PLANNING BOARD MEMBERS RENAMED FOLLOWING MIX-UP

Miscommunication and a misunderstanding of city ordinances meant that four members of the Planning and Zoning Commission had to be reappointed Monday night.

The Cape Girardeau City Council agreed to reappoint Ray Buhs, Robert Cox, R.J. McKinney and Tom Mogelnicki to the completion of their terms on the commission, an advisory board to the city.

Under city ordinance approved last April, any advisory board member who misses three consecutive meetings or four meetings in one year must be removed from the board.

However, the planning commission mix-up occurred when staff members advised the commission that study sessions also counted toward the attendance policy.

Since the commission can hold two or three study sessions on a single topic, in addition to a regular monthly meeting, it meant several members' terms were in jeopardy.

The misunderstanding had been clarified by city attorney Eric Cunningham but by that time letters had been sent saying the members were going to be dismissed.

"If we know the rules, then we can play," said Charlie Haubold, planning commission chairman.

Michael Miller, city manager, suggested that the council reappoint the four members to the remainder of their terms and that the council discuss some changes to the ordinance at its next meeting.

In other business, the council:

* Approved a special-use permit for construction of a 100-foot telecommunication flagpole for Southwestern Bell Wireless, now doing business as Cingular Wireless, at 755 S. Kingshighway. The tower will allow for other companies to locate there.

* Approved a rezoning request for the southwest corner of Silver Springs Road and Shawnee Parkway from a single-family residential to a general commercial district for construction of office and retail space.