By MATT PIKE
During Tuesday's St. Joseph City Council meeting, following the Memorial Day holiday, the St. Joseph city council voted on a rezoning proposal, new school zones and an Emergency Operations Center design agreement among issues discussed.
The rezoning proposal would shift a property at 2702 Ashland Avenue from a single-family residential district to a neighborhood shopping district, the request submitted by Michael Willoughby of Polaris Group Holdings. During discussion, city officials stated the zoning change would align the properties’ zoning with their current residential use.
The council also voted on an ordinance that will add, update and remove school zones across St. Joseph to help improve traffic safety around the schools. The ordinance will add a new school zone on Faraon Street near the UMKC School of Medicine campus and the new Mosaic Life Care Plaza 4 building. The new school zone would lower the speed limit to 25 mph when flashing lights are active because more students and pedestrians are crossing the street in the area. The city will take responisbility for the installation, maintenance and operation of all signage and flashing devices in the area.
Also, the school zone near St. James School will be expanded to include additional nearby streets. School zones near Hall and Humboldt will be removed because the schools have closed. Additionally, the ordinance would update school names in the city code to reflect recent changes with the shift to a two high school model. The changes will become part of the city’s traffic code, allowing St. Joseph Police to enforce updated school zone speed limits.
Lastly, the council voted on a $148,000 professional services agreement with Short Elliott Hendrickson Inc. to design a new Emergency Operations Center at Fire Station No. 8. City officials said the current Emergency Operations Center at Fire Station 12 lacks adequate space, accessibility and resources needed to manage emergencies effectively.
The new Emergency Operations Center would be built in the basement of Fire Station 8 and include backup power, upgraded safety systems and existing infrastructure to support emergency operations.
The next city council meeting will be on June 8th.
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