ALDERMEN RAISE EAST JACKSON'S SPEED LIMIT

JACKSON -- Motorists in Jackson likely will be pleased to see new speed limit signs on East Jackson Boulevard.

That's because the Jackson Board of Aldermen Monday voted to raise the speed limit on the five-lane highway between Cape Girardeau and Shawnee Drive in Jackson.

In other business, the board tabled action on a proposed regulations for mobile office buildings and heard a report on a plan to smooth uneven pavement on West Main.

The new speed limit on East Jackson, from the city limits near Interstate 55 west to Williams Creek or Old Cape Road is 55 mph. The previous limit was 50 mph.

The speed limit from Williams Creek to Gloria Street is raised from 40 to 50 mph, and the limit from Gloria to Shawnee is raised from 35 to 40 mph. The speed limit will remain 35 between Shawnee and Hope, at the intersection of Highways 25, 61, 34 and 72.

City Administrator Carl Talley said the new speed limit signs will be erected in a few days.

An ordinance that would regulate the use of mobile homes for mobile offices under a special use permit was tabled after the aldermen failed to agree on how long the permit could be extended.

The ordinance says the city can grant up to two years extension after an initial, two-year permit expires.

But several aldermen argued that the two-year extension was too long, and that it would not provide an incentive for businesses to construct a permanent office facility.

A motion by Alderman Paul Sander to change the two-year extension to one year failed when further discussion on the ordinance was tabled.

Acting City Engineer Rich Bowen reported on a proposal to grind the uneven surface of the new pavement on West Main Street.

"It's very difficult to get a price on the cost of grinding," Bowen said. "I've had estimates that range anywhere from $16,000 to a little over $30,000.

"I suspect that once they see the magnitude of the grinding that would be necessary out there, it may well be over $30,000," he added. "I believe my estimate on replacing that whole section of pavement was in the vicinity of $60,000 to $65,000."

Bowen said he'd rather see the city replace the pavement than grind the bad section.

"The best you could achieve, (by grinding) in my opinion, is to get it about half as good or bad as it is right now," he said. "But you will not make it smooth, unless you grind both sides."

In other action, the board approved a motion to pay $20,000 for the city's 1993 funding share to participate in the Cape Girardeau Area Industrial Recruitment Association.

The board also named Talley to represent the city on the association's board.

City Collector Beverly Nelson appeared before the board to report on the rising number of chronic overdue utility bills.

She said some residents are three months behind in their utility bill, and habitually are late to pay. She said other customers have made no effort to pay overdue bills, while others have left town owing the city money with no forwarding address.

"If we grant them an extension, it seems like all we are doing is helping them dig themselves in even deeper," she said.

Although the ordinance gives the city authority to cut off utility services to delinquent customers, Nelson said there is the matter of liability. "I don't know what to do," she said.

City Attorney David Beeson advised the board to either discuss the issue in executive session or at a study session.