Sikeston readies for transition to home rule

Standard Democrat

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Sikeston City Council members adopted four ordinances to prepare for the transition to the charter form of government during their meeting Monday.

The ordinances go into effect in April, according to Linda Lowes, director of governmental services. The bills approve the changes made by taking existing city code and combining it with text to bring the code into compliance with the Home Rule Charter.

Sikeston voters approved a home-rule form of government on April 2.

Lowes said the council can expect two or three ordinances amending the city code to comply with the charter each month for the next few months.

Significant changes made by these four bills include:

The council will be required to meet at least once a month instead of at council members' leisure.

The new code allows council meetings to be called by the mayor or by three members of the council with 24 hours' notice. Previously, meetings could be called with six hours' notice.

A council quorum will be a majority instead of three members as it is now and a two-thirds majority will be required for emergency measures established.

A requirement for council meeting minutes to be recorded in English and posted on the city's Web site.