COUNCIL TO REVIEW POLITICAL ACTIVITY RULES FOR WORKERS

Several changes relating to city employees and political activities will be discussed during the Cape Girardeau City Council meeting tonight.

City officials will consider changing the city code to bring it in line with state personnel laws about employees running for political office, making contributions to political parties and working at election polls.

City Attorney Eric Cunningham said the city's personnel manual team, while reviewing the city's personnel manual, noted several changes in personnel law since the city adopted its 1967 ordinance about city employees and political activities.

"Our ordinance will need to be amended to eliminate the constitutional problems that have arisen with those provisions," Cunningham said.

The city code broadly prohibits employees from being candidates for political office unless they are on an unpaid leave of absence.

City officials may change the restriction to prohibit employees from running for office only if the candidacy or office conflicts with that employee's work duties.

Another change will make it clear that while city employees legally can make contributions to political campaigns, they may not do so while on duty.

Further, the city code will be clarified to indicate that seeking petition signatures or working election polls are only prohibited when they relate to municipal elections.

Access channel pact

In other business, the council will consider an agreement with the Cape Girardeau School District allowing a second public access channel that will carry programming developed by local students.

The school district plans to build and equip a television studio at the Career and Technology Center on Silver Springs Road. Students will learn to produce programs.

Public access Channel 5 carries council and school board meetings, and public service announcements.

The new channel will be paid for from the city's franchise agreement with Charter Communications.

The council also will consider authorizing contracts for the demolition of structures at 629 Terry Lane, 24 S. Pacific St. and 228 S. Pacific St.

Additionally, council members will consider a five-year lease agreement allowing ARCH Air Medical Services to house its helicopter and associated equipment at the Cape Girardeau Regional Airport.

ARCH recently bought Southeast Missouri Hospital's helicopter air medical operation. The lease includes rental of a 6,000-square-foot hangar owned by the city and about 11,400 square feet of associated land at a rate of $1,900 a month.

The council meets at 7 p.m., with a study session at 5 p.m., in the council chambers at City Hall, 401 Independence St.

CAPE GIRARDEAU CITY COUNCIL AGENDA

Monday, Dec. 4, at 7 p.m.

Council Chambers, City Hall, 401 Independence

Study session at 5 p.m.

Consent ordinances

(Second and third readings)

• An ordinance authorizing the city manager to execute an agreement with the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission for work at the I-55/AB interchange.
• An ordinance authorizing the city manager to execute a supplemental municipal agreement with the Missouri Highway and Transportation Commission for storm sewer drainage along Missouri Route 74.
• An ordinance amending Schedule F of Section 26-247 of the city code, repealing certain no parking on Village Drive and establishing new no parking on Village Drive.
• An ordinance amending Chapter 29 of the city code relating to application for water and sewer service

New ordinances

(First reading)

• An ordinance amending Chapter 19 of the city code relating to employee political activities.
• An ordinance accepting a quit claim deed conveying excess land from the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission for right of way for the Cape La Croix Creek/Walker Branch Flood Control Project.
• An ordinance amending Chapter 25 of the city code relating to subdivision regulations.
• An ordinance amending Chapter 23 of the city code relating to stormwater management regulations.
• An ordinance authorizing the city manager to execute a radio and TV broadcasting studio cooperation agreement with Cape Girardeau School District 63.

Resolutions

(Reading and passage)

• A resolution authorizing the city manager to execute a demolition contract with Nip Kelley Equipment Co.
• A resolution authorizing the city manager to execute a demolition contract with Floyd Ware Construction.
• A resolution authorizing the city manager to execute an application and all other necessary grant documents to the Missouri Department of Natural Resources for the Missouri Stormwater Grant Program.
• A resolution authorizing the city manager to execute a lease agreement with Arch Medical Services.

Other

• A motion accepting into the city's system the improvements completed under the 99-1 Street Overlay Program and authorizing final payment to Apex Paving Co.