Joplin City Council adjourns into closed session to discuss real estate and auditor communications

The Joplin City Council on Monday voted to adjourn into a closed session to discuss real estate matters and privileged communications with the city auditor.

The clerk read the special-meeting notice and the statutory basis cited for a closed session, saying the session "shall pertain to leasing, purchasing, or sale of real estate by a public governmental body" and to "confidential or privileged communications between a public governmental body and its auditor," and that the meeting record and vote would be closed to the extent provided by law. The reading referenced the Revised Statutes of Missouri as the legal authority for closing the meeting.

Following roll call, the presiding official asked whether a motion was needed to excuse absent members. A motion to excuse the absent members (the record refers to Missus Carlin and Mr. Jackson) was made and seconded; the presiding official announced, "Motion carries 7 in favor with 2 absent."

Later the council considered the motion to adjourn to closed session. The presiding official stated that the motion had been made and seconded, called for a vote and again announced, "Motion carries 7 in favor with 2 absent." The council then adjourned into closed session.

The transcript records no further public discussion of the underlying real estate matters or auditor communications in the open session. No mover or seconder is identified by name in the public record provided; votes are recorded only as a tally. The special meeting notice lists the meeting location as the 5th Floor Council Chamber, 602 South Main Street, and the meeting time as 5:00 p.m.

The meeting record indicates the council relied on state law to close the hearing; the clerk cited the relevant statutory provisions when reading the motion. The council did not take any additional open actions before adjourning into closed session.