Council advances major paving contract, approves vehicle-for-hire license and other procurement votes

At its regular meeting the Joplin City Council approved or advanced multiple ordinances and contracts related to streets, public safety and city operations.

Roads: The council moved the Mill and Overlay 2025 contract with Blevins Asphalt forward on first reading. Public works staff said the $4,382,267.78 agreement covers two years of overlay work and that a $907,468 budget amendment is required to add two large arterial streets (Connecticut and Shiverdecker). Mr. Johnson said the city typically mills ~2 inches and that residential overlays can be expected to provide a multi‑decade service life under normal conditions. The motion to advance the ordinance passed 8 in favor, 1 absent.

Vehicle-for-hire: After a public hearing the council approved a vehicle-for-hire license for Arise Mobility. Applicant Tim Palo described operating a single handicap-accessible van for medical appointments and hospital discharges. Councilmember Lauren Lossin moved for approval; the vote was 8 in favor, 1 absent.

Other procurement and grants: The council approved on emergency or first-reading actions that included accepting a MoDOT enforcement grant (approximately $167,470) for DWI enforcement and approving a state-funded purchase of a modular vehicle barrier system (no city match), awarding a unit-price contract to GFL Environmental for city-facility solid-waste removal (unit pricing; 85 containers at 43 sites), and approving a roughly $295,202.93 purchase for a high-density evidence-storage system for the police department (funds previously allocated). The council also approved a roughly $181,000 contract with Olsen Engineering to update the Joplin Area Transportation Organization metropolitan transportation plan; staff said about 80% will be federally reimbursed and the local match will come from the transportation sales tax.

Votes at a glance: Arise Mobility vehicle-for-hire license (approved, 8–0 with 1 absent); Mill & Overlay 2025 (advanced on 1st reading, 8–0 with 1 absent); 20th Street testing authorization (approved on 1st reading); GFL solid-waste contract (advanced); high-density evidence-storage purchase (approved on 1st reading); Olsen MTP contract (approved on 1st reading); vacate alley ordinance (passed on 2nd & 3rd reading 6–2–1).

What comes next: Most items advanced on first reading will return for a subsequent vote as required by ordinance; staff will present funding details for the Mill & Overlay budget amendment when the award is brought back.