The Joplin City Council met for the first time in 2022 Monday night. The council continued their discussions about the Complete Streets initiative. KRPS’s Fred Fletcher-Fierro has more.

The first reading of Complete Streets took place two weeks ago at the council’s final meeting for 2021. The program is designed to provide safety and accessibility for all users of Joplin’s roadways and trail systems. Last year, Joplin was selected for the Active Living Community of Practice program through the Missouri Department of Health.

Monday night, councilmember Phil Stinnett who was unable to attend the previous meeting highlighted that the city already does much of what is detailed in the plan “It was indicated that we’re already practicing a good deal of what’s in Community Safe Streets. And if we are already practicing that maybe there’s not as much concern, on my part, that we should have.” Ultimately the council approved the ordinance 7 in favor, zero opposed with two absent members. As of 2019, 43 Complete Street policies have been adopted in Missouri, including in Pineville, Southwest City, Anderson, Noel, and Monett. For 89 9 KRPS, I’m Fred Fletcher-Fierro