Poplar Bluff officials hope to kick off a new Adopt-A-Street program by late August or early September.
The proposal was discussed Monday by the Poplar Bluff City Council, who voted 5-2 to allow alcohol sales at the annual Iron Horse Festival and discussed a special budget to address concerns raised by auditors earlier this month.
Adopt-A-Street
Several other area cities, including Sikeston and Cape Girardeau, host volunteer clean up efforts that ask citizens to adopt a street, said city manager Mark Massingham.
The effort can help promote service activities and instill pride, he said.
"This offers a way for people and organizations in the community to work together while making Poplar Bluff a better place to live and receive publicity for their contribution," Massingham said.
The city would provide trash bags and pick up of full bags. A sign displaying the individual or organization's name would be installed after two consecutive pickups, Massingham said. Signs would cost the city about $40, he estimated.
A minimum number of clean up activities would be required quarterly, according to the policy presented to council. A minimum of four blocks, on both sides of the roadway, would also be required.
Removal of full bags would be arranged with the street department.
"I think it's an excellent idea," said Steve Davis, mayor pro tem.
Mayor Susan McVey agreed.
A logo that could be used for all city clean up projects was inspired by a lapel pin from the late Sam Giambelluca, Massingham said.
This will be on the voting agenda Aug. 6.
Iron Horse
Council member at-large Ron Black and Davis opposed a motion to allow alcohol sales in downtown Poplar Bluff for the ninth annual Iron Horse festival, which will be held Sept. 29.
Alcohol sales have been permitted for several past festivals, said Downtown Poplar Bluff Inc. Director Jerrica Fox, in making the request. Sales will be confined to a specific area. U.S. Bank has volunteered to host the location in their parking lot again, Fox said.
Black said he did not think the sale of alcohol would be a good thing for downtown.
The event is family oriented and alcohol sales from an open air site could be offensive to many participants, Davis said today.
There have not been any problems at previous events, said Robert Smith of Ward 5, who made the motion to approve sales.
"That brings a lot of folks downtown and we've done that for several years," Smith said today.
It has proven to be no problem in previous years, McVey said today.
"People look forward to the Iron Horse Festival and it brings lots of folks downtown every year," she said.
Audit
Council members reviewed a proposed budget for the special allocation fund, which is used to pay money to developers of the Eight Points retail area. The developers are reimbursed for certain allowed expenses.
The $908,000 budget will be voted on Aug. 6, but may need to be amended before the end of the year, Massingham said. Auditors require a budget for the money, but the spending has changed each year, he said. Changes occur when bonds are issued or money is disbursed, which is different based on the status of the project.
The current budget includes $215,000 in property tax revenues and $675,000 in sales tax revenues that are scheduled to help make bond payments to developers. The debt payment will be $800,000 in 2018, with an additional almost $8,500 in professional services.
Expenses of $2.5 million are also listed, from bond money issued in 2017 that has not been spent yet.
In other business, the council:
* Discussed a letter of interest for an Environmental Protection Agency program than funds feasibility studies of possible community projects. Downtown Poplar Bluff would ask for studies of a possible river walk, or a green space/water feature in the 200 block of South Broadway. The program does not fund the project, said Fox. It pays for the initial study to determine what would be needed to complete a project, she said.
* Discussed conveyance of right-of-way from the Cripple Creek Transportation Development District to the city.
* Approved a conflict of interest policy for board and commission members.