the City of Kennett. He is also an Associate/Adjunct Instructor for the University of Missouri-Columbia Extension for Fire and Rescue Training. Mallott also served in the Missouri Air National Guard for 28 years. He has his Associate Degree in Fire Science from the Community College of the Air Force.

Dr. Brent Rosenblad, of Columbia, was reappointed to the Seismic Safety Commission.

Dr. Rosenblad is an Assistant Teaching Professor at the University of Missouri-Columbia and has conducted engineering field studies in the New Madrid Seismic Zone. Dr. Rosenblad has his Doctor of Philosophy in Civil/Geotechnical Engineering from the University of Texas, his Master of Science in Civil/Geotechnical Engineering from the University of Texas, and his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He is a licensed professional engineer with the State of Missouri, a certified instructor for the National Highway Institute, and currently serves as Chair of the Seismic Safety Commission, which he has been a member of since 2012.

Dr. Eric Sandvol, of Columbia, was reappointed to the Seismic Safety Commission.

Dr. Sandvol is a Professor in Geological Sciences at the University of Missouri and an Adjunct Professor at Cornell University. He has numerous field experience and recently worked on measuring the seismic structure of the Central United States. Dr. Sandvol has his Bachelor of Science in Physics from South Dakota School of Mines and Technology and his Doctor of Philosophy in Physics with an emphasis in Seismology from New Mexico State University. He is a member of the American Geophysical Union and the Seismological Society of America.

Kayla Sue Schoonover, of Fairfax, was appointed to the Missouri Western State University Board of Governors.

Schoonover is a Speech Implementer, a High School Special Education Instructor, and the Head Volleyball Coach at Mound City R-2 Schools. She has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Therapeutic Recreation with an emphasis in Mentally and Physically Handicapped and a Minor in Physical Education and Coaching from Missouri Western State University. She also has a Teacher Certification in Special Education from Northwest Missouri State University. Schoonover is a member of the Missouri State Teachers Association, Mound City R-2 Community Teachers Association, Missouri High School Volleyball Coaches Association, and Local Area Special Education. 

Lee Tieman, of St. Joseph, was appointed to the Missouri Western State University Board of Governors.

Tieman is a Senior Partner at Tieman, Spencer, & Hicks, L.L.C., where he specializes in Business Law and Civil Litigation. He received his Juris Doctorate from the University of Missouri and his Bachelor of Arts in History-Government and Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Columbia College. Tieman is licensed in all Missouri state courts, United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri, 8th Circuit Court of Appeals, District of Columbia Court of Appeals, and United States Supreme Court. He is a member of the United Way of Greater St. Joseph, the St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce, and a member of Missouri Western State University Gold Coat Club.

Cheryl D.S. Walker, of St. Louis, was appointed to the Missouri Ethics Commission.

Walker is Of Counsel to Riley Safer Holmes & Cancila LLP. She has her Juris Doctorate from Washington University School of Law and Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering at Missouri University Science & Technology. She previously served on Board of Curators (January 2003-July 2009) and Co-chair of the Presidential Search Committee (March-October 2016) at the University of Missouri. She is a member of the Missouri Bar Association, American Bar Association, Mound City Bar Association, and the Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis.

Jay Wasson, of Nixa, was appointed to the Missouri Tourism Commission.

Wasson is a former Missouri State Senator for the 20th District, serving from 2010-2018, and proudly before that was the State Representative for the 141st District, serving from 2002-2008. Prior to his time in the legislature, Wasson served as Mayor for the City of Nixa. He is also a member of the Nixa Area Chamber of Commerce and is a real estate developer. During his legislative career, he received multiple awards, including the Missouri Community College Association Distinguished Legislator Award, the Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives Legislative Leadership Award, the Missouri Community College Association Workforce Champion Award, and the Missouri Economic Development Council Appreciation Award.

Kurt Witzel, of Oakville, was appointed to the Missouri Tourism Commission.

Witzel is recently retired after 36 years in Sales and Marketing at Anheuser-Busch/InBev. He is a member of the “Point of Purchase Advertising Institute” Hall of Fame and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from the University of Missouri. Witzel serves as Vice Chair of the Missouri Mansion Preservation Board of Directors and is also a member of the Missouri Athletic Club.

Billy Long: I will work for passage of Preventing Maternal Deaths Act

(From Seventh District Congressman Billy Long)

The Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee recently held a hearing on reducing the maternal mortality rate in the U.S.

We heard from a number of advocates on the issue as well as personal stories of those who have been directly affected by this growing problem. 

One story in particular made a lasting impression on me. It was from Charles Johnson IV, a father of two, who lost his wife, Kira, after the birth of their second son. What was supposed to be a routine pre-scheduled C-section turned into more than 10 hours of waiting to see if his wife was going to make it. Charles knew immediately something was wrong and started begging for someone to help his wife. He was told that everything was going to be fine and his wife just wasn’t a priority, but at 2:22 a.m. on April 17, 2016, Charles lost his wife, and his two sons lost their mother.

