New fleet of SJPD vehicles, streets equipment and chicken regulations approved by City Council

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) -- St. Joseph police officers will see a new fleet of top-of-the-line vehicles added to the department's inventory following approval by city officials on Monday. 

Monday’s City Council meeting saw the approval of three resolutions totaling $1 million to purchase 18 new SUVs for the St. Joseph Police Department, including four Chevy Equinox, 14 2026 Chevy Tahoes and necessary equipment -- including vehicle laptops -- using Police Sales Tax funds.

"This allows them to really respond effectively and efficiently to all different types of situations, to be visible out in our neighborhoods," St. Joseph Police Chief Paul Luster said. "I think it really shows our commitment to our officers as well as to this community that we are equipping them with the the best equipment that that we can."

New Chevy Tahoes will be deployed as police pursuit vehicles for patrol officers, while the Equinox will be utilized as unmarked police vehicles. Just over $55,000 in funding will come from the department's School Resource Officer agreement with the St. Joseph School District.

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SUVs mark the second round of large-scale purchases in the last year to modernize the department's fleet of aging and outdated vehicles.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

"I think we're almost to the finish line. As you modernize the fleet, it's expensive on the front end but it's also really expensive trying to maintain an old fleet of cars," Luster said. "So in the in the end, this is really a cost effective way that ultimately will save taxpayer dollars. We want to be thinking five years ahead."

Council OKs $1 million for road repair projects, $1 million for street maintenance equipment upgrades

Councilmembers gave the green light to use $2 million for multiple roadway improvement projects and a host of related equipment upgrades for the city's Street Maintenance Department.

Equipment purchases will include $347,117 for a new street sweeper, $355,377 for six 4x4 Chevy pickups and $200,000 for a Caterpillar motor grader, a large commercial machine used for snow removal and alley maintenance operations.

One notable purchase includes using $104,306 in marijuana sales tax funds to purchase one international cab and chassis, also called a half truck, for department operations. The purchase marks one of the first to use marijuana sales tax funds, which up until now have been kept in a restricted fund.

Roadway improvement projects approved by City Council: 

• $624,878 for the Easton Road Resurfacing Project, including asphalt and overlay. This portion of road is an addition to the initial 150-by-40-foot section of concrete, creating a continuous run of new road.
  
• $181,848 for concrete street replacement at the intersection of Leonard Road and Easton Road. This project will widen Easton Road east of Leonard by 16 feet for the first 150 feet, providing a safer and more manageable entrance for the heavy over-the-road traffic serving the business park, as well as for citizens and professionals traveling in the area. The remaining portion of the road will be removed and replaced with full-depth asphalt extending to 48th Terrace, upon approval of a separate resolution.
  
• $197,825 to reinforce a section of road near 3801 N. Woodbine Road. This section of Woodbine Road has never had a shoulder and has now begun to erode, creating a drop-off of approximately nine feet at its deepest point, making the area unsafe. The proposed repair includes building up the area with compacted fill dirt placed in lifts, followed by installation of a row of gabion baskets on anti-erosion material with a roll stone cap.

New rules for keeping chickens and fowl on private property

St. Joseph residents will now see revised regulations that loosen restrictions for keeping chickens and fowl on private property. 

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 significantly restructure permitted distances of fowl from neighboring property depending on the number of fowl kept, among other changes.

New regulations for fowl:

Three or less fowl: Must be 25 feet from neighboring residences

Four to six fowl: Must be 50 feet from neighboring residences

Seven to 12 fowl: Must be 100 feet from neighboring residences

Fowl are required to be at least six feet from all property lines and in a fenced enclosure, coop or cage that is maintained and clean at all times in a sanitary manner that mitigates flies and disease.

A full list of regulations can be found here on the city’s website. 

City to begin using AI technology to grade road conditions

St. Joseph Public Works and Transportation will deploy the next generation of cutting-edge technology to help grade and improve the condition of St. Joseph's streets and roadways.

Councilmembers approved a $15,380 ordinance Monday to purchase new AI-powered software from Vaisala Inc, called RoadAI. 

The program operates by recording street surfaces using smartphones while an inspector drives the route. The video is uploaded nightly to a cloud-based AI program with condition ratings being available within hours.

Data is then exported to Excel and imported into Cartegraph -- an operations and asset management software platform -- for use in determining overlay lists, concrete repair lists and other maintenance priorities.

City Hall scheduled for interior paint job

St. Joseph’s historic administration building is set to undergo a thorough interior paint project with council members approving a $73,399 contract for paint services Monday. 

At present, the hallways and stairwells, including walls and ceilings, are in visible need of plaster repair and repainting. Plaster repairs will be performed on an as-needed basis throughout the hallways, ceilings, and stairwells of the first through fourth floors. Upon completion of repairs, all affected surfaces will be primed and painted to ensure a consistent and refreshed finish. 

Hallway-facing door frames that are not commercial-grade metal will also be painted as part of this scope. Contractor GA Thompson has been hired to carry out the project. 

Other bills approved by City Council

• A resolution authorizing the purchase of a new Bobcat Compact Track Loader from K.C. Bobcat in the amount of $77,164 for the Park Maintenance Division, utilizing Parks Sales Tax Funds.
  
• A resolution authorizing the purchase of two 2026 International HV507 cab and chassis to be used by the Sewer Maintenance Division for the total amount of $208,612 from Rush Truck centers.
  
• An ordinance authorizing the execution of a software license and maintenance agreement with Trapeze Software Group, Inc. dba Trip Spark Technologies for the purchase of passenger routing software in the amount of $399,878 and an amendment to the Mass Transit Fund Budget in the amount of $99,878 to allocate the additional necessary funding for the purchase.
  
• An ordinance authorizing an amendment to the General Fund Police Department Budget and the execution of a contract with the St. Joseph Youth Alliance both in the amount of $8,160 to provide alcohol and electronic cigarette enforcement and compliance checks at businesses.
  
• An ordinance to approve the final plat of a major subdivision Entitled “Creek Woods Plat 3” consisting of 15 lots and 1 detention basin located south of South Creek Woods Drive as requested by David Gach on behalf of Creek Woods, LLC. 

Nominations and appointments

Mayor John Josendale nominated three citizens to sit on three different commissions. 

• Stephen Davis, 3912 Mansfield Road, to serve as a member of the Tax Increment Financing Commission for a term expiring Sept. 29, 2029; he is filling a vacancy on the Commission.
• Brandon Johnson, 1137 Frederick Ave., to serve as a member of the Human Rights Commission for a term expiring Oct. 8, 2028; he will be replacing June Brown, whose term expires Oct. 8, 2025.
• Zach Ellis, 149 Countryside Lane, to serve as a member of the Human Rights Commission for a term expiring Oct. 8, 2026; he is filling a vacancy on the commission.

Councilmember Randy Schultz nominates Andersen Adkins, 2602 Union St., to serve as a member of the Tree Board for a term expiring Sept. 29, 2028; he is replacing David Ball, whose term has expired.