Parson highlights "Show Me Strong Recovery Plan" during COVID-19 briefing

(From Gov. Mike Parson)

During today’s COVID-19 briefing highlighted the four pillars of the state’s “Show Me Strong Recovery Plan” and emphasized that Missouri is prepared to safely reopen on Monday, May 4.

“I want to assure Missourians that we are prepared,” Governor Parson said. “The overall trends in the data show that we have met the four pillars, and we are ready to safely reopen Missouri.”

The “Show Me Strong Recovery” Pillars are designed to give Missouri a benchmark for moving forward:

-Expand testing capacity and volume in the state

-Expand reserves of PPE by opening public and private supply chains

-Continue to monitor and, if necessary, expand hospital and health care system capacity

-Improve ability to predict potential outbreaks using Missouri's public health data

With the exception of the St. Louis region, the total number of COVID-19 hospitalizations has decreased significantly across the state.

Additionally, state data shows that the number of new positive COVID-19 cases have decreased steadily for Missouri overall. 

Especially promising is the decline of cases in rural counties where there have also been concerns of “hot spots” developing.

Missouri has also significantly expanded its testing capacity and continues to receive and ship PPE across the state each day. 

Just today, the SEMA warehouse received 134,000 bio-hazard bags that will allow for the safe disposal of contaminated PPE and other materials. In all, the state has ordered nearly $40 million worth of PPE and has already shipped approximately 2 million pieces of PPE to local partners, including nearly 300,000 N95 respirator masks, 450,000 face shields, and 200,000 surgical masks.

Additionally, the Battelle Critical Care Decontamination System will be able to decontaminate up to 80,000 respirators masks within 24 hours. The Missouri National Guard will be collecting contaminated masks from around the state, which will be decontaminated and made safe for re-use.

“As Monday approaches, I know many people are excited, but I want to remind everyone that this is not the flip of a switch,” Governor Parson said. “ Coronavirus is not gone, and we must continue to be proactive and maintain social distancing to protect not only ourselves but everyone around us.”

Missouri Office of Administration Commissioner Sarah Steelman and Missouri Department of Agriculture also joined today’s briefing to give an update on their respective departments.

Office of Administration

Throughout the COVID-19 crisis, state government has continued to operate at approximately 94 percent of its normal capacity. This percentage includes a measure of diminished services.

As of today, 14,930 state employees are working remotely. This represents approximately 40 percent of the state workforce. Another 21,771 state employees are physically present at work, including direct care workers, correction guards, nurses, caseworkers, and maintenance workers located throughout the state. There are approximately 3,915 state employees that cannot report to work, are on administrative leave, or are unavailable to work for other reasons.

Consistent with Governor Parson’s “Show Me Strong Recovery” Plan, the state will be reopening major office buildings throughout Missouri to the public beginning on Monday. Each department will be responsible for deciding which offices to open based on their unique circumstances.

Major office buildings are defined as buildings with 300 or more staff. Social distancing guidelines will be enforced, and the Missouri National Guard has agreed to help screen employees and the public upon entering the buildings.

Department of Agriculture

Throughout the COVID-19 crisis, the Department of Agriculture has been working with its partners across the state to keep Missouri's food supply moving. Thanks to Missouri’s sophisticated food system, consumers have seen little impact in the grocery store.

However, COVID-19 has presented tremendous market disruptions across all sectors of the food chain. Director Chinn addressed recent information regarding milk dumping and food security:
Milk dumping: Due to a rapidly changing demand, seasonal oversupply and processing. As of early April, Missouri farmers were no longer dumping their milk.
Food security: The state does not expect widespread food shortages at this time. However, there may be localized shortages of certain protein cuts or increased prices for some items.

Director Chinn also addressed the importance of protein processing plants throughout Missouri. In March, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security listed food and agriculture as critical infrastructure. On Wednesday, President Trump invoked the Defense Production Act to compel processors to remain open.

These actions show that providing food for families is a critical need, and the Department of Agriculture will continue to focus on the safety of protein processing facilities and employees in Missouri.

The COVID-19 crisis has challenged the food bank system. Yesterday, Midwest Dairy announced a donation of $500,000 to food banks in the Midwest to help meet the dairy demand at food banks and pantries during COVID-19.

Arkansas Governor: We're getting back to business

(From Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson)

This has been a good week in Arkansas. We have made progress in containing COVID-19, so I was able to announce some good news about our path back to normal.

I announced we would allow the limited re-opening of restaurants, state campgrounds, fitness centers and gyms, and hair salons and body art parlors all within the next week and a half.

