Joplin council to discuss restaurant inspection scores, tighter lodging rules
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Joplin City Council members will hear proposals for a new restaurant inspection scoring system and tighter lodging regulations Monday.
The Joplin Health Department is proposing a 100-point scoring system for food establishments that would make inspection results more visible to customers.
Under the staff recommendation, higher-risk "priority" violations would deduct five points while lower-risk "core" violations would deduct one point. Certain imminent health hazards, such as a sewer backup, extended utility outage, or conditions requiring an immediate closure, would carry a 25-point deduction.
Inspection reports and scores would be required to be prominently displayed near a customer entrance or where orders are placed.
They predict that most establishments would score 90 or higher under the system tested by city staff.
The city is proposing a pilot program during the 2027-28 permit year, followed by full implementation in 2028-29.
Council members will also get an update on lodging regulations.
City staff is considering requirements for hotels and motels to maintain guest identification and registration records and incorporate existing Missouri guest-registration law into city requirements.
Properties showing evidence of violating Joplin's 30-day transient-use limit could also be required to submit guest registries and face compliance checks.
The city says Joplin currently has 23 lodging establishments, with two facing pending legal citations.
Several large spending measures are also scheduled for first reading.
Five wastewater-related measures total about $5.4 million. The largest is a $3.2 million contract for an additional final clarifier at the Shoal Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant.
Other proposals include $750,000 for sewer evaluation and rehabilitation, $693,000 for improvements to the Swede Lane lift station, and additional engineering and electrical work.
Council will also consider a nearly $1.5 million contract for the replacement of the Willow Branch culvert beneath Wall Avenue between Sixth and Seventh streets.
The Joplin City Council meeting begins at 6 p.m. Monday at City Hall.
