Josendale thanks council, community during final meeting as St. Joseph mayor

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) — Monday night’s St. Joseph City Council meeting marked the final time John Josendale presided as mayor.

Josendale was elected mayor in April 2022 and wrapped up his term Monday. In the April 7 election, challenger Larry Miller defeated Josendale for the mayoral seat.

He closed out his final meeting by thanking the City Council, city staff and the residents who voted for him.

“It’s been a good term,” Josendale said. “I think this council has been a strong and very good council. I appreciate the people of St. Joe for giving me the honor to serve as mayor.”

Josendale said he feels good about the city’s direction moving forward.

“I think we’ve gotten a lot accomplished,” he said. “I hope everybody continues that because I think we’re headed on a good path.”

Several items were up for first read during the meeting, including Bill 91‑26.

If approved by the incoming City Council, the measure would allow the city to remove the top levels of downtown parking garages.

“They’re past the end of life, and they’re really not savable at this point,” City Manager Mike Schumacher said. “We need to move forward with removing them and turning them into surface lots.”

The project would cost the city $800,000.