COUNCIL AGREES TO END DELAY ON PROPERTY CODE

In an effort to eliminate further delay of a law to establish minimum property standards, the Cape Girardeau City Council elected to bypass a recommendation by City Manager J. Ronald Fischer and put the matter on the agenda for a vote at the next meeting.

"I think we've dropped the ball on this," said Cape City Councilman David Limbaugh, who presided over Monday's council meeting on behalf of an absent Mayor Gene Rhodes. "We need to get going on putting together a minimum property standard code."

"We've got to get the ball rolling on this," said Councilman Mary Wulfers. "We need to put this to a vote by the city council."

"The next city council should take it up and try to determine if there are any inconsistencies and, if not, try to get it passed," said Limbaugh, who along with Wulfers and Doug Richards will vacate their council seats.

Today's election will produce three new city council members and a new mayor.

Fischer suggested in a memorandum to the council that the city manager appoint city officials to draft a minimum property maintenance code for the council's consideration.

But Wulfers said, "We don't need to take this to a committee. It's time we take action on this."

Brenda Dohogne, who is a Ward 2 City Council candidate, asked the city council if the city would hire additional personnel to enforce the minimum property code.

"Are we willing to hire the additional personnel necessary for enforcing a minimum property code?" said Dohogne.

Fischer said the city has earmarked funds to hire an additional inspector to enforce a minimum property code. "That's already been provided for in the discussions by the appeals board and city council," he said.

Said Tom Neumeyer, who will oppose Dohogne in the Ward 2 City Council election, "We're talking about partnerships between tenant and landlord. You should realize that you can't blame 95 percent of the landlords because they're doing a good job.

"It's the 5 percent or less that's not doing a good job, and those people need to adhere to a minimum property standard to uphold the safety, health and welfare of the tenant."

Charles Kupchella spoke not as a landlord or tenant but as a Cape citizen and property owner. "We need to make sure we don't fall below minimum standards so that all property is valuable to the owners and the city," said Kupchella. "We need to establish a floor of quality and make sure we don't fall below that."

Said Cecelia Sonderman, "I think you need to take into consideration aesthetics when you look at a minimum property standard. A house across from my sister's had junk in the yard. People drive up and see this and say they don't want to live there. What happens to one house affects the look of the entire neighborhood."

In a related matter, Walter Wright stood before the city council to have his say over charges he failed to uphold his agreement with tenant Teresa Wright.

"I was not here at the last city council meeting, at which time I was called a slum lord," said Walter Wright. "I requested that the city make an inspection of the property I am renting to Teresa Wright. I want you to know that I have taken care of the bathroom exhaust fan, I have replaced the battery for the smoke detector, I have repaired the door, which was knocked off the hinge, and have replaced missing ceiling tile."

Richards apologized to Wright at the conclusion of the property owner's statement. "On behalf of the city council, I apologize for what was said last week," said Richards. "This just shows that not only the rights of the tenant have to be taken care of but also the rights of the property owner."