$33 MILLION BUDGETS ON COUNCIL'S AGENDA

Cape Girardeau won't spend much more next year than it did in the past, but city employees and residents might notice some slight differences.

Tonight the Cape Girardeau City Council will consider the final readings of an ordinance that gives approval to the 2000-2001 operating budget.

The council must adopt budget before July 1, according to city charter regulations.

Spending rose by just 1.21 percent from last year for a proposed budget of $32,849,817.

In a special session Friday, the council gave first-round approval to a proposal that will give city employees a greater retirement benefit. The proposal must now be forwarded to the state retirement system.

The council had to meet in special session for the first reading of the ordinance so it can promptly be sent to state officials for approval. The plan will take effect Aug. 1.

Without the special session, it would have been another month before the retirement program would have been processed and approved by the state.

"This gives us a good head start on getting the program started," said City Manager Michael Miller.

The proposal will upgrade city employee retirement benefits in accordance with the Missouri Local Government Employees' Retirement System. The cost of the upgrade is about $300,000 overall.

The upgrade is a one-time cost, as opposed to an annual 3 percent cost-of-living increase. City employees indicated their preference for the retirement benefit package over the increase.

The decision had to be "either or, not both," Miller said.

City employees will still receive the step increases as outlined in the personnel plan, he said.

Personnel funding is the largest portion of the city's budget 33 percent. The city tries to stay competitive when offering salary packages, the city manager said.

Many city staff members are longtime employees who are near the top of their pay scales. The upgrade "gives them better benefits at the end of their careers here," said Miller.

Also included in the city's budget proposal is an increase in charges for residential solid waste and water fees.

Solid waste fees would increase by 1.5 percent and water rates would rise by 2 percent. Customers could expect the monthly solid waste charge to rise by about 20 cents from $13.30 to $13.50. Water fees would rise from an average monthly bill of $15.90 to $16.22.

The rates increase would take effect Sept. 1, according to an ordinance proposed June 5. Final approval is expected today.

The rate increases would generate additional revenue for the city and help to offset operating costs, said John Richbourg, finance director.

Solid waste rates, including the proposed increase, will have risen by 2.17 percent over the past five years.

Water fees will have risen by 1.89 percent since 1992, when the city purchased the water system. Rates were expected to rise by 3 percent annually to pay for the operating and debt service needs, Richbourg said.

Cape Girardeau City Council Agenda

Monday, June 19, 2000, at 7:30 p.m.

City Hall, 401 Independence

Study session at 5 p.m.

Public hearing

• Public hearing regarding the request of Bo and Diane Shantz for a special-use permit for an insurance office on the northeast corner of Perryville Road and Lexington Avenue in an R-1, single-family residential district.

Consent ordinances (Second and third readings)

• Ordinance levying a special assessment for making certain sewer improvements in Twin Lakes Subdivision, lateral sewer district No. 16-C, and authorizing issuance of special tax bills therefor.
• Ordinance amending Chapter 30 of the Code of Ordinances by changing the zoning of 1719 N. Kingshighway from R-1 to C-2.
• Ordinance amending Chapter 30 of the Code of Ordinances by changing the zoning of the northeast corner of North Sprigg Street and Mason Street from R-4 to C-1.
• Ordinance amending Chapter 7 of the City Code relating to trespass upon premises of buildings posted as dangerous.
• Ordinance amending Chapter 22 of the City Code relating to solid waste fees.
• Ordinance amending Section 29-302 of the City Code relating to water rates.
• Ordinance adopting the annual operating budget for fiscal year beginning July 1.
• Ordinance accepting a quit-claim deed from Southeast Missouri University Foundation for right of way for the extension of Progress Street.
• Ordinance accepting a sewer easement from P & J Marketing LLC for Rhodes 101 Convenience Stores sanitary sewer relocation in Sewer District No. 7A.
• Ordinance accepting a permanent water line easement from Carpenter Development Co. LLC, for a 12-inch water line to serve western portion of the city.
• Ordinance approving the record plat of Giboney Woods Third Subdivision.
• Ordinance amending Schedule J of Section 26-135 of City Code establishing a one-way alley, westbound, between first blocks of North Spanish and North Lorimier streets.
• Ordinance declaring it necessary to improve Timon Way from Big Bend Road to Dumais Drive; DePaul Lane from Country Club Drive to driveway; Donna Lane from Timon Way to dead end; North Lorimier Street from Mill Street to Pearl Street; Pearl Street from North Lorimier Street to Fountain Street; Hunters Lane from Boulder Crest Drive to dead end; Collins Street from Mount Auburn Road to Hunze Drive; Hunze Drive from Hopper Road to Collins Street; and Hill Street (Riverview Drive) from Rand Street to Johnson Street, known as 2000-1 4-inch asphaltic pavement program of the Transportation Trust Fund.
• Ordinance amending Schedule A of Section 26-228 of City code repealing and establishing speed limits on Broadway.
• Ordinance authorizing the city manager to execute a contract with Kelley Transportation Co. Inc. for a subsidized transportation coupon service.
• Ordinance authorizing the mayor to execute an agreement on behalf of the city with Missouri Department of Transportation for a grant to fund a general transportation project.

New ordinances (First reading)

• Ordinance granting a special-use permit to Bo and Diane Shantz for an insurance office at 2010 Perryville Road.
• Ordinance approving the record plat of Cabin Fever Subdivision.
• Ordinance levying a special assessment for the construction of a water main system to serve Twin Lakes Subdivision, and authorizing the issuance of special tax bills therefor.
• Ordinance accepting a drainage easement for a stormwater detention basin from Gail J. Ochs for Wyandotte Acres Subdivision.
• Ordinance amending Schedule F of Section 26-247 of the City Code establishing no parking on Hopper Road.

Resolutions (Reading and passage)

• Resolution adopting a proposed five-year Transportation Trust Fund program 2001-2005.
• Resolution authorizing the city manager to execute a housing agreement with the Humane Society of Southeast Missouri.
• Resolution authorizing the city manager to execute a project agreement with Kiehl Hendrickson Group for a leakage assessment at the Cape Girardeau Regional Airport.

Appointments

• Appointment to the Public Library Board.
• Appointment to the Golf Course Advisory Board.

Liquor licenses

• Conditional approval of a change in managing officer and renewal of an original package 5 percent beer-by-the-drink license for Joseph E. Armour dba Super D, 2281 Broadway, Joseph E. Armour, managing officer.
• Conditional approval of an original package liquor license for SEMO Gas Inc., dba Downtown Broadway Station, 600 Broadway, Toni Asif Majeed, managing officer.
• Approval of a retail liquor by the drink license for Daniel J. Seiler, Dazzle Inc., dba Auntie Alberts, 731 Broadway, Daniel J. Seiler, managing officer.

Other

• Motion accepting the recommendation of the Planning and Zoning Commission to deny the request of Emad and Marie Salamy for a special-use permit for storage units for a 15-year period at 336 N. Sprigg St., in an R-4, multiple-family residential district; or in the alternative, a motion setting a public hearing on the request.
• Motion approving the improvement plans for Wyandotte Acres Subdivision Phase II, contingent upon receipt of the corrected improvement plans.