PLAN ELIMINATES EXAMS FOR SOME ELECTRICIANS

Councilman Richard Eggiman proposed a measure to exempt existing electrical contractors from taking a required license examination.

The Cape Girardeau City Council discussed the proposal during a study session prior to Tuesday's meeting. The ordinance likely will be voted on at the March 1 council meeting.

In March 1996, the council passed an ordinance requiring electricians to pass an examination to receive their license. Electricians licensed at the time have until 2001 to pass the exam.

Eggiman said it was an oversight by the council not to grandfather experienced electrical contractors, many with 20 to 40 years experience, at the time it instituted the exam requirement. He hopes the new measure will rectify that.

"It won't hurt anything, and it will remedy something we probably should have done before," Eggiman said.

He said older contractors who weren't schooled as extensively as students are today might have trouble passing the test, even though they may be extremely skilled at their trade.

The Board of Examiners discussed options for change Thursday. Chairman Danny E. Stitz told the council that the board supported maintaining the exam requirement as it exists.

"Our feeling is the way we have it right now is the way to go," Stitz said. "We are unanimously in thought across the board that grandfathering will not work."

Since the city has five classifications of licenses for electricians, it would be difficult to determine what type of license individuals being grandfathered would be entitled to, he said.

Board of Examinations member Dennis Coomer said the local vo-tech school offers classes that can help contractors pass the exam.

In official action, the council passed, on emergency reading, an ordinance to enter an intergovernmental cooperation agreement with Cape Girardeau County and Jackson to expedite the Center Junction realignment project. The Jackson Board of Aldermen also approved the agreement Tuesday.

The three governments would form a transportation corporation that would issue bonds to construct the project and pay interest on the bonds for five years. At the end of the project period the Missouri Department of Transportation would pay off the bonds.

The agreement will allow work on the project to begin within the next two years -- five years ahead of MoDOT's current timetable.

On a 4-2 vote, with Mayor Al Spradling abstaining, the City Council gave preliminary approval to a request to change the zoning of a 5.6 acre tract along County Road 206 from single- to multiple-family residential. A limited partnership that includes John Oliver of Cape Girardeau and Glen Alt of Charleston wants to build a 96-unit apartment complex on the site.

Plans call for building a high quality, gated complex that would still offer rent in the $350 to $639 per month range.

The council also approved, 6-0 with the mayor abstaining, a special use permit for the construction of the complex. A number of residents of the area spoke out against the plan, citing traffic concerns and the effect on existing property values.

Cape Girardeau City Council

Tuesday, Feb. 16

Consent ordinances

(Second and third readings)

-- Approved, 6-0 with abstention, an ordinance declaring it necessary to improve Timberland Drive from Kage Road to the dead end; Capaha Trail from the end of existing pavement to the dead end; Garden Lane from Capaha Trail to the dead end; Hill Street from Johnson Street to the dead end; Beaudean Lane from College Street to south of Elm Street; Beaudean Lane from Linden Street to Hickory Street; Engram Street from Highland Drive to the dead end; Terry Lane from Kingsway Drive to Joanne Street; and Johnson Street from Rand Street to Riverview Drive.

-- Approved, 6-1, an ordinance declaring it necessary to improve that part of Kent Street, from the termination of the existing pavement in Woodland Hills subdivision to Lexington Avenue, approximately 450 feet.

-- Approved an ordinance amending Chapter 30 of the City Code relating to zoning.

-- Approved an ordinance accepting a drainage easement from Perry E. and Bessie R. Cook for the improvement of Missouri Street from Mississippi Street to Scott Street.

-- Approved an ordinance levying a special assessment for the 97-1, 4-inch asphalt pavement program for the improvement of Vincent Avenue from Country Club Drive to Timon Way; Flint Hill Road from Big Bend Road northwesterly to a dead end; Country Club Drive from the club gate southward to a dead end; Redwood Drive from vista Lane to Lear Drive; Bevin Drive from West Rodney westward to a dead end; Cedar Lane from Charles Street northward to a dead end; and Rand Street from Water Street to Roberts Street, and authorizing the issuance of special tax bills there for.

New ordinances

(First readings)

-- Approved an ordinance granting a special use permit to Vernon E. Rhodes Family Partners, L.P., for purposes of constructing, maintaining and operating a community unit plan at the southwest corner of Kingshighway and Boulder Crest Drive.

-- Approved, 4-2 with one abstention, an ordinance amending Chapter 30 of the Code of Ordinances by changing the zoning of part of a tract along County Road 206, north of Cobblestone Court.

-- Approved, 6-0 with one abstention, an ordinance granting a special use permit to Charles W. Riske, trustee, Christopher Evans, and Thorn Investments. LLC, for the purpose of constructing, maintaining and operating a community unit plan along County Road 206, north of Cobblestone Court.

-- Approved an ordinance amending Schedule F of Section 26-247 of the City Code, establishing no parking on Broadway.

-- Approved an ordinance amending Schedule C of Section 26-121 of the City Code by placing a stop sign on Lynwood Hills Drive.

-- Approved an ordinance amending Schedule P of Section 26-248 of the City Code, establishing limited parking on Randol Avenue.

-- Approved an ordinance annexing land to the city of Cape Girardeau upon the request of the Missouri State Highway and Transportation Commission.

-- Approved an ordinance reaffirming the action of the City Council declaring it necessary to improve, providing for the improvement, directing the city manager to enter into a contract to do the work, and providing for the manner of payment of the work, of Hopper Road from Mt. Auburn Road to Kage Road, for a distance of approximately 3,258 feet.

-- Approved an ordinance reaffirming the action of the City Council declaring it necessary to improve, providing for the improvement, directing the city manager to enter into a contract to do the work, and providing for the manner of payment of the work, of Hopper Road from Oak Ridge Court to I-55, for a distance of approximately 1,700 feet.

-- Approved an ordinance authorizing the city manager to execute an intergovernmental cooperation agreement between Cape Girardeau County and the cities of Jackson and Cape Girardeau for the purpose of forming a transportation cooperation to facilitate the acceleration of design, engineering and construction of highway improvements along the I-55 Jackson/Cape Girardeau corridor, and take certain actions related thereto.

Resolutions

(Reading and passage)

-- Approved a resolution authorizing applications to the Missouri Department of Social Services under the Emergency Shelter Grant Program for Safe House for Women Inc. and the Salvation Army and authorizing the city manager to execute all necessary grant documents.

-- Approved, with one abstention, a resolution authorizing application to the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, Division of Environmental Quality, Solid Waste Management Program, for the Cape Girardeau recycling drop off facility, and authorizing the city manager to execute all necessary grant documents.

-- Approved a resolution authorizing the city manager to execute an addendum to engineering services with Bowen and Lawson Engineering and Surveying for the Hopper Road extension project.

-- Approved a resolution authorizing the city manager to execute an agreement with Nip Kelley Equipment Co. Inc. for the Hopper Road extension, Phase IIA.

Appointments

-- Appointed Bruce Mims, James Dufek, Stephen DelVecchio and Laura Holloway to the Cable Television Advisory Board.

-- Appointed Steven Fritzler to the Ethics Commission.

-- Appointed Mark Stuart to the Board of Adjustment.

Other

-- Passed a motion approving the amended preliminary plat of Vernon Rhodes subdivision.

-- Discussed a proposed amendment to Chapter 15 of the City Code relating to electrician license holders.