I would like to say stories like this are rare, but sadly that’s not the case. Between 2000 and 2014, the maternal mortality rate increased by 27 percent. Compared to other developed countries, the U.S. has the highest maternal mortality rate, sadly making us one of eight countries where the maternal mortality rate continues to increase. Unfortunately, due to limited data, we can’t fully understand why the maternal mortality rate continues to increase.

During the hearing, we discussed ways to address this problem, including through legislation such as H.R. 1318, the Preventing Maternal Deaths Act. This bill would enhance the partnership between the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and states to help set up and expand state maternal mortality review committees (MMRCs), which are made up of local experts in the field who look for ways to prevent future deaths. This bill would also increase collaboration and information sharing among committees and the CDC to get a more accurate picture of the problem nationwide. Currently, 33 states have these types of committees.

Charles’ heart-wrenching testimony of trying to save his wife in the few hours she lived, after her previously scheduled C-section, made a big impact on our Committee. Charles is black as was his wife. While this health care crisis affects everyone, minority maternal mortality rates occur at a much higher rate than in the general population. This is one more layer to the puzzle that we in Congress need to work to solve. My colleagues and I will continue to work to ensure this bill is passed so we can get better data to get better outcomes for maternal health.

Five years ago: MSSU offensive line coach murdered at Northstar 14

Five years ago Thursday, November 1, 2013, Jeffrey Bruner, Joplin, shot Missouri Southern State University offensive line coach Derek Moore to death in the parking lot at the Northstar 14 theaters in Joplin.

Bruner was convicted and sentenced to life in prison. The Missouri Southern District Court of Appeals and the Missouri Supreme Court have rejected his appeals.

The following description of the murder was included in the Southern District Court of Appeals opinion issued July 12, 2016.

Bruner and his wife, Michelle Bruner, were estranged and Wife moved out of the marital home approximately two weeks before November 1, 2013. 

While Bruner and his daughter were eating out on the evening of November 1, 2013, Bruner’s daughter showed Bruner a picture that had been posted on Facebook of Wife and Victim, taken outside of what appeared to be a nearby movie theater. 

Bruner was “stunned” when he saw the picture and told his daughter “this isn’t right. You know, what your mom is doing is not right.” He was also “hurt,” “angry,” and felt “betrayed.” Bruner decided to go to the theater and confront Wife. Bruner’s daughter did not want to go with Bruner and asked that he take her home.

On the way home, the daughter testified Bruner told her “he didn’t want [her] to see him kill a man[,]” that she probably would not have a “mom or a dad by the end of the night[,]” and “he would be going to jail that night[.]”1 Upon arriving home, Bruner again viewed the picture of Wife and Victim. He then retrieved two loaded pistols from the house because of “how big [Victim] was in the picture.” Bruner returned to his car, one pistol concealed upon his person, the other placed in the passenger seat along with an extra ammunition clip.

On the way to the theater, Bruner texted Wife asking “WTF,” and a second text asking her where she was. Wife did not respond. Arriving at the theater, Bruner unsuccessfully scoured the parking lot for Wife’s Jeep.

After several laps around the parking lot, Bruner parked in a space facing the theater. Bruner texted his daughter to determine if she was okay, and then sought to confirm what clothing Wife was wearing that night.

After a significant period of time, Bruner observed Wife emerge from the theater with Victim. Bruner left his vehicle and approached the two, asking Wife, “[W]hat’s going on[?]” Wife replied, “We’re on a date.” Bruner responded that “they had not talked about dating,” and Wife told Bruner she did not need his permission to date. An argument then ensued between Bruner, Victim, and Wife.

Victim asked Bruner who he was and Bruner responded, “This doesn’t have to do with you. I just want to talk to my wife[.]” Victim stated, “She moved out pal.” Bruner observed Victim to be considerably larger than he was—Bruner was 5’11” and approximately 170 pounds; Victim was approximately 6’5” and “was really big.”

As Victim would approach Bruner during this argument, Bruner would take a few steps back. However, Bruner continued to remain in front of Victim even when Victim would move forward.

Eventually, the procession reached the street opposite the movie theater entrance. Bruner saw a median emerging out of his peripheral vision, and not wanting to trip over it, stopped moving backward. Wife and Victim walked around Bruner to his right, causing Bruner to pivot clockwise toward Wife and Victim.

Bruner testified on direct examination that at that point, Victim exclaimed, “I’m not from here, mother fucker, I’ll have your throat slit in two hours.” Bruner asked why Victim was threatening him, and Victim indicated he did not play “these redneck games.” Victim stepped onto the median and said “you don’t know who the fuck you are messing with.”

Bruner saw Victim move into a “fighting stance” and move his right arm such that Bruner perceived Victim was going to grab him.

Bruner then pulled the pistol from his jacket and shot Victim several times in the back, killing him. A three-day jury trial commenced on March 23, 2015. At the jury instruction conference, Bruner’s counsel tendered a self-defense instruction, pursuant to MAI-CR 306.06, Part A – General Statement of Law, which the State opposed. The trial court refused the instruction.

The jury found Bruner guilty of first-degree murder and armed criminal action, and recommended life imprisonment without parole on the first-degree murder charge, and five years’ imprisonment on the armed criminal action charge.

