St. Joseph council approves redistricting, bus purchase and multiple consent items; charter amendment substitute passes 7–2

The St. Joseph City Council on a regular meeting approved an ordinance to redistrict 3734 Pear Street from C-3 Commercial to M-1 Light Manufacturing, authorized the purchase of two 30‑foot low‑floor transit buses from Gillig LLC at an estimated cost of $1,229,064, and adopted a multi-item consent agenda covering contracts, grants and budget amendments.

During the public hearing on the Pear Street rezoning, no members of the public spoke; the ordinance was approved by voice vote with nine ayes. The consent agenda — which included change order authority for Herzog Contract Incorporation ($15,641), sanitary sewer rehabilitation agreements, a Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission grant for the Saint Joseph Area Transportation Study ($2,151.50), and several American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) fund transfers for park maintenance and civic‑arena equipment — passed on a 9‑aye vote.

On item 12, the council authorized the purchase of two buses at an estimated combined cost of $1,229,064 and approved an amendment to the mass transit fund budget for $351,934 to cover the purchase; staff said the purchase "gets us up to speed" on the fleet and offered to provide a full fleet useful‑life report to councilors. The motion passed on a 9‑aye voice vote.

On a proposed charter amendment to be placed on the April 2, 2024 ballot, councilors considered a substitute that would delay a municipal judge retirement‑age change so the retirement age remains 75 until after the 2030 election rather than taking effect at the next municipal election. Council member Davis moved to substitute the ordinance (seconded by Council member Randolph). The council then voted on the amended ordinance; roll‑call responses recorded in the meeting produced seven ayes and two nays (identified in the roll as Graham and Bloomberg), and the presiding officer announced the motion passed.

Clerk readings included a set of first‑read ordinances on building‑inspection language, park pool fees, a permit‑fee waiver for a Second Harvest expansion at 915 Douglas Street, ARPA transfers for fire department equipment and civic arena video equipment, and a MetroNet agreement for fiber and managed services. The council adjourned after hearing a city manager report and two rounds of public comment.

What’s next: several ordinances were given first reading and will return for further action; the council is expected to place the approved charter amendment on the April 2 ballot as described in the substitute ordinance.