AFTER TWO TRIES RIVERBOAT GAMING PASSES; PROPOSALS NOW ARE SOUGHT

One of the first actions taken by the Cape Girardeau City Council in 1993 was to place the issue of riverboat gambling on a June 8 ballot.

Now, 12 months and two votes later, the city is soliciting proposals from riverboat operators with hopes of recommending a gaming operation to the state March 7.

In 1993, the council also faced contentious matters related to a proposed property maintenance code, public housing and solid waste. Also this year, voters approved a ballot measure changing the way council members are elected.

Below is a month-by-month account of some of the primary issues the council dealt with during the year.

JANUARY

The council on Jan. 4 approves a motion setting a June 8 election on the issue of riverboat gambling in the city despite objections of residents and personal opposition of most council members.

The city's 22-member Zone Election Committee meets for the first time Jan. 7 to begin sorting out conundrum posed by a city ward representation measure voters approved in November 1992.

The Missouri Campaign Review Board concurs with a complaint filed by a former city councilman against the committee that promoted a ballot initiative on city ward elections. The complaint cites 11 violations of state campaign disclosure laws by the "Elect a Neighbor Committee" that promoted the issue.

FEBRUARY

The city council takes its first look at a proposed $27 million capital improvements plan.

City crews are called out Feb. 16 to make streets passable in the wake of an 11-inch snowfall in the area. It's the third time this winter the city responded to nature's torment -- all on holidays -- resulting in thousands of dollars of overtime pay for street crews.

A long-standing dispute between various Drury companies over the city's motel and restaurant tax is settled Feb. 17. The companies agree to drop their lawsuit following city council approval of a $4 million project that will expand parks and recreation facilities in Shawnee and Osage parks.

MARCH

A city council subcommittee approves new procedural guidelines for council meetings to prompt more orderly and efficient meetings.

The 13-member Charter Review Committee, formed to analyze the city charter for possible changes, holds its first meeting March 29.

APRIL

The city administration suggests council consider putting before city voters a transportation and capital improvements tax measure to fund infrastructure development.

MAY

Spurred by the local chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, the council agrees to appoint a citizen task force to examine the issue of public housing in the city and whether to appoint a public housing commission.

On May 17, the council gives first-round approval to a law that sets an August date for voters to consider a "cleaned up" version of city charter amendments to implement ward representation.

JUNE

Only hours after Sunday liquor sales are approved statewide, City Councilman Al Spradling III asks for passage of a similar local law, but action on the measure is delayed until June 21. Ultimately, the law passed.

Complaints regarding Cape Girardeau's inspection services department resurface, prompting a council review of the department's policies.

On June 21, proponents of riverboat gambling -- reacting to the defeat in the city of the ballot issue earlier in the month -- present petitions with signatures of 3,720 citizens requesting the measure be placed on the November ballot.

City sales tax receipts for the 1993 fiscal year, which ends June 30, exceed budget projections, enabling the city to compensate for sagging city revenue in 1991-92.

JULY

City Council approves ordinance placing the riverboat gambling question on the Nov. 2 city ballot.

Council also approves placing an annexation issue, which would add Twin Lakes subdivision to the city limits, on the Aug. 3 city ballot.

AUGUST

The city takes advantage of historic low-interest rates and refinances taxpayer bond obligations, saving more than $700,000.

In a meager turnout, voters overwhelmingly endorse ward representation and Twin Lakes annexation issues.

The council Aug. 25 agrees to place on the April 5, 1993, city ballot two measures that would fund nearly $19 million in sewer improvements by extending an existing quarter-cent capital improvements tax through 2020.

SEPTEMBER

Representatives of the Cape Girardeau Regional Fraternal Order of Police, citing an increasing crime rate with no corresponding rise in the number of police officers, ask that the council boost the local police force by seven officers.

City receives a state grant that will help fund nearly $500,000 in airport improvements.

Al Stoverink, assistant city manager since 1988, resigns his post to become physical plant manager at Southeast Missouri State University.

City water department revenue and expenditure figures from its first fiscal year of operation show an efficient and profitable utility.

OCTOBER

Police Chief Howard "Butch" Boyd Jr. unveils to the city council a three-pronged plan to battle street crime in the city -- particularly crimes related to a proliferation of illegal drug sales.

The city's Board of Appeals complains that changes proposed by the city council to a minimum property maintenance code so alter the measure that it would be worthless if adopted.

The council votes unanimously Oct. 18 to step up a plan to hire more police officers in the city.

NOVEMBER

City council approves a five-year deal with Lemons Landfill in Dexter for solid-waste hauling and disposal. Under the contract, tipping fee rates will increase about 15 percent in 1994 -- a harbinger of a trash-fee hike that's in the works.

In reaction to passage of riverboat gambling issue, the council agrees to solicit proposals and select an excursion gambling boat operator by March 7.

Two city boards -- the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board and the Convention and Visitors Bureau Advisory Board -- clash over plans for a multiuse building at Osage Park and a concessions building at a Shawnee Park softball complex. The projects are part of a $4 million proposal to expand recreation and convention facilities in the city.

DECEMBER

The Housing Task Force recommends the council take steps to appoint a public housing authority with the goal of establishing 100-125 "scattered site" single-family and elderly public housing units in Cape Girardeau.

City council twice tables a proposed $1.46 per month trash-fee hike. Plans call for consideration in January of other solid-waste funding and alternative billing methods.

Stage is set Dec. 10 for spring municipal elections -- the first under a ward system. In the at-large mayor's race, sitting Councilmen Melvin Gateley and Al Spradling III will square off. In Ward 1, candidates James "J.J." Williamson Jr., 117 Centennial, and Frank Stoffregen, 223 Capaha Trail, will vie for the four-year term in the April election.

Three candidates are seeking terms in the each of the other two wards up for election, prompting a February primary race.

Ward 2 candidates are Tom Neumeyer, 25 S. Lorimier, Joseph Sampson, 210 S. Frederick, and Brenda Dohogne, 319 N. Main. Ward 6 candidates include Dennis Dobson, 157 Pebble Lane, Jay Knudtson, 1126 Cyprus Court, and Richard "Butch" Eggimann, 235 Hillview.