Key Decisions
- The City Council approved an ordinance increasing fees for the city's bulky item pickup program (passed unanimously on adoption).
- Council accepted bids to sell two city-owned vacant properties: 405 Alice Street (not 504 as misstated in one reading) to Priscilla Weller and 1507 Thomas Street to Nicholas Saddle (passed unanimously).
- Council authorized a supplemental agreement with SH Smith and Company for engineering services related to a pedestrian crosswalk project on East Pine Street (TAP 5100 014). Councilman Boyer confirmed the work will be done on shoulders and will not impact new pavement from the current Westwood and Pine paving project (passed unanimously).
- Council vacated a 275-foot portion of Cross Street between Arthur and Nickey streets to allow Poplar Bluff R-1 School District to expand Eugene Field Elementary. The school district will pay all costs to relocate power lines and slip-line the existing sewer line, which will remain in place under a city easement. The street will remain open until construction begins, which may be three to five years away. Planning and Zoning recommended approval with conditions: no permanent structures over the easement without written city and Municipal Utilities approval, the district pays all relocation costs, and the vacation is not finalized until all agreements are executed. Fire Chief opposed the closure, citing concerns about increased emergency response times to the south end neighborhood, though alternate routes exist via Marshall Street and Fair Street.
- Council granted verbal approval for the 7th annual Juneteenth celebration to discharge consumer-grade fireworks at Bacon Park on Saturday, June 20, 2026. The Fire Department will have a truck on standby.
- Council moved forward with an ordinance to issue taxable industrial revenue bonds for Legacy Fasteners LLC. The bonds will provide 75% real property tax abatement for 20 years on a $2.1 million building purchase in the industrial park. The company committed to maintaining 57 existing jobs and creating 20 additional jobs, all paying above the average county wage. No abatement will apply to personal property taxes. The city will hold title to the property during the abatement period, then transfer it back to the company. The ordinance moves to a vote on June 1, 2026.
- Council approved the Municipal Utilities Advisory Board's request to repeal Ordinance 24-07, which had granted a waiver to Empire Comfort Systems for solar panel installation requirements. The waiver is no longer needed because federal funding for the solar panels fell through. The item moves to a June 1, 2026 vote.
Community Voices
Rhonda Hillis of Grow Our Downtown updated the council on the farmers market, which opens Saturday, May 23rd with approximately 30 vendors enrolled. The Frisco Train Museum is providing water access and collaborating on restroom placement. A port-a-potty has been ordered for approximately $740 for the season, marking the first bathroom facilities since 2022. Grow Our Downtown voted to purchase 10 trash cans for downtown at a cost of about $9,500. Hillis announced a public meeting for Grow Our Downtown on May 19th at 6 p.m. in the Drugstore Room at the Rodgers Theater.
Jeff Leible, president and CEO of Legacy Fasteners, told council his family has invested heavily in Poplar Bluff over 15-20 years, including signing commitments for the Industrial Park Bypass and managing the rail spur project. He explained that Legacy Fasteners needed to expand beyond their county location and purchased the former Starting USA factory building. The company's first-year payroll in 2017 was $1.7 million; this year it will reach nearly $5 million. CFO Chris Pratt added that payroll has grown by as much as $1 million in a single year, and the company wants to keep jobs and wages in the local economy. Leible asked the council to consider extending the Industrial Park Bypass in the other direction.
Dr. Aaron Cornman, superintendent of Poplar Bluff R-1 Schools, explained that Lake Road Elementary is nearing end of life and is ineligible for FEMA storm shelter grants because it sits in a floodplain. The district is evaluating combining Lake Road and Eugene Field students at the Eugene Field site, which would require additional classrooms. Closing Cross Street would allow the district to build across the street while keeping the Eugene Field footprint in that part of town. Eugene Field has been approved for a FEMA storm shelter, which may also include additional classrooms. Cornman noted that parents currently park on surrounding streets during pickup, blocking driveways and causing police calls from unhappy residents. A parking lot on the vacated street property would address this issue.
Watch This
- Councilman Boyer is proposing an ordinance to regulate aggressive solicitation and solicitation in traffic lanes within city limits, modeled on ordinances in St. Louis, Kansas City, and Springfield. The ordinance would prohibit soliciting in traveled roadways and on medians not designed for pedestrian use, as well as aggressive solicitation near ATMs, restaurant queues, and outdoor dining areas. Charitable and civic organizations such as the fire department and Girl Scouts would still be allowed to solicit under certain conditions, including safety vest requirements and restrictions during high-traffic times. City Counselor suggested a public workshop to review the specific language before any action. No date has been set.
- Council directed the acting city manager to ask the Chamber of Commerce to use a portion of the $61,000 in tourism tax funds already allocated to them to purchase 10 additional trash cans for downtown. The Street Department requested 18 replacement trash cans (the current ones date to the 1970s) plus two reserves. Grow Our Downtown committed to purchasing 10 cans at approximately $9,500, leaving 10 still needed. The tourism budget includes $15,000 for the Rib City Shootout, $2,000 for the Ozark Mountain Challenge, $11,000 for Chamber administrative expenses, $15,000 for area beautification, and other marketing items.
- The ordinance to issue industrial revenue bonds for Legacy Fasteners and the ordinance repealing the Empire Comfort Systems solar waiver will be voted on June 1, 2026.
Other Business
Dr. Kirk opened the meeting with a prayer thanking council members for attending the National Day of Prayer and asking for guidance in their decision-making.
Councilman DePew asked about the city clerk's expense and revenue report, noting confusion over a line showing 70% for taxes when only 33% of the fiscal year has passed. The acting city manager said he would check with the accounting manager to clarify whether the figure represents revenue received or budget spent.
During discussion of the Cross Street vacation, City Planner James Sisk clarified that Missouri State Highway Patrol Captain at Troop E confirmed Poplar Bluff Police have full jurisdiction to enforce city ordinances on MoDOT right-of-ways such as Westwood and Pine Street, contrary to earlier statements that the department lacked authority in those areas.
The council will meet in closed session to discuss matters exempted under Missouri's Open Meetings Law.
Recaps are based on the official meeting recording and may contain errors or omissions. Always refer to the full recording for authoritative information.