COUNCIL ENTERS AGREEMENT ON RIVER CAMPUS

The Cape Girardeau City Council Monday night entered a cooperative agreement with Southeast Missouri State University on management of a River Campus.

The council unanimously approved the agreement, which spells out how the two would jointly finance and share control over the proposed improvements to the old St. Vincent's Seminary property.

The university's Board of Regents approved the agreement Oct. 14.

If voters approve financing for the project, the River Campus will hold studio, performance and classroom space for the university's dance, music, theater and visual arts programs.

A director and Board of Managers would oversee policies and scheduling of the facilities.

Dr. Ken Dobbins, executive vice president of the university, said the River Campus agreement is similar to that which governs the Show Me Center, also a joint venture by the city and university.

Highlights of the agreement:

-- The university would provide sufficient street right-of-way for construction of a connector street between new Highway 74 (Shawnee Parkway) and Morgan Oak Street. The city would allocate $255,800 in Transportation Trust Fund revenue for construction of the street, which would serve as the downtown access for the new Emerson Memorial Bridge, said Mayor Al Spradling III.

In addition, the cooperative agreement spells out specific water, sewer and stormwater improvements in accordance with city code.

-- Establishment of a board of managers. Three members would be chosen by the City Council and three by the Board of Regents. At least one of the six would represent the hotel-motel industry.

-- Hiring of a director to be appointed by the board of managers, with city approval and paid by the university. The director would implement policies set by the city and university.

-- The board of managers would supervise use of the facilities.

-- The director would be in charge of scheduling events and ensuring access to facilities.

-- Fees for using the facilities would be established by the university. The scenic river overlook would be open to the public at no charge.

-- The university would be responsible for all maintenance and upkeep of facilities.

-- The university would own and hold title to the property.

The university is raising $8.9 million in donations to pay for its share of the $35.6 million River Campus project, which calls for construction of a performing arts center, a performance theater, a regional museum and public access scenic overlook of the Mississippi River on the seminary grounds.

The city, in turn, is asking voters to increase the hotel-motel tax from 3 to 4 percent and extend the tax from 2004 to 2030. In addition, the existing 1 percent restaurant tax would be extended but not increased from 2004 to 2030.

Revenue from the tax increase and extensions, if approved, would finance an $8.9 million bond issue by the city to help finance the project.

The university will also ask the Missouri Legislature to appropriate $17.8 million for the project.

Supporters of the River Campus project say it would provide for economic development of the downtown and South Cape areas as well as add venues for cultural and arts events.

Cape Girardeau City Council Agenda

Monday, Oct. 19

Consent ordinances

-- Approved an ordinance approving the record plat of LaCroix Meadows Business Park.

-- Approved an ordinance granting a special use permit to Selma M. Crisler for maintaining and operating a residential use at 624 Commercial St.

-- Approved an ordinance granting a special use permit to Jess and Freida Hopple and Pat and Edna Patterson for maintaining and operating a photography studio at 2700 Bloomfield Road.

-- Amended an ordinance amending the Code of Ordinances by changing the zoning of part of tracts on Park and Normal avenues from R-4 to R-2 to add the 500 block of North West End Boulevard.

-- Approved an ordinance granting a special use permit to Holigan Family Investments, Inc., for constructing, maintaining and operating a parking lot and display home at 1988 and 1996 N. Sprigg St.

-- Approved an ordinance granting a special use permit to the city of Cape Girardeau for constructing, maintaining and operating additional facilities at the water treatment plant at 20 E. Cape Rock Drive.

-- Approved an ordinance vacating the city's interest in a utility and drainage easement at 1923 Briarwood.

-- Approved an ordinance reaffirming the action of the City Council declaring it necessary to improve, providing for the improvement, directing the city manager to do the work and providing for the manner of the payment of the work of Missouri Street from Mississippi to Scott streets.

-- Approved an ordinance reaffirming the action of the City Council declaring it necessary to improve, providing for the improvement, directing the city manager to do the work and providing for the manner of payment for the work of Hopper Road from Kage to Oak Ridge roads.

-- Approved an ordinance approving the record plat of McLane Outlot No. 2 subdivision.

-- Approved an ordinance accepting a quit claim deed from G. Keith Deimund, trustee, and Summit Enterprises, LLC, for a street and bridge improvement in Lynwood Hills subdivision.

-- Approved an ordinance amending the City Code by placing a stop sign on Shirley Drive.

-- Approved an ordinance authorizing the acquisition of property for the Cape Rock Water Treatment Plant expansion project.

New ordinances

-- Approved an ordinance amending the City Code relating to trees.

-- Approved an ordinance accepting a general warranty deed from Michael A. Mathes, trustee of Michael A. Mathes Revocable Trust, for Hopper Road Phase II improvements.

-- Approved an ordinance accepting a corrected quit claim deed from the Missouri Department of Transportation for the right of way for Southern Expressway and William Street.

-- Approved an ordinance accepting utility easements from Carl W. and Shirley A. Patterson and Larry D. Brown for a water line along Franks Lane.

-- Approved an ordinance authorizing the city manager to execute a St. Vincent Seminary Property Cooperation Agreement with Southeast Missouri State University.

Resolutions

-- Approved a resolution authorizing the city manager to execute a lease with the Federal Aviation Administration for terminal building space at the Cape Girardeau Regional Airport.

-- Approved a resolution authorizing the city manager to execute an escrow agreement with Randol Farms Subdivision LLC and Commerce Bank NA for improvements at the Kenneth Drive and Abbey Road intersection in Randol Farms Subdivision No. 8.

-- Approved a joint resolution of the city Council of the City of Cape Girardeau, the Board of Aldermen of Jackson and the Cape Girardeau County Commission expressing and reconfirming mutual support for planning and construction of three key highway projects of regional importance by the Missouri Department of Transportation.

Appointments

-- Appointed David Goncher, Rocky Hayes, Jay Knudtson and Douglas Watson to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board.

-- Appointed Robert Cox, Melvin Dockins, Raymond Buhs and Thomas Holshouser to the Planning and Zoning Commission.

Liquor Licenses

-- Granted conditional approval of an original package 5 percent beer and Sunday sales license for Schade, LLC, d/b/a Mr. K's Food Center, 254 S. Silver Springs Road, Wilhelm Schade, managing officer.

-- Granted conditional approval of an original package liquor and Sunday Sales for Yusra M. Yunis, d/b/a U Kwick Stop, 1700 Broadway, Yusra M. Yunis, managing officer.

Other

-- Approved a motion approving the improvement plans for Richmond Drive and Kell Farm Drive in Cape West Business Park, and discussion and action regarding a request for variance in the width of Kell Farm Drive.

-- Approved a motion approving the improvement plans for Northfield Nineteenth Subdivision.

-- Approved a motion accepting the sanitary sewer improvements to serve Cape Bible Chapel along Kage Road.

-- Approved a request to extend the escrow agreement for Ashland Court subdivision.

-- Approved a motion approving the amended preliminary plat for Clarkton Place Subdivision Phase IV.

-- Approved a motion accepting an annexation petition from Drury Southwest Signs and setting a public hearing on the proposed annexation.