WATER ON AGENDA OF COUNCIL RETREAT

The need to expand Cape Girardeau's water system will be one of the major topics at the City Council's retreat this weekend.

The council will meet today from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 9 to noon at Black Forest Villages.

Mayor Al Spradling III said council retreats in past years have served mostly as a review of city operations, but this year's retreat will focus on specific topics.

"This is probably going to be more of a council work session than an information session," he said.

Heading the list is the water system issue.

Spradling and City Manager J. Ronald Fischer think the water system must be expanded.

Fischer said the water system has been at capacity at times during the past two summers.

Spradling said the council will discuss expansion and how to pay for it.

"We addressed it when we purchased the system and we knew going in that we were going to have to expand it," he said.

The city purchased the water system from Union Electric in 1992. Alliance Water Resources operates the water system under a contract with the city.

Other issues on the agenda:

-- Park fees and the possible construction of a Convention and Visitors Bureau building at Osage Park.

-- Possible closing of the airport control tower and airport improvements.

-- Plans to go to more of a volume-based trash billing system in which customers would be charged extra for putting out more than two bags of trash each week.

-- Proposed amendments to the city charter.

-- The search for a new city manager.

-- City budget discussions.

Spradling said the search for a new city manager will be a major issue. Fischer plans to retire by Aug. 1.

Council members have differed over how the search should be conducted. At issue is whether the council should conduct the search itself or set up a search committee to include members of the general public.

Fischer said the retreat isn't a lavish affair. Council members will be served two continental breakfasts and a lunch during the 1 1/2-day retreat.

Counting meeting room rental charges, the cost of the retreat will run between $450 and $500.