In a concurring opinion, Judge Daniel Scott wrote that even if every word Bruner said could be believed, "society has not yet devolved to 'ordinary reasonable and prudent' persons publicly emptying guns into one another."

Scott also noted Bruner's actions:

-Bruner pulled a gun and shot Moore from behind until Moore dropped, his spinal cord severed.

-Bruner stood over Moore and emptied the gun into his back, then kicked Moore’s head and face with heavy boots as he lay dying.

-Waiting for police to arrive, Bruner said: “They posted it all over Facebook. What’s a guy supposed to do?”

In his dissenting opinion, Judge Gary W. Lynch made it clear his disagreement was not with the verdict but with Judge Crane's decision not to allow the jury instruction. In his opinion,he outlined the case that Bruner's attorney made.

Defendant and Michelle Bruner (“Wife”) married in 1992. Over the course of the marriage, the couple had periods of marital difficulties and separation but had always reconciled. Around October 15, 2013, Wife moved out of the marital home into an apartment.

When she moved out, Wife denied that she was involved with another man or that she planned on divorcing Defendant and said she just “needed space.” Defendant believed that no one else knew the couple had separated, and that he “knew it would be hard for her to come back, if everybody knew what she was doing.”

After Wife moved into the apartment, Defendant visited her “at least every other day[,]” and “spent two nights there with her.” On October 31, 2013, Defendant bought Wife a small gift and arranged to meet her at her workplace to give it to her. When they met, Wife acted different, “[k]ind of cold and something didn’t feel right.” Defendant asked her if they could go out the next night, but Wife said she had to work.

The next night, however, Wife went on a date with Derek Moore, and a photo of the two of them was posted on her Facebook page with the caption, “date night.” Defendant’s fourteen-year-old daughter saw the post and showed the photo to Defendant while they were out having dinner that evening. Defendant was stunned, hurt, angry, and upset because Wife had told him she had to work that night.

It appeared to Defendant that the photo was taken at the local theater. Defendant texted Wife asking her where she was. Wife did not reply. After Defendant returned home with his daughter, he looked at the picture in the Facebook post on his daughter’s computer and decided he wanted to find Wife, talk to her, and save their marriage. Before leaving the house, he put a gun in his pocket “because of how big the guy was in the picture.” He thought if the man “tried to beat [him] up or something, that [he] would be able to back him off with it.”

Wife had previously “been with [men] that were of the same build[,]” and once told Defendant “that these guys could crush [him].” Defendant drove to the theater, parked in front, and waited for Wife to exit the theater. He “just wanted to talk to [Wife] and help her to see that what she was doing wasn’t right and to come back home . . . that God is going to punish her for what she’s done . . . [and he] wanted to save her from that.”

When Wife exited the front entrance of the theater alongside Moore, Defendant exited his vehicle and approached Wife near the theater entrance, asking her, “[W]hat’s going on.” Wife responded that she was on a date. When Defendant told her that they had not talked about dating, Wife told him, “I don’t need your permission.” Defendant pleaded with her, telling Wife he just wanted to talk and asked why they couldn’t work things out. At that time, Moore told Defendant, “[S]he moved out, pal[,]” and Defendant told Moore, “this doesn’t have to do with you.” Moore responded, “it f-ing does because we’re on a date.” Wife intervened, putting her hand to Moore’s chest “like she was holding him back from [Defendant].”

As Defendant continued talking to Wife, Moore kept interfering with their conversation. Defendant backed up “countless times” as Moore “kept saying over and over, again, who the fuck are you and every time he would step toward me and I would back up.” Defendant was 5’10” and estimated that Moore was 6’4” or 6’5” and “really big.” Defendant had backed up until he was close to tripping over a “sidewalk median.” He stopped there, while Wife and Moore “started like circling around [him] to [his] right.”

As Moore went around Defendant, Moore told him, “I’m not from here, mother fucker, I will have your throat slit within two hours.” At that time, Defendant turned his focus completely on Moore because Defendant “didn’t know when [Moore] was going to cut my throat” as “within two hours that’s any time there.”

Defendant testified that at that point, "I got this really sick feeling in my stomach. I felt like I was kind of like [spinning]. And it was like the sky was getting darker. Everything is – it’s like everything was getting farther, . . . farther away. And sounds were sounding like they were farther and farther away. And everything was like closing in on me. And by the time he said, you don’t know who the fuck you’re messing with[,] my vision was just about gone . . . . like I was [blacking] out or something . . . [Moore] was like getting blurry."

Moore had stepped up onto the median, while Defendant remained on the asphalt. Defendant then asked, “[W]hy are you threatening me[,]” to which Moore stated, “I don’t play these redneck games.”



Defendant testified, “I did see some kind of motion right before the shots were fired. . . . I know there was some kind of motion that he made.” Moore had taken “what [Defendant] would call a fighting stance[,] . . . sideways looking at [Defendant]” with his right shoulder closer to Defendant, and Defendant “saw his right arm move.”

