For the first time, the new look Joplin city council will meet tonight after new members were sworn in last week.
KRPS’s Fred Fletcher-Fierro has more.
Campaign promises are one thing, following through on those promises is another and the council will look significantly different than it did just a few weeks ago.
For the first time in eight years, councilmember Phil Stinnett will not be a part of the council discussions. Neither will Christina Willians, Anthony Montoelone, or Kate Spencer.
They’ve been replaced by Josh Bard, Doris Carlin, and Ryan Jackson. Also, for the first time in Joplin's 151-year history, an African American male will preside over the city council, Kenan Cortez.
Melodee Cobert Kean was Joplin’s first Black female mayor from 2012 to 2014. While also serving on the council from 2006 to 2020. Josh DeTar will serve as mayor Pro Tem for the next two years.
One of the numerous topics on the council's agenda tonight is the continued discussion of the proposed justice center that includes a new police department, fire station, and courts department.
The new buildings are estimated to cost between $66 and 68 million dollars.
The meeting tonight at city hall starts at 6
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