DOWNTOWN TO DISCUSS CODE WITH CITY COUNCIL

A group of downtown home owners has asked to appear before the Cape Girardeau City Council tonight to discuss a proposed property maintenance code.

The council apparently isn't yet ready to act on the proposed "Cape Girardeau Property Maintenance Code," a pared down version of the national Building Officials and Code Administrators (BOCA) minimum property maintenance code.

In a letter to the city council, Charles E. Kupchella of 303 S. Spanish St. asked to appear at tonight's council meeting on behalf of 18 residents of downtown Cape.

"We are residents of downtown Cape Girardeau who are concerned about the downtown area," Kupchella said. "We would like to meet with the council regarding the proposed property maintenance code."

Others who signed the letter include: Tim and Connie Cox; Bert and Mary Ann Kellerman; Don Greenwood and Roseanna Whitlow; Tom and Terri Neumeyer; Dale and Betty Alsager; Cliff and Lynette Shirrell; John and Jerri Wyman; and George Corriveau and Jon Colburn.

Earlier this month, the council got its first look at a revised version of the code that was first proposed in July.

The city's Board of Appeals recommended approval of the BOCA ordinance, but council members in July berated the national code as too intrusive. Council members then went through the code and suggested deletions and amendments a process that was completed late last month.

All the council suggestions have been grafted onto the code, which only has been released to city staff, council and board of appeals members.

Some city staff members have been stalwart proponents of the code as a needed measure to ensure Cape Girardeau has safe and sanitary buildings. Opponents have reacted to the idea of expanding city government in the area of building regulations.

In other business tonight, the council will consider a resolution that would extend for one year the contract for operation of the air traffic control tower at the Cape Girardeau Municipal Airport.

Public Works Director Doug Leslie said in a letter to the council that the Federal Aviation Administration has approved the "option year extension" for the control tower contract.

"The contract that was entered into by the city with the FAA in October on 1992 is scheduled to expire on Sept. 30," Leslie said. "FAA has agreed to cover the additional liability insurance expense and additional federally-determined wages for the air traffic control personnel."

The city staff has recommended approval of the contract extension.

The council also will consider first reading of an ordinance that would prohibit developers and contractors from burying sanitary manhole covers.

In a letter to the council, City Engineer J. Kensey Russell said the problem has increased with the continued growth and development in Cape Girardeau.

"Out-of-town developers and contractors have not been cooperative in raising and protecting these facilities," Russell said. "The city ordinances contain provisions for protecting sewage works from other types of damage.

"This amendment would add specific protection from filling over sewage structures."

Other agenda items include:

A presentation by Leslie and Tom Taggert on the city water system's first year of operation.

A public hearing regarding the request of Southeast Missouri Hospital that the city vacate a portion of Frank Avenue, an undeveloped street.

20Two appointments to the city's Golf Course Advisory Board.

A measure that would enable the extension of the city's water system to Chateau Girardeau Cottage Complex.

Acceptance of and final payment for the new A.C. Brase Arena building ceiling at a cost of $23,500.

Ordinances to set the speed limit in the recently annexed Twin Lakes subdivision at 25 mph and place stop signs at various intersections in the tract.