Council approves amended speed limits

The Cape Girardeau City Council at its Monday night meeting approved an ordinance first considered at the Aug. 18 meeting that amends speed limits along Kingshighway.

The changes were suggested by the Missouri Department of Transportation, which conducted a traffic study to look at "hot spots" identified by local business owners.

The first reading of the ordinance was postponed because council members worried the changes would increase speeds near the intersection of South Silver Springs Road, which is near Central High School. Craig Compas, a traffic engineer at MoDOT, told the council the existing speed limit in that area was 55 miles per hour and the study did not find reason to change the limit.

The study does suggest decreasing speeds along most of North Kingshighway to 45 mph. After the ordinance receives final approval, the speed limit on Kingshighway will be 55 mph from Interstate 55 exit 99 to Boulder Crest Drive; 45 mph from Boulder Crest Drive to Cape Rock Drive; 35 mph from Cape Rock Drive to Good Hope Street; 45 mph from Good Hope Street to Gerhardt Street; and 55 mph from Gerhardt Street to Interstate 55 exit 93.

The council also gave initial approval to an ordinance authorizing the city manager to execute an agreement with the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission to perform a traffic study to improve traffic flow and relieve congestion during peak travel periods at the intersection of Independence Street and Gordonville Road. Improvements in the area are listed as one of the Transportation Trust Fund 4 projects.

Other business

* The council continued its discussion of amending the city code to include a new section restricting people younger than 21 from patronizing establishments that serve alcohol. City staff and public safety officials have recommended the addition of mandatory server training. At the last meeting, Cape Girardeau police chief Wes Blair took note of council members' questions and concerns and came to Monday night's meeting with a few answers.

Blair said he looked at the ordinances for cities similar to Cape Girardeau, including Springfield, Missouri, to draw comparisons to the latest proposal. He said Springfield has an ordinance similar to that being considered by the council, but has an interesting addition Blair said he believed should be considered.

In Springfield, bars are not allowed to sell alcohol below cost, a measure designed to help cut down binge drinking. Mayor Harry Rediger, who previously voiced his support of amending the city code to help curb underage drinking, said he would be interested in making such an addition to the recent proposal. Council members Loretta Schneider and Victor Gunn also voiced their approval.

The council has determined that if it takes action on the proposal, it will not do so until June, to coincide with the renewal of liquor licenses.

* A resolution authorizing the city manager to execute a contract with Horner & Shifrin Inc. for the South Sprigg Street Roadway Restoration Project was approved by the council. The contractors will provide the beginning investigative work to address sinkholes at the Cape LaCroix Creek bridge.

The cost of the investigative work for project will be a not-to-be-exceeded amount of $462,339. That amount qualifies for 80 percent reimbursement under the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission Emergency Program Relief. The city also received a $100,000 Delta Regional Authority grant that will be put toward its 20 percent match. Any remaining funding for the project will come from the stormwater sales tax revenue.

srinehart@semissourian.com

388-3641

Pertinent address:

401 Independence St., Cape Girardeau, Mo.