Cape Council to try again to hear opinions on infrastructure plans

The cancellation of the Cape Girardeau City Council's previous meeting has left a full docket of items to consider Monday night.

February's final meeting was supposed to focus on a discussion about the city's 2015-2020 Capital Improvements Program, but inclement winter weather caused the conversation to be delayed. To allow enough time to consider the matter and hear public input, tonight's study session will begin at 4:30 p.m.

Through the program, the city evaluates infrastructure projects that need renovation, repairs or construction. The program includes funded and contingent, or unfunded, projects and concentrates on three major areas: transportation, environment and capital assets.

The five-year, fiscally conservative plan is created with the help of city departments, said city manager Scott Meyer, but public input also is key.

"It's there for people to see and comment on, or if there are capital improvements that aren't there, they can suggest them," he said in a recent interview.

A new police station and transfer station have long been the top items on the city's capital improvements list. Funding sources for both were identified last year, marking a significant step forward for the projects.

During the regular session, which begins at its normal time of 7 p.m., a public hearing on the Capital Improvements Program will be held.

Later in the regular session, the council will consider a resolution authorizing the city manager to execute a supplemental agreement with Koehler Engineering and Land Surveying Inc. for the Independence Street and Gordonville Road intersection design. The council approved an agreement with the engineering group in October to conduct a traffic study in the area, which regularly sees congestion. Funds for the study and the design process come primarily from the Federal Highway Administration through its Surface Transportation Program, coordinated through the Missouri Department of Transportation. The city is required to put up a 20 percent match in funding, which will come from Transportation Trust Fund 4 revenue.

The cost of the intersection design is not to exceed $57,855.44.

The traffic study analyzed two options to handle the heavy traffic and decrease motorist delays: a traffic light and a roundabout. Since the study has been completed, a single-lane roundabout has been recommended for the location. A single-lane roundabout exists at the intersection of Gordonville Road and South Silver Springs Road

Part of the agreement up for council consideration requires the engineer to prepare preliminary designs for a truck apron -- the raised center piece for the rear wheels of large trucks to use when turning -- and pedestrian crossings.

Initial plans expect advertisements for bidding to begin August.

srinehart@semissourian.com

388-3641

Pertinent address:

401 Independence St., Cape Girardeau, Mo.

Independence Street and Gordonville Road, Cape Girardeau, Mo.