Defendant sensed that he was then in danger, “perceived that [Moore] was trying to grab [him,]” backed up, and at the same time pulled his gun out. Moore told Defendant, “[Y]ou don’t know who the fuck you are messing with.”

At that point, Defendant fired his gun multiple times. Defendant could not remember much of what occurred after he shot Moore except that he was sitting in his car with his hands on the steering wheel, trying to recall what had happened. When he got out of his car, someone was approaching, and he told them to call 911, saying, “I think I just shot someone.” Moore died of his wounds, and Defendant was arrested and charged with first-degree murder and armed criminal action

EPA invites application for $103 million loan for Joplin Water Supply Reservoir Project

(From the Environmental Protection Agency)

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is inviting three Missouri projects to apply for $238 million in Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) loans.

Kansas City, Mo. is invited to apply for a $51 million loan for their Water Services Blue River Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) Biosolids Facility Project; American Water Capital Corporation has been invited to apply for a $103 million loan for their Joplin, Mo., Water Supply Reservoir Project and a $84 million loan for the American Water Capital Corporation’s St. Louis Area Water Main Replacement and Lead Abatement Program.

The Blue River WWTP Biosolids Facility Project will replace and rehabilitate the existing facility constructed in the 1960s. The improvements to the solids management processes will meet anticipated solids capacity, reliability, and regulatory requirements through 2035. The purpose of the project is to: (1) improve the overall condition and capacity of the current facilities; (2) comply with new effluent discharge permit limits, solids management requirements, and potential future permit requirements and land application site limitations; (3) improve treatment efficiency and reliability; and (4) optimize operational improvements to reduce operation and maintenance costs or provide more reliable and consistent operation.

The Joplin Water Supply Reservoir Project will construct a new dam, reservoir, and pumping facilities to provide a reliable water supply source for the Joplin area. The proposed dam will create a 1,000 to 1,500-acre water supply reservoir that will hold approximately 12 billion gallons of water. The purpose of the project is to address the critical and growing water supply shortage for the Joplin region in southwest Missouri and relieve regional water supply challenges by alleviating pressure on the Ozark Aquifer.

The St. Louis Area Water Main Replacement and Lead Abatement Programwill include the replacement of approximately 100 miles of main and adjacent customer-owned lead service lines. These replacements would directly provide new pipes and service lines to over 20,000 individuals and hundreds of businesses, schools, hospitals, and other public buildings. The purpose of the program is to proactively replace aged water mains to reduce main breaks and replace adjacent customer-owned lead service lines to eliminate the risk of lead leaching into the drinking water.

“Through WIFIA, EPA is playing an integral role in President Trump’s efforts to improve and upgrade our nation’s water infrastructure and ensure all Americans have access to clean and safe water,” said EPA Acting Administrator Andrew Wheeler. “This year, EPA will help finance over $10 billion in water infrastructure investments that will create up to 155,000 jobs, upgrade aging infrastructure, reduce lead exposure, and improve the lives of millions of Americans across the country.”

EPA’s WIFIA loans will allow large and small communities across the country to implement projects to address two national water priorities – providing for clean and safe drinking water including reducing exposure to lead and other contaminants and addressing aging water infrastructure.

EPA received 62 letters of interest from both public and private entities in response to the 2018 WIFIA Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA). After a robust, statutorily required review process, the WIFIA Selection Committee chose the 39 prospective borrowers’ projects to submit applications for loans. To learn more about the 39 projects that are invited to apply, visit https://www.epa.gov/wifia/wifia-selected-projects.

Of the selected projects, 12 projects will reduce lead or other drinking water contaminants and 37 will address aging infrastructure. Eight prospective borrowers submitted letters of interest in response to the 2017 Notice of Funding Availability, resubmitted them for 2018, and are now invited to proceed in the 2018 funding round.

Background

Established by the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act of 2014, the WIFIA program is a federal loan and guarantee program at EPA that aims to accelerate investment in the nation’s water infrastructure by providing long-term, low-cost supplemental credit assistance for regionally and nationally significant projects. To date, EPA has issued four loans totaling over $1 billion in WIFIA credit assistance. Combined, these four projects will create over 5,000 jobs.

According to EPA's estimate of national drinking water and wastewater needs, over $743 billion is needed for water infrastructure improvements. EPA’s WIFIA program plays an important part in fulfilling this need and in the President’s Infrastructure Plan, which calls for expanding project eligibility.

For more information about the WIFIA program, visit: https://www.epa.gov/wifia

Hartzler: Cox Barton County to receive USDA grant for telemedicine network

(From Fourth District Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler)

Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler (MO-04) today announced important USDA grant funding which will help rural Missouri communities connect with telemedicine networks. These networks help deliver healthcare services for families in remote areas that may not have direct access to clinics or hospitals. This grant funding, which totals over $1.06 million, stems from the FY2018 Omnibus bill which Hartzler supported.

