CAPE COUNCIL TO GIVE MORE STUDY TO RULES FOR PROPERTY MAINTENANCE

The Cape Girardeau City Council wants to simplify the process for making complaints about properties in disrepair.

The council voted to remove an item from its agenda Monday that would have created an ordinance changing the city's minimum property maintenance standards. A different ordinance that clarifies who can make complaints about dilapidated properties and how those complaints are investigated will be considered at the March 20 meeting.

An ordinance had been proposed and drafted by city staff, but it is being reconsidered.

During a 45-minute study session, council members talked about eliminating the requirement that a person making complaints must be within 200 feet of the property in question.

Most cities have no such requirement, said Councilman Melvin Gateley, who expressed approval for the change.

But other council members questioned trying to pass the ordinance changes without truly studying the issue.

"I think we would be rushing into it," said Councilman Jay Purcell. "I'd like to see a hearing from the groups who are affected. We need to find something that is fair and equitable for everyone."

Frank Stoffregen questioned whether the change was necessary. Making complaints about tall weeds, trash or abandoned cars is already possible without living near a property, he said.

He also questioned who would be cited for being in violation of the city's property codes. "Can you tell if it's a tenant or generated by a landlord?"

Police Chief Rick Hetzel said most complaints handled now are health concerns related to trash and remnants of uneaten food or tall weeds where rodents can hide.

Don Howard, who spoke before the council, likes the idea of cleaning up the city, particularly some areas of South Cape.

"All I want is South Cape to get cleaned up," he said. "It's more or less like a cancer, if you let it go then it spreads."

Howard doesn't think residents would abuse the change in ordinance once they were allowed to make complaints about any city property. "The city should be treated the same, whether you have a 50-cent property or a million-dollar neighborhood," he said.

The Downtown Neighborhood Association, Downtown Merchants Association and the Cape Girardeau Community Pride Coalition support the ordinance.

About 20 members of the three groups attended a meeting two weeks ago, and several returned Monday.

Cape Girardeau City Council

Monday, March 6 at 7:30 p.m.

Council chambers, 401 Independence

Study session 5 p.m.

Public hearings

* Held hearing regarding request of Lutheran Home for the Aged to rezone 2855, 2861 and 2911 Bloomfield Road from R-1, single-family residential district, to R-4, multiple-family residential district.

* Held hearing regarding request of Pletcher Trust and Rick and Robin Tolbert to rezone 2404 Kingsway Drive from R-1, single-family residential, to C-2, general commercial district.

* Held hearing regarding request of Daniel E. and Brenda Kay Dumey, David Lee and Karen Ann Heisel and Narvol A. Randol Jr. to rezone the south side of Brenda Kay Court from M-1, light-industrial district, to MH-1, mobile home park district.

* Held hearing ron request of Elroy and Mary Kinder to rezone 3227 Bloomfield Road from R-1, single-family residential, to C-1, local commercial district.

* Held hearing regarding request of Geneva Nadine Heuer Trust and Vernon E. Rhodes Family Partners LP to rezone 2301 Bloomfield Road from R-1, single-family residential, to C-2, general commercial district, and for a special-use permit for mini-warehouse storage buildings.

* Held hearing regarding request of Lester Sample for a special-use permit for a scrap iron recycling business at 503 Maple St. in an M-2, heavy-industrial district.

* Held hearing on request of Henry Maze and James Reichert for a special-use permit for a residential use at 769 Progress St. in a light-industrial district.

* Held hearing to consider vacating the city's interest in a 15-foot-wide sewer, utility and drainage easement on the north side of the existing USPS Area Mail Processing Center.

* Held hearing to consider vacating the city's interest in a 10-foot-wide sewer easement north of Industrial Drive, running north to Highway 74 in Greater Cape Girardeau Commercial Center.

Consent ordinances (Second and third readings)

* Established a handicapped parking space on South Middle Street.

* Authorized a general warranty deed conveying land to Jim and Karen Hendrickson as part of Hopper Road Phase I project.

* Amended and restated Cape Girardeau Cable Communications Franchise Agreement with Charter Communications Holding Co. LLC.

* Approved record plat of Landspec Subdivision revised.

* Established speed limits on Cape Rock Drive during construction work at water plant.

* Approved an improvement of Rodney Street from the National Guard Armory to Hawthorne Road.

* Approved ordinance declaring it necessary to improve William Street from Sprigg Street to Main Street.

* Approved improving Independence Street from Pacific to Sprigg streets.

* Approved improving Lorimier Street from Morgan Oak Street to Highway 74.

* Amended boundaries of Wards 4 and 6 to include property annexed by the city.

* Amended City Code regarding parking on public lands, specifically for displaying vehicles for sale.

New ordinances (First reading.)

* Accepted deeds and easements from property owners for Bloomfield Road improvement project Phase II between Siemers Drive and South Kingshighway.

* Changed zoning of 2855, 2861 and 2911 Bloomfield Road from R-1 to R-4.

* Changed zoning of 2404 Kingsway Drive from R-1 to C-2.

* Changed zoning of the south side of Brenda Kay Court, fronting on West End Boulevard, from M-1 to MH-1.

* Changed zoning of 3227 Bloomfield Road from R-1 to C-1.

* Changed zoning of 2301 Bloomfield Road from R-2 to C-2. Also a related ordinance granted a special-use permit to Geneva Nadine Heuer and Vernon E. Rhodes Family Partners LP for mini-warehouse storage buildings.

* Granted a special-use permit to Lester Sample for a scrap iron recycling business at 503 Maple St. Councilman Tom Neumeyer was the lone dissenter in the matter.

* Approved ordinance reaffirming need, approving contract and payment for work on Southern Expressway from South Kingshighway to Silver Springs Road.

* Accepted general warranty deeds, permanent drainage easements, permanent slope easements and temporary construction easements from various property owners for the Hopper Road Phase II improvement project, including part of Vantage Drive.

* Approved lease-purchase agreement for the city to finance land purchase for new public works site.

Resolutions (Reading and passage.)

* Resolution for license agreement with U.S. Army for retention reservoir phase of the Cape La Croix Creek/Walker Branch flood control project.

* Resolution for license and indemnity agreement with Kyle McDonald and Amy McDonald for Hopper Road Phase II improvement project.

* Resolution adopting fiscal 2000-2005 Capital Improvements Program.

Liquor licenses

* Approved an original package liquor and Sunday sales license for C&R Oil LLC, dba D-Mart No. 6, 263 Farrar Drive, Bradley L. Smith, manager.

* Approved a retail liquor-by-the-drink and Sunday sales license for Don Harris, Rockhouse Entertainment LLC, dba Show-Me's, 1751 Independence. Councilman Melvin Gateley voted against the permit.