COUNCIL GIVES NOD TO MAJOR ROADWORK

The Cape Girardeau City Council paved the way for major road improvements Monday night, approving plans for a number of Transportation Trust Fund projects.

The projects include long-anticipated improvements to Broadway and Bloomfield Road.

The council gave initial approval to seven ordinances that will set the stage for the council to let bids on construction work later this year.

Mayor Al Spradling III said the street improvements include some of the key projects that voters had been promised in approving the half-cent transportation tax in 1995.

The tax is to expire in 2000. But Spradling said the city may ask voters later this year to extend the tax another five years.

The tax has helped pay for a number of road projects.

Spradling said the projects slated for construction starts this year cover everything from widening streets to constructing new pavement and sidewalks. Storm drainage improvements also are included in a number of the projects, he said.

The city plans to:

* Widen Broadway from Clark to Perry.

* Extend Silver Springs Road from Route K to existing Silver Springs south of Independence.

* Improve Mount Auburn from Route K to Independence.

* Widen Bloomfield Road from west of South Kingshighway to Siemers Drive and from Christine Street to Sprigg.

* Widen Hopper Road from Oak Ridge Court to Interstate 55.

* Construct a new Hopper Road from Mount Auburn to Kage Road.

Design work has been completed for the Broadway, Mount Auburn Road and Silver Springs extension.

Property owners won't be assessed for the Broadway project provided that all rights of way and easements are donated as promised, city officials said.

No tax bills would be assessed along the two sections of Bloomfield Road provided that all right of way and easements are donated.

Property owners would pay $67 per front foot plus right-of-way costs for the Mount Auburn Road project.

The Silver Springs extension would cost affected property owners $56 per front foot plus right-of-way expenses.

Construction of Hopper Road from Mount Auburn to Kage would cost property owners a maximum of $25 per front foot under the measure approved by the council.

Tax bills won't be assessed property owners along Hopper Road from Oak Ridge Court to I-55 provided that all right of way and easements are donated, city officials said.

In other road matters, the council passed a resolution keeping the maximum assessments for street projects at the same level as last year. The maximum cost will range from as low as $25 per front foot for a new, 30-foot-wide residential street to as high as $67 per front foot plus land costs for widening commercial streets.

City engineer Mark Lester told council members that improvements to Perryville Road have been nearly completed. A section of Perryville Road that has been closed due to the construction could be reopened later this week, he said.

CAPE GIRARDEAU CITY COUNCIL

Monday, Jan. 4

City Hall

Public hearings* Held a hearing to improve part of Delwin Street from Leroy Drive to Janet Drive.* Held a hearing for annexation from David E. Howard, James and Christina Green and Mark and Kellie Phillips for a 9.4-acre tract at the north city limits.* Held a hearing for annexation from the Missouri Transportation Commission for a 2.5-acre tract of the southbound lane of Interstate 55.* Held a hearing from Gary and Patsy Robert for nomination of the Freeman House at 24 N. Middle St. for an historic landmark zoning classification.* Held a hearing from Good Shepherd Lutheran Chapel for a special-use permit to add to the church and a temporary construction crew camp at 1904 W. Cape Rock Drive in an R-1, single-family residential district.* Held a hearing from Mary E. Skelton for a special-use permit for a bed and breakfast at 635 S. Sprigg St. in an R-3, two-family residential district.Consent ordinances(Second and third readings)* Granted a special-use permit to Bible Missionary Church for a double-wide manufactured home at 2885 Hopper Road.* Approved record plat of Baileys first subdivision.* Approved record plat of Thomas Drive subdivision.New ordinances(First readings)* Designated the Freeman House, 24 N. Middle St. as an historic landmark.* Granted special-use permit to Good Shepherd Lutheran Chapel to construct, maintain and operate an addition to the church and a temporary construction crew camp at 1904 W. Cape Rock Drive.* Granted special-use permit to Mary E. Skelton to maintain and operate a bed and breakfast at 635 S. Sprigg St.* Directed the city manager to contract the work and payment for the work of Broadway from Clark Avenue east to Perry Avenue.* Directed the city manager to contract work and payment for the work of Mount Auburn Road from Route K to Independence Street.* Directed the city manager to contract work and payment for the work of Silver Springs Road from Route K to the end of the existing pavement south of Independence.* Approved ordinance to improve Bloomfield Road from west of South Kingshighway to Siemers Drive.* Approved ordinance to improve Bloomfield Road from Christine Street to Spring Street.* Approved ordinance to improve Hopper Road from Mount Auburn to Kage Road.* Approved ordinance to improve Hopper Road from Oak Ridge Court to Interstate 55.* Passed ordinance authorizing special tax bills for the demolition of dangerous buildings under the provisions of Chapter 7 of the Code of Ordinances.Resolutions(Reading and passage)* Passed a resolution acknowledging receipt of an annexation petition and setting a public hearing regarding the proposed annexation. (Missouri Transportation Commission).* Authorized the city manager to execute a microfilm services agreement with ARS Micrographics Inc.* Established the Maximum Annual Assessment Policy for Transportation Trust Fund Projects for the calendar year 1999.* Authorized the city manager to execute a license and indemnity agreement with Robert and Susan Welker to place certain improvements on city right-of-way at 701 Whitelaw St.Appointments* Appointed Chad Borders to the Cable TV Advisory Board.* Postponed making an appointment to the Vision 2000 Community Relation Council.Other* Accepted the annual audit report for the fiscal year ending last June 30.