HEARING TONIGHT ON RENAISSANCE FUNDING

Cape Girardeau residents can voice their objections or support for the city's plans to apply for state funding to help an aircraft manufacturer relocate its operation to the regional airport.

A public hearing will take place tonight at 7 during the Cape Girardeau City Council meeting at City Hall, 401 Independence.

The city has committed $2.1 million in bonds to Renaissance Aircraft, a 3-year-old Eastman, Ga.-based company that plans to move to the Cape Girardeau Regional Airport this spring, provided it also can get various state loans and loan guarantees.

The city intends to apply for a $750,000 loan that will be administered through a Missouri Department of Economic Development program called the Community Development Block Grant.

The city's $2.1 million will be used for facility construction, equipment, furnishings, water and sewer lines, roads and parking lots.

Renaissance officials have pledged to create eventually as many as 200 jobs and to pay back the city's bonds over about 20 years.

Renaissance plans to manufacture the Luscombe, a two-seat recreational aircraft.

The plane reportedly will sell for around $70,000. The city will collect $500 for every plane that is manufactured at the Cape Girardeau site. If a plane is sold from Cape Girardeau, the $500 fee will be waived, but the city will collect sales tax on the aircraft.

City officials are hopeful that other aircraft-related manufacturers will be lured to town after Renaissance sets up shop.

CAPE COUNCIL AGENDA

Monday, Jan. 22, at 7 p.m.

Council Chambers, City Hall, 401 Independence

Study session at 5 p.m.

Public Hearings

* A public hearing regarding the city's submission of an application to the state of Missouri for Community Development Block Grant funding to support the intended location of Renaissance Aircraft at the Cape Girardeau Regional Airport.

Consent ordinances (second and third readings)

* An ordinance authorizing the mayor to execute a quit claim deed to Truman R. Cole Jr., trustee, for storm water detention basins along Lexington Avenue.

* An ordinance authorizing the issuance of a special tax bill for the demolition of a dangerous building under the provisions of Chapter 7 of the Code of Ordinances.

New ordinances (first reading)

* An ordinance approving the record plat of Carole Rhodes Subdivision.

* An ordinance approving the record plat of Wyandotte Acres Second Addition.

* An ordinance naming Old Hopper Road.

Resolutions

* A resolution stating intent to seek funding through the Community Development Block Grant program for the Renaissance Aircraft Industrial Project and authorizing the city manager to pursue activities in an attempt to secure funding.

* A resolution authorizing the city manager to execute a lease agreement with Drury Southwest Signs, Inc., at the Cape Girardeau Regional Airport.

* A resolution authorizing the city manager to execute an agreement with Crawford, Murphy and Tilly, Inc., for design and construction oversight services for the installation of a standby generator and other electrical improvements at the Cape Girardeau Regional Airport.

Appointments

* Appointments to the Tree Board and the Vision 2020 Community Relations Council.

Liquor Licenses

* Conditional approval of an original package liquor and Sunday sales license to A. Ernestine Kidd, doing business as Kidd II, 103 N. Kingshighway, Ernestine Kidd, managing officer.

* Approval of an original package and Sunday sales liquor license for Albertson's, 2126 Independence, Mark B. Lamont, managing officer.

* Approval of an original package and Sunday sales liquor license for Albertson's Express, 2134 Independence, Mark B. Lamont, managing officer.

Other

* A motion accepting the annual city audit for fiscal year ending June 30, 2000.