COUNCIL BALKS AT MOVING AHEAD WITH STREET PROJECT

The Cape Girardeau City Council balked Monday night at a Southeast Missouri State University plan to move the Henderson-New Madrid intersection project ahead of others on the transportation tax plan.

The council tabled the issue at its study session after councilmen Melvin Gateley and Richard Eggimann said such a move would violate the city's promise to voters, who approved the transportation tax in an election in August.

The intersection work is part of the city's $714,000 plan to reconstruct New Madrid Street from Perry Avenue to the Show Me Center.

The project ranks 19 out of 20 road and bridge projects to be funded with the transportation sales tax.

The city will start collecting the five-year tax in January.

"At this time, I would not dare go against the wishes of the citizens of this town," Gateley said.

Gateley said the council shouldn't move ahead with the project when higher-priority projects such as paving of gravel streets haven't started.

"We haven't even turned a spade of earth on any of these gravel streets," he said.

Eggimann argued that the intersection proposal would subjugate the tax to the wishes of the university.

Eggimann said university officials should be willing to make more concessions if they want to proceed with the project.

The Planning and Zoning Commission last week backed the university plan, but recommended the design be revised.

Commissioners said the current design would make it more difficult for motorists to proceed on Henderson north of the intersection.

School officials and the commission said the intersection needs to be improved before the new College of Business building opens next August.

New Madrid, Henderson and Greek Drive come together near the site of the new building.

The university has offered to pay the $300,000 cost of the intersection project, which includes relocating Greek Drive to intersect New Madrid at a different point.

The city would then have a year to reimburse the school for the city's share.

Harry Rediger, P and Z chairman, advised the council Monday night to move ahead with the project.

Rediger said commissioners are concerned about keeping faith with the voters. But he said the commission feels that the opening of the business building will increase traffic congestion in the New Madrid-Henderson area.

That justifies moving ahead with the project, he said.

Commissioner R.J. McKinney said, "It is really a dangerous intersection now and it is going to get worse when the building opens."

He said there could be a fatal traffic accident there unless some improvements are made soon.

McKinney said the cost of the intersection work is just a "drop in the bucket" when it comes to transportation tax dollars.

CAPE GIRARDEAU CITY COUNCIL

Action

Monday, Oct. 16, 7:30 p.m.

City Hall, 401 Independence

Consent Ordinances

Granted a special use permit to St. Francis Medical Center for smaller than required parking spaces in its parking garage. Second and third readings.

Granted a special use permit to David O. Patrick Trust to assemble computer cables at 1809 N. Kingshighway. Second and third readings.

Approved cable TV agreement with TCI Cablevision of Missouri. Second and third readings.

Established no parking on Whitener Street. Second and third readings.

Approved additional court cost for motorcycle safety trust fund. Second and third readings.

Amended city law to conform with state law requiring passenger restraints for all children under 4 years of age. Second and third readings.

Amended city code on hindering prosecution. Second and third readings.

Amended city code on resisting and interfering with arrest. Second and third readings.

Amended city code on municipal court costs. Second and third readings.

Required developers and contractors to control water runoff at construction sites. Second and third readings.

Required developers and contractors to remove mud and dirt from city streets. Second and third readings.

Allowed residents of Cape Girardeau, Scott, Bollinger and Perry to serve on the airport board. Two members could come from the region. All other members must be Cape city residents. Second and third readings.

Amended residency requirements for city boards. Second and third readings.

Accepted deed for solid waste equipment storage. Second and third readings.

Accepted deeds and easements for South Sprigg Street elevation project. Second and third readings.

Accepted deed for wastewater treatment plant access project. Second and third readings.

New Ordinances

Established no parking on Kell Farm Drive. First reading.

Accepted easements and deed for the South Sprigg Street elevation project. First reading.

Approved record plat of Northfield Seventeenth Subdivision. First, second and third readings.

Approved record plat of Six Thirty Second Subdivision. First reading.

Resolutions

Amended architectural agreement with Sebek, Alberson & Associates for Shawnee Park and Osage Park improvements. Reading and passage.

Approved agreement for sewer line reconstruction on Albert Rasche. Reading and passage.

Approved agreement for sewer line reconstruction at Main and Mill streets. Reading and passage.

Approved contract with Control Line Inc. for runway and taxiway remarking at the airport. Reading and passage.

Appointments

Reappointed Harry Rediger to the Planning and Zoning Commission.

Reappointed Jay Knudtson, David Goncher and Jim Grebing to the parks board.