City council OKs transfer papers for possible police-station site

The conclusion of Monday night's Cape Girardeau City Council meeting brought the final votes for issues residents and council members alike will continue to discuss well into the future.

Unanimous approval was given to an ordinance accepting transfer documents for a facility at 2530 Maria Louise Lane, which could become the future home of the police department.

The city negotiated an agreement with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for the city to assume ownership -- at no cost -- of the facility that served as a Navy Reserve Center until it was transferred to the Army in 2007. It has been vacant since last year.

The property consists of 4.85 acres and two structures, a 22,526-square-foot administration/training building and a 96-square-foot storage building.

Final council approval means the city can draw up plans for the new station and weigh the cost of renovation or rebuilding. FGM Architects of Illinois has been contracted to evaluate needs and options for the police department's future home. The evaluation is expected to take several months.

An $11 million budget is available for the project.

Council members also agreed on a final reading of an ordinance allowing the city to join and participate in a clean-energy district.

The Missouri Energy Initiative and PACE Equity have requested the city sponsor a new PACE Clean Energy Development District Board that would help commercial property owners with funding clean and renewable energy projects and energy-efficiency improvements. Bel-Nor, Missouri, a northwestern suburban village of St. Louis, passed an ordinance June 15 creating the Show Me PACE district and has invited the city of Cape Girardeau to join.

The Missouri General Assembly enacted the Property Assessment Clean Energy Act (PACE) in 2011 that allows for the funding of clean and renewable energy and energy-efficiency improvements through a property assessment. PACE covers the improvement costs up to 20 percent of a building's value, repaid through a tax assessment on the property for up to 20 years. Funding comes through private capital sources rather than government funding or taxes and is attached to the property, not the owner, according to Missouri Energy Initiative.

Finally, the council approved an ordinance authorizing the city manager to execute an agreement with the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission for placing way-finding signage on Missouri Department of Transportation right of way. The city plans to place "Welcome to Cape Girardeau" signs at the city's major entrances, including points along U.S. 61 at the city's northern and southern entrances, as well as Route 74 near the Bill Emerson Memorial Bridge.

Isle Casino Cape Girardeau is participating in making the 120-by-60-inch signs. The city will be responsible for any related maintenance

"This is signage that the casino has agreed to put up and pay for, beyond their normal contribution, and this agreement with MoDOT allows us to do this," said city manager Scott Meyer.

Monday's city council meeting was led by Councilwoman Loretta Schneider, acting as mayor pro tem. She was chosen for the role at the last council meeting. Mayor Harry Rediger and Councilman Mark Lanzotti, the current pro tem, both were absent.

srinehart@semissourian.com

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401 Independence St., Cape Girardeau, Mo.