By MATT PIKE
During Monday's meeting, the St Joseph City Council voted on industrial development, a contract for security services at City Hall and a proposal to vacate several streets and alleys.
The council voted on an ordinance that would improve an industrial development project for Triumph Foods. The bill would allow the city to provide tax incentives for the planned $32 million expansion at Triumph Foods that would expand its facility by about 47,000 square feet, add more shipping docks, increase refrigerated storage space, expand its processing floor and purchase new machinery and equipment.
In exchange, the company will have to maintain at least 2,757 jobs and an average annual wage of at least $49,865 to continue receiving the tax incentives in the bill from the city. The ordinance will not add additional cost to the taxpayers.
The council also voted to approve an agreement with Richard Woodley to provide security services at St. Joseph City Hall. Officials with the city say several recent incidents at City Hall highlighted the need for a full-time security presence during business hours. The security guard will help protect city employees and members of the public conducting business at City Hall.
Woodley is a retired St. Joseph police officer and currently has a working relationship with the St. Joseph Police Department. The agreement will be for one year, beginning on July 1st, 2026, with the option to renew for an additional one, two year periods.
The council voted to amend the ordinance to vacate several streets and alleys east of Stockyards Expressway and south of Florence Road. Council member Russell Moore made the motion to amend the bill. He said he opposed vacating the section of Elk Street extending to the alley south of 104 West Elk and the alley from Smith Street and First Street.
The council voted 8-1 to approve the amendment to the bill, with Mayor Larry Miller voting against the motion. The council then voted 9-0 to approve the amended bill.
The next city council meeting will take place on Monday, July 20th.
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