The campgrounds opened today for Arkansas residents. On May 15th, we will open visitor information centers, museums and exhibits, gift shops, golf pro shops, and marinas, and allow the rental of equipment - all at our state parks. We also will allow rental of cabins, lodges, and RVs Friday through Monday.

Gym owners may open on Monday. Hair stylists and body artists can open on Wednesday. Restaurants can resume limited dine-in service on May 11th.

These decisions are all made in close consultation with Secretary of Health Dr. Nate Smith and through close study of all our data. I want to stress that as we return to business, we will continue the practices we’ve adopted to stop the virus thus far. Wash your hands frequently, wear masks and gloves when it’s appropriate, stay six feet apart, and if you are not healthy, stay home as much as possible.

I also announced that we are opening the Arkansas Ready for Business initiative to aid the owners of small businesses recovering from the financial losses during the pandemic. This still needs approval by the Legislative Council of the General Assembly.

COVID-19 has touched nearly every aspect of our lives. Everyone has been adversely affected and made sacrifices at some level. But Arkansans met the challenge responsibly and with compassion. 

That is why we are now able to begin jump-starting the economy, which was booming before the coronavirus arrived. I am confident the setback is temporary, and that the economy will grow strong again.

We are not through this, but I am encouraged by the trends. Arkansans have been patient and responded well to the inconveniences this pandemic has brought to our state. We want to move quickly, but never too quickly. I am looking forward to the day when I can go to a gym for a game of full-court basketball.

Sam Graves: Expanding rural broadband is critical

(From Sixth District Congressman Sam Graves)

Americans are facing unprecedented challenges in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. Millions have lost their jobs, countless small businesses have shut down—some permanently, and virtually every school in the country has closed its doors. As Americans have stayed home over the last month, internet access at home is now more critical than ever.

Students across North Missouri are finishing this school year at home, whether through take-home lessons—or more frequently, through online education.

College students in particular are expected to finish this year’s classes online, a format many universities already use for some classes. Unfortunately, it’s still next to impossible to implement for many of our schools and teachers. Thousands of students across North Missouri simply don’t have access to reliable high-speed broadband internet.

Likewise, businesses have started teleworking during the pandemic. While this is possible for many in more urban areas, a frozen video screen during a meeting is far too common in rural areas with slow internet. Obviously, it’s not even a possibility for those who don’t have it.

In a time where telemedicine has been heavily put to use, doctors have to be able to connect to their patients and vice versa. It’s an incredibly useful technology when folks have had to stay home or are far from their local healthcare facility. It’s useless though without broadband access.

For years, I’ve been working to expand broadband internet access in rural Missouri, through both grants and loan programs. This fight is every bit as important as rural electrification was for our communities in the 1930s. With the current pandemic, expanding our broadband infrastructure is more important than ever. We cannot stand by while our communities, our businesses, and our students get left behind.

That’s why I introduced the Eliminating Barriers to Rural Internet Development Grant Eligibility (E-BRIDGE) Act, to eliminate longstanding barriers that have stood in the way of communities taking on projects that would deliver high-speed broadband internet service. Many times, the infrastructure is in place close by, but it’s cost-prohibitive to get the internet to the home which keeps folks from being able to actually use it. By unlocking Economic Development Act grant funding to help get these ‘last mile’ projects done, we can connect millions of Americans.

If it wasn’t clear before, this pandemic has ensured that it is now—reliable, high-speed broadband internet is critical infrastructure for our country. We’re counting on it for telemedicine to distance learning, and everything in-between. We have to expand our broadband infrastructure to level the playing field for rural America, enabling it to survive, and even thrive, for years to come.

Joplin City Council to hear proposal to pay $55,000 to consulting firm to deal with federal funding for COVID-19 response

The Joplin City Council is expected to approve a proposal to hire a consulting firm to oversee the use of funding received from the federal CARES Act when it meets 6 p.m. Monday.

The proposed contract calls for Joplin to pay Guidehouse LLP, up to $55,000 to help the city respond to COVID-19 and receive as much federal funding as possible.







Duties the nationally-known firm will perform, according to the contract, include identifying potential funding sources, developing a list of projects and making sure the city follows federal guidelines.

The remainder of the council agenda is posted below:

1.

Call To Order

Invocation
Pledge of Allegiance of the United States of America

2.

Roll Call

3.

Presentations

4.

Finalization Of Consent Agenda

5.

Reports And Communications

6.

Citizen Requests And Petitions

1.

Request From Michael Hendrix To Speak About The Cruising Main Ordinance And Having It Repealed Or The Signs Removed From South Main

2.

