Council votes down proposal to move city to phase three

The Joplin City council has voted down a proposal that would move the city to the next phase of its reopening plan.

The vote came in Monday night’s City Council meeting when councilman and former mayor Gary Shaw put forth a measure that would have taken Joplin on to phase three of reopening.

Despite a second, the proposal was overwhelming turned down by a majority of the council. 

That means, for now, Joplin will stay in phase two, despite concerns by some in the city that continued restrictions on the number of people that can be in a business is stifling the economy of the city and the Joplin metro. 

Joplin also has a mask ordinance that will remain in effect for one day short of two more weeks.

It is set to expire on Monday, Aug. 17th, barring an extension by the City Council.