COUNCILMEN UNDECIDED ON ELECTION

Three Cape Girardeau city council members whose terms end in April say they don't know if they will run again.

All three -- Dr. Melvin Kasten, Melvin Gateley and Jack Rickard -- are completing their first terms.

Gateley and Kasten are finishing four-year terms. Rickard is completing a two-year unexpired term.

Nominating petitions can be picked up at City Hall, beginning Oct. 9. The filing period runs from Nov. 8 through Dec. 8.

If more than two candidates file for a ward seat, a primary election will be held Feb. 6. The general election is April 2.

Rickard was elected as Ward 3 councilman in a special election in August 1994 to fill the seat vacated by Al Spradling III, who was elected mayor the previous April.

Gateley and Kasten were elected under an at-large system four years ago. But they will only have to win voter approval in their individual wards to get re-elected.

Gateley and Kasten were elected in April 1992. In November 1992 city residents voted to elect council members by ward, while retaining the at-large system for choosing a mayor. The city was divided into six wards.

The first ward elections occurred in April 1994, when seats were filled for wards 1, 2 and 6.

With the election of Rickard last year, only voters in wards 4 and 5, have yet to vote in a ward election.

Gateley was the top vote-getter in the April 1992 municipal election. He retained his council seat after losing to Al Spradling III in the mayoral race in 1994.

"I love what I am doing," Gateley said. "It is the greatest thing in the world."

But he said other civic activities might keep him from running again. Gateley is a key player in the Vision 2000 civic group and is involved in the Cape Girardeau School District's strategic planning effort.

"I don't want to ever do a job just part way," said Gateley, a retired school principal. "I am dedicated to doing it the best I can."

Kasten said he is considering running for a second term but hasn't made up his mind.

"I have enjoyed doing it," Kasten said of his first term, but he doesn't like the ward system.

"I think you should be on it for Cape Girardeau, not for a ward," he said.

Rickard hasn't looked ahead to next year's election. "I just really haven't given it any thought," he said.

Council duties take a lot of time, he said.

Rickard isn't in any hurry to make a decision on whether to seek a full, four-year term.

"We have a new city manager coming in," he said. "I will probably see how that goes."

Cape Girardeau City Council

Agenda

Monday, Oct. 2, 7:30 p.m.

City Hall, 401 Independence

Public Hearings

Request of St. Francis Medical Center for a special-use permit to allow smaller parking spaces in its parking garage now under construction.

Request of David O. Patrick Trust for a special-use permit to assemble computer cables at 1809 N. Kingshighway.

Appearance

Appearance by Michael Maguire of the Cable Television Citizens Committee.

Consent Ordinances

Issue tax bills for paving of Charles Street. Second and third reading.

Accept easements for the wastewater treatment plant access road. Second and third readings.

Accept a deed and an easement for the South Sprigg Street elevation project. Second and third readings.

Approve the record plat of Hunter's Place Second Subdivision. Second and third readings.

Approve the record plat of Pekios Addition. Second and third readings.

New Ordinances

Grant a special-use permit to St. Francis Medical Center for a parking garage. First reading.

Grant a special-use permit to David O. Patrick Trust to assemble computer cables. First reading.

Execute a cable TV franchise agreement with TCI Cablevision of Missouri. First reading.

Establish no parking on Whitener Street. First reading.

Amend city code regarding wearing of motorcycle helmets. First, second, and third readings.

Amend city code on careful and prudent operation of a motor vehicle. First, second and third readings.

Amend city code on speeding. First, second and third readings.

Impose added court cost for the Motorcycle Safety Trust Fund as mandated by the state.

Amend city code regarding passenger restraints for children. First reading.

Amend city law on hindering prosecution. First reading.

Amend city law on resisting or interfering with an arrest. First reading.

Amend city law on municipal court costs. First reading.

Execute license and indemnity agreement for a home on North Water Street right of way. First, second and third readings.

Enact law to control water runoff and soil erosion from construction projects. First reading.

Enact law to require contractors to remove mud and dirt from public streets. First reading.

Amend city code on residency requirements for the Cape Girardeau Airport Board. First reading.

Approve residency requirements for city advisory boards. First reading.

Approve record plat of Red Oak Estates Subdivision. First, second and third readings.

Accept a deed for solid waste equipment storage. First reading.

Accept deeds and easement for the South Sprigg Street elevation project. First reading.

Accept a deed for the wastewater treatment plant access project. First reading.

Resolutions

Execute an escrow agreement for Red Oak Estates. Reading and passage.

Approve plan to close the Burlington Northern Railroad crossing at Cooper Street. Reading and passage.

Approve agreements with Burns and McDonnell Engineering for the water treatment and distribution system project. Reading and passage.

Liquor Licenses

Approve four liquor licenses.

Other

Accept street and sewer improvements for Lexington Place Third Subdivision and release escrow agreement.

Accept the water main extension to serve Pinewood Trailer Park.

Approve sewer improvements for the Lutheran Home.

Approve street and sewer plans for Pinewood Place Subdivision.

Accept street repairs and overlay improvements and authorize final payment to Apex Paving Co.

Amend council handbook and policy statements on advisory boards.