Request From Bobby Landis Regarding The Use Of The Sports Complex During The Covid-19 Situation.

7.

Public Hearings

8.

Consent Agenda

1.

Minutes Of The April 20, 2020 City Council Meeting

Documents:

1. CC MINS. APRIL 20.PDF

2.

Minutes Of The April 29, 2020 Special City Council Meeting

Documents:

1. MINUTES -SP. MTG.APRIL 29 2020 SPEC. RESPONSE RECOVERY PLAN.PDF

9.

Resolutions

1.

RESOLUTION NO. 2020-006

A RESOLUTION ratifying the Second Amendment and Restated Bylaws of the Joplin Sports Authority, Inc.

Documents:

1. RESOLUTION NO. 2020-006-JSA BYLAWS 2ND AMENDMENT_5-4-2020 MTG.PDF

10.

Ordinances - Emergency

1.

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2020-126

AN ORDINANCE approving Amendment 1 to Work Authorization 32nd Street Right of Way Negotiation with Olsson in the not to exceed amount of Sixty-Eight Thousand and 00/100 dollars ($68,000.00) for appraisal services for the 32nd Street Widening Project and authorizing the City Manager or his designee to execute the same by and on behalf of the City of Joplin; and containing an emergency clause.

Documents:

1. CB2020-126 32ND ST. APPRAISALS SUMMARY SHEET.PDF
2. CB2020-126 32ND ST. APPRAISALS AMENDMENT 1.PDF
3. CB2020-126 32ND ST. APPRAISALS COUNCIL ORDINANCE.PDF

2.

COUNCIL BILL NO 2020-127

AN ORDINANCE approving a work authorization with Allgeier, Martin and Associates, Inc. in the not to exceed amount of Three Hundred Ninety-Six Thousand and No/100 Dollars ($396,000.00) for the Joplin Creek Interceptor Replacement Project; and authorizing the City Manager or his designee to execute the same by and on behalf of the City of Joplin; and containing an emergency clause.

Documents:

1. CB 2020-127 SUMMARY SHEET - JOPLIN CREEK INTERCEPTOR REPLACEMENT_FOR LINDA.PDF
2. CB 2020-127 WA - JOPLIN CREEK INTERCEPTOR REPLACEMENT - WA AMA-OC20-009 04-27-2020 COMPLETE.PDF
3. CB 2020-PPP - EXHIBIT MAP - JOPLIN CREEK INTERCEPTOR REPLACEMENT.PDF
4. CB 2020-127 COUNCIL BILL - JOPLIN CREEK INTERCEPTOR REPLACEMENT_FOR LINDA.PDF

3.

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2020-403

AN ORDINANCE authorizing the City of Joplin to enter into an Agreement with Guidehouse LLP (GH) to provide administrative activities related to the COVID-19 response and authorizing the City Manager or his designee to execute said Agreement; amending the Annual Budget of the City of Joplin for the Fiscal Year 2019-2020 as adopted by Ordinance 2019-166 on October 21, 2019; and, containing an emergency clause.

Documents:

1. CB 2020-403- JOPLIN COVID19 MSA V4.PDF
2. CB 2020-403.PDF
3. CB 2020-403 WORK AUTHORIZATION 1.PDF
4. CB 2020-403 SUMMARY.PDF

4.

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2020-504

AN ORDINANCE approving the Real Estate Contract by and between the City of Joplin, Missouri, a Municipal Corporation, and Midwestern Development, LLC., a Missouri Municipal Corporation, for the sale of three parcels at 10th and Virginia, 928 Virginia Avenue, and 910 Virginia Avenue, totaling approximately 43,200 square feet of land; and authorizing the City Manager to execute the same by and on behalf of the City of Joplin; and containing an emergency clause.

Documents:

1. CB 2020-504 SUMMARY LAND SALE VIRGINIA PROPERTIES.PDF
2. CB 2020-504 LAND SALE ORDINANCE VIRGINIA PROPERTIES.PDF
3. CB 2020-504 EXHIBIT A REAL ESTATE CONTRACT.PDF
4. CB 2020-504 MAP OF VIRGINIA PROPERTIES.PDF

5.

COUNCIL BILL NO. 2020-505

AN ORDINANCE amending the Annual Budget of the City of Joplin for the Fiscal Year 2019-2020 as adopted by Ordinance 2019-166 on October 21, 2019, to adjust appropriations and containing an emergency clause.

Documents:

1. CB 2020-505 SUMMARY BUDGET AMENDMENT.PDF
2. CB 2020-505 BUDGET AMENDMENT ORDINANCE.PDF
3. CB 2020-505 SCHEDULE A BUDGET AMENDMENT.PDF

11.

