CITY COUNCIL DISCUSSES MOUNT AUBURN STRIPING

The city of Cape Girardeau is prepared to stripe a section of Mount Auburn Road for four lanes of traffic instead of the current two lanes, but cold weather may delay the work until spring.

Monday, the City Council directed City Attorney Eric Cunningham to develop an ordinance that prohibits parking along the stretch of Mount Auburn Road between Independence and William streets. Two more council meetings are required before the ordinance becomes law.

City Engineer Mark Lester said the striping could begin by the beginning of November, but the Latex paint to be used requires a minimum temperature of 50 degrees.

In other business, a member of the HOGS SEMO Chapter asked the council to allow motorcyclists in the annual Christmas Parade to ride without helmets.

Brad Sample said riders in last year's parade were told by police that they could not ride in this year's event unless they wear helmets. He said this is the first time the police have enforced the helmet law in the parade. He also questioned why the seat-belt law isn't equally enforced and whether the Schnucks' jumbo motorized shopping basket that makes an appearance in each parade is street-legal.

"We feel we're being picked on," Sample said.

Councilman Frank Stoffregen backed up the motorcycle riders. "Cape's probably the only city in the region that enforces things such as that," he said during the study session preceding the meeting.

Councilman Matthew Hopkins said he has talked with state Rep. David Schwab, R-Jackson, about sponsoring an amendment to the state motorcycle helmet law that would provide an exception for parades.

City Manager Michael Miller endorsed that approach. "The proper way to deal with a law you don't like is to change the law -- not go out and violate it," he said.

The council directed Cunningham to research whether an ordinance could be written that would except parades from the city ordinance requiring helmets. But Mayor Al Spradling III and others pointed out that Cape Girardeau police are still sworn to uphold the state law requiring helmets.

During the study session, Councilman Richard Eggimann questioned the legality of a warehouse built by the Sigma Chi fraternity at 1134 N. Sprigg Street. There reportedly have been complaints about parties held at the warehouse.

According to the city, the fraternity originally built the warehouse to build parade floats in. But under questioning by Eggimann, city staffers said the fraternity does not have an occupancy permit, and a recent inspection found the electrical work is not up to code.

"Someone should be fined and held liable for this violation," Eggimann said.

Miller said the fraternity will not be allowed to use the building until it comes into compliance.

Cape Girardeau City Council action

Monday, Sept. 25

Public hearings

• Held hearing to consider vacating the city's interest in the street right of way for the cul-de-sac at the end of Park Avenue and a drainage easement running between the cul-de-sac and College Street.

Consent ordinances

(Second and third readings)

• Approved ordinance amending Chapter 30 of the Code of Ordinances by changing the zoning of 1000 Kingsway Drive from R-1 to C-2.
• Approved ordinance granting a special-use permit to Sherman and Syvilla Swan to construct, maintain and operate a group home day care at 1200 S. Ranney Ave.
• Approved ordinance authorizing the mayor to execute an agreement, license and indemnity agreement with Albertson's Inc. for construction and maintenance of certain improvements on city owned right-of-way for streets and public utilities and on a part of the Cape La Croix Creek/Walker Branch flood control project right-of-way.
• Approved ordinance amending Chapter 22 of the City Code relating to solid waste fees at the transfer station.
• Approved ordinance enacting a new section 5-16 of the City Code relating to liquor sales near residences.
• Approved ordinance amending Schedule C of Section 26-121 of the City Code by repealing stop signs on Mount Auburn Road at Bloomfield Road and amending Schedule E of Section 26-283 by establishing a four-way stop at Bloomfield and Mount Auburn roads.
• Approved ordinance amending Schedule F of Section 26-247 of the City Code establishing no parking on Village Drive.

New ordinances (First reading)

• Approved ordinance approving the record plat of Winks-Nunn subdivision.
• Approved ordinance authorizing execution of an Airport Assistance Agreement between the State Highway and Transportation Commission and the city.
• Approved ordinance accepting a sewer, utility and storm drainage easement from DPS Real Estate for a sewer line in Doctor's Park Second Subdivision.
• Approved ordinance vacating the city's interest in street right-of-way and a drainage easement near Park Avenue and College Street.
• Approved ordinance accepting easements from Stonebridge Subdivision Property Owners Association for sanitary sewers to serve Giboney Woods Third Subdivision.

Resolution

(Reading and passage)

• Approved resolution authorizing the city manager to execute a redevelopment agreement with Phillips Development Corp. and Cherry Wood Heights One Limited Partnership for the old St. Francis hospital property.
• Approved resolution accepting a grant and authorizing the city manager to execute a grant agreement with the Federal Aviation Administration for an airport layout plan update.
• Approved resolution authorizing the city manager to execute a consulting agreement with EPIC Systems Inc. for adding two wastewater pump station sites to the SCADA remote monitoring system.

Appointment

• Reappointed Farris Nabors to the Board of Appeals.

Liquor license

• Approved a change in managing officer for DeStock 12 Inc., dba Broussard's, 120 N. Main St., Michael Edward Vonhasseln, managing officer.
• Approved a temporary 5 percent beer by the drink license for John C. Stotz, dba Southeast Missouri Hospital Foundation for an event to be held Nov. 15-17 at the Show Me Center.
• Approved a temporary 5 percent beer by the drink license for St. Vincent de Paul School for an event to be held Nov. 4 at the A.C. Brase Arena Building.

Other

• Approved motion accepting into the city's system the storm sewer relocation across Kidd Oil Co., at 103 N. Kingshighway.
• Approved motion accepting into the city's system the effluent from a sanitary sewer line serving Place Collegiate apartment complex at the intersection of North Sprigg and Bertling streets.
• Approved motion accepting the recommendation of the Planning and Zoning Commission to deny the application of Michael L. and Debra K. Annis to rezone 1217 William St. from R-3, two family residential district, to C-1, local commercial district, and for a special-use permit for mini-storage units at that location.