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Council rejects Chamber's offer to buy tables in exchange for Coliseum fee waivers; 4–3 vote defeats ordinance
Summary
Council debated a memorandum of agreement under which the Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber would buy up to $20,000 in tables in exchange for waiving Coliseum rental fees; members raised budgeting and procurement questions and the ordinance (bill 8707) failed 4–3 on roll call.
Council debated an ordinance (bill 8707) that would allow the Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce to donate tables worth up to $20,000 to the Black River Coliseum in exchange for abatement of certain rental fees over a six-year period. A council member summarized the tradeoffs: over six years the waived rental fees could total roughly $26,880 for comparable events, meaning the $20,000 in tables amortized over six years would yield a net cost to the city of about $6,880, or roughly $1,146 per year, depending on event frequency and pricing.
Coliseum staff said the $20,000 package would buy about 62–64 new tables and associated carts; the Coliseum currently uses about 70 tables but only 28–30 are in good condition. Council members suggested alternatives such as buying tables directly with tourism-tax or capital funds or phasing purchases to reduce budget impact. After discussion the council held a roll-call vote: the clerk recorded four 'No' votes and three 'Yes' votes and the mayor announced the bill failed.
Council did not adopt additional direction to staff at the meeting; several members asked staff to provide budget impact options if the city were to purchase tables directly.
