Council discusses initiative to empower neighborhoods

City staffers and members of the Cape Girardeau City Council expressed their excitement over a new program to improve and empower neighborhoods at the council's regular meeting Monday night.

Jennifer Criblez of the city's Planning Services Division said the neighborhood development initiative "really brings together all of our services." The idea was discussed at the council's retreat in April as a way to help people overcome problems specific to their neighborhoods, but Criblez said it would do more than that.

"This is not just about problem solving," she said. "We want to highlight everything they're able to do successfully."

Two pilot neighborhoods have been identified to participate in the initiative. Charter Neighborhood 1 -- the areas have not been named, Criblez said, to allow each Neighborhood Association to decide how they want their neighborhood to be identified -- stretches north to south from Highway 74 to Hackberry Street and east to west from Ranney Avenue to Beaudean Lane. Charter Neighborhood 2 encompasses the area from Second Street to East Cape Rock Drive and spans east to west from Rand Street to Big Bend Road.

Each area would be represented by its own Neighborhood Association, and leaders from each group would serve as members of the Neighborhood Association Coalition, which would act as a liaison between neighborhoods and the city. As far as leadership styles and meeting formats are concerned, Criblez said the goal is to let them form organically, so each community can determine what method works best. The city will provide leadership training, however, to help leaders organize meetings, successfully work with local resources and deliver presentations to the city council.

If the initiative is truly successful, neighborhoods won't just have a better connection with the city.

"We want to start bridging the gaps between neighbors," said Criblez.

When councilman Wayne Bowen asked about possible problems or complications that could arise, Criblez admitted outreach would be the first and possibly the biggest issue. She said city staff planned to reach out to those interested in becoming neighborhood leaders through multiple mediums, including fliers and social media. Council members were also encouraged to identify possible leaders.

Councilwoman Shelly Moore was among those reaching out to her ward to find leaders for the pilot neighborhoods. She believes the program is a good idea, but said it would take a lot of work from parties on both sides.

"It has the potential to be a good thing, especially if they collaborate with each other," Moore said of the neighborhoods and the city. "You get the right people, get the right things in place ... this could be a good thing for the city."

Those interested in learning more about the initiative or becoming a neighborhood leader may contact Criblez at 339-6327 or jcriblez@cityofcape.org.

Other business

After discussing the neighborhood development initiative during the study session, the council gave approval to a number of items during the regular session.

It approved a resolution authorizing a contract with Fronabarger Concreters Inc. for the Greater Cape Girardeau Business Park. Nearly half of the roughly $1.5 million in construction -- which primarily consists of sidewalk, street, water and sewer infrastructure -- will be reimbursed by a community development block grant, while the rest will be paid for through business park-related project funds.

The council also gave initial approval to an ordinance authorizing the city manager to execute an ER-Emergency Relief Program agreement with the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission. The agreement would allow the city to perform an investigative study, design and construction to repair sinkholes in the South Sprigg Street and Cape LaCroix Creek area.

The area has battled sinkhole problems since 2007. Sinkhole activity increased last year, forcing the city to close the street. At the meeting, city manager Scott Meyer expressed hope that South Sprigg could reopen and traffic to homes and businesses in the area could again continue in the area.

Funding from the Federal Highway Administration Emergency Relief Program, administered by the Missouri Department of Transportation, will be used to investigate the cause of the sinkholes, reasonable corrective response options and to design and implement an approved construction project to restore and reopen South Sprigg.

The grant requires a 20 percent match from the city, with the federal share not to exceed $1.2 million. The city has received a Delta Regional Authority grant of $100,000 to be put toward its share. Any remaining funding for the project will come from stormwater sales tax revenue.

During the regular session, the council also gave final approval to the ordinance placing the one-eighth-cent fire sales tax extension question on the November ballot.

srinehart@semissourian.com

388-3641

Pertinent address:

401 Independence St., Cape Girardeau, Mo.