Joplin City Council braces for busy Monday meeting
What do you think?
Monday night's Joplin City Council meeting is set to be a hefty one.
The meeting begins at 6 p.m. at City Hall, but the political debate is expected to begin an hour earlier.
An "ICE Out" demonstration is scheduled for 5 p.m. outside near 6th and Main, with protesters opposing the possibility of Joplin police entering a federal immigration enforcement partnership.
Council member Brian Cowles has asked city officials to examine the federal 287(g) program, which allows specially trained local officers to carry out certain immigration enforcement duties under ICE supervision.
Cowles issued a statement Thursday emphasizing that the city has not committed to the program.
"I've asked the city to look into this program to determine whether it could benefit our Police Department and community."
The issue is not listed for a council vote, although several residents are expected to address council members during the public comment portion of the meeting.
Cowles encouraged residents on both sides of the debate to participate, urging them to remain respectful despite their disagreements.
Beyond the immigration debate, council members face several major financial decisions.
The largest is the city's proposed $182.9 million budget for the upcoming fiscal year, which begins November 1.
Council members will also consider new employee salary schedules that could eventually provide substantial pay increases.
The proposal includes a 2% cost-of-living adjustment beginning November 1, followed by a planned 12% increase in salary schedules for general employees and a 23% increase for covered police and fire employees.
Council members will consider a nearly $4 million agreement with MoDOT for improvements along Interstate 44.
The project includes bridge and drainage improvements plus a multiuse trail passing underneath I-44 in an area between Connecticut and Range Line.
The council will also consider additional engineering expenses for the aging downtown parking garage at Sixth Street and Virginia Avenue.
They will then talk about a new redevelopment study that is examining the area between Northpark Mall and MSSU. The study isn't simply about saving Northpark Mall.
It's about turning the university, the mall and surrounding undeveloped property into a connected district where people could live, shop, eat and attend events without having to drive between every destination.
The study outlines possibilities for new retail developments, student housing, hotels and an entertainment district. Those concepts remain preliminary, with no new businesses confirmed.
Newstalk KZRG will have the latest once the meeting is concluded.
