Community Involvement Encouraged by Joining a City of Joplin Board or Commission

(Joplin, MO) – Interested in helping your community? Serving on a City of Joplin board or commission is a way that citizens can provide input on the policies that shape their government and their city. Board members and commissioners generally serve as unpaid volunteers, but the rewards can be gratifying, including meeting other residents with similar interests, learning about the city, and helping shape the community’s future. 

The City has over 20 organizations in which citizens may serve. Each board/commission represents a specific area of city government, and citizens may designate which board(s)/commission(s) they are applying to offer their service. These groups serve in diverse roles, including assessing needs; reviewing plans and policies; making recommendations to City departments; and providing guidance on projects and programs.

Joplin citizens may submit applications to serve anytime during the year. Applicants must be a registered voter of the State of Missouri. Some boards may have specific requirements for its members. The City Council makes appointments to these organizations semi-annually or on an as-needed basis. A full listing of the boards and commissions is available on the City’s website, joplinmo.org.

Those interested in serving on City boards and/or commissions may apply through the City’s website or by email at bgollhof@joplinmo.org. For more information, contact the City Clerk’s office at 417.624.0820, ext. 220 or 221.

Currently, the City Council is seeking applicants to fill the following board openings:

BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT: Five-year term; meets the third Friday of each month at 11:00 am at City Hall. This quasi-judicial board grants variances from the strict letter of law as written in the Zoning Code, Subdivision Regulations, Historic Preservation Ordinance, Sign Code, Mobile Home Code, Flood Plain Management Code, and to decide appeals to the decisions of the Chief Building Official or City Planner.

CITY TREE BOARD: Three-year term; meets the fourth Tuesday of every other month at 5:30 pm at the Athletic Complex. This board’s role is to promote and protect the public health, safety, and general welfare by providing for the regulation of planting, maintenance, and removal of trees, shrubs, and other plants within the City of Joplin. It also maintains Joplin’s community forest to ensure a strong, healthy condition today and in the future.

SOLID WASTE ADVISORY COMMISSION: Three-year term; meets on call, once per quarter at City Hall. The purpose of the board is to confer and advise the Council and the Administration on all matters concerning procedures or practices that involve the collection, storage, and disposal of solid waste generated within the city limits of Joplin.

TRAFFIC COMMISSION: Three-year term; meets on the second Thursday of odd-numbered months at 6:00 pm at City Hall. This board is to make recommendations to the City Council regarding traffic matters, such as speed limits, placement of traffic signals, parking or removal of parking along city streets, traffic flow on city streets, placement of stop signs, etc.

Reference:

Lynn Onstot, Public Information Manager
City of Joplin
417.624.0820, ext. 204
LOnstot@joplinmo.org