Council to vote on new fleet of SJPD vehicles, streets equipment and chicken regulations

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) -- Residents could see a new fleet of top-of-the-line police vehicles rolled out if approved at tonight's City Council meeting, as well as $1 million for large equipment upgrades for the Street Maintenance Division.

Tonight's City Council agenda includes three separate resolutions to purchase 18 new SUVs for the St. Joseph Police Department, including four Chevy Equinox, 14 2026 Chevy Tahoe's and necessary vehicle equipment for $1,006,595 in Police Sales Tax funds.

Just over $55,000 in vehicle funding will come from the department's School Resource Officer agreement with the St. Joseph School District.

The new SUV's mark the second round of large-scale purchases in the last year to modernize the department's fleet of aging vehicles. Councilmembers approved using $1,071,440 in American Rescue Plan Act funds last November to purchase 20 sterling grey 2025 Chevy Tahoe's.

Council to vote on $1 million for road repairs, $1 million for street maintenance equipment

Councilmembers could approve more than $2 million for roadway improvement projects and a host of related equipment upgrades for the city's Street Maintenance Department.

Equipment upgrades on the agenda include $347,117 for a new street sweeper, $355,377 for six 4x4 Chevy Pickups and $200,000 for a Caterpillar motor grader.

Roadway improvement projects on the agenda include:

• $624,878 for the Easton Road Resurfacing Project
• $181,848 for concrete street replacement at the intersection of Leonard Road and Easton Road.
• $197,825 to reinforce a section of road near 3801 N. Woodbine Road

Council to vote on new regulations for keeping chickens on private property

Revised regulations that would loosen restrictions for keeping chickens and fowl on private property could be formally approved at tonight's meeting, as previously reported by News-Press NOW.

Current regulations state that it is unlawful for any person to pen fowl upon any premises within 100 feet of any building or structure of any kind occupied by human inhabitants.

New regulations proposed by the city would significantly restructure permitted distances of fowl from neighboring property, depending on the number of fowl kept, among other changes.

News-Press NOW will update this article.