CITY WILL SOON REQUIRE CONTRACTORS' LICENSING

The Cape Girardeau City Council Monday unanimously gave initial approval to a law that would require licensing of all construction-trades contractors.

Only plumbers and gas fitters are required to be licensed with the city. The new law would require that all building contractors, electricians and mechanical installers have at least four years practical experience and a written exam to test their skills. The law also would require that contractors carry at least $500,000 of liability insurance.

The council on May 20 will consider final reading of the ordinance that would enact the law. Upon final passage, contractors would have six months to meet the licensing requirements to continue to operate in the city.

Assistant City Manager Al Stoverink said the licensing changes were part of a four-to-five-year study that culminated this year following adoption of the 1990 national Building Officials and Code Administrators building codes.

He said many electricians and home builders in the city have requested the licensing requirements to curtail "shoddy" work by unqualified contractors.

Although the council approved the measure unanimously, Mayor Gene Rhodes suggested that the city seek input from contractors before approving the changes.

"I've had a large number of contractors talk to me over the last several months that are opposed to this," he said. "I don't want to get into something that's going to run the cost of building up any higher than it already is in the city."

Rhodes said that with the new BOCA codes in place, he didn't see the need for further licensing requirements.

But Councilman David Barklage said he favored putting stricter requirements on licensing instead of relying solely on the city's inspection staff as a "catch-all" to assure safe, quality construction.

"This is a much more preferable way to put it back on private industry," Barklage said.

Leonard Jansen, a local gas fitter who served on an ad hoc committee that recommended the changes, said he didn't think the new requirements would alter construction costs. He said the new licensing requirements are more equitable for all construction-trades representatives.

But Jansen said the city could expect some opposition to the changes. "You know, no matter what set of rules you set down, you're always going to have people take exception to it. Take the Ten Commandments, for example," Jansen said.

He said the ordinance is for public safety, No. 1."

Rhodes said he didn't want to pass the ordinance without contractors "signing off" on the proposal.

Jim Arnzen, a building contractor who also served on the ad hoc committee, and Jansen said the contractors have been aware of the licensing issue for years and have had every opportunity to voice objections or suggest alternatives.

At a special City Council meeting April 26, building-trades representatives were invited to voice complaints concerning the city's inspection department. Several of those at the meeting said they favored licensing requirements for all contractors.

In other business, the council:

Named Washington Park as recommended by students at Washington Grade School.

Approved a resolution authorizing a contract with Rickard Construction and Equipment Co. for replacement of the Twin Trees bridge on Cape Rock Drive over Juden Creek.

Approved resolutions authorizing construction of a highway intersection and new access road for the Cape Girardeau Veterans Home on Highway 61.

Voted to place stop signs on Lakeshore, Bernice, Fremont Drive and Greenbriar, and yield signs on Surrey Lane, Fremont Drive, Melissa Lane, Evondale Drive and Steven Drive.