Children have turned Oakley Street into their private playground, creating havoc for motorists and neighbors alike, two women who reside in the neighborhood told the City Council Monday night.
They urged the council to address the problem.
Several councilmen said it isn't illegal to play in city streets, making it difficult to address the problem.
Cecelia Sonderman of 1333 Oakley said the short, 18-foot wide street has turned into a playground for 15 to 20 children, many of them teen-agers.
They play basketball and football in the street and make it difficult for residents to get out of their driveways or travel down the street.
"That many kids on the street, somebody is going to get killed," she said.
Dorothy Cockrell, 1329 Oakley, also voiced concern. "I realize kids have got to play."
But she said they have made the street impassable at times and even broke her mailbox. "I'm angry about it," Cockrell said.
Mayor Al Spradling III said, "The problem is we have kids all over the city and a lot of them play in the streets."
Councilman Richard Eggimann suggested addressing the problem through the city's community policing program.
CAPE GIRARDEAU CITY COUNCIL
Aciton
Monday, 7:30 p.m.
City Hall, 401 Independence
Public Hearings
Request for federal funding for the city's taxi-coupon program.
Petition for voluntary annexation of 81-acre tract along Route W.
Petition for voluntary annexation of a 26.6-acre tract owned by the Cape Girardeau Elks Club.
Request for a special-use permit for a mobile home at 1015 N. Lorimier.
Appearances
Board of Adjustment
Consent Ordinances
Vacated a portion of the west right of way of Minnesota Avenue. Second and third readings.
Amended city code as part of restructuring move of city departments. Second and third readings.
Placed a stop sign at Cape West Parkway and Richmond Street. Second and third readings.
Granted a special-use permit for a church sign at 2222 Bloomfield Road. Second and third readings.
Granted a special-use permit for a wrench repair business at 2011 Brink Ave. Second and third readings.
Designate dthe Cape River Heritage Museum, 538 Independence, as a historic landmark.
Accepted a deed and construction easement from St. Andrew Lutheran Church for the Cape LaCroix-Walker Branch Flood Control Project. Second and third readings.
Authorized acquisition of property for sewer and utility work. Second and third readings.
New Ordinances
Accepted deeds from E&R Leasing Co. and Pioneer Development and Orchard Co. for the southwest trunk sewer project. First reading.
Denied a special-use permit for a mobile home at 1015 N. Lorimier St. First reading.
Authorized supplemental appropriation of $624,550 for administrative and Public Works expenses. First, second and third readings.
Accepted a deed and easement from Charles David and Evelyn P. Willis for the recreation trail project. First reading.
Accepted deeds from Hildegarde Young in conjunction with closure of the city landfill. First reading.
Approved record plat of Osage Park Place Subdivision. First reading.
Resolutions
Executed a contract with the Cape Girardeau Area Industrial Recruitment Association to solicit business, industry and commerce. Reading and passage.
Filed an application with the Missouri Highway and Transportation Department for funds for city's taxi-coupon program. Reading and passage.
Executed an agreement with ASA Asphalt Inc. for paving of Charles Street. Reading and passage.
Appointments
Reappointed Dan Overbey and J. Fred Waltz to the Airport Advisory Board
Liquor Licenses
Approved a beer-by-the-drink license for the Cape Girardeau Riverfest, to be held June 8 through 11 in downtown Cape Girardeau.
Approved an original package liquor, wine tasting and Sunday sales license for Schnucks Markets, 121 S. Sprigg.
Other
Accepted sewers serving the westernmost end of Kenneth Street.
Accepted the improvement of Kenneth Street from the end of Randol Farms Estates Subdivision to Route W.
Accepted sewers serving Plaza Acres Subdivision.
Accepted the water main extension for Cape Family Entertainment Center.
Approved plans for streets, storm and sanitary sewers for Northfield 17th Subdivision.
Approved request of Area Wide United Way to waive the requirement for the YELL campaign to have a vendor's permit and allow newspapers to be sold on the streets Sept. 12.
Set a hearing on the Planning and Zoning Commission recommendation to reject the request of Money-Time Check Cashers Inc. for a special-use permit for a check-cashing and pawn shop at 155 S. Park Ave. and 148 S. West End Blvd.
Filed the Planning and Zoning Commission's recommendation to reject a request to rezone 28 acres from residential to commercial.
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