Two new businesses are slated to take over vacant buildings, pending approval of permits by the Poplar Bluff City Council, while a third looks to expand. A fourth new business is also seeking permission to operate in the city, following discussion Monday by the council. One request was approved at the meeting, while three are slated for a vote Aug. 7.
Jeffrey Hampton would like to re-open 2217 Fair St. as a daycare, while James Bruce Peterson has plans to fully renovate 2227 Maud for his plumbing business.
Robert Neal has asked for a license to operate a taxi company in the city, under the name Patriot Transportation.
An existing paintball business at 2318 N. Main would like to add an archery tag field business.
Brady Nichol applied for the archery conditional use permit, according to city council documents.
“These are the soft foam arrows that people shoot at each other,” said Matt Winters, city manager. “The applicant is anxious to get up and running and did ask that we workshop and vote this in the same evening. ... The location is currently used for commercial paintball.”
The council approved the item Monday.
Winters said he was pleased to have the two new businesses on the agenda, taking over vacant buildings.
“It’s good to see both of these items back-to-back,” he said.
The Fair Street property was previously home to a daycare that closed about a year ago, according to the discussion. Hampton would like to serve up to 25 children.
“We desperately need daycare facilities in town,” Winters said.
Peterson said his business, Advanced Plumbing & Contracting, is in the process of renovating an 11,000-square-foot building on Maud, including adding a new roof.
The location would provide for offices and equipment storage, but would not serve as a retail location, he shared.
“I’m glad to see that building redone,” said Mark Massingham, council member at large.
Neal told council members he had worked as a taxi driver in the city for approximately 13 years under other companies.
“I’ve been there with the good companies and the bad companies,” he said. “I’ve seen there’s a need for a more reputable company that will serve their customers and your citizens better.”
Neal said he has a 2012 Kia Sol and a 2016 Nissan Altima to serve as taxis.
“I think it’s good,” said Robert Smith, the Ward 5 council representative. “We do need a good cab company. If you’ll do what you’re saying, I’m okay with that.”
The plumbing, daycare and taxi requests will be the Aug. 7 voting items.
In other business, the council:
• Discussed approval for a fireworks display at Poplar Bluff Motorsports July 28, an event rescheduled from July 1, when the show was rained out.
• Approved a request from the Poplar Bluff Police Department to create a policy allowing the department to hire police officer candidates and sponsor them as they complete law enforcement academy, to help with staffing.
• Moved to the Aug. 7 voting session requests by the PBPD to use funds from the Kay Porter donation account to purchase 60 high-visibility vests at a total cost $3,480, and 50 flashlights at a cost of $7,300. Vests were last replaced in 2010, and flashlights in 2015, according to the discussion.
• Approved acceptance of a grant from the Department of Homeland Security Assistance for the Poplar Bluff Fire Department. As previously reported on by the Daily American Republic, this $25,000 grant will allow the department to purchase three new washer extractors to decontaminate equipment. One each will be placed at the city’s fire houses. The city currently has one, which is 12 years old.
• Moved to the Aug. 7 voting session was a request from Municipal Utilities to approve a qualifying facilities interconnection agreement. The agreement is needed because of a Poplar Bluff factory that plans to install a large solar array, according to the discussion.
• Accepted bids for the Poplar Bluff Street Department to purchase four trucks using American Rescue Plan Act Funds. Costs for the trucks are between $53,000-$55,000 to be purchased from Baldwin Buick GMC, for a total cost of $218,360.