COUNCIL TO CONSIDER WATER BILLING CHANGES

The Cape Girardeau City Council will examine changes in water billing procedures tonight during its first meeting of the year.

Concerns were raised last month over the city's policy on disconnecting service after service was cut to a southside church because of a delinquent $11.35 bill.

City policy was to disconnect service to customers with delinquent bills of $10 or more. The city staff recommened raising that threshold to $15, a policy which already has been instituted.

The council will consider an ordinance change that would save some people whose water is shut off money in reconnection fees. A reconnection fee of $15 is charged and an additional $15 is added if reconnections are requested on weekends or holidays or after business hours. The ordinance change would set the after-hours cutoff at 5 p.m., instead of the current 4:30 p.m.

Councilman Richard Eggiman, who called for the policy to be reviewed, said Sunday that he was still thinking the issue over. Prime concern, he said, is whether people are receiving proper notification that they are subject to loss of service.

Although policy service can be cut off 12 days after a bill is delinquent, it actually takes much longer. Mayor Albert M. Spradling III said that after notification of delinquence and two shutoff notices are sent, an average 63 days pass before service is cut off.

The staff is working on an appeals process that will let the city manager review customer complaints. Such a process is still being developed and won't be subject to council action tonight.

"The main idea we're looking at is that before we get to he cutoff stage it will be reviewed by a senior city official," said Spradling. "Before it is actually acted upon, we will look at a person's account and see if this is a one-time situation or if they are a chronic abuser. If that is in place, I think we'll have a better ability to handle any problems."

Another staff recommendation calls for making the phone number customers can call regarding contested bills or pending disconnects more prominent on the monthly bills. That will happen for the next billing cycle.

AGENDA

Cape Girardeau City Council

Agenda, Monday, 7:30 p.m., City Hall

Public Hearings

Petition for voluntary annexation of Hanover Lutheran Church.

Request of Gospel Assembly Church for a special use permit for a church in the 2400 block of Boutin Drive.

Request of Mary J. Gerlach and Iris J. Ford for a special use permit for a golf driving range in the 800 block of Hawthorne Road.

Appearance

Appearance by F.R. "Buz" Sutherland of the Small Business Development Center.

Consent Ordinances (Second and third readings)

Prohibit parking on section of South Sprigg.

Accept easements for the Twin Lakes Subdivision sewer project.

Approve ordinances expanding size of eight city advisory boards.

New Ordinances (First readings)

Place on the April 2 ballot 11 proposed amendments to the city charter.

Name new connecting street between Ellis and Pacific as Pear Street.

Retain College as the name for a relocated section of the street.

Grant a special use permit for a church in the 2400 block of Boutin Drive.

Grant a special use permit for a golf driving range in the 800 block of Hawthorne Road.

Approve placement of a stop sign on Minnesota at New Route 74.

Approve placement of traffic lights on New Route 74 at South Kingshighway, West End Boulevard and Sprigg Street.

Approve placement of yield signs on South Kingshighway, New Route 74, Minnesota Avenue, West End Boulevard and South Sprigg Street.

Establish 45 mph speed limit on New Route 74.

Accept deed for the closure of the city landfill.

Establish a Cable Television Advisory Committee and the terms of its members.

Approve revised record plat of Red Oak Estates.

Approve exchange of property with the Cape Girardeau Country Club.

Amend city utility billing practices.

Amend city code to license and test electricians.

Resolutions

Establish public hearing for Brucher Street paving project.

Amend city's investment policy.

Approve lease agreement with the Missouri Conservation Commission for Cape Woods Conservation Area.

Other

Discuss council Committee recommendations on city advisory boards.

Approve annual city audit for year ending June 30, 1995.

Discuss proposal to create a board of governors for the Convention and Visitors Fund.

Approve contracts for appraisal and title services for the flood buyout program.