CITY PROCEEDS WITH NEW LICENSING LAW ON TRADES

With the adoption Nov. 4 of a new trades licensing ordinance, the city of Cape Girardeau has begun procedures to bring the new provisions into effect.

The ordinance won't go into effect until Jan. 1, but the city staff already has begun to develop the necessary application and licensing forms.

Assistant City Manager Al Stoverink said the city council will appoint a Board of Examiners within the next month. The board will consist of five members and three alternates.

Four of the regular members and all three of the alternates must be practicing plumbers, mechanical installers, electricians and contractors.

Regular members also must have six years experience in their respective field and, if required under current codes, be licensed. Other aspects related to the board are spelled out in the ordinance.

Anyone interested in serving on the board is encouraged to pick up a board member summary sheet from the building inspection office or city manager's offices and apply as soon as possible.

Stoverink said he hopes the council will begin to appoint members at its Dec. 2 meeting and finish the appointments at the Dec. 16 meeting.

Rick Murray, supervisor of inspection services, said the staff is drafting license application forms, which should be available in early December.

Also, copies of the licensing ordinance are available from the building inspection office at City Hall, 401 Independence.