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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:

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,

Photo: Property 1 sold for $828,000; property 2 sold for $789,000; property 3 sold for $1,000,000; property 4 purchase price has not been released   A tentative agreement has finally been reached between the City of Poplar Bluff, and Robert and Robin Whelan of Whelan Wealth Management, 2895 N. Westwood Blvd. “We have finally come to a tentative verbal agreement,” said Whelan. Though he did not want to comment on the exact figure agreed upon, he noted he was pleased, and particularly pleased with the speed in which the new Poplar Bluff City Council and city staff ironed out the agreement. “This had been going on for two years,” said Whelan. “There was never any reason for it to have gone on

Poplar Bluff, Mo. - The Poplar Bluff City Council voted 5-2 to approve a one-year contract for City Manager with Heath Kaplan this evening. On Wednesday of last week, at a special session of the city council, members approved 7-0 to hire Mr. Kaplan.  On Friday, the city issued a press release introducing their new city manager. Tonight's vote was whether to issue Kaplan a one-year contract laying out the duties, salary, termination procedures, benefits and allowances. Council members Betty Absheer and Ed Degaris voted no. Mayor Pearson, Mayor Pro Tem Rushin, along with councilmen Brannum, Tinsley and Johson voted yes for the contract. At the beginning of the meeting during the citizen input portion, former city councilwoman McVey challenged the council for