Cape advances proposal to penalize owners of chronic-nuisance properties

The Cape Girardeau City Council approved the first reading of an ordinance Monday that will penalize owners of chronic-nuisance properties.

The vote was 5-0. Council members Wayne Bowen and Shelly Moore were absent.

Under the measure, which needs final council approval next month to take effect, the city could issue a notice to the owner of any property where nuisances have occurred at least three times during a 12-month period.

In a case involving manufacturing, delivery or distribution of illegal drugs, the ordinance would apply after one incident, city officials said.

The property owner would have 15 days to eliminate the nuisance. If the property remains in violation, the nuisance-abatement officer could hold a hearing. The hearing officer could order the property be closed to occupancy for up to one year in the most severe cases, according to development-services director Alex McElroy.

The measure is patterned after similar ordinances in other Missouri cities, including Columbia, McElroy said.

During a study session before the regular meeting, Ward 4 Councilman Robbie Guard asked whether city staff had researched how such measures have worked in other cities, such as Columbia.

McElroy said he had not checked with those cities as to whether such laws have succeeded in reducing chronic-nuisance problems.

But city attorney Eric Cunningham said it is his understanding such a measure has proved “a workable situation” in Columbia.

“It wasn’t something used every day,” Cunningham said of that city’s ordinance.

“We can do some follow-up,” city manager Scott Meyer told the council.

During the regular session, Guard said he believes the ordinance “will be great” for addressing chronic problems with landlords and tenants.

He said he has received positive comments from several landlords about the measure.

Mayor Harry Rediger said he also had received public comments in support of the ordinance. He said the measure will give the city “more leeway” to tackle chronic- nuisance problems.

Ward 1 Councilman Joseph Uzoaru, who owns rental properties, said the ordinance deals not only with rental units, but owner-occupied housing.

Sharon Chapman, who lives in the 1700 block of Pemiscot Street, complained to the city council about troublesome rental housing in her neighborhood.

She has said college students living in those houses litter the neighborhood and hold loud drinking parties.

Chapman, who repeatedly has called police to her neighborhood, and her husband, Norman Chapman, attended the council meeting. They did not address the council. But before the meeting, they said they hoped the city would enforce the ordinance.

mbliss@semissourian.com

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Pertinent address:

401 Independence St., Cape Girardeau, Mo.