COUNCIL AGAIN TO TOUR CITY BY BUS

The Cape Girardeau City Council is on the road again.

City Councilman Melvin Gateley suggested at Monday's study session the council bring back an old tradition of on-site inspections and discussions by way of bus tours.

"I would like the city council to get on a bus and check out areas of concern from time to time," said Gateley. "We could do it early in the morning or maybe during the time we use for the study session."

Said City Councilman J.J. Williamson: "I think that would be a good idea. We could look at a problem or something that has been talked about at meetings and go from there."

Mayor Al Spradling III pointed out that since most of the council members work, the ideal time to investigate various issues would be at 4 p.m.

"I think what we could do is notify everyone on Friday that we're going to take a bus to a specific site or sites and that would give everyone enough time to adjust their schedules for a 4 p.m. tour on Monday," said Spradling.

Spradling was adamant about not excluding the press. "We should notify everyone before we do something like this," said Spradling. "We're not going to leave the press out of this."

Gateley indicated during the mayoral campaign that he would like to adopt a bus tour practice. "I just think it's important to look at what you're talking about to get as much information as possible before making a decision on something," said Gateley.

The practice of on-site investigations and discussions already is part of the Planning and Zoning Commission's regular procedure.

In other business Monday night:

-- A resolution authorizing the city manager to file an application with the Missouri Highway and Transportation Department for funds to aid in the financing of a public transportation system was passed.

-- A resolution authorizing the city manager to execute a license and indemnity agreement with Dale T. and Karla R. Pingel for purposes of allowing a driveway on Jasmine Street right-of-way was passed.

-- A resolution authorizing the city manager to execute a demolition contract with Rick Pratt, Pratt Excavating, for removal of dangerous buildings was passed.

-- A resolution authorizing the city manager to enter into a contract obligation with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources for the landfill post-closure was passed.