Smith selected as new Poplar Bluff mayor

It was a night of firsts for Poplar Bluff on Monday, as the first African American mayor was named and the first union contract was granted to members of the city’s police department.

Smith

Ward 5 representative Robert Smith was unanimously selected by council members as mayor for the next year. Poplar Bluff’s mayor is elected from the council, by a vote of its members.

“It’s a milestone for me,” said Smith, after the meeting. “I think it’s a milestone for Poplar Bluff. I think we’re a very diverse community (and) it’s history. It’s the first time. It’s wonderful to have an African American mayor.”

Smith has served 14 years on the council, as of Monday’s meeting. It is his fifth term serving Ward 5 residents.

Ward 1 representative Lisa Armes Parson, right, is sworn in for her first term, and Ward 3 representative Barbara Horton, left, is sworn in for her second term Monday night.DAR/Donna Farley

As mayor, he will represent the city at official events and proclamations, as well as making appointments to certain city boards and other duties.

“I will try and do my best to do a good job,” said Smith, adding, “I can see things that I’m doing to help Poplar Bluff. I’ve lived here a long time and just like to see Poplar Bluff progress.

“I just like working with the community.”

The council also selected council at-large member Steve Davis to continue as mayor pro tem.

The votes were taken after new Ward 1 representative Lisa Armes Parson was sworn in for her first term, and Ward 3 representative Barbara Horton was sworn in for her second term. Parson won a race April 2 against Alonzo “Kit” Skaggs, while Horton was unopposed.

Outgoing Ward 1 representative Susan McVey thanked residents for allowing her to serve the city.

“It’s been such a pleasure and an honor to serve the city since 2004,” she said during the meeting. “I love our city and hope they can continue to do good work.”

__UNION CONTRACT__

A contract with a union representing police dispatchers was approved 6-1, with council member Ed DeGaris voting ‘no.’

It is the first contract with a Poplar Bluff Police Department union, with members of law enforcement only recently gaining the ability to join unions under Missouri law. A second union, which includes officers, is in negotiations now.

DeGaris said there was an item in the current contract that he did not like, but he declined to specify what it was. He also said he has seen other city department unions help make positive changes for staff members.

Smith said he supported the union contract because he hopes it will help the city make progress. While the city cannot give employees everything they ask for, they can give them some items, he said.

The contract is with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 702. Dispatchers voted in 2018 to join IBEW.

The dispatchers’ contract says the workers would continue at their current rate of pay until the end of 2019.

The city has agreed to meet with union representatives in the final two months of the year to discuss a pay increase, which would become effective Jan. 1, 2020.

Shift differential pay will cost the city about $2,600 a year, Massingham has said. It would be 50 cents or 75 cents per hour for those who qualify, with additional overtime rates of between 75 cents and $1.50 per hour.

Hourly rates for dispatchers currently range from $15.37 to $20.06, according to city documents.

Under the agreement, the city also says it will make a good-faith effort to keep at least eight full-time communications officers on staff, including the chief and assistant chief communications officers.

Vacation time would be 40 hours after one year of service and up to 120 hours after five years.

The contract sets paid leave for six holidays and 12 hours of sick leave per calendar month. Sick leave can be accumulated to a total of 1,040 hours.

The city started negotiations March 13 with a police officers’ union.