GAMBLING: COUNCIL LIKELY TO DECIDE MONDAY ON AN ELECTION

The Cape Girardeau City Council is expected to decide Monday whether to hold a special election on the issue of riverboat gambling in Cape Girardeau.

Although Missouri voters in November approved riverboat gambling in the state, municipalities and counties must approve the measure locally if they intend to have a "floating casino."

Charles P. Hutson, president of Cape Girardeau's Downtown Redevelopment Corp., last month sent a letter to the city asking the council to approve a special election at the earliest possible date.

In a letter to council members, City Manager J. Ronald Fischer said state statutes set five dates for special elections: March 2, April 6, June 8, Aug. 3 and Nov. 2.

Fischer said Cape Girardeau County Clerk Rodney Miller must receive a formal written notice of the city's intent to have a special election no later than eight weeks prior to the election.

In the case of a March election, the city council must notify Miller of its intentions by Tuesday. The notification deadlines for the subsequent election dates are Feb. 9, April 13, June 8, and Sept. 7.

"The approximate cost for this election would be $4,000," Fischer said. "This is based on the costs of the two previous special elections requested by the city.

"It is our understanding that the costs for this election will be paid by those persons requesting the election," he said.

In his letter to the city, Hutson said, "I have had several inquiries into the possibility of a riverboat being docked in our city and other suggestions concerning supporting a major project of this type."

In encouraging the council to act promptly, Hutson said, "Time is important as we do not want to discourage or lose any prospects for this new industry for our city."

The council briefly discussed the issue at the study session prior to its last meeting Dec. 21, but took no action. At that meeting two local ministers objected to riverboat gambling in Cape Girardeau.

In other business Monday, the council will review procedural guidelines for city council meetings. Councilman Melvin Gateley last month requested the matter be placed on the agenda.

In a letter to council members, Deputy City Clerk Gayle Conrad cited Section 5 of the City Council Handbook and Policy Statements, which establishes general procedures for council meetings.

"The staff recommends that you review this information prior to the (council meeting) for possible updates or amendments that may be necessary," Conrad said.

The handbook provides guidelines for:

Placing items on the council agenda: "If an item is to be considered on the city council agenda, it must be submitted to the city manager's office no later than the Wednesday prior to the next council meeting."

The handbook also allows for the city manager to prepare a "revised agenda" for items submitted past the deadline.

Council discussion of non-agenda items: "Any member of the council may move to bring up for consideration by the council at any meeting, any matter, even though it was not placed on the agenda of the meeting."

Citizen comments during meetings: "Once a motion is brought to the floor, discussion is limited to council members, the mayor and city manager only.

"Citizens who address the council are required to address the council from the podium set up for that purpose." But councilmen may ask questions of supporters and opponents of a matter at any time during the debate.

The presiding officer's responsibilities: "The presiding officer is responsible for the conduct of the meeting. It is his duty to maintain order and decorum, limit length and repetitive orations, but allow all interested parties an opportunity to discuss and present their position."

Council abstentions because of financial interest or other conflicts of interest: "A councilman who intends to abstain or disqualify himself because of personal or financial reasons or a conflict of interest explains this at the opening of any discussion on the issue and refrains from entering the discussion."

Also on the agenda for Monday's meeting is consideration of an ordinance to appropriate $50,000 from the general fund for the city's share of costs for the Cape Girardeau Area Industrial Recruitment Association and $4,000 from the solid-waste fund for the city's share of costs for Regional Solid Waste District.

The only public hearing scheduled for Monday's meeting will be regarding the request of Charles E. Stiver to designate the Christian and Gladys Stiver House, 406 N. Louisiana, a "historic landmark."