Poplar Bluff Mayor Shane Cornman presented a proclamation to Poplar Bluff High School’s varsity golf team in recognition of their state championship title at Monday’s city council meeting. Under the leadership of head coach Tyler Davis and assistant coach Jamie Ivy, the team also won the SEMO conference and district championships.
“The city of Poplar Bluff, Missouri is always pleased to recognize those events which bring honor on the community and its citizens,” Cornman affirmed.
For the upcoming July 4 celebration, the city unanimously approved the discharge of fireworks inside city limits. Executive Director of Downtown Poplar Bluff Incorporated Morgan McIntosh informed members of the council the total cost of the fireworks is $20,000, but the amount has been covered by two donors.
The Briggs and Stratton Corporation donated $15,000 and Missouri Highlands Healthcare provided the remaining $5,000.
“We’re fully funded,” McIntosh confirmed.
The fireworks are set to go at 9 p.m. or dusk.
“I do believe this is routine. We’ve done this for a number of years and had good luck with it,” council member Robert Smith stated.
For the next discussion item, the council considered grant administration service proposals for the renovations to the Margaret Hartwell Art Museum. City Manager Matt Winters explained Ozark Foothills Regional Planning Commission submitted a proposal wherein there is no cost to the city.
If the grant is funded, OFRPC would receive $10,000 plus 4%. Winters stated this would be covered by grant funds. For the same grant for the art museum, the city put out a request for architectural services.
Winters said the only response received was from Dille Pollard Architecture. The council approved sending both matters to the July 1 voting session.
For the remaining vacancy on the Zoning Board of Adjustment, Winters recommended the council accept the application of Michael Pollard. The council will vote on is July 1 as well.
Next, City Planner James Sisk informed members of Andrew and Debra Clark’s request to rezone the lots at 1519 and 1529 Coolidge Street from C-2 General Commercial to RD-1 Residential Duplex. Sisk said the Clarks formerly owned The Fishin’ Pig restaurant and purchased these two lots as additional parking.
Having since sold the business, they intend to build homes or duplexes on the lots.
“I kind of see this as a correction,” council member David Boyer remarked.
The council moved the item to the voting session next month.
Lastly, Winters presented the possibility of an intergovernmental transfer of the empty lot on the corner of North Second Street and Elm Street.
The lot would be split between the Poplar Bluff Municipal Library District and the Poplar Bluff Housing Authority. Winters recommended members accept the transfer.
For voting items, the council approved the bid from Dicken LLC for the Vine Street Rehabilitation Project as well as an ordinance authorizing the disposal of antiquated city vehicles on the auction site purplewave.com.