GOVERNMENT: COUNCIL DISCUSSES GUN LAW

When Jay Purcell wanted to know how Missouri laws on carrying weapons compared to the city's ordinances on the matter, he asked the city council hold a discussion on the topic.

They did Monday during a a 15-minute study session but took no action during the regular meeting.

Council members routinely request discussions to gauge interest in a topic, learn more about proposed ordinances or city programs and consider proposed ordinances.

Council members simply ask that items for discussion be placed on a meeting agenda. Staff members also can request an item be discussed.

Sometimes the topics are related to proposed ordinances while other times they serve more as an informational tool, said City Manager Michael Miller.

If the discussion involves a proposed ordinance, it often means that the city staff prepare reports or memos to council members. Sometimes staff also outline answers to specific questions that have been asked or explain a program in the memos.

"Sometimes we ask them to give information to us or it can be something they bring to us that they've learned from conferences and seminars," said Mayor Al Spradling III. "We don't want them to be stagnant and do nothing."

Lately the discussion topics have been set primarily by council members, including ones on liquor license laws, regulations on wearing motorcycle helmets and gun laws.

Staff members suggested a proposed ordinance on automated red light enforcement and that will come up again for discussion next month.

Another topic that could return is fireworks regulations -- a topic that raised questions around the New Year holiday in 1999. A discussion was again requested by Councilman Frank Stoffregen on Monday.

If an ordinance has any possibility for controversy or requires a major decision of the council, it will be placed as a discussion topic before being considered as an ordinance, Miller said.

"We try to do research and give them all the facts needed to make a decision," he said. The discussions help gauge interest.

Sometimes the discussions are held just because a councilman is curious, as was the case with Purcell.

"I just want to learn from this session so that I can tell other people," Purcell said.

The discussion on gun laws centered around a question of who can carry a weapon, where and when.

City Attorney Eric Cunningham presented a report based on Missouri Constitution and city ordinances. The greatest difference between the two government documents is that in Cape Girardeau you can discharge a gun when trying to defend yourself as long as you are in your own home or on your business property. Otherwise, city ordinances prohibit discharging a gun within city limits unless at a firing range.

CAPE CITY COUNCIL ACTION TAKEN

Monday, Oct. 23 at 7 p.m.

Council chambers, City Hall, 401 Independence

Study session at 5 p.m.

Public hearings

• Held public hearing regarding the city's past performance in carrying out a 1999 Innovative Grant under the Community Development Block Grant Program for removal of asbestos and demolition of the old St. Francis Hospital at 801 Good Hope St.

Consent ordinances

(Second and third readings)

• Passed ordinance amending Chapter 30 of the Code of Ordinances by changing the zoning of 2912 Bloomfield Road from R-1 to R-4.
• Passed ordinance amending Chapter 30 of the Code of Ordinances by changing the zoning of 2825 Bloomfield Road (Fornkohl Tract) from R-1 to R-4.
• Passed ordinance amending Chapter 30 of the Code of Ordinances by changing the zoning of 2825 Bloomfield Road (Beggs Tract) from R-1 to R-4.
• Passed ordinance granting a special-use permit to Melvin C. and Mary C. Kasten, and Windall and Dee Dee Wilson for purposes of constructing, maintaining and operating additional living quarters at 2000 Perryville Road.
• Passed ordinance amending Section 13-52 of the City Code relating to damaged or disabled vehicles as a public nuisance.
• Passed ordinance amending Section 7-311(g) of the City Code relating to unregistered and, or uninspected motor vehicles on property.
• Passed ordinance amending Schedule A of Section 26-228 of the City Code establishing speed limits on Village Drive.
• Passed ordinance amending Schedule F of Section 26-247 of the City Code repealing certain no parking zones on Mount Auburn Road and establishing new no parking zones on Mount Auburn Road.
• Passed ordinance vacating the city's interests in a sewer easement in Doctor's Park Second Subdivision.
• Passed ordinance vacating the city's interests in a utility easement in First Park West Professional Plaza.
• Passed ordinance approving the defeasance of a portion of the city's outstanding Certificates of Participation (Capital Improvements Projects) Series 1994A; and approving certain documents and authorizing certain other actions in connection therewith.
• Passed ordinance authorizing the city manager to execute an agreement with Earl H. Norman, Trustee, and Cape Girardeau Public School District 63, for a land survey for the design of Highway 74 West interchange project.

New ordinances(First reading)

• Passed ordinance authorizing the mayor to execute a quit claim dead to Ronald and Juanita Donner for a portion of Stoddard Street right of way.

Resolutions

(Reading and passage)

• Passed resolution authorizing the city manager to execute a license and indemnity agreement with Ronald and Juanita Donner for certain improvements on Stoddard Street right of way.
• Passed resolution authorizing the city manager to execute a contract with Southeast Missouri Weed and Seed Inc. for a weed and seed program.

Appointments

• Appointed Dianne L. Meyr to the Library Board.
• Re-appointed Ray Buhs, Robert Blank and Skip Smallwood to the Planning and Zoning Commission.
• Appointed Sheila Caskey, Jay Crosnoe, Larry Essner and Rick Wieser to the Parks and Recreations Advisory Board.
• Appointed Jackie Ahrens and Michael Hopen to the Golf Course Advisory Board.

Liquor licenses

• Granted conditional approval of a retail liquor by the drink license for Holly and J's Inc., dba Platinum Sports Bar and Dance Club, 823 S. Kingshighway, Jasper W. Masterson, managing officer.

Other

• Accepted by motion the restroom remodeling improvements at the A.C. Brase Arena Building and authorizing final payment to Zoellner Construction Co. Inc.