Council approves 3-year pact with Old Town Cape

The Cape Girardeau City Council approved a multiyear contract for services with Old Town Cape and began updates of building codes and amending parking-violation penalties.

The city's existing contract with Old Town Cape expires next month. When it ends, the new three-year contract will begin.

Approving a longer contract was a request made earlier this year by the organization to organize more long-term plans and projects. Budget planning has been difficult for Old Town Cape in the past because its fiscal year runs with the calendar year, while the city operates on a July 1 to June 30 budget cycle.

The contract was approved by each member of the council except Mark Lanzotti, who was absent. The pact sets aside 30 percent of the revenue from the Riverfront Fund for the organization each year. The fund is dedicated to downtown enhancement and receives revenue from Isle Casino Cape Girardeau.

Old Town Cape received about $100,800 from the last approved contract, which also followed the 30 percent agreement.

Councilman Wayne Bowen, who participated in Monday night's meeting via video conference, said he believed the contract was a good step forward in the relationship between the city and Old Town Cape.

Another item for which council members expressed enthusiasm was new building codes. Council granted initial approval to the ordinance, which seeks to implement safety upgrades. A few items, including the requirement for fire protection beneath manufactured wooden I-joists and radio operability within new structures, relate specifically to fire safety.

Several members of the Cape Girardeau Fire Department were in the audience Monday night, showing the department's support for the changes.

"This is a very important move we're making to update these codes," Mayor Harry Rediger said, "for the safety of all of our citizens and all of our staff."

The updates also are important because the city will receive an Insurance Services Office -- ISO -- visit later this year. Up-to-date codes are required to keep from losing points on the city's ISO rating, which is tied to property-insurance rates.

Other key items granted initial approval by the council related to traffic.

One ordinance seeks to amend penalties for parking violations. The city for many years used a graduated scale; those who were issued tickets were required to pay $25, $35 or $45 depending on the number of days before the fine was paid. If a ticket is not paid after 60 days, a citation is issued, and court fees are assessed.

City manager Scott Meyer said it was a "complicated system," and the proposed switch "simplifies that." The change also is necessary to be compatible with an e-ticketing system the Cape Girardeau Police Department hopes to launch soon.

Under the new ordinance, fines would be set at $35 per violation. If not paid within 30 days, the fine would increase to $45, and a citation would be issued and subject to court costs. The ordinance also would change the fine for handicapped parking to allow a maximum fine of $300, as set in state statute.

The other traffic ordinance repeals no parking anytime along a portion of William Street next to Indian Park. City staff were contacted by a concerned resident who pointed out the difficulty and safety concerns of crossing William Street with children.

There was a time when parking was allowed on both sides of William Street in the Indian Park area, Meyer said, but the city decided to change that because of "difficulties" it experienced. Staff reports cite crime issues as the reason no parking was established in 2001 on the north side of William Street. Because that's no longer the case in that area, Meyer said staff supported repealing no parking anytime near the park.

srinehart@semissourian.com

388-3641

Pertinent address:

401 Independence St., Cape Girardeau, Mo.