FLOODING, ZONING ISSUES BEFORE CITY COUNCIL TONIGHT

With topics ranging from flooding creeks in residential neighborhoods to rezoning requests and funding for a taxi coupon program, the Cape Girardeau City Council will hold seven public hearings during its meeting tonight.

The council meets at 7 p.m. at City Hall, 401 Independence.

Residents in the Ranchito-Arena watershed hope to have about 25 people attend the meeting to address the council about a proposed project to curb flooding in their area.

The city is applying for $500,000 in funding from the state to replace an old trunk sewer in the Arena Park area.

The public hearing will unveil a conceptual design for new sewer lines, and includes a 400-acre area from Arena Park on the south to Melrose Avenue on the north.

"If everything is right, the backup should be curtailed," said City Engineer Mark Lester.

Residents have complained to the council about the sewer backup for nearly 30 years. Water runoff from roofs in the area is the largest concern, some say.

But old sewer lines are likely to blame. The sewers are about 70 years old and problems with tree roots and holes can cause the backup, Lester said.

The plan needs approval from the council, then must gain support from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

In a separate public hearing, the council will consider a request from Birthright Inc. for a special-use permit to operate a facility on North Louisiana Avenue.

The Planning and Zoning Commission had denied the request.

Birthright already operates in a residential area and is seeking to find a larger home. The center is usually staffed by two or three volunteers at a time and client visits average 11 per day, said Director Judy Seabaugh in a letter.

Neighbors around the North Louisiana area say the center could cause parking problems and create more traffic. About 30 people signed a petition asking that the commission and council deny the request.

Cape Girardeau City Council agenda Monday, May 7, at 7 p.m.

City Hall, 401 Independence

Study session at 5 p.m.

Public hearings

* Public hearing regarding the Arena Creek Sanitary Sewer Improvement Facility Plan for upgrading sanitary sewers in the Arena Creek watershed area.

* Public hearing to discuss financing the Arena Creek Sanitary Sewer Improvement Project and the impact on user charges.

* Public hearings regarding the request of Garnet Hunt White and Birthright of Cape Girardeau, Inc. for a special-use permit to operate the Birthright Center at 404 N. Louisiana Ave. in an R-3, two family residential district.

* Public hearing regarding the request of Paul E. Statler Trust and The Rebel Group, LLC to rezone the southwest corner of the intersection of South Silver Springs Road and Highway 74 from R-1, single family residential district to C-2, general commercial district.

* Public hearing to consider vacating the city's interest in the street right-of-way for Helena Street from Broadway south for a distance of 265 feet.

* Public hearing regarding the filing of an application for funding from the Missouri Highway and Transportation Department pursuant to Section 5311 of Title 49, U.S. Code, to assist in funding and operating the city's taxi coupon public transit program.

Consent ordinances (Second and third readings)

* Ordinance amending Schedule A of Section 26-228 of the City Code, repealing and establishing speed limits on Broadway.

* Ordinance approving the record plat of McDonald's Subdivision.

* Ordinance approving the record plat of Engram Farms Fourth Subdivision.

* Ordinance approving the record plat of Carter Estates.

New ordinances (First reading)

* Ordinance granting a special-use permit to Garnet Hunt White and Birthright of Cape Girardeau, Inc. for purposes of maintaining and operating a birthright center at 404 N. Louisiana Ave.

* Ordinance amending Chapter 30 of the Code of Ordinances by changing the zoning of the southwest corner of the intersection of South Silver Springs Road and Highway 74 from R-1 to C-2.

* Ordinance accepting a water line easement from M. Dale and Janie M. Beaird for improvements in Golden Eagle Subdivision. Motion accepting into the city's system the street, storm sewer, water improvements and detention basin constructed to serve Golden Eagle Subdivision, in the 1900 block of North Kingshighway.

* Ordinance amending Schedule C of Section 26-121 of City Code by repealing stop signs on Hopper Road, Highland Drive, Hunze Drive, Glenview Drive and Pheasant Cove, and by placing stop signs on Old Hopper Road, Hunze Drive, Glenview Drive, Pheasant Cove, Stag Pointe and Highland Drive.

* Ordinance accepting a water line easement from Drury Southwest Inc. and a general warranty deed from DSW Development Corp. for a portion of Richmond Drive, all for improvements to serve Cape West Mobile Home Park. Motion accepting into the city's system the street and water main improvements as shown on the approved plans for Cape West Mobile Home Park, and the effluence from the private sanitary sewer system.

* Ordinance vacating the city's interest in a portion of Helena Street right-of-way.

* Ordinance accepting a temporary construction easement from Timberline International Forest Products Inc. for access to construct a rail spur in the Nash Road Industrial Park. Resolution authorizing the city manager to enter into a development agreement for a rail switch project on the Greater Cape Girardeau Industrial Park rail spur with the Timberline International Forest Products Inc. (Reading and passage)

* Ordinance amending Schedule F of Section 26-247 of the City Code establishing no parking on William Street and on Bessie Street.

* Ordinance amending Section 15-16 of the City Code relating to soliciting contributions on city streets.

Resolutions (Reading and passage)

* Resolution authorizing the city manager to file an application with the Missouri Highway and Transportation Department for funds to aid in the financing of a public transportation system.

* Resolution authorizing the city manager to execute an addendum to an engineering services contract with Koehler Engineering and Land Surveying Inc. for Mount Auburn Road widening from Independence Street southerly to Route K/William Street.

* Resolution authorizing the city manager to execute an agreement with Nip Kelley Equipment Co. Inc. for widening William Street from Sprigg Street east to Main Street.

Liquor licenses

* Conditional approval of an original package liquor and Sunday sales license for Toni Asif Majeed dba Steven's Liquor and Beer, 601 Morgan Oak, Toni Asif Majeed, managing officer.

Conditional renewal of the following liquor licenses:

Retail liquor by the drink and Sunday sales

* Capashco Inc., dba The Pasta House Co., 3049 William #155, Edward Georgen, managing officer.

* Eateries Inc., dba Garfield's Restaurant, 3049 William #211, Carla Jean Williams, managing officer.

Original package liquor and Sunday sales

* Toni A. Majeed, dba Downtown Broadway Station, 600 Broadway, Toni A. Majeed, managing officer.

* Toni A. Majeed, dba Semo Gas, 40 N. Sprigg, Toni A. Majeed, managing officer.

Other

A motion accepting into the city's system the street, storm sewers, sanitary sewers and water improvements to serve Wyandotte Acres Subdivision Second Addition and authorizing the release of $1,000 as guarantee for the improvements.

* Motion authorizing the transfer of a $50,000 one-time payment to Cape Girardeau Public School District No. 63 pursuant to the Radio and TV broadcasting studio cooperation agreement.