The Poplar Bluff City Council gave its blessing to the Poplar Bluff Fire Department replacing a decades-old pumper truck when it met Monday evening at the Poplar Bluff City Council chambers.
The purchase of the new truck was given a major assist when the PBFD was awarded more than $600,000 earlier this month from the Federal Emergency Management Agency Assistance to Firefighters Grants Program, enabling the city and the department to obtain the truck.
“The success of this grant is due to the work of our fire department members all working together,” PBFD Chief Mike Moffitt said. “With the award of this grant, we will be able to replace a 42-year-old fire truck. This new truck will be a great asset to our fleet of trucks that will serve our community for many years to come.”
Moffitt told the council he is talking to several manufacturers about building the truck, which will take 14-18 months to finish. The truck will cost more than the original expected cost of roughly $640,000 because the truck will have to be able to fit under the east side underpass on F Street.
Despite the extra cost and having to wait more than a year, Moffitt is excited about the new truck.
“It go to be a great addition to our fleet of trucks,” Moffitt said.
The council also moved a trio of items to the Oct. 3 city council agenda, including allowing utility transportation vehicle (UTV) usage on the streets and highways inside the city limits.
The item on the Oct. 3 agenda would require users to be at least 21 years of age to obtain a UTV permit. The permit would cont $15, with an $85 processing fee.
The council also plans to consider bids received for a cultural resource study relative to the Community Development Block Grant stormwater improvements project No. 2021-GI-28, and also will consider bids received for the Community Development Block Grant stormwater and drainage improvements project No. 18-DP-MIT19.
Poplar Bluff street superintendent Jerry Lawson told the council one project would be replacing a stormwater culvert on Maud Street between 12th and Forest streets that is roughly 50 years old.
In other items of business, the council:
• Approved a resolution temporarily suspending the enforcement of an ordinance relating to the discharge of a firearm or bow within the city limits for the limited purpose of allowing the removal of destructive animal crop invaders.
• Authorized the mayor to enter into a license agreement with the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission for the use of property located at the interchange of U.S. Highway 60 and Business Highway 60.
•Approved an ordinance accepting bids on various vacant city-owned properties.
• Approved ordinances authorizing the mayor to enter into a contract with Smith and Company Engineers for surveying, engineering and inspection services relative to the city's stormwater improvements project No. 2021-GI-28.
• Approved an ordinance authorizing the mayor to enter into a lease agreement with SITA Information Network Computing USA to place radio equipment at the Poplar Bluff Regional Business Airport.
• Approved a resolution amending Resolution No. 1896, authorizing certain officers and employees of the city as signatories on general fund accounts and investments and Municipal Utilities accounts for the city.
• Approved a resolution making an appointment to the Poplar Bluff Transportation Development District Board of Directors.