Ordinances - First Reading

12.

Ordinances - Second Reading And Third Reading

13.

Unfinished Business

14.

New Business

1.

Announcements From Public Information Officer, Lynn Onstot

U. S. Department of Labor: Mojo Burger paid less than minimum wage, no overtime to 26 employees

In an action filed today in U. S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri, the U. S. Department of Labor claims Mojo Burger, 702 S. Maiden Lane in Joplin paid 26 employees less than minimum wage and stiffed them on overtime compensation.

The alleged violations occurred between July 13, 2017 and July 12, 2018 and include both current and former employees, according to the complaint.

The complaint alleges Mojo Burger worked the employees more than 40 hours a week and did not pay overtime resulting in them receiving less than minimum wage. The company also "failed to keep adequate records."








The Department of Labor is asking that the employees receiving back wages and damages and asks if the judge does not approve damages that Mojo Burger be required to pay interest.

Eric W. Gilbert, Webb City, described as a 50 percent owner of Mojo Burger is also listed as a defendant.

Missouri Southern announces finalists in presidential search

(From Southern News Service)

The Board of Governors at Missouri Southern State University has announced the three finalists for university president who will visit campus next week for a series of town hall meetings and final interviews with the board.

EFL Associates, an executive search and recruitment firm based in Kansas City, helped conduct the search on behalf of the University’s Presidential Search Advisory Committee and Board of Governors.

More than 70 applications were received in the search for Missouri Southern’s sixth president. The new president will succeed Dr. Alan Marble, who will retire as of June 30.

“On behalf of the Board of Governors, we are extremely pleased with the caliber of our finalists for the next president of Missouri Southern and the full Board unanimously approved this slate of finalist candidates after review of the applicants and supporting information,” said Alison Hershewe, vice chair of the Board of Governors and chair of the Presidential Search Advisory Committee.

The finalists are:

Dr. Frank “Mac” McConnell,  (top photo)who earned an Ed.D. from the University of Georgia, a Master’s from Mercer University, a Bachelor’s from North Georgia College and is currently the Senior Vice President for Business & Finance at the University of North Georgia.

Dr. William Tsutsui, (second photo) who earned a Ph.D. from Princeton University, a Master’s from Princeton University, a Master’s from Oxford University, and a Bachelor’s from Harvard University and was most recently the President of Hendrix College (2014 to 2019).

Dr. Dean Van Galen, (bottom photo) who earned a Ph.D degree from Kansas State University, a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, and is currently the Chancellor of the University of Wisconsin-River Falls.

“I want to thank the members of the Presidential Search Advisory Committee for the time, energy, and thoughtful consideration they put into this effort,” said Hershewe.

“Each of them brought valuable and diverse points of view and greatly contributed to the process during challenging circumstances. Undertaking this process amid the COVID-19 pandemic, they utilized technology and innovative processes to ensure that committee meetings and candidate interviews were productive and continued on pace. The Committee members were excellent representatives of both Missouri Southern and our community. The Board is immensely grateful to each of them for sharing their insight, generous help, and service.”

Town halls have been scheduled for 2:30 to 3:45 p.m. on the following dates:

Wednesday, May 6: Dr. William Tsutsui

https://zoom.us/j/91651526341

https://youtu.be/dQBZsYapSik

Thursday, May 7: Dr. Frank “Mac” McConnell

https://zoom.us/j/94773047752

https://youtu.be/xiF-N_spWHE

Friday, May 8: Dr. Dean Van Galen

https://zoom.us/j/94382992574

https://youtu.be/CB3OgqOxOOg


All sessions will be offered in Webster Hall’s Corley Auditorium, with seating limited to 50 audience participants, in accordance with social distancing practices. They will also be offered virtually through Zoom and YouTube.


Each town hall session will begin with a 15-minute presentation by the candidate, followed by a 60-minute question-and-answer period. Questions were solicited from the campus and local community in advance. Those attending the in-person sessions will also have the opportunity to ask questions face-to-face and via the virtual platforms.







“Governor Hershewe has led the search for Southern's next President with distinction,” said Bill Gipson, chair of the Board of Governors.

“Because of the COVID-19 pandemic much of the Presidential Search Advisory Committee's work was completed using telephone and video conferencing. Governor Hershewe worked tirelessly to assure all committee members, advisers and candidates were fully engaged in the process.”

The next president will be named once the Board of Governors has completed the candidate interviews, completed its own deliberations and successfully completed contractual, compensation and benefit terms with the selected candidate.

