[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6025120,"mediaKeyId","5756379-b44d860ccc3788efa8c7fa6e5c96caa5","parentId",5756379,"title","City manager says former Doctors Regional Medical Center site is a safety hazard; staff to use enforcement tools","audioSeconds",64,"startMs",1580000,"endMs",1644000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5756379-b44d860ccc3788efa8c7fa6e5c96caa5&start=1580&end=1644","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5756379-b44d860ccc3788efa8c7fa6e5c96caa5/thumbnail_1580000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6025120/Poplar-Bluff-City/Butler-County/Missouri/City-manager-says-former-Doctors-Regional-Medical-Center-site-is-a-safety-hazard-staff-to-use-enforcement-tools","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6025120-39a4cc8685984d06c3660036eb00a748/orig.mp4?Expires=1771139064&Signature=Ru3Lg5XssB~gDtcs4ZAKBhHcacQGUHlRd0YJA6bX1Ulf0rv~6mICcIOi~rJ1p~GhmMOTnbXiy6yKu3J7ZHjOAzk7mI5zz8yJUiH0aHsNiw4Mxjzf6c5b4cN1hAuRKQ8zpJfp1oA8wjRp6i0X-Fidz4NkCcyFHaMI6RxsSwu2uaZ3-Pv7tNl38e4kv9wZlfFGLY5UKN3xWzSHWk6mjsVcEYPQNLODu~RiiFIrAzXIoIJAQ-31H6ncrzmFa5TGoHAxDJVGifr9RS-MbDM~NE8LQE4rMtRg65rd5py48IqQwieTwpBDfTK6lbgAJ4Jlq0uAmCgKKEXq7aj16cGGIrcU-g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Poplar Bluff MO","date","2025-09-05T00:00:00Z","article","City Manager Nodell reported to the Poplar Bluff City Council that the conditions of the former Doctors Regional Medical Center campus are unacceptable and that city staff regard the site as a safety hazard and \"an eyesore for the city of Poplar Bluff.\" Nodell said the city is \"using each and every tool at our disposal to bring that situation to a conclusion to protect the safety, the health, and the condition of our community,\" and that he will continue to update the council as the process moves forward.

Nodell’s report was part of a broader city manager update that also included reminders about bulky item tag sales, the Parks and Recreation master plan public comment deadline (Friday, Sept. 12) and a Missouri Department of Transportation open house about the Highway 53 improvement project scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 23 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. The manager also noted that the September 15 council meeting is canceled and the next regular meeting will be Oct. 6.

Why it matters: The city manager framed the former hospital property as a public safety and code‑enforcement priority. The council can expect future agenda items or reports as staff pursues code enforcement and remediation options.

Discussion vs. action: At the meeting the city manager provided an update and said staff are pursuing enforcement steps; the transcript does not record a formal council directive or specific enforcement action taken at that meeting.

Next steps: Staff will continue code enforcement work and report back to the council. Nodell also said the city’s code enforcement working group is wrapping up recommendations and that those recommendations will be presented to the council at the Oct. 6 meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Poplar Bluff City Council September 4th 2025","oneSentenceSummary","City Manager Nodell told the council that the former Doctors Regional Medical Center campus is a safety hazard and an eyesore; staff said they are using all available tools to address the property and will update the council as they proceed.","taxTitle","Poplar Bluff City, Butler County, Missouri","taxId",72262,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6025125,"City donates 1980 Seagraves pumper to 3 Rivers College for training; ordinance adopted",1150,208000,1358000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5756379-b44d860ccc3788efa8c7fa6e5c96caa5&start=208&end=1358","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5756379-b44d860ccc3788efa8c7fa6e5c96caa5/thumbnail_208000.jpg","/articles/6025125/Poplar-Bluff-City/Butler-County/Missouri/City-donates-1980-Seagraves-pumper-to-3-Rivers-College-for-training-ordinance-adopted","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6025125-d8197b2d398f8f3e60b7fc77d77b70ef/orig.mp4?Expires=1771139064&Signature=Sq8L3Os5zvlr9MNR6fUDskg~TVt7IflWC5qR6~YvCFa11awo9HBmy6BFysKXtIPYipfFTnCueGxjDqWvMNIwBFWxaF0I5xZvUX~QdeFUv16jMN5udCzoDq8NHinDh6YuQtd8QfuMMmWcoRSLCqpIztlu-pw99AfcqLeC6SUaJxf94cIVPem0l9NErpGCaV2IC4SJkfoCX1Ezl4Zo384LwuLwKEfc1eNTW6-wgGpHrxZv38OQ2FpkCatLbFWtM-ogc1BjjXGRLbN9QfnOPbIdBhqaUEZbgyLnoCDVUNox384KyLOUzB-11eA8FbSOkUe0uTI~dk6k7Sl7RQJBy25ksQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Poplar Bluff City Council unanimously adopted Bill No. 86‑52 to donate and transfer title of a 1980 Seagraves pumper (title number K73981) from the City of Poplar Bluff Fire Department to 3 Rivers College for use in the college’s fire science program.

