Council adopts ordinances to pursue CDBG-funded Alice Street backup well

The Poplar Bluff City Council on Dec. 2 adopted ordinances advancing a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) mitigation project to install a new backup well on Alice Street, selecting a grant administrator and an engineering firm and authorizing the mayor to sign related agreements.

Interim City Manager Lori Phelps told the council the item would authorize the mayor to submit an application to the CDBG mitigation program for the Alice Street well. “This item is just a resolution authorizing the mayor to submit the application to the Community Development Block Grant program,” Phelps said. Council members moved the item from workshop to the Dec. 16 voting session for final application steps before the ordinances were read and adopted the same night.

Council then considered Ordinance (Bill) No. 85-97 to appoint Ozark Foothills Regional Planning Commission as the grant administrator for the Alice Street project. After two readings, the ordinance was adopted by roll call vote, 6–0.

The council also advanced and adopted Ordinance (Bill) No. 85-98 to select S.H. Smith and Company for engineering and inspection services for the same CDBG project; that ordinance passed by the same unanimous roll call tally.

Taken together, the ordinances clear two administrative steps necessary to pursue the CDBG mitigation grant and prepare the project for design and contract procurement if the grant is awarded. Phelps said the application and associated consultant agreements are routine steps in grant pursuit and that additional project numbers and amortization details will be finalized before the Dec. 16 voting session.

Next steps: the city will complete the formal CDBG application and return related contract language for final review and signature pending council authorization.