CITY SURVEY SHOWS 120 RESIDENCES, 22 BUSINESSES FLOODED

More than 270 Cape Girardeau residents have been affected by the Mississippi flood so far, and 12 businesses have been closed.

Most of the affected houses 75 are in the Red Star District, prompting Councilman Doug Richards to call on the city to begin looking at ways to better protect the district.

Richards said he realizes the cost would be "astronomical," but added, "Right now is a great time to look at the long-term feasibility."

The figures on buildings affected were provided to the city council Monday night by Planning Coordinator Ken Eftink, who has been directing a survey of the city flood damage.

A public meeting for those who have been affected by the flood will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday at the A.C. Brase Arena Building. Representatives of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the State Emergency Management Agency and city officials will be at the meeting to answer questions.

Eftink said 120 houses have been affected by the floodwaters. "Affected" could mean only water in the yard or that the entire house is flooded, Eftink said.

In addition to the 12 businesses that have closed, 10 commercial structures have been seriously affected by the flood, he reported.

The city's survey, done door-to-door and in Coast Guard boats, inventories which houses and businesses have had their utilities pulled.

"It will enable them to get back in sooner," said City Manager J. Ronald Fischer.

The number of residential structures that have been affected so far is 120. Eftink's staff has projected that 150 structures will be affected if the river reaches the 47.7 feet being projected Monday as the crest, and 160 if the river reaches 49 feet.

He said a floodwall adequate to guard the Red Star district would have to be 14 feet high and an estimated mile long because it would have to follow Sloan Creek to Big Bend Road.

Fire Chief Robert Ridgeway told the council his department also is developing a contingency plan to handle any emergency that might be brought on by a sudden downpour. He said the plan is necessary because the Walker Branch and Cape LaCroix Creek are backing up.

Fischer said he has been holding daily meetings with department heads to assure that the flood situation is being handled.

Asked to look at the post-flood eventualities, Public Works Director Doug Leslie said his department has been spraying flood areas for mosquitoes nightly. "I think that will be a problem," he said.

He also said the city will distribute trash bins in flood areas to help with the cleanup; the city will do curbside pickup for heavier items.

In a study session prior to the council meeting, Assistant City Manager Al Stoverink discussed a plan to re-fund some of the city's bonds at current lower rates. The action would allow the city to realize a savings of $480,000 over the life of the bonds.

Stoverink said the city could save about $42,000 by re-funding its 1988 bonds, $152,000 by re-funding its 1989 bonds, $270,000 by re-funding its pension plan, and another $34,000 by acquiring new money for street tax bills.

In other business, the council:

Denied a request by the Bible Missionary Church for a special use permit that would allow a double-wide mobile home to be placed at 2885 Hopper Road. The area is zoned an R-1, Single Family Residential District, which does not allow mobile homes.

The church wants to tear down its deteriorated parsonage and replace it with a landscaped mobile home.

Pastor Robert Owens said the small church cannot afford to build a $50,000-$60,000 house.

The council voted 3-2 against the request, following a recommendation by Planning and Zoning Commission.

Gave approval to an ordinance calling and setting a special election on whether the city will allow the licensing of gambling boats in the city. The election would be held in November.

Passed an ordinance that would allow residents to paint their address on the curb in front of their house as long as the address also is displayed on the structure itself in accordance with city law.

Appointed Charles F. Thrower Jr. to the Planning and Zoning Commission.

Set a public hearing Aug. 16 on a request to rezone vacant property in the 2800 block of William Street from R-1 to R-3, Two-Family Residential; R-4, Multiple Family Residential; and C-2, General Commercial.

Councilmen Melvin Gateley, Al Spradling III, Doug Richards, Melvin Kasten and Mary Wulfers were present at the meeting. Mayor Gene Rhodes and Councilman David Limbaugh were absent.

FIGHTING THE FLOOD: Douglas Gibson of the U.S. Coast Guard, above, patrols the floodwaters along Route 74 Monday morning. The Coast Guard primarily helped residents retrieve items from their flooded homes. At right, Bob Bess of the city's sewer and storm-water department diverts floodwater off Route 177 to open the road to traffic Monday morning.

MELINA A. MARA

/SOUTHEAST MISSOURIAN