By Derek Spellman

dspellman@joplinglobe.com

NEOSHO, Mo. — Members of the Neosho City Council will delay a public hearing on a set of proposed code changes until Nov. 18, while they will discuss the city’s planned public works building during a meeting Tuesday.

City officials have said they did not want to schedule the public hearing for Tuesday’s meeting because it coincides with the election. City Manager Jan Blase said the hearing will take place at the council’s next regular meeting in a couple of weeks.

Members of the City Council, the city staff, and the Planning and Zoning Commission pared down a set of proposed sign-code regulations during a work session last week. The sign code became the most contentious component of a larger set of code changes first introduced in May.

The proposed sign-code changes, along with proposed fencing regulations, will now be inserted into another set of code changes that are under consideration by the council. Those changes would provide several new zoning district classifications, expand the list of uses allowed under a special-use permit, encourage sidewalks and bicycle paths in new development, and detail certain landscaping regulations for businesses and homes.

Blase said the City Council will be the host for a public hearing on all the proposed provisions — zoning, signs and fencing — at the Nov. 18 meeting.

As for Tuesday’s meeting, city officials will review bids submitted for the erection of the city’s new public works building. The old building was destroyed by a spring tornado.

Blase said the city already has received the building’s metal frame components; the bids will cover the actual construction of the structure. The council on Tuesday also will consider an agreement with E.T. Archer Corp. for engineering services in connection with the structure.

“We would like to (finish the work) before the hard weather hits,” Blase said.

The $750,000 building is to be located along Nelson Avenue, near the K&S Wire plant. The building is to be funded through the city’s insurance policy and through the sale of the old building’s site at 715 N. College St.

Neosho Land Development Inc. donated a 10-acre tract to the city to use as the site of a new public works building.

Other items on Tuesday’s agenda include:

n A request to annex property at 15580 Kodiak Road into the city limits.

n A request from New-Mac Electric to provide water service on west Highway 86.