Joplin council hears updates on initiatives
Joplin city officials have obligated all available grant funds from the state and federal government for numerous projects that are currently in the hands of engineers and architects for design or are already under construction.
That was one of a number of updates given on the status of city initiatives and projects during a City Council work session Monday night. Reports were heard from the city manager, the finance director and the directors of most city departments.
Completion of the numerous grant-funded projects in future months will likely require the city to dip into unrestricted fund reserves. That has been discussed at previous sessions regarding projects or purchases.
"Just as a reminder, our budget is an operations plan," City Manager Nick Edwards said. "That is how we manage our workload. Key initiatives are those things we are planning to do during the current year and the upcoming year. (The budget) also is a communication tool" that transparently conveys how city funds are spent. The budget, he also said, will include key initiatives on what is planned this year and next.
Council adoption of a budget becomes a policy document as well as the financial plan for city operations, the city manager said.
Finance director Leslie Haase, in her forecast for the fiscal 2026 budget outlook, said she could sum it up in one word.
"Uncertain," she said, referring to the status of federal funding beyond the collection of federal grant reimbursements expected as the final projects are carried out under the American Rescue Plan Act, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and others. Those are expected to be completed on schedule, she said.
"It's difficult to determine what will be the financial condition in 12 to 18 months," Haase said, with the federal budget not yet finalized and indications that a number of federal programs could be cut or reduced.
Council member Doris Carlin asked if the city will receive all the grant funds that were applied for since the ARPA program began. Haase said she expects that to be the case, and added there has been no suspension of ARPA and the other special grants.
In addition, residents may see the results of the state audit of the city later this year.
Residents also will see these things occur:
• The city manager and the legal department are preparing to impanel a commission to conduct a review of the city charter during the summer and fall. He also will continue to oversee the delivery of the grant-funded projects.
• Two new initiatives the city manager plans to launch are to work on emergency response plans and building security for city properties.
• Edwards also said that he will look for opportunities to increase economic development through annexation of land to Joplin.
• The city's expanded communications and marketing team will work to evaluate needs and develop proposals for website redesign to provide city information more convenient for residents to access.
• The finance department will be working, along with other city administrators, on assisting developer Woodsonia Real Estate with the start of work on Prospect Village. That is a $307 million mixed-use development planned for Geneva Avenue south of 20th Street. It will involve construction of a large indoor and outdoor sports venue for travel teams and tournaments along with retail, restaurant and hotel amenities.
• With longtime vacant buildings posing issues in recent years, the city's building department will implement a new vacant and dangerous building program as an adjunct to its current dangerous building codes.
Joplin's public safety departments will work on several projects.
The police department plans to add more jail security measures because increasing drug use and trafficking require additional efforts to detect and enforce narcotic activity, Chief Richard Pearson said. There also is to be improved evidence and police property management. All officers are to be equipped with patrol rifles.
The fire department will work on a long-term plan for maintenance of fire stations and develop a replacement plan for Fire Station No. 3, 2717 Newman Road. It is in need of replacement because of repairs needed as well as the need for more space to house firefighters and equipment.
There also is to be work on updating special operations programs such as swift water, confined space and hazardous material response and rescue, fire Chief Gerald Ezell said. The department also is currently putting into place the use of new 2 1/4-inch lighter-weight hose with blitz nozzles that can supply heavier flows of water to gain control of fires more quickly.
The parks and recreation department will be working to finish the the 95-acre Dover Outdoor Recreation Area bike park for cyclists of all skill levels as well as shelters and amenities for gatherings. It could be finished later this year.
Among the needs of the Joplin Health Department is more capacity for housing animals. A feasibility study is to be conducted for a regional animal control facility because area animal shelters are consistently full, the council was told.
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