“Telemedicine is an effective way to provide health care assistance and education to our rural communities. This grant funding will expand service and support to these areas,” said Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler, who supported this funding in the FY2018 Omnibus bill. “Health care is one of the largest concerns facing families in Missouri, and although this is not the only solution to our health care challenges, telemedicine uses technology to help overcome barriers caused by distance or lack of access to health care facilities for those who can’t travel,” added Hartzler, who has been a long-time advocate for health care improvements in rural areas and for seniors.

The funding was awarded to the following groups:

Lester E. Cox Medical Centers, which include facilities in Barton and Laclede County, receive $235,472 in rural development funding to connect children in schools with a telemedicine network to deliver direct-to-patient care for rural communities. The project will equip 17 rural schools and eight rural clinics with telemedicine capabilities, increasing access to quality healthcare for 30,000 rural residents. The project will include improving tele-conferencing equipment to serve childhood illnesses and increasing access to opioid treatment in rural clinics. CoxHealth serves 24 mainly rural counties in southwest Missouri.

Lake Regional Health System, which has facilities in multiple counties including Laclede, Morgan, and Camden County, will receive $443,417 in rural development funding to establish the Lake Regional Mid-Missouri Telemedicine Program, which will provide specialty physician telemedicine care. The project will establish synchronous, tele-conferencing equipment with interactive medical devices within 13 facilities in five rural mid-Missouri counties serving over 35,000 rural residents. The network will also be used to keep healthcare providers aware of the latest innovations in healthcare and allow easier access to continuing education and other required training. A new and much needed facet of the telehealth resources will include behavioral and other counseling services, including opioid misuse treatment.

Great Circle, which serves multiples counties including Boone, Laclede, and Pulaski County, will receive $385,777 in rural development funding to purchase and install interactive telemedicine equipment. This project will implement mobile telehealth equipment that can deliver specialty telehealth services in several counties including Pulaski. Specialty care will include psychological services and behavioral therapy at seven health care facilities, benefiting over 2,600 patients. Great Circle will increase the number of youth and families receiving therapy by 41 percent and the number of youth served over two years by 56 percent.

“The use of technology has proven effective in advancing healthcare solutions and education in rural communities, and this funding will help advance efforts to improve quality of care in our rural communities,” added Hartzler.

Agenda provided for Monday Joplin City Council meeting

JOPLIN CITY COUNCIL AGENDA
Monday, November 5, 2018
6:00 P.M., Council Chambers

1.

Call To Order

Invocation
Pledge of Allegiance of the United States of America

2.

Roll Call

3.

Presentations

1.

Sharon Beshore Would Like To Provide An Update On The Capital Campaign For The Harry M. Cornell Arts & Entertainment Complex.

4.

Finalization Of Consent Agenda

ents" style="color: #333333; font-size: 10pt; margin-left: 1em;">

"content" style="margin-left: 3em;">

5.

Reports And Communications

1.

Finance Committee Report On Possible Revenue Options.

Documents:

1. FINANCE COMMITTEE REPORT NOV 5 2018.PDF

6.

Citizen Requests And Petitions

1.

Margey Upson Requested To Speak On What's On The Agenda.

2.

Frank Huffman Would Like To Address The City Council Regarding The Speed Limit On East 20th From Connecticut To Rangeline.

7.

Public Hearings

1.

Public Hearing Procedures

Documents:

1. PUBLIC HEARING PROCEDURES.PDF

2.

RESOLUTION NO 2018-017

A RESOLUTION granting a Special Use Permit (1st Request) for the operation of an Air Bed and Breakfast located at 301 S. Sergeant Avenue, in the City of Joplin, Jasper County, Missouri.

Documents:

1. RS 2018-017 SUMMARY.PDF
2. RS 2018-017 MINUTES.PDF
3. RS 2018-017 STAFF.PDF
4. RS 2018-017.PDF

8.

Consent Agenda

1.

Informal Notes Of The October 15, 2018 Informal Council Meeting

Documents:

1. INFORMAL NOTES-OCTOBER 15, 2018.PDF

2.

Minutes Of The October 15, 2018 Council Meeting

Documents:

1. MINUTES OCTOBER 15, 2018.PDF

3.

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2018-022

AN ORDINANCE amending Chapter 90, Peddlers and Solicitors, by repealing Article IV, Aggressive Solicitation.

Documents:

1. CB2018-022.PDF

4.

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2018-614

AN ORDINANCE approving an agreement by and between the City of Joplin and SeeClickFix Inc. for the establishment of a Customer Request Management system.

Documents:

1. CB2018-614.PDF

9.

Resolutions

10.

Ordinances - Emergency

1.

COUNCIL BILL 2018-153

AN ORDINANCE approving Amendment 2 to Work Authorization JET DR-2 PAP 7-1 with Joplin Joint Engineering Team (JET) in the not to exceed amount of Seventy Three Thousand Six Hundred and No/100 dollars ($73,600.00) for engineering services associated with the 20^th Street Improvements project and containing an emergency clause.

Documents:

1. CB2018-153 JET-20TH ST. SUMMARY SHEET.PDF
2. CB2018-153 JET 20TH ST. ORDINANCE.PDF
3. 20TH STREET AMENDMENT_ANDERSON AND JET.PDF
4. JET 20TH ST AMENDMENT 2.PDF

2.

