Neosho council to again discuss public gathering restriction

After tabling discussion of its public gathering restriction ordinance Tuesday night, the Neosho City Council will pick it up again Thursday night, with the correct changes.

This new ordinance would establish occupancy restrictions for businesses and organizations open to the public in the corporate limits of the City of Neosho at 50% of the entity’s authorized fire or building code occupancy except for educational institutions and daycare facilities and limiting mass gatherings to 15 or fewer persons.

Click here to see the new ordinance in its entirety

The previous ordinance drew criticism because it would have prohibited public gatherings of 16 or people except for educational institutions, daycare facilities and business operations within city limits. That ordinance added that you could be charged with a misdemeanor, fined, and even incarcerated.

Mayor Carmin Allen said Tuesday that changes made to that document were not accurate as to the ones that the council wanted to discuss.

The Neosho City Council and City Staff apologized saying they did not desire to discriminate against any entity, church organization, or group. This was simply a misunderstanding between City Council and Staff.

According to a statement on the city’s Facebook page regarding citizens at Thursday night’s meeting:

• Residents interested in speaking during the meeting must send an email to clerk@neoshomo.org. The email must include the resident’s name and street address, and must be sent by 5 p.m. Thursday.

• Residents who are allowed to speak will have a time limit of two minutes.

• Only positive or constructive comments will be allowed. Derogatory speakers will not be allowed to continue.