CONTRACTOR LICENSING TO COUNCIL

The Cape Girardeau City Council tonight is expected to put to rest a five-month debate over how best to regulate construction contractors.

A scaled-down construction-trades licensing law is included on the agenda for the council meeting, which begins at 7:30.

Other items on the agenda include a resolution to endorse the establishment of a fund-raising foundation for city parks; a resolution accepting May Greene Garden as a city park, and a resolution to authorize a public transportation needs study.

The new trades-licensing law would be limited to requiring licenses for all contractors for a $35 annual fee and would include penalties against contractors caught operating without a license.

The new ordinance has eliminated all reference to a repair and remodeling or "handyman's" license, and, under the measure, contractors would be required upon registration to record whether they have insurance coverage, although there is no minimum insurance requirement.

The city previously proposed a $5 licensing fee but the fee was raised to $35 to allow the city to recoup some of the additional staff requirements of the simplified licensing procedures, which likely will encompass more contractors. Also, an earlier application fee has been dropped from the law.

The parks foundation idea has been studied at length by the city's Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, which last week approved the articles of incorporation and bylaws for the Cape Girardeau Parks Development Foundation.

In a letter to the council, Assistant City Manager Al Stoverink said the foundation would be a source of private financing for future park expansion and improvements.

"Formation of such a foundation can provide access to estate planning gifts, major corporate trusts, and gifts from private individuals with a particular interest in parks and recreation development," Stoverink said.

The foundation would be governed by a 12-member board of directors that would include one city council member and two members of the park board.

"Any projects to be undertaken by the foundation board would have to be approved by the city council with a recommendation from the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board," Stoverink said. "Any bylaws changes would have to be approved by the city council as well."

The city staff has recommended the council endorse the foundation.

"We commend the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board for their foresight and time and efforts put into the creation of this foundation," Stoverink said.

In another matter relating to city parks, the council will consider a resolution to designate May Greene Garden a city park.

The resolution would accept the proposal subject to the permission of the U.S. government, which owns the site.

If the council approves the measure, the May Greene Garden Association, a group of volunteers who have restored the garden, would be responsible for most of the site's maintenance and development. The city would agree to mow the site and perform some assistance to the association.

The council also will consider two resolutions that pertain to public transportation. Stoverink said demand for the city's taxi coupon program has grown steadily during the past few years. The program allows qualified residents to use discount coupons for taxi services.

Stoverink said in a council letter that the city might qualify for a state grant for a planning study to determine "future needs and review alternative programs, as well as review our existing program."

He said the Southeast Missouri Regional Planning Commission already has prepared an application to the Missouri Highway and Transportation Department for such a grant.

The council also will consider a contract with the planning commission to conduct the planning study if it is funded.

"Due to the continuing demand for services, we feel that it is an appropriate time to conduct such a study," said Stoverink. "The last full review of transportation service needs in Cape Girardeau was conducted in 1977. Many things have obviously changed since then.

"We do not anticipate any recommendations that would involve radical changes from the current taxi coupon program."

Stoverink said the study could identify ways to combine Cape Girardeau's transit service with other transportation projects in the area. Also, the study will consider the city's future transit needs and funding requirements.