COUNCIL BILL 2018-154

AN ORDINANCE approving Amendment 4 to Work Authorization AND-DR2-20th Street 1 with Anderson Engineering, Inc. in the not to exceed amount of Forty-Nine Thousand Three Hundred Sixteen No/100 dollars ($49,316.00) for engineering services associated with the 20th Street Improvements project and containing an emergency clause

Documents:

1. CB2018-154 ANDERSON 20TH ORDINANCE.PDF
2. CB2018-154 ANDERSON-20TH ST. SUMMARY SHEET.PDF
3. 20TH ST. AMENDMENT 4 -2018-154.PDF
4. 20TH STREET AMENDMENT_ANDERSON AND JET.PDF

3.

COUNCIL BILL 2018-155

AN ORDINANCE approving Amendment 2 to Work Authorization AND-DR2-PAP7-1 with Anderson Engineering, Inc. in the not to exceed amount of Twenty-Six Thousand Three Hundred Eighty Two and No/100 dollars ($26,382.00) for continuing engineering services associated with the Street, Sidewalk, Curb & Gutter, and Storm Water Projects in the Recovery Area and containing an emergency clause.

Documents:

1. CB2018-155 ANDERSON 7-1 ORDINANCE.PDF
2. CB2018-155 ANDERSON 7-1 SUMMARY SHEET.PDF
3. DR2-PAP7-1, NON-LMI AMENDMENT 2 - 155.PDF
4. ANDERSON AMENDMENT_SP 5004 AND 5006- 155.PDF

4.

COUNCIL BILL NO 2018-368

AN ORDINANCE approving the contract by and between the City of Joplin and Nelson Enterprises for the demolition of the structure(s) and clearing of lot area located at 807 W. 13TH St. in the City of Joplin, Missouri, for One Thousand Five Hundred Forty-Nine and 00/100 Dollars ($ 1,549.00); providing how the cost thereof shall be paid; how the assessment thereof shall be made; and containing an emergency clause.

Documents:

1. CB 2018-368 BID.PDF
2. CB 2018-368 PICTURES.PDF
3. CB 2018-368.PDF
4. CB 2018-368 SUMMARY.PDF

5.

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2018-369

AN ORDINANCE approving the contract by and between the City of Joplin and Big Johns for the demolition of the structure(s) and clearing of lot area located at 622 S. Moffet Ave. in the City of Joplin, Missouri, for Four Thousand Nine Hundred Ninety-Nine and 00/100 Dollars ($ 4,999.00); providing how the cost thereof shall be paid; how the assessment thereof shall be made; and containing an emergency clause.

Documents:

1. CB 2018-369 BID.PDF
2. CB 2018-369 PICTURES.PDF
3. CB 2018-369 SUMMARY.PDF
4. CB 2018-369.PDF

6.

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2018-370

AN ORDINANCE approving the contract by and between the City of Joplin and Nelson Enterprises for the demolition of the structure(s) and clearing of lot area located at 2205 W. 4th St. in the City of Joplin, Missouri, for Two Thousand Nine Hundred Forty-Nine and 00/100 Dollars ($ 2,949.00); providing how the cost thereof shall be paid; how the assessment thereof shall be made; and containing an emergency clause.

Documents:

1. CB 2018-370 BID.PDF
2. CB 2018-370 PICTURES.PDF
3. CB 2018-370 SUMMARY.PDF
4. CB 2018-370.PDF

7.

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2018-414

AN ORDINANCE authorizing the City of Joplin to amend the Developer Agreement with Joplin Bungalows, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Economic Security Corporation of the Southwest Area, to reduce the scope from 32 to 20-units of affordable, permanent housing and authorizing the City Manager or his designee to execute said Agreement; and containing an emergency clause.

Documents:

1. BUNGALOWS AMENDMENT 4.PDF
2. CB 2018-414 SUMMARY.PDF
3. CB 2018-414.PDF

8.

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2018-455

AN ORDINANCE approving a Program Services Contract by and between the State of Missouri, Department of Health and Senior Services, and the City of Joplin, Missouri, for a term commencing October 1, 2018 and running through September 30, 2019, for the amount of up to Thirty Two Thousand, Four Hundred Sixty-Three Dollars and Thirty-Two Cents ($32,463.32), to enable the Health Department to provide maternal child health services to residents of Joplin, authorizing the City Manager to execute the same by and on behalf of the City of Joplin, Missouri; and containing an emergency clause.

Documents:

1. CB 2018-455 SUMMARY SHEET.PDF
2. CB2018-455-COUNCIL BILL.PDF
3. CB 2018-455 SUPPLEMENTAL ITEM-CONTRACT.PDF

9.

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2018-523

AN ORDINANCE approving an agreement for insurance consulting services for the City of Joplin; authorizing the City Manager to execute said agreement; and containing an emergency clause.

