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POPLAR BLUFF - In a letter dated September 19, the City Manager informed council that his estimate to bring the city hall structure into code compliance and building repair is $2M. Kaplan stated in his letter that staff was cataloging all of the code violations the building is currently in violation, "to hold governmental structures to the same standard as other structures when enforcing code compliance." Kaplan wrote, "I am currently preparing a plan to continue government activities by temporarily relocating City Hall, Police Department and Municipal Court to other locations since the costs of renting will be significantly lower than the anticipated costs of repair." The full letter is below:

Poplar Bluff, Mo. - At this Tuesday's council meeting, council will discuss workshop item D regarding rezoning a property at the corner of Northwood Dr. and Westmoor Dr. At the planning and zoning meeting earlier this week, it was clear this is a divisive issue among the neighbors. Jared Beaird purchased the property for his family dentist practice and the neighborhood appears torn as to whether it should happen. Planning and Zoning said no but ultimately it is up to council. Does the city take a more aggressive stance on commercial development or not? That's what really is at question here. Northwood, Sunset, Old Orchard, that's what we think of when the word Poplar Bluff neighborhoods is brought up. But over the

The Poplar Bluff City Council welcomed new City Manager Heath Kaplan at the conclusion of his first day on the job, and also took care of a number of pieces of city business Monday evening. As it happened, his first day on the job was also Kaplan's birthday. After being serenaded with a rendition of “Happy Birthday” by the council members and crowd at the meeting, Kaplan, thanked the citizens of Poplar Bluff for his warm reception. Mayor Angela Pearson greeted Kaplan, and also thanked interim City Manager Mark Massingham for his service to the community. Council Votes NO on Property Tax Increase Kaplan admitted his first day on the job had been very busy. One of his first items

Whelans With Their Attorney Following Closing on Property With City of Poplar Bluff (left to right: Robin Whelan, Attorney Derrick Kirby, Robert Whelan)   Poplar Bluff, Mo. - After two years of practically attempting to steal their land by eminent domain, the City of Poplar Bluff came to the negotiation table last month and hammered out a deal that was finalized today. At a little after 10am, Robert & Robin Whelan and Randy Rahlman and the City of Poplar Bluff, represented by Mayor Angela Pearson, closed on the property at the corner of Oak Grove Road and N Westwood Blvd. The Whelans received $850,000 for the property, attorney's fee's and moving expense. Rahlman, who had a small interest in the property,

According to the City of Poplar Bluff, a public hearing will be held on Monday, April 18 at 6:45pm to discuss: The City Council of the City of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, will conduct a Public Hearing to receive citizens input relative to the property tax rates proposed to be set by the City Council of the City of Poplar Bluff, a political subdivision. The Tax Rate shall be set to produce the revenues, which the budget for the fiscal year beginning January 1, 2015, show to be required from the property tax rate. The Public Hearing specifically states that the need for this tax hike is based on "the budget for the fiscal year beginning Jan 1, 2015." However, SEMO