City council moves PBPD funding forward, discusses Briggs, masks

Poplar Bluff City Council members took action Monday on funding for a new police department, discussed positive signs regarding the status of Briggs & Stratton’s local factory and instituted a new mask policy for anyone attending council meetings.

__Police department__

The council voted 4-3 to allow Stifel Financial to proceed with steps to finance the planned $11.6 million police department to be constructed on Shelby Road.

Voting in favor of the measure were mayor pro tem Steve Davis and council members Shane Cornman, Barbara Horton and Lisa Parson.

Mayor Robert Smith and council members Chris Taylor and Ed DeGaris voted against the measure. In September, Smith, Taylor and DeGaris supported a measure to move the question of location to a vote of the public in April. The measure failed to gain majority support.

Monday night’s vote provides Stifel and city manager Matt Winters permission to move forward with financing through certificates of participation once bids are received for the new building. The project is expected to go out for bid before the end of the year.

__Briggs__

KPS Capital Partners, new owners of Briggs & Stratton, wish to take over certain agreements between the city and the company.

The fact that KPS is undertaking the legal expense to do this is a positive sign, said Winters. There is no cost to the city.

“I am very optimistic that their operations will at least remain what they have been, based on the fact that they are going through this process,” said Winters, who has not had contact directly with the new owners.

Bond counsel is handling the transfer of the agreement, he said.

The city previously agreed to give Briggs a $42.9 million tax abatement on real and personal property over the period of 30 years.

It was part of a deal negotiated by city leaders in 2019 to help keep the small engine manufacturer open.

There is no money paid by the city or liability assumed by the city with these Chapter 100 bonds, said Winters.

The agreement allows a 90% abatement on real and personal property included under the agreement, and improvements planned by Briggs.

The company had previously said it would expand Poplar Bluff operations following the closure of a Kentucky plant, including adding 245 new permanent jobs and retaining 519 existing full-time jobs.

The company has recently gone through bankruptcy proceedings and was acquired by KPS.

KPS officials have said they remain committed to all parts of the business and have no divestitures planned.

The status of the planned expansion is not known.

__Masks__

City officials announced late Monday afternoon that, “for the safety of our city council members and the citizens of Poplar Bluff, masks are required when entering the city council chambers. If you do not have a mask, one will be provided.”

A request was made to the city clerk by a council member that the policy be put in place, said Winters.

“After discussing with the city attorney, we decided that in the interest of public health, the safety of our council members, city staff and the public in attendance to require masks in the chambers,” he said. “We have been practicing social distancing during meetings and will continue that practice as well. Both policies will remain in effect until further notice.”

City facilities are addressing the risk in a variety of ways, Winters said. This includes the closure of the lobby at Municipal Utilities to the public and a requirement that city hall staff wear masks when not in their offices.

During the meeting, all city council members and staff except Cornman wore masks.

Cornman said after the meeting that not wearing a mask was “medical advice that I received.” Because it was a medical situation, he did not wish to comment further on the matter.

__In other business, the council:__

• Approved a bid for the sale of city property at the corner of Baugh Lane and Barron Road, the previous location of a water tower. Council members accepted the sole bid for the property, of $16,000 from Robert Longhibler of Poplar Bluff.

• Approved the annexation into city limits of 145 Midnight Lane, owned by Rick and Mary Katherine Brittingham.

• Moved discussion of city livestream of city council meetings to the Oct. 19 workshop agenda. Winters said he is working on a more formal policy, but recommends the city livestream its own meetings through its existing YouTube channel.