CAPE COUNCIL TABLES LAW ON VIDEOTAPING DRIVERS AT RED LIGHTS

Hoping for insight from an upcoming city-commissioned study of the police department, officials voted to delay an ordinance to make it legal to install video cameras at a Cape Girardeau intersections to deter red light runners.

Two councilmen, Matt Hopkins and Hugh White, Monday night voted against the delay, preferring instead to proceed with making the video cameras legal.

Councilmen Jay Purcell and Richard Eggimann, who said they would prefer hiring more police officers to target red light running, strongly favored waiting to see the results of an outside firm's study of the police department.

The Police Executive Research Forum, a not-for-profit Washington, D.C., firm will begin an analysis of the police department sometime this month. The study will cost the city about $43,000.

The study will provide the city with information and recommendations about a variety of police department functions, including staffing and patrols.

"I hate to go back over all this bologna again, but we are spending all this money on this instead of on items the police department needs itself," said Eggimann, who has been opposed to the videotaping system since it was first discussed last year. Eggimann also was opposed to commissioning the police study.

"Any money we put out on this doesn't seem to be the thing to do," he said. "Doing this before the study is finished seems to be putting the cart before the horse. It doesn't make any sense to me at all."

Purcell, who made the motion to delay, said he agreed with Eggimann's points.

"I don't understand," he said. "Maybe I'm just a dumb farm boy, but I don't know why we consider this more important than hiring more police officers."

He said, "Maybe we're not utilizing the officers we have now. We won't know until we get the survey, which will be here in 60 to 90 days."

The system is a set of cameras that tapes drivers who are in the process of running red lights. The system also delays cross traffic while the offense is in progress to prevent collisions -- a strong selling point for Mayor Al Spradling III and other officials.

Tickets possible

The system allows police to ticket vehicle owners by taping a five-second clip only when it senses that a driver is going too fast or has not slowed in time to stop for a red light.

Police can review the clips to determine if there were extenuating circumstances, such as an approaching fire truck or ambulance, that caused a driver to run a red light. Vehicle owners who are issued citations will not receive points on their driving record.

Citations are issued to vehicle owners, not drivers -- a matter that has caused concern for some councilmen. The Missouri Department of Motor Vehicles, unlike its California counterpart, is not set up to allow local police to cross-reference video clips of drivers' faces with state license records.

The police department estimates that 25 percent of all accidents at intersections with traffic lights are the result of drivers running red lights.

CAPE GIRARDEAU CITY COUNCIL ACTION TAKEN

Monday, Feb. 5, at 7 p.m.

Council Chambers, City Hall, 401 Independence

Appearances

• F.R. "Buz" Sutherland of the Small Business Development Center. City approved providing the center with $6,000 for programs and training.

Consent ordinances (second and third readings)

• Approve the record plat of Carole Rhodes Subdivision.
• Approved the record plat of Wyandotte Acres Second Addition.
• Approved naming Old Hopper Road.

New ordinances (first reading)

• Approved amending the city code, repealing certain no parking on Normal Avenue and establishing new no parking on Normal Avenue.
• Approved amending the Code of Ordinances by changing the zoning of the southeast corner of Interstate 55 and state Highway 74 from R-1 to C-2.
• Approved amending the Code of Ordinances by changing the zoning of the northeast corner of Interstate 55 and state Highway 74 from R-1 to C-2.
• Approved amending the Code of Ordinances by changing the zoning of 2621, 2625 and 2629 Hopper Road from R-1 to C-2.
• Approved a special-use permit to Marilyn Landewee and Mary Cotner for constructing, maintaining and operating additional living quarters at 147 rear S. Minnesota Ave.
• Accepted a general warranty deed from Charlotte Ann Sargent, Mabeth McCluer Black, Julie Jo Cantrell, Frank P. Cantrell Jr., and Kathleen Cantrell for the Sloan Creek Relief Sewer Project.
• Accepted a general warranty deed from Armstrong Heritage Inc. for extension of the Mount Auburn South Project.
• Authorized acquisition of permanent drainage easements and temporary construction easements for the Cape Meadows Circle storm sewer project.
• Authorized acquisition of property for William Street improvements between Main and Sprigg streets.
• Authorized an agreement with the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission for maintenance of traffic signals at the intersection of Sprigg and Morgan Oak streets.
• Amended the city code by placing stop signs on Hopper Road.
• Vacated the city's interest in a utility easement in Brookshire Estates Fourth Subdivision.
• Amended the city code by placing yield signs on Silver Springs and Gordonville roads.
• Amended the city code, establishing a one-way roundabout at Gordonville and Silver Springs roads.
• Amended the city code, establishing speed limits on a roundabout at Silver Springs and Gordonville roads.

Resolutions

• Authorized a contract with Bowen Engineering and Surveying for the Bloomfield Road Bridge over Ramsey Creek.
• Authorized an agreement with Beasley Waste for the solid waste disposal rate.
• Authorized an agreement with Armstrong Heritage for realignment of Silver Springs Road and Southern Expressway intersection.

Other

• Accepted improvements completed under the 2000-1 Slurry Seal Overlay Program and authorizing final payment to Jokerst, Inc.
• Approved delaying with an ordinance legalizing automated red light technology.