Public hearings next week on Charter Review Commission topics

(From City of Joplin)

Joplin citizens are invited to comment on items under consideration by the Charter Review Commission in upcoming Public Hearings. The public meetings are scheduled for 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 12 and Wednesday, Nov. 13. Both will be held in the City Council Chambers of Joplin City Hall, 602 South Main Street.

The Commission has asked for public input on nine questions that Council referred to it for consultation. These nine proposed changes have been divided into the related topics of the Mayor’s position; the Council; and City staff. The first meeting, focusing on the Mayor’s position, was held on October 28. The remaining meetings will focus on the questions regarding the Council and the City Staff.

Although the Public Hearings are divided by topics of the proposed charter changes, testimony on any of the questions can be given at any of the meetings to ensure the public’s voice is heard on these matters. If bringing written comments to the hearings, citizens should provide 12 copies for the Commission and attending staff members.

Questions presented relating to the Council include:

1.Should the Charter be amended to remove Zone Council seats and convert all seats to General Council Seats?

2. Should the Charter be amended to change the current qualifications to run for a City Council seat by amending the residency requirement from four (4) years to two (2) years?

3. Should the Charter be amended to change the qualifications to run for a City Council seat by amending limiting the number of terms that any person may serve on the Council? Specifically should a person be limited to three (3) four (4) year terms?

4. Should the Charter be amended to change the pay of the City Council from $5.00 per meeting (not to exceed $120.00 per year) to $100.00 per month?

Questions presented relating to City Staff include:
1. Should the Charter be amended to place the City Clerk under the authority of the City Manager instead of the City Council?

2. Should the Charter be amended to place the Police Chief under the authority of the City Council instead of the City Manager in light of the recently passed House Bill 307 that provides that the Police Chief now may have due process rights and may only be removed by the City Council?

3. Should the Charter be amended to remove the requirement that the Public Works Director be a professional engineer registered in the State of Missouri?

Questions focusing on the Mayor’s position include:

1. Should the Charter be amended to provide for the direct election of the Mayor by the public?

2. Should the Charter be amended to allow the Mayor to vote only in the event of a tie or in the event that a supermajority of the Council is required by law?

Upon hearing the recommendations, Council members will then decide whether to place the proposed changes on a ballot for voters to decide. Chairman Ron Richard and the Commission members will hold a meeting in the near future to discuss their findings to make a final determination on the Charter Review Commission’s recommendation.

Citizens are encouraged to watch for further announcements about the Charter Review Commission and its recommendations on the proposed charter questions. For more information, contact the City Clerk at 417-624-0820, ext. 220 or 221.

Members of the Charter Review Commission include Chairman Ron Richard; Co-Chairman Chuck Brown, former Mayors Darieus Adams, Jack Belden, Don Goetz, Richard Russell, Kay Wells, and citizens at large Keenan Cortez, Randy Evans, Doug Hunt, and Virginia Laas.

If you are in need of disability-related aids or services, contact the City’s ADA Coordinator at (417) 624-0820. Kindly give us forty-eight (48) hours’ notice to arrange for the aids or services.