Documents:

1. CB 2018-523 SUMMARY INSURANCE CONSULTANT AGREEMENT.PDF
2. CB 2018-523 INSURANCE CONSULTANT AGREEMENT ORDINANCE.PDF
3. CB 2018-523 EXHIBIT A INSURANCE CONSULTING SERVICES AGREEMENT.PDF
4. CB 2018-523 BID TABULATION SUMMARIES.PDF
5. CB 2018-523 BID SCORING SHEETS.PDF
6. RFP FOR INSURANCE CONSULTING SERVICES.PDF

10.

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2018-615

AN ORDINANCE approving a Purchase Order to be issued to Superion to cover the annual support payment for the Public Safety and Financial software and related systems as budgeted in the Annual Budget of the City of Joplin for the Fiscal Year 2018-2019 as adopted by Ordinance 2018-145 on October 15, 2018; and containing an emergency clause.

Documents:

1. 2018-615 SUMMARY SHEET.PDF
2. CB2018-615.PDF
3. SUPERION2019_OSSI.PDF
4. SUPERION2019_FINANCE.PDF

11.

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2018-616

An Ordinance approving an Interstate Mutual Aid Agreement Template for the specific counties and municipalities of Cherokee County Kansas, Delaware County Oklahoma, and Ottawa County Oklahoma allowing for the Joplin Police Department to enter into an interstate mutual aid agreement with specific law enforcement agencies within the counties mentioned above; authorizing the City Manager or the Police Chief to execute the same by and on behalf of the City of Joplin, Missouri; and containing an emergency clause.

Documents:

1. INTERSTATE LAW ENFORCEMENT MUTUAL AID AGREEMENT COJ - CHEROKEE COUNTY.PDF
2. INTERSTATE MUTUAL AID--COUNCIL BILL.PDF
3. CB2018-616-SUMMARY.PDF

11.

Ordinances - First Reading

1.

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2018-413

AN ORDINANCE approving an Agreement between the City of Joplin, Missouri, and the Homeless Coalition that pertains to 2018 CDBG public service grant funds; authorizing the City Manager to execute same on behalf of the City.

Documents:

1. CB 2018-413 AGREEMENT.PDF
2. CB 2018-413 SUMMARY.PDF
3. CB 2018-413.PDF

12.

Ordinances - Second Reading And Third Reading

13.

Unfinished Business

14.

New Business

1.

CASE 036-18

Case 036-18: Northwest corner of Connecticut Avenue and 20th Street – A request for a Site Plan Review to construct a bank – Oak Star Bank.

Documents:

1. CASE 036-18 SITE PLAN SUMMARY.PDF
2. CASE 036-18-SITE PLANS.PDF
3. CASE 036-18-SITE PLAN MIN.PDF
4. CASE 036-18-SITE PLAN STAFF REPORT.PDF

2.

Margey Upson Would Like To Speak Regarding New Business.

3.

News From Public Information Officer, Lynn Onstot

4.

Vote To Go Into Closed Session, Which Shall Pertain To Legal Action, Causes Of Action, Or Litigation Including A Public Governmental Body And Any Confidential Or Privileged Communications Between A Governmental Body Or Its Representatives And Its Attorneys Pursuant To State Law, And To Discuss Leasing, Purchase Or Sale Of Real Estate By A Governmental Body Where Public Knowledge Of The Transaction Might Adversely Affect The Legal Consideration Thereof, Pursuant To State Law; As Set Forth In Section 610.021 (1) (2) RSMo, As Amended, 2017. This Meeting, Record, And Vote To Be Closed. Council Shall Adjourn At The End Of The Session.

Parson, Ashcroft lead discussion on defending Missouri elections against cyber threats

(From Gov. Mike Parson)

Today, Governor Mike Parson held a briefing with Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft, Missouri’s new Chief Information Officer (CIO) Mike Cheles, the President of the Missouri County Clerk’s Association Cathy Daniels, and a representative from the Department of Homeland Security to discuss Missouri’s readiness to defend against cyber threats and to prepare for election security in advance of next Tuesday’s mid-term election.

“The State of Missouri is committed to protecting the data of the public,” Governor Mike Parson said. “Missouri is on the leading edge across the nation, providing the tools and resources necessary to ensure our state workers are prepared to identify and defend against cyber threats.”

Governor Parson has instructed the Missouri Office of Administration’s Office of Cyber Security (OCS) to continuously think of new ways to train state employees on cybersecurity. OCS has recently moved to a new cybersecurity training provider, which offers more flexibility in developing training content, and will lead to further improving cybersecurity training for state employees.

OCS administers online end-user awareness training to state employees with interactive monthly training, which covers topics like phishing, password strength, and physical security. The office also launches fake phishing campaigns against state employees to assess their end-user awareness and provide additional education.

OCS is an award-winning government cybersecurity office and has been recognized as a national leader in cybersecurity. Most recently, OCS was a finalist and the overall winner for the 2018 Cybersecurity Award at the 30th Annual National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO) Awards.

Secretary Ashcroft detailed his proactive efforts and collaboration with Missouri election authorities, preparing for next Tuesday’s mid-term elections. Since taking office, Secretary Ashcroft has become a national leader in election security issues, working with Secretaries across the country in hosting the first National Election Security Summit in St. Louis.

