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Council weighs allocating remaining ARPA funds to demolish derelict homes while street crews seek time to assess burned truck
Summary
Councilman David Boyer urged the use of $146,953 in remaining ARPA funds to demolish derelict properties; Street Department staff reported a 2011 snow truck recently caught fire and asked the council to delay allocation until repair estimates are available.
The Poplar Bluff City Council on Sept. 3 debated a proposal to allocate the city's remaining American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) balance to contract demolition of derelict properties and heard from Street Department staff about a damaged snow/ice truck that may affect winter operations.
Councilman David Boyer asked the council to use the remaining ARPA balance of $146,953 to demolish abandoned, burnt or derelict houses that he said are public nuisances and depress neighborhood property values. "I recommend the remaining ARP funds be allocated to a contract to demolish as many additional derelict houses as can be completed with these funds," Boyer said, noting the city's demolition list exceeds 80 properties.
Street Department staff reported that a 2011 Freightliner 10-wheel truck used for snow and ice pretreating had caught fire for a second time and was not operable. The staff member relayed an adjuster's early estimate of about $11,000 for repairs but said a replacement unit could cost between $170,000 and $200,000 and would not be available in time for winter if ordered now. The staff member asked the council to consider tabling the ARPA allocation until the truck center can examine the vehicle and determine whether it can be repaired.
Councilors expressed concern about both neighborhood blight and maintaining critical snow-removal capacity. The council moved the ARPA amendment to the voting session; members also asked staff to return with repair estimates and additional information.
Why it matters: Demolition of derelict houses addresses public-safety and neighborhood-decay concerns; using one-time ARPA funds would require balancing that local priority against urgent fleet needs needed for winter operations.
What comes next: Staff will seek a repair estimate for the damaged truck and the council will consider the ARPA amendment at the voting session; if adopted, the city will contract for demolition work to be completed within ARPA program deadlines.
