COUNCIL REVIEWS LICENSES

The Cape Girardeau City Council tonight will try to resolve a four-month tiff over how far city regulations should extend to construction trades.

The council will consider a revised contractor licensing law that has stirred heated debate over such issues as whether part-time "handy man" contractors should be licensed, what minimum liability insurance requirements for contractors should be, and whether further regulation of the construction trades would eliminate competition.

In a council letter, Assistant City Manager Al Stoverink said the final revised licensing law was reviewed Aug. 27 by members of the city's Trades Licensing Committee and the City Council.

"Members of the Trades Licensing Committee attended numerous meetings and put a great number of hours into drafting and amending this ordinance," Stoverink wrote.

"While there may not be total agreement regarding the wording of the ordinance, we feel that it is important to get this issue resolved."

The city staff recommended in the letter that the council approve first reading of the law at tonight's meeting.

The council June 17 asked the city staff to prepare a contractor licensing ordinance that included amendments to an earlier measure the council tabled in May.

But the council failed to pass the amended measure in June, tabling it for further discussion at the July 1 council meeting.

The new law has few changes from the previously amended version. The ordinance would establish a five-member Board of Examiners with three alternate members. Four of the five members are required to be practicing contractors with at least six years practical experience.

The board will administer the licensing examination and issue licenses to qualified applicants. The board also will advise the city council and staff.

Licenses are required of contractors who perform any work on structures that must be done in accordance with the BOCA national building codes.

Other requirements include:

20Applicants must have at least four years practical experience. The Board of Examiners may waive the experience requirements if an applicant has comparable training from a certified technical school, college or university.

Contractors can apply for a separate remodeling and repair license that is exempt from the experience and testing requirements. Those contractors are excluded from performing work on gas service lines and connections, electrical service entrants, and sewer discharge and venting systems.

The annual licensing fee would be $5 with a $10 application fee for an initial license.

The latest version of the ordinance makes no mention of a minimum liability insurance requirement. Previously, contractors would have been required to show proof of at least $500,000 liability insurance. "Handy man" contractors would have had to have $300,000 liability insurance.

The new version of the law states only that "no person shall be issued a license ... until such time as such applicant provides proof of general liability insurance."

Any person who performs contracting work without a license would be subject to a fine not to exceed $500 and, or, three months in the city jail.

Only plumbers and gas fitters currently are required to be licensed with the city. The new law would require that all building contractors, electricians and mechanical installers be licensed.

The council also will conduct a public hearing to consider changes in the city's flood plain management regulations.

The new regulations will include a definition of historic structures and substantial damage. The regulation's definitions for new construction, substantial improvement and start of construction will be revised, as will the variance section of the regulations.

In other business, the council will consider:

20A law calling for a special bond election on the question of whether to issue nearly $12 million in water system revenue bonds for the purpose of financing the purchase and improvement of the city's water system.

Laws calling for special elections on the question of whether to grant Union Electric new 20-year electric and gas franchises with the city.

20A law that prohibiting alcohol consumption while operating a motor vehicle.

20A law to place stop signs on Cousin and Maple streets, Lexington Avenue and Abbey Road.

20A resolution approving rental agreements for a new airport T-hangar.