CAPE GIRARDEAU HOPES TO REDUCE EARTHQUAKE LOSSES

The city of Cape Girardeau will implement a new computer program to help estimate, and staff members hope, reduce, earthquake losses.

The City Council Monday night approved agreements with the State Emergency Management Agency to purchase HAZUS, and with Southeast Missouri State University's Center for Earthquake Studies to implement the software.

City Manager Michael G. Miller said the software will allow city officials to prepare loss estimates, including casualties and damages to buildings and infrastructure, "much more quickly and efficiently" in the event of an earthquake.

"One of the tough things is really coming up with estimates of your damages," Miller said. "A lot of it is just pure guesswork."

The software uses census data, information from the Missouri Department of Transportation, soils maps, geology maps, building data and other information about the community to compile the estimates.

The software also will allow city staff to run scenarios of what might happen during seismic events of varying magnitudes, which allow the city to better prepare for an earthquake, Miller said.

"That's one of the fascinating things about it," he said.

The system will be set up at Fire Station No. 1, which will be the operations center in the event of a disaster, Ken Eftink, development services coordinator, said in a memo to the council.

Practical applications for the system include development of earthquake mitigation strategies, land use plans and building codes; development and improvement of emergency preparedness plans, improved strategic plans for the nature and scope of response and recovery times; projecting immediate damage estimates, injuries, casualties and economic impact assessments for state and federal resource and support allocations; and promoting earthquake awareness.

Ann Elledge from the Center for Earthquake Studies will work with city staff to implement the software, which was developed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Cost for the software is $16,026, which is funded through state and federal grants. The budget includes $7,026 for purchasing computer hardware and $9,000 in personnel costs.

No local match is required.

Cape Girardeau City Council

Monday, July 20, 7:30 p.m.

Study session 5 p.m.

Consent ordinances

-- Approved an ordinance accepting a trustee's deed from Charles W. Riske, trustee of the bankruptcy estate of William G. Evans, for right-of-way on South West End Boulevard.

-- Approved an ordinance levying a special assessment for making certain sewer improvements in Cape Commercial Park Subdivision, Lateral Sewer District No. 14-1-C-2, and authorizing the issuance of special tax bills therefore.

-- Approved an ordinance amending the boundaries of Ward 6 to include properties along Bloomfield Road, Interstate 55 and Route 74 annexed May 1, 1998.

-- Approved an ordinance amending the city code establishing a handicapped parking space on Lorimier Street.

-- Approved an ordinance establishing the boundaries of Lateral Sewer District No. 14-2-A-1, approving the plans and authorizing the construction of a system of sanitary lateral sewers in Lateral Sewer District 14-2-A-1 under a private contract subject to certain provisions.

-- Approved an ordinance establishing the boundaries of Lateral Sewer District No. 13-C, approving the plans and authorizing the construction of a system of sanitary lateral sewers in Lateral Sewer District No. 13-C, under a private contract subject to certain provisions.

-- Approved an ordinance accepting a sewer easement from Sundance Apartments, L.P., for construction of sanitary sewers to serve Sundance Apartments and surrounding areas.

-- Approved an ordinance appropriating funds for interdepartmental services (taxi coupon program) and transferring appropriated funds from contingency.

New ordinances

-- Approved an ordinance declaring it necessary to make certain sewer improvements in Lateral Sewer District 14-1-C-2.

-- Approved an ordinance accepting permanent easements and temporary construction easements for the sanitary sewer improvement program Phase II lift stations and forced mains.

-- Approved an ordinance declaring it necessary to improve that part of Hopper Road from Kage Road west.

-- Approved an ordinance declaring it necessary to make certain sewer improvements in Lateral Sewer District No. 14-M-2 and certain lots in Lateral Sewer District 14-R-1.

-- Approved an ordinance approving the record plat of McLane Outlot No. 1 subdivision.

Resolutions

-- Approved a resolution authorizing the city manager to execute an escrow agreement and an irrevocable letter of credit with Jerry F. and Sandy McLane and Capaha Bank for McLane Outlot No. 1 subdivision.

-- Approved a resolution authorizing the city manager to execute an agreement with the Missouri Department of Conservation and Cable Channel 5 for airing of the "Missouri Outdoors" video series.

-- Approved a resolution authorizing the city manager to execute a housing agreement with the Humane Society of Southeast Missouri.

-- Approved a resolution authorizing the city manager to execute a contract with Floyd Ware for demolition services for the Mount Auburn Road extension between Bloomfield Road and State Highway 74.

-- Approved a resolution authorizing the city manager to execute an agreement with the State Emergency Management Agency to implement earthquake loss estimating software.

-- Approved a resolution authorizing the city manager to execute an agreement with the Southeast Missouri State University Center for Earthquake Studies to implement earthquake loss estimating software.

-- Approved a resolution approving a project for Community Counseling Center to be financed by the Industrial Development Authority of the County of Cape Girardeau.

Appointments

-- Appointed Billy G. Boswell to the Historic Preservation Commission.

Other

-- Approved a motion to waive a vendor's permit and allow the sale of newspapers on city streets for the 1998 YELL Campaign.

-- Approved a motion to accept the recommendation of the Planning and Zoning and Zoning to deny the request of Lois H. Walther to rezone 381 N. Park Ave. from R-4, multiple family residential district, to R-2, single family residential district.

-- Approved a motion approving improvement plans for a sanitary sewer extension to serve Outlot No. 1 in Westborough subdivision.