For extended bios of each of the finalists, visit https://presidentialsearch.mssu.edu/presidential-search-finalists/. Please refer to https://presidentialsearch.mssu.edu/ for updated information as it becomes available.

Parson appoints William Lynch as Newton County Prosecuting Attorney

(From Gov. Mike Parson)

Today, Governor Mike Parson appointed William Lynch as the Newton County Prosecuting Attorney.

Mr. Lynch has served as the interim prosecuting attorney since the Honorable Judge Jake Skouby took office as an Associate Circuit Judge in the 40th Judicial Circuit.

Mr. Lynch holds bachelor’s degree from Missouri Southern State University and a master’s degree and Juris Doctorate from the University of Missouri-Columbia.

Watch live- Arkansas Governor's COVID-19 briefing at 1:30 p.m.

Eight COVID-19 deaths added to Oklahoma total

(From the Oklahoma State Department of Health)

As of this advisory, there are 3,748 confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 in Oklahoma.

There are eight additional deaths; one of them occurred in the past 24 hours and the others died between April 21-April 29.

-One in Oklahoma County, a female in the 65 and older age group.

-Three in Washington County, two males in the 65 and older age group and a female in the 65 and older age group. 

-One in Cleveland County, a female in the 65 and older age group.

-One in Comanche County, a male in the 65 and older age group.

-One in Pontotoc County, a male in the 65 and older age group.

-One in Rogers County, a male in the 65 and older age group. 

There are 230 total deaths in the state.

The Oklahoma State Department of Health is excited to partner with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma to bring Caring Vans to our state's under-served areas for COVID-19 testing. We appreciate all the public health professionals who make this service possible.

A list of COVID-19 testing sites in the state can be found here.

For more information, visit coronavirus.health.ok.gov.

Bill White: Budget will be focus for legislature during next couple of weeks

(From Sen. Bill White, R-Joplin)

Legislators returned to Jefferson City following six weeks of teleworking to finish the final weeks of the 2020 legislative session.

From my perspective, this past week was not business as usual in the halls of the Capitol; however, this week did mark the return of numerous committee meetings and floor debate in the Senate chamber.

One noted change was at the Capitol’s entrance where members of the Missouri National Guard (MONG) were stationed to screen lawmakers, staff, lobbyists and visitors for viral symptoms and possible exposure. 

I gladly welcomed the sight of my quiet, sanitized Capitol office, messages in my inbox about scheduled committee hearings, notes on my desk about possible bill substitutions and even the partially hidden, mask-clad faces of my colleagues in the Senate Chamber!

Most of the bills that had scheduled hearings this week have been passed by the other chamber.

While legislation continues to be discussed throughout the State Capitol, I believe the focus of lawmakers over the next two weeks will be passing a balanced state operating budget for the 2021 fiscal year. This will be no easy feat considering our state is facing multi-million dollar shortfalls to general revenue.

The Office of Administration’s Division of Budget and Planning reported in early April that net general revenue collections for March 2020 decreased by 4.2 percent when compared to March 2019. Despite these numbers, I am confident that the Appropriations Committees and the leaders of our state departments will be able to prioritize spending and find practical solutions to the financial deficits created by the virus.

As far as outcomes for my sponsored legislation, it still may be too soon to tell. Senate Bill 748, relating to disability accommodations for commercial driver’s license applicants, has been placed on the informal calendar for perfection. 

I sponsored similar legislation during the 2019 legislative session, but it ended the year in the same place — the Senate’s formal perfection calendar. The Sewer and Water Infrastructure Act, Senate Bill 592, is also on the calendar for perfection.

I am pleased to report that one of my legislative priorities, Senate Bill 718, is beginning to move through the House’s legislative process. 

On Wednesday, SB 718, the omnibus legislation to expand and reform services for members of our military and their families, was referred to the House Veterans Committee. 

While my punitive damages bill, Senate Bill 591, has yet to be referred to a House committee, I am confident that it will gain traction in the House and cross the legislative finish line before the end of the 2020 legislative session.

If you are looking for some free entertainment for the remainder of the stay-at-home order, I encourage you to visit the Missouri Department of Conservation’s (MDC) website. 

Whether you are a seasoned deer hunter or just someone who enjoys nature walks, there is something for everyone. Adults may subscribe for their free Missouri Conservationist magazine, and children can sign up to receive X-Plor Adventures in Nature in the mail each month. MDC’s website also offers interactive lessons on a variety of topics and apps to download. One thing that is not susceptible to the virus is the great outdoors, so learn more, and then go explore.