Improvement issues top Cape council agenda

Community safety, infrastructure and business park improvements are on the agenda for the Cape Girardeau City Council meeting tonight.

During study session, the council will hear a presentation on the neighborhood development initiative. The idea was discussed between the council and staff at the council retreat in April as a way to empower people to discuss and overcome problems specific to their neighborhoods. Staff hoped to kick off pilot programs by October.

The two pilot neighborhoods identified to participate in the initiative first are "South Side," an area stretching north to south from Highway 74 to Hackberry Street and east to west from Ranney Avenue to Beaudean Lane, as well as "East Side," which encompasses the area from Second Street up to East Cape Rock Drive and spans east to west from Rand Street to Big Bend Road.

Each area would have a Neighborhood Association representing residents, and leaders from each association would serve as members of the Neighborhood Association Coalition, which would act as a liaison between neighborhoods and the city. A steering committee also would be formed to oversee development and implementation.

The initiative was created in response to a 2012 survey in which residents cited concerns about issues such as drugs, rundown properties and vacant buildings.

Among the items to be voted on in the regular session is a resolution authorizing the city manager to execute a contract with Fronabarger Concreters Inc. for the Greater Cape Girardeau Business Park Phase I improvements. The project would take place on the north side of LaSalle Avenue, opposite the Veterans Memorial Drive intersection.

Work to be completed as part of the Phase I improvements is 1,500 feet of concrete street, concrete curb and gutter, concrete sidewalk, street lighting and public water and sewer infrastructure. The construction cost is $1,455,166.60. A community development block grant will reimburse the city up to $700,000 for infrastructure and inspection costs, and remaining costs will be paid for through business park related project funds, according to city reports.

The council also will give initial approval to an ordinance authorizing the city manager to execute an ER-Emergency Relief Program agreement with the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission. The agreement would allow the city to perform an investigative study, design and construction to repair sinkholes in the South Sprigg Street and Cape LaCroix Creek area.

The area has battled sinkhole problems since 2007. Sinkhole activity increased last year, forcing the city to close the street. City officials have expressed hope that South Sprigg could open again if a reasonable answer is found.

The sinkholes near the street re-formed after major flooding in the area, prompting a federal disaster declaration and leaving the city eligible for financial assistance through the Federal Highway Administration Emergency Relief Program. Funding from the program, administered by the Missouri Department of Transportation, will be used to investigate the cause of the sinkholes, reasonable corrective response options and to design and implement an approved construction project to restore and reopen South Sprigg.

The grant requires a 20 percent match from the city, with the federal share not to exceed $1.2 million. The city has received a Delta Regional Authority grant of $100,000 to be put toward its share. Any remaining funding for the project will come from stormwater sales tax revenue.

Tonight's meeting also will see the final vote by the council to approve placing the one-eighth cent fire sales tax extension question on the November ballot.

srinehart@semissourian.com

388-3641

Pertinent address:

401 Independence St., Cape Girardeau, Mo.