PB council addresses grant issues, approves two fireworks displays for upcoming events

Poplar Bluff City Council members took action on several items Monday, including grant applications and two fireworks displays planned for community events.

A public hearing was held prior to the council’s regular meeting to receive citizens’ input on a Community Development Block Grant used to complete a 11th Street road and bridge project. The grant paid for 85% of the $440,000 cost to replace a bridge and make other repairs.

The grant remains open because one requirement has yet to be met, according to grant administrators. Empire Comfort Systems committed to creating 45 new jobs, with just over half of those hired being low to moderate income individuals. COVID-19 has slowed down that process, according to the discussion. The city has until March 22, 2021, to meet the requirement or ask for an extension.

Council members also approved requests from Downtown Poplar Bluff Inc., and Wheatley School representatives to hold separate events with fireworks.

Organizers at Wheatley will hold a Juneteenth celebration June 27, with a fireworks display overseen by a Butler County volunteer firefighter. This is a new addition to this event, which commemorates the end of slavery in the United States.

DPB will also hold the annual July 4th fireworks, after receiving funding from Briggs & Stratton and Walmart.

In other business, the council discussed and approved:

• A review of a contract with MoDOT for the land lease agreement for the “Gateway to the Ozarks” sign property. The current lease is for five years at a cost of $1. MoDOT has suggested a 10 year lease. The current lease expired May 31.

• A zoning recommendation of RS-1 rural residential from the Planning and Zoning Commission regarding annexation of property located at 481 Highway W, Poplar Bluff. The property is owned by Joe and Karen Knuckles.

• A zoning recommendation of RS-1 rural residential from the Planning and Zoning Commission regarding annexation of property located at 465 Highway W, Poplar Bluff. The property is owned by Kathe Ledwidge Hapanowiez.

• A grant application between the city and the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration’s CARES Act Recovery Assistance Program for Downtown Poplar Bluff infrastructure. The city would request $421,000 under this effort for improvements to include sidewalk repairs and exterior lighting upgrades. The city would have a $42,000 in kind match.

The following workshop item was discussed:

• Bids for the roof replacement project for Fire Station No. 1 located at 200 S. Broadway. The city received five bids, with two failing to meet project specifications. A high bid was received from Summit Roofing and Construction of Poplar Bluff at $34,617 and a low bid from Meinerhagen Roofing and Sheeting of Farmington for $30,775. Fire chief Ralph Stucker recommended accepting the low bid. The roof is 42 years old and began leaking this past spring, he said.

The following voting session items were approved:

• A temporary cell tower height request located at 1017 Ridge Avenue, Poplar Bluff.

• A resolution to apply for a USDA grant for a new fire department ladder truck.