Federal funds could be used to demolish derelict houses or repair street department equipment

The Poplar Bluff City Council debated how to utilize $146,953 of American Rescue Plan Act funds that expire by the end of the year. Council member David Boyer and Mayor Pro-Tempore Lisa Armes Parson proposed using the money to demolish derelict houses in city limits.

Boyer noted the city has 80 houses on the demolition list. The matter was part the council’s Tuesday agenda.

He added the list should be longer and the neglected homes hurt property values around them.

“That’s not fair to these neighbors, these neighborhoods, and the city,” Boyer asserted.

Armes Parson said tearing down the neglected properties offers substantial benefits.

“In my ward alone, I’ve already seen the improvement that has done,” she remarked. “I think it’ll be a great way to spend this money.”

The funds represent the last 4% of an approximately $3.5 million in federal funds. The demolitions are normally handled by the street department with $30,000 per year being the regular budget.

However, street department Superintendent Jerry Lawson argued the council should hold off on approving the measure and look into using some of the ARPA funds to repair a 2011 Freightliner truck that caught fire several weeks ago.

Lawson said the insurance adjuster estimated the repair cost to be in excess of $11,000. He noted the true cost may be greater once the truck is towed to the shop and investigated.

“This is a key snow and ice pre-treat vehicle in our fleet,” he warned.

The cost of a new truck ranges from $170,000 to $200,000, according to Lawson. Given the extent of the fire, he said the truck may not be repairable.

“If not, we will be missing a key component in snow removal,” Lawson told the council.

Council member Mark Massingham asked if the department would have an answer by the Oct. 7 voting session. Lawson said he felt confident he would.

The council voted to move the matter to the Oct. 7 session so more information could be gathered.

In other business, members discussed submitting an application for a Community Development Block Grant for the repair of various city streets. The streets include Ninth, Park, Fifth, Relief, Main, North C, Sunstet, Cravens and the Woodstone subdivision.

The in-kind contribution is estimated at $125,000, according to City Manager Matt Winters. The council voted to approve the application.

The council also workshopped two cost-share agreements with the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission for phases 1A, 1B, and 2 of the Highway 67/Interstate 57 expansion project. Winters said, originally, the city would be responsible for $8.7 million and $9.5 million for phases 1 and 2 respectively.

With the cost share agreement, the responsibility would be reduced to $7,845,622 and $6,868,213.

“That’s projected. The exact amounts will be determined when the bids are opened,” Winters added.

Massingham clarified the remaining cost would be taken care of through a loan and the existing half-cent Highway 67 sales tax. Members approved the agreement.

The council also discussed submitting an application for a Community Development Block Grant for renovations to the Margaret Hartwell Art Museum. The grant would total $500,000, with a $69,000 match from the city.

Members voted to approve the application.

The council workshopped City Planner James Sisk’s recommendation for the zoning designation for the property to be annexed at 123 Market Lane as RS-1 residential. Members voted to move the matter to the Oct. 7 voting session.

The council voted to approve the following measures:

• Amending definitions in the city code for electricians

• Amending the city budget to accommodate new revenue from the National Opioid Settlements.

• Authorizing a contract with Smith and Company Engineers for the Pine Street Crossing project.

• Sisk’s recommendation to approve the conditional use permit for a wholesale business in a C-2 commercial zoned property at 209 North 8th Street.

• Sisk’s recommendation to vacate a 16 by 150-foot alleyway between Alice and North Fifth Street for the new Recycling Grace women’s center.

• Appointing Corretta Bishop to the Arts and Museum Advisory Board.

• Appointing Sondra Persons, Shirley Allison and Janice Allison as directors of the Green Forrest Community Improvement District.