COUNCIL ALLOWS ELECTRICIANS TO FOREGO TAKING TEST

Cape Girardeau's electricians won't have to pass an examination to receive their license, but only if they currently hold a license.

The city council approved by a 5-2 vote Monday night an ordinance that would exempt existing license holders from the test. An ordinance passed in 1996 would have required every electrician to pass a standardized test.

Six electricians spoke out in opposition to the grandfathering clause in the ordinance. They want license holders to have some accountability and taking a test provides that, they said.

Norma Mattingly, a licensed electrician since 1990, has not yet passed the standardized test, but "I want to take it again, even if you don't require it," she told the council. She has taken the test twice and lacks two points to pass.

"You'd be insulting the people who are trying to prove their knowledge to you on paper," she said.

Mayor Al Spradling III agreed. By changing the ordinance, the council is doing what the electricians who haven't yet taken the test were expecting.

"They are not unable to take the test but are expecting us to grandfather them so they can wait," Spradling said. The 1996 ordinance allowed electricians five years to pass the test.

"I think the testing is essential," Spradling said. "Electricians do make mistakes and we shouldn't leave it up to the inspectors to find all the mistakes."

Spradling said he changed his mind about the ordinance after listening to electricians who favored keeping the test.

In other action, the council approved a resolution stating the city's plan to seek state funding for an airport project.

If everything goes as planned, an aircraft manufacturing plant at the Cape Girardeau Regional Airport could soon be off to a flying start.

Zenair of Canada Ltd. and Independent Manufacturing and Development Co. announced plans last month to open an aircraft manufacturing plant in Cape Girardeau, but all the funding for the project has yet to be secured.

The city hopes to fund airport improvements through a Community Development Block Grant from the state. The city is seeking $750,000.

A public hearing outlining the proposed improvements to the airport was held Monday night at City Hall, although no one spoke for or against the proposed project.

The plan calls for extending water and sewer lines from the city's south water plant across the Diversion Channel to the airport. Street improvements would also be necessary.

City Council

Agenda

Monday, March 15

Public hearing

-- Held hearing on application for a Community Development Block Grant for water, sewer and street improvements at the Cape Girardeau Regional Airport.

Consent ordinances

(Second and third readings)

-- Approved an ordinance establishing a 30-minute loading zone on West End Boulevard.

-- Approved an ordinance vacating the city's interest in a utility easement at 2525 Albert Rasche.

-- Approved an ordinance accepting a drainage easement from Elizabeth Marie Carr for improvement of Missouri Street from Mississippi to Scott streets.

-- Approved an ordinance granting a temporary construction easement to Missouri Department of Transportation at South Sprigg Street and Kingshighway during reconstruction of Ramsey Branch bridge.

-- Approved an ordinance amending the boundaries of Wards 4 and 6 to include properties annexed by city and to exclude area detached from city.

-- Approved an ordinance accepting the plat of Melrose Place IV Subdivision.

-- Approved an ordinance repealing certain yield signs on Stony Point and to place new yield signs on Stony Point.

-- Approved an ordinance relating to electrician license holders.

-- Approved an ordinance granting a special-use permit to Phillip Brinson and Mark Sprigg to manufacture beer and soft drinks at 132 N. Main, 133 N. Water and 15 Broadway streets.

New ordinances

(First reading)

-- Approved an ordinance to repeal the 40 mph speed limit on a portion of Morgan Oak and to establish a 25 mph speed limit on a portion of Morgan Oak.

-- Approved an ordinance to direct the city manager to enter into a contract to do the work, and providing payment of the work on Kent Street from the termination of existing pavement in Woodland Hills Subdivision to Lexington Avenue, about 450 feet.

-- Approved an ordinance to direct the city manager to enter into a contract to do the work, and providing payment of the work on Timberland Drive from Kage Road to dead end; Capaha Trail from end of existing pavement to dead end; Hill Street from Johnson Street to dead end; Beaudean Lane from College Street to south of Elm Street; Beaudean Lane from Linden Street to Hickory Street; Engram Street from Highland Drive to dead end; Terry Lane from Kingsway Drive to Joanne Street; and Johnson Street from Rand Street to Riverview Drive, known as the 1999 4-inch asphalt pavement program of Transportation Trust Fund.

-- Approved an ordinance to place stop signs on Golden Street.

-- Approved an ordinance to place stop signs on Wintergreen Drive.

-- Approved an ordinance to establish a 35 mph speed limit on Perryville Road.

-- Approved an ordinance to lease to First National Bank of the Mid-South certain real estate owned by the city and the improvements located thereon; and to authorize and approve a lease purchase agreement and other actions in connection with financing the cost of improving the A.C. Brase Arena.

-- Tabled an ordinance to approve the plat of Pindwood Place Second Subdivision.

-- Approved an ordinance to approve the plat of Landspec Subdivision.

Resolutions

(Reading and passage)

-- Passed a resolution seeking funding through CDBG program for proposed manufacturing project at Cape Girardeau Regional Airport, and authorizing city manager to pursue activities in attempt to secure funding.

-- Passed a resolution to adopt 1999-2004 Capital Improvements Program for city.

-- Passed a resolution to authorize mayor to execute a Census 2000 Proclamation and to appoint a committee.

-- Passed a resolution authorizing city manager to execute a T-Hangar rental agreement with Roy Halbert at Cape Girardeau Regional Airport.

Others

-- Set tentative date of April 16 for annual city council retreat.

-- Accepted into city's system the water main extension to serve McClane Outlot No. 2 along South Broadview Street, and authorize the release of escrow in amount of $6,850.

-- Authorized city staff to reject all bids received for water treatment plant expansion project and to rebid the revised project.

-- Accepted into city's system the sanitary sewer improvements as shown on plans approved for Forest Hills Subdivision.

-- Accepted into the city's system the water main extension to serve DKR Third Subdivision and authorize the release of escrow in amount of $5,000.

-- Accepted into city's system the street, sanitary sewer, stormwater and water improvements as shown on plans approved for Sewer District 12-N-1, DKR Fourth Subdivision, and the storm sewers in the street right way, and authorize release of escrow covering these improvements.

-- Accepted motion requesting that city hold a public hearing on sanitary sewer extension to serve a portion of Kingsway Drive.