Fire Chief Mike Moffett told the council the truck \"is an open cab truck, which is no longer NFPA compliant.\" He said a grant had funded a replacement vehicle that is now in service, and a stipulation of that grant is that the old truck may not be used for fire suppression but \"can be used for fire training.\" Moffett added that 17 firefighters in the city’s department completed the college’s program and that donating the truck would support continued training.

Why it matters: Donating the vehicle supplies hands‑on training equipment to the college’s fire science program while removing an out‑of‑service apparatus from the municipal fleet. The council adopted the ordinance on roll call with seven yes votes.

Discussion vs. action: The action was a formal ordinance adoption authorizing the donation and transfer of title. The transcript records staff explanation of the truck’s condition and the grant limitation; no formal dissent or amendment was recorded.

Next steps: With the ordinance adopted, the City will transfer title and the vehicle to 3 Rivers College for training use in accordance with grant restrictions. The transcript does not record a delivery date.","The Poplar Bluff City Council adopted an ordinance transferring a 1980 Seagraves pumper fire truck to 3 Rivers College for use in its fire science program; the fire chief said the truck is not NFPA‑compliant and may be used only for training under grant restrictions.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6025130,"Council approves easement for electric service to new airport hangars",1124,158000,1282000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5756379-b44d860ccc3788efa8c7fa6e5c96caa5&start=158&end=1282","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5756379-b44d860ccc3788efa8c7fa6e5c96caa5/thumbnail_158000.jpg","/articles/6025130/Poplar-Bluff-City/Butler-County/Missouri/Council-approves-easement-for-electric-service-to-new-airport-hangars","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6025130-d34af701a6048c58b374e0ba98179865/orig.mp4?Expires=1771139064&Signature=Re~-DU125i5iPBQIT9RZWVMw4u3VLtcH9fWq9Yo3~M5Z~Dv49~yO~VZjIkiLTJIOkqlRkWD13K8fZgO3YL8~cpVW90O94j57tnLNfmd34uwIWmWz1yZKrsMIMB0HWLXbqzFpheDTToPk71j6Q-nT~y5EbtnyM9WYnRdtHL1ki3--6N-cwTHZ7zxQ83gGA8CJLyw1HH6Q8YYVGg5gHdMcegPa4WTCdCAuqG89-errI3C5aGYsfUpVy6qTrUdoY2Ha9qxck0O6L2Y~0HX06dTOUKxDSbHXAS5ELIvRFg6HGIEaQ3zTTAw80inQ9mKhATtpZ2cd1vMhJw9h0aeBWVz-Rw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Poplar Bluff City Council adopted Bill No. 86‑51 unanimously to grant a right‑of‑way easement to Ozark Border Electric Cooperative to permit electrical extension for construction of two new hangars at the Poplar Bluff Regional Business Airport.

City Manager Nodell told the council that \"state statute requires them to update their easements for those extensions, such as this when digging is required,\" and that airport engineers had indicated excavation would be necessary for the project. The ordinance passed on a second reading and then by roll call with seven yes votes.

Why it matters: The easement authorizes the utility work needed to supply power to new private hangars at the regional business airport. Extending utilities and approving easements are routine prerequisites to airport development and tenant improvements.

Discussion vs. action: The item proceeded from first reading to second reading and adoption during the meeting; no detailed debate or amendments were recorded in the transcript. The council’s approval clears an administrative step required for the hangar construction moving forward.

