St. Joseph City Council to vote on Woodson Apartments, law enforcement grant funding
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) -- The St. Joseph City Council is set to vote on a development project for Woodson Apartments, approve grant funding for local law enforcement and add parking spaces near Benton High School at its Monday meeting.
The council plans to vote on an ordinance approving a development project for Woodson Development Group to renovate the historic property and develop the Woodson Apartments.
The ordinance would also allow the city to issue up to $14.5 million in bonds to help finance the project and approve the necessary agreements.
Another item on the agenda is to amend the Police Department’s budget to accept the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant for $42,411.00.
The grant funds would be used to buy equipment and software for the Crime Analyst and Crisis Negotiations Unit. In addition, funding will support thermal imaging equipment for the Buchanan County Sheriff’s Office.
Grant funding will help the St. Joseph Police Department purchase crime analysis equipment and software, including a Microsoft Surface Pro laptop, Sentinel Visualizer Professional software and an Epson SureColor 44-inch plotter.
The funding will also support the purchase of crisis negotiation equipment, including a Rescue Phone Video Command System and Rescue Phone Quad Crisis Response Module.
The Buchanan County Sheriff’s Office will utilize grant funds for the purchase of two Pulsar Telos XP50, or equivalent, thermal imaging monoculars. The grant provides funding to address identified needs in technology, crime analysis, crisis negotiation capabilities, and officer safety.
The council will vote on an ordinance to add 55 parking spaces along Southwest Parkway at the request of the St. Joseph School District.
The ordinance was originally on the July agenda but was postponed so it could be reviewed by the traffic commission.
The request states the additional parking is needed to accommodate the increased number of students attending Benton High School as part of the district's redistricting process.
The council will also present two proposed ordinances related to establishing zoning and development guidelines for potential data center projects in its first reading.
The council is considering a contract with GBA Inc. for up to $42,440 to study data center development and recommend zoning changes and development guidelines.
The review will address issues such as electric and water infrastructure, land use, environmental impacts, public services, costs and community concerns.
The council is also considering a contract with Renew Missouri Advocates for up to $10,750 to provide community outreach and legal services related to data center development.
The firm will also provide recommendations on zoning and potential changes to the city’s code of ordinances.
The St. Joseph City Council meeting will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 28, in the Council Chambers at City Hall.
