Joplin council adopts data center rules, approves higher trash rates and infrastructure spending

The Joplin City Council adopted new regulations for data centers Monday night while also approving higher trash rates, infrastructure expenses and several property and zoning changes.

The data center ordinance drew the most discussion and public input. Council members unanimously approved rules covering noise, water use, wastewater, emissions, generators and other potential effects of the large facilities.

The ordinance sets a 45-decibel noise limit at property lines next to residential uses and requires testing before construction to document existing sound levels. Data centers will also be required to pretreat wastewater, submit pollutant scans and comply with state and federal emissions standards.

Backup generators must meet Tier 4 standards or use Tier 2 engines equipped with selective catalytic converters to reduce emissions. The ordinance also places responsibility for utility upgrades on the facility’s end user.

Council members removed a proposed requirement that data centers obtain special use permits. Several members argued the process could politicize future developments or expansions, even when companies meet city standards.

The regulations will instead become part of Joplin’s zoning code and be enforced administratively. City staff said removing the special use permit requirement would not weaken the standards governing noise, setbacks, wastewater or other operations.

Residents opposing the ordinance raised concerns about noise, water consumption, pollution, property values and the proximity of industrial property to homes. Some said houses are within 300 feet of possible development sites and urged the city to consider a moratorium or more restrictive zoning.

Supporters said the ordinance provides clear protections while allowing Joplin to pursue economic development and construction jobs.

Council members suggested creating an online dashboard where residents could review reports, permits and compliance information connected to major projects. The city is also preparing to launch a new website in October.

The council unanimously approved a new solid waste contract with Republic Services that will increase the base residential trash rate from $13.39 to $17.42 per month. Optional recycling service will rise from $4.87 to $5.26 per month.

Trash will continue to be collected weekly, while yard waste and brush will be collected separately every other week throughout the year. Residents will no longer be allowed to mix yard waste with regular trash.

Residents will also be allowed up to four scheduled bulky-item pickups annually, with each collection limited to 4 cubic yards. Damaged or aging trash carts will be replaced upon request, while other cart changes will be phased in over several months.

The rates will remain in place until April 2028, when annual 5% increases will begin. The contract runs through March 2032.

Council members also approved a $169,330 change order to relocate an active sanitary sewer line discovered during construction along East Seventh Street. City records indicated the line had been abandoned, but Missouri Department of Transportation contractors uncovered manholes that had been paved over.

Testing showed the line still served Indy Salon and Villa Heights Church. Service to the salon has already been rerouted, while the change order covers work needed to connect the church to a new sewer main south of Seventh Street.

The work is being expedited to prevent delays to MoDOT’s Seventh Street improvement project.

Another $328,213 in accumulated change orders was approved for the Tin Cup Trail Bridge project. City officials said the additional costs included tariffs and expedited shipping for steel cables manufactured in Switzerland, unexpected construction conditions and modifications needed to meet federal funding deadlines.

Temporary asphalt was also installed and later replaced with concrete to keep the trail accessible during construction.

One council member criticized the timing of the request, noting the accumulated changes were presented after much of the work had already been completed. The total was nearly 20% of the original contract, above the city’s normal 10% threshold for bringing change orders before the council.

The council also approved several property and zoning measures. They included vacating portions of Grand Avenue and an adjacent alley near Water Gardens while retaining easements for stormwater, sewer and other utilities. The city will maintain access to the property through agreements that could include a Knox box.

City officials said the demolition was delayed in part because the property owner lived in California. Joplin is considering changes that would require out-of-town property owners to designate a local contact person.

The council advanced a $642,250 budget increase to purchase seven additional police vehicles for the department’s take-home car program. Each vehicle is expected to cost about $58,000, with another $33,750 required for equipment.

Council members also advanced a $730,175 state contract supporting Joplin’s Women, Infants and Children program, which provides food assistance and nutrition education to about 2,000 people each month.

The council also advanced changes to Joplin’s camping ordinance intended to clarify rules against bedding or camping in public places. An agreement was advanced to extend city sewer service to properties along Briar Oaks Lane in Newton County. The agreement allows Joplin to annex the properties if they later become contiguous with city limits.

Council members heard a Finance Committee report on Missouri Amendment 5 ahead of Tuesday’s election. The measure would create a process to eventually eliminate the state individual income tax while expanding sales taxes to additional goods and services.

The committee said the amendment could shift more of Missouri’s tax burden from income to consumer spending but does not identify which services could become taxable or how high the state sales tax rate could rise.

The measure would also require cities to make a one-time tax adjustment to offset most of the additional local revenue generated by newly taxable items. The committee concluded the change would likely have little material effect on Joplin if implemented properly but urged city officials to remain involved as lawmakers work out the details.