Next steps: With the easement adopted, Ozark Border Electric Cooperative may proceed with the utility extension subject to the cooperative’s requirements and any applicable permits. The transcript does not record construction timelines or funding for the hangars.","The Poplar Bluff City Council adopted Bill No. 86‑51 granting a right‑of‑way easement to Ozark Border Electric Cooperative to extend electrical service for new hangar construction at the Poplar Bluff Regional Business Airport.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6025135,"Council tables downtown Poplar Bluff CID after public comment on oversight and tax use",452,304000,756000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5756379-b44d860ccc3788efa8c7fa6e5c96caa5&start=304&end=756","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5756379-b44d860ccc3788efa8c7fa6e5c96caa5/thumbnail_304000.jpg","/articles/6025135/Poplar-Bluff-City/Butler-County/Missouri/Council-tables-downtown-Poplar-Bluff-CID-after-public-comment-on-oversight-and-tax-use","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6025135-324084433c99e258efc0141ae6398c6f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771139064&Signature=al0Mcv425lt47bPL0DNJxcUmilphwbNX1-Wr2ED9iHwpmpq4MTkxILivXXpVQiJ-UccAayGzSMrfWk9M95n7HVvEw3jwFL5jJE-yrDFeNtT0rPgMGYxO8AI-mw4D6sNr8K4-IVVHup1-KZLRbyMLH3dpVUdUq-MNqlTx0sDZHZHz0gnOTWrOWkbfbmC9RIEGR~4NI5levkhmzA65-jHI~gNRgQ-0swG39-6RKoBbRbjzNNaD7YT5Ge1AKM9-9erFflqnvOr~85y6EtjmanEtjK6PHWLMFSZc87HtfDmy378JdWIIpy-i86ZOsJwollx9zAydTLUXDvuRI5feXOp4aA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Poplar Bluff City Council voted 4-3 to table consideration of Bill No. 86‑50, an ordinance to establish a downtown Community Improvement District, designate the area as blighted, appoint an initial board of directors and authorize related actions. The motion to table was amended during discussion to \"table until a date certain\" and then approved by roll call.

The measure drew extended public comment from downtown stakeholders and residents who said the draft petition lacked sufficient controls on spending, transparency and limits on the district’s term and debt. A resident with long experience in local historic preservation said the petition as written \"will become controversial, ineffective, or abused because sufficient controls are not in place to ensure that the sales and use tax paid by customers in the downtown district are spent officially with adequate internal controls over management and financial functions.\" The commenter added that the petition lacked a detailed five‑year development plan, clear project cost estimates and realistic revenue projections.

Supporters also spoke during public comment. Another resident described past local development work and said legislative tools such as CIDs and Transportation Development Districts had enabled projects in the past. That commenter said 75% of downtown property owners had signed the petition and urged the council to back downtown property owners and the downtown board.

Why it matters: A CID would authorize an additional local sales/use tax in the designated area and allow tax revenues to be used for specified public improvements; if the area is designated as blighted, those revenues could also be applied to work on privately owned buildings within the district. Residents questioned whether public tax dollars should fund private property repairs and flagged the proposal’s proposed 27‑year term and lack of explicit debt limits.

Discussion vs. action: Council discussion included concerns about the CID’s governance (suggestions for a larger board with private and unaffiliated members), demands for an open public bidding requirement for contracts, and requests that all petition signers be provided printed copies of the full CID text. One commenter argued that public funds should be used only for public facilities or improvements and that private property owners should bear responsibility for deferred maintenance. The council amended the motion to state the item would be tabled to a date certain; a roll call produced four yes votes and three no votes, so the item was tabled to a later date for further work and public input.

Details and next steps: Speakers asked the council to require a transparent budget for administrative and professional costs (commenters said only $35,000 was projected initially and that overhead could consume funds), to set clear limits on debt the CID may incur, and to coordinate CID work with existing local bodies including the planning department, downtown director, building standards board and historic preservation board. Council members who supported tabling said postponing would allow more community feedback and improvements to the petition; others urged a vote that night. The council did not set a new date at the meeting.

The transcript does not indicate the ordinance was put to a final adoption vote; rather, it was tabled for further refinement and public review.","Poplar Bluff City Council voted 4-3 to table an ordinance that would create a Downtown Community Improvement District (CID), after residents raised concerns about oversight, length of the district, and the use of public tax dollars for private property improvements.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

City manager says former Doctors Regional Medical Center site is a safety hazard; staff to use enforcement tools

City donates 1980 Seagraves pumper to 3 Rivers College for training; ordinance adopted

Council approves easement for electric service to new airport hangars

Council tables downtown Poplar Bluff CID after public comment on oversight and tax use