GOVERNMENT: CITY ORDERS THREE STRUCTURES DEMOLISHED

City officials met for less than 10 minutes Monday night, approving a variety of housekeeping measures.

Three condemned Cape Girardeau structures will be torn down after the city approved demolition contracts with two companies.

To be torn down are properties at 629 Terry Lane, 24 S. Pacific St. and 228 S. Pacific St.

Several council members expressed their relief at seeing the structures on their way to demolition, especially the 24 S. Pacific St. property across from Schultz school.

"That place was a mess when I went to high school over there," Councilman Richard Eggimann said during the council's 5 p.m. study session. "It's nice to get rid of it."

Officials also approved an agreement with the Cape Gir-ardeau School District to establish a second public access channel to carry educational programming of local students.

The district plans to build and equip a television studio at the Career and Technology Center on Silver Springs Road where students will produce programs.

Public access Channel 5 carries council and school board meetings and public service announcements.

The new channel will be paid for from the city's franchise agreement with Charter Communications.

Officials also approved changing the city code to bring it in line with state personnel laws about employees running for political office, making contributions to political parties and working at election polls.

Under the new wording in the city code, employees are prohibited from running for office only if the candidacy or office conflicts with that employees' work duties.

Also, while city employees legally can make contributions to political campaigns, they may not do so while on duty.