COUNCIL SETS RULES FOR THOSE SEEKING DONATIONS ON STREETS

The Cape Girardeau City Council unanimously adopted an ordinance Monday that would put limits on how groups can solicit donations on city streets.

After hearing several requests over a period of months, the council asked staff members to draft a set of guidelines that could be used to determine what requests to grant.

The most recent solicitation request came April 16 from Sharon Simpkins and Charlotte Cannon who were seeking money to cover the cost of exhuming the body of Simpkins aunt, Brenda Fisher-Baker.

Baker died last year from what the Scott County coroner says was a methamphetamine overdose. Four months later, her husband was charged with murder. Family members want Baker's death investigated, but county officials don't think it is necessary.

The council voted to deny Simpkins' and Cannon's request. The council had earlier approved requests for youth ball teams and other civic groups, limiting the sites for collection because of safety concerns. Each request was judged on an individual basis.

The ordinance proposed by city staff would limit collections to groups based on the following conditions:

* Show proof of tax-exempt status and have an association to Cape Girardeau.

* Participants must be at least 18, and no one younger than 18 could accompany the group.

* Participants must wear approved safety vests.

* Organizations must sign a waiver saying the city isn't to blame if someone is injured.

* Participants are prohibited from crossing lanes of traffic or darting between vehicles.

* Soliciting would be during daylight hours only.

* Organizations would be limited to one event a year and no more than an event a month.