CONTRACT OK'd FOR FIREWORKS TO CELEBRATE JULY 4 IN CITY

There will be a Fourth of July fireworks show along the Mississippi River at Cape Girardeau this summer, and making that happen is a point of community pride for members of the city council.

"We can look forward to some excitement this summer," said Councilman Richard Eggimann. "I was somewhat embarrassed last year. We didn't have fireworks for first time I can remember, and I'm pretty old."

The council unanimously approved a $15,000 contract with J & M Displays Inc. of Yarmouth, Iowa, to conduct the fireworks show. City taxpayers would contribute $5,000 for the event through the Convention and Visitors Bureau, with the remaining $10,000 to be raised through sponsorships from area businesses.

The show will take place at 9 p.m. July 4 or the first rain-free evening thereafter in case of bad weather.

Other council members echoed Eggimann's sentiments that the lack of a fireworks display last year reflected poorly on the city.

Councilman Tom Neumeyer commented that Cape Girardeau was outdone by Jackson, Mo., which sponsored a show.

Rate hikes

The council also granted first-round approval to increasing solid waste disposal and water service rates. The hikes are expected to generate $168,000 in additional revenue.

Resident Don Howard spoke against the increases, calling them unwarranted.

"I wish you all would let it slide this year and find the money someplace else," Howard said.

Councilman Frank Stoffregen said the hikes are necessary.

"The problem is we have to balance the budget," Stoffregen said. "There is no other way to do it. We either have to raise the rates on water and trash or raise property taxes."

The city's property tax levy will remain unchanged for the budget year beginning July 1.

Solid waste collection fees will go up 40 cents a month, or 2.96 percent, bringing the monthly charge to $13.90. The increase is expected to raise approximately $48,000.

Water rates will rise 2 percent, generating about $88,500 in additional revenue. Average monthly water bills for residential customers will rise 22 cents to $16.54. Commercial users on average will pay $69.94 a month, or $1.37 more than at present.

City Manager Michael Miller said the revenue generated by the fee hikes will be earmarked for operational expenses in providing trash collection and water service and not go into general revenue. Average total utility bills are expected to grow by 1.79 percent, from $40.13 to $40.85 cents a month.

The fee hikes are a component of the city's fiscal year 2002 budget, to which the council gave first-round approval. The new operating budget calls for $33 million in spending, an increase of 0.51 percent over FY 2001.

The council is expected to grant final passage to the budget and fee hikes on June 18.

CAPE GIRARDEAU CITY COUNCIL ACTION TAKEN

Monday, June 4

City Hall, 401 Independence

Consent ordinances

(Second and third readings)

• Passed ordinance appropriating funds for the Cape Girardeau School District.
• Passed ordinance approving the record plat of Mitchell Kinder First Townhouses.
• Passed ordinance approving the record plat of Mid City Business Centre Second Subdivision.
• Passed ordinance authorizing the acquisition of property for the Kingshighway/Commerical Street channel construction project.

New ordinances

(First reading)

• Passed ordinance authorizing the issuance of special tax bills for the demolition of dangerous buildings under the provisions of Chapter 7 of the Code of Ordinances.
• Passed ordinance adopting the annual operating budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1.
• Passed ordinance amending Chapter 22 of the City Code relating to solid waste fees.
• Passed ordinance amending Section 29-302 of the City Code relating to water rates.
• Passed ordinance amending Chapter 30 of the City Code by changing the zoning of 211 St. Francis Drive.
• Passed ordinance accepting temporary construction easements from various property owners for the William Street improvement project.
• Passed ordinance accepting permanent easements from Jim Mauer, managing partner of JJP Investments, and the Southeast Missouri State University Board of Regents for limited maintenance of a stormwater box culvert extension.
• Passed ordinance accepting a special warranty deed from Union Electric Co., dba AmerenUE, for right of way for the Walker Branch portion of the Cape La Croix Creek/Walker Branch flood control project.