“I appreciate Gov. Parson’s commitment to cybersecurity and his recognition of Cybersecurity Awareness Month,” said Secretary Ashcroft. “We will continue to work hand-in-hand to maintain and improve our systems and ensure our election infrastructure is secure.”

“Thanks to Secretary Ashcroft’s leadership, Missourians should be confident in the integrity of our elections,” said Governor Parson. “And, just like Jay has been saying all along ‘If you’re registered to vote, you can vote.’”

Watch live- Donald Trump campaigns for Josh Hawley in Columbia

Why I wrote the post on the Joplin High School principal's speeding tickets

I have been doing this long enough (41 years and counting) that I am fully aware when I have written something that is going to bring considerable negative feedback.

I am about to do it again.

I normally do these explanatory posts on Saturday evenings when I print the top Turner Report and Inside Joplin posts for the previous week, but considering the overwhelmingly negative response to the post, I have moved the timetable up a couple of days.

My report on the speeding tickets and traffic violations of Joplin High School Principal Shane Hopper was immediately greeted with criticism.


Many of those who commented, both on Facebook and on this blog, have commented something in the line of "this is not news," "whose business is it," "so he has some traffic tickets,"  or "it must be a slow news day."

At least one commented that he bet that my past wasn't perfect either.

That is an accurate comment.

In 1974, while campaigning for Newton County Eastern District judge candidate Wayne Johnson in Stella, the city police officer stopped me for speeding.

Seventeen years later, while heading to a volleyball tournament in Stockton, a Greenfield city officer stopped me as I was passing through that community and I was ticketed for speeding.

So I do have a record.

And I can't say that I totally learned my lesson. It was May 1998, if memory serves me correctly, that I took photos at the Carthage High School Project Graduation at Missouri Southern State University and as I was headed home, I was pulled over in Duenweg.

I did not think I was speeding, but the officer corrected my impression.

"Were you aware you were going 46 miles per hour? This is a 45 mile per hour zone."

I told him I did not realize I had been going that fast and he let me off with a warning.

Sadly, I did not learn my lesson. A few minutes later, as I was driving into Carthage, I saw a police car coming up behind me, lights flashing. A quick glance told me I was going 10 miles per hour over the speed limit. I pulled over and the police officer zipped past me heading to another location.

I breathed a sigh of relief and it dawned on me that it is better (and safer) to be late.

I am sure there have been some occasions during the past 20 years that I have exceeded the speed limit, probably without realizing it. Nobody's perfect and I come nowhere close.

One reader wanted to know if I was going to write about her next since she, too, had a couple of speeding tickets.

It would not even occur to me to write about this woman's speeding tickets, nor would I consider writing complete posts on the speeding tickets of any of the others who wrote of their displeasure with my decision to single out the Joplin High School principal.

So that brings up the other thought that occurred to some readers.

Obviously, they noted, the only reason I wrote about Shane Hopper is because I have a vendetta against the Joplin R-8 School District. It is back to the old days when I received numerous comments about how bitter I am because of the way my time with the district ended.

Some of you are fully aware that I have had opportunities to write posts that would be negative about the district and have not done so, sometimes because I was unable to confirm what I had been told and other times because of an editorial decision. I had every legal right to write the posts, undoubtedly they would have drawn considerable traffic to the Turner Report, but they did not fit my definition of news.

At the same time, I have had posts about other area school districts, including Neosho and Jasper, and I certainly have no vendetta against those schools.

So why write about Shane Hopper's tickets for speeding and other traffic violations?

There is not the slightest hint of any of them having anything to do with alcohol or any other drugs, so what made me write about them?

It has been my habit for a long time to do a basic check of online state and federal court records when someone is hired for a leadership position in an area city or school district. When Shane Hopper was hired as Joplin High School principal, I conducted that basic check and did not find anything that I considered to be a concern, though I did make note of his earlier violations.

About two months later, I received a tip that I should look at Hopper's case.net listings again. I saw that some traffic violations had been added. I made a note to check back from time to time, but I felt no compelling need to write about it.

Then there was an October 2 stop for a traffic violation. At that point, I determined that I would write about Hopper if he received another speeding ticket. When I did my check of online court records Wednesday, I came across Hopper's most recent speeding ticket, an October 28 stop in Pulaski County for going 10-15 miles above the speed limit.

Six times in less than five months, the man whose job is to make sure Joplin High School students and teachers follow rules that are designed to protect the educational process and student safety violated the laws that are designed to protect society and make our roads safer.

When your job is to enforce the rules, you are expected to set the example.

If a student compiled a record of breaking school rules similar to Hopper's record of breaking traffic laws, Hopper would take it seriously or he would not be doing his job.

A few readers agreed, but they appeared to be in the minority.

The post was not a reflection on the job Hopper is doing or the positive relationships that some of you indicated he has made in his dealings with the public.

Whether you consider it to be fair or unfair, a high school principal is a role model for the young people under his guidance.

Hopefully, the October 28 ticket will be the last time Hopper is charged with violating traffic laws. If not, though I am sure I will be roundly criticized for it, I will write about the next one, too.