Poplar Bluff council adopts annexation, humane society agreement and stormwater change orders

Poplar Bluff, Mo. — The Poplar Bluff City Council on Oct. 7 adopted several ordinances: annexation of property at 123 Market Lane (Bill 85‑86), authorization for the mayor to execute an agreement with the Humane Society of the United States (Bill 85‑89), and a change order (Bill 85‑90) relating to the city’s ARPA‑funded stormwater project.

Annexation: The council approved annexing 123 Market Lane in Butler County and assigned it RS‑1 (rural residential) zoning; the ordinance passed unanimously on roll call.

Humane Society agreement and animal welfare changes: City Planner James Sisk described proposed code language and a Humane Society grant/donor offer to eliminate the shelter’s gas chamber and cover associated costs. Sisk said the Humane Society and donor offered a substantial grant—he referenced $15,000—to cover costs for a year and facilitate changing disposal and euthanasia procedures so euthanasia would instead be performed by veterinarians when necessary: “So the accepted way currently … we are considered a no‑kill shelter at this point … the only animals we’ll put down are those that are sick,” Sisk said. Council adopted the enabling ordinance authorizing the mayor to execute the agreement.

Stormwater change order: Bob Summers of Heartland Engineering summarized change order #2 for the ARPA stormwater project. He said roughly $1.2 million of project funds were being defined in greater detail and that approximately $300,000–$400,000 remained as flexible funds to be applied where needed; the council adopted the change order ordinance.

What happens next: Staff will finalize contracting and implementation steps for the stormwater work, proceed with annexation recordation as required, and execute the Humane Society agreement per the adopted ordinance.