Resolutions

(Reading and passage)

• Passed resolution authorizing the city manager to execute a housing agreement with the Humane Society of Southeast Missouri.
• Passed resolution authorizing the city manager to execute an amendment to a general services contract with Bowen Engineering and Surveying Inc. for the Rodney Street bridge and construction project.
• Passed resolution stating intent to seek funding through the Community Development Block Grant program and authorizing the city manager to pursue activities in an attempt to secure funding for a neighborhood rehabilitation project.
• Passed resolution authorizing the city manager to execute a contract with J&M Displays Inc. for a fireworks display.
• Passed resolution authorizing applications to the Missouri Department of Social Services under the Emergency Shelter Grant Program for Safe House for Women Inc. and the Salvation Army, and authorizing the city manager to execute all necessary documents.
• Passed resolution authorizing the city manager to enter into a contract for auditing services with Kerber, Eck and Braeckel.

Appointments

• Appointed Julie Kolb to the Historic Preservation Commission.
• Re-appointed Anton Sebek to the Board of Appeals.
• Appointed of Jamey Howard Hall and Steve Simmons to the Ethics Commission.

Liquor licenses

• Renewed of 3.2 percent non-intoxicating beer by the drink license for R&V Enterprises Inc., dba Pagliai's Pizza, 1129 Broadway, Ronald F. Bohnert, managing officer.
• Renewed retail liquor by the drink license for Janet Mae Bierschwal, dba Recovery Room, 1611 Independence.
• Renewed retail liquor by the drink license for Edwin E. Rhodes, dba VFW Post 3838, 1049 N. Kingshighway.

Conditional renewal of the following liquor licenses granted:

• American Retail Services, dba Wink's Convenience Store, 2021 Perryville, Jeffrey H. Holzum, managing officer.
• American Retail Services, dba Wink's Convenience Store, 2861 Themis, Jeffrey H. Holzum, managing officer.
• American Retail Services, dba Wink's Keg Shop, 1803 Independence, Jeffrey H. Holzum, managing officer.
• Anna Enerstine Kidd, dba Kidd's, 1325 Broadway.
• Anna Enerstine Kidd, dba Kidd's II, 103 N. Kingshighway.
• Food Giant Supermarkets Inc., dba Food Giant No. 73, 1120 S. Kingshighway, Ronnie J. Watkins, managing officer.
• Martin & Bayley Inc., dba Hucks Food Store No. 271, 353 S. Kingshighway, Robert Craig Scheafnocker, managing officer.
• Dwight R. Gates, dba Town Plaza Amoco, 2148 William.

3.2 percent non-intoxicating beer by the drink

• Dwayne Severs, dba Pizza Hut, 215 S. Kingshighway.

Retail liquor by the drink

• Patricia A. Allen, dba Celebrations, 615 Bellevue.
• Phillip Brinson, dba Cape Girardeau Brewing Co., 132 N. Main and 133 N. Water.
• Jaynne Brown, dba Ed's Bar, 519 Good Hope.
• Drury Lodge Inc., dba Drury Lodge, 3624 William, Larry Dean Welker, managing officer.
• Craig Horky, dba Daytimers Lounge, 829 S. Kingshighway.
• Independence Place Inc., dba Independence Place, 5 S. Henderson, Ricky L. Werner, managing officer.
• Leliva Motel and Management, dba Town House Inn, 505 N. Kingshighway, Florentyna Migon, managing officer.
• Michael C. Schmidt, dba The Playdium, 1127 Broadway.
• N. Louise Weber, dba Pockets, 2021 Independence.
• Mark Weber, dba Rude Dog Pub, 123 N. Main.
• Cape Girardeau Country Club Trust, dba Cape Girardeau Country Club, 250 Country Club, Cynthia Ann Hawke, managing officer.
• Kingfood Enterprises Inc., dba El Chico, 202 S. Mount Auburn, Theophire Chamakala, managing officer.
• MidAmerica Hotels Corp., dba Holiday Inn Complex, Route K and Interstate 55, Daniel Marion Drury, managing officer.
• Somchai Prasanshanich, dba Pagoda Gardens, 329 S. Kingshighway.

Wholesalers of malt liquor not in excess of 5 percent

• Bluff City Beer Co. Inc., 450 Siemers, William H. Bess II, managing officer.
• Thilenius Distributing Co., dba River Eagle Distributing Co., 2346 Rust, Gene Patterson, managing officer.