With a casino application deadline fast approaching, the Cape Girardeau City Council is poised to make a recommendation at a special meeting tonight of which casino company should bring gambling to the city.

The meeting, announced late Wednesday, will be at 6 p.m. at the council chambers at city hall, 401 Independence St. Mayor Harry Rediger and city manager Scott Meyer both said they expect the council will vote to endorse one of the two companies.

"While our vote wouldn't mean either company would be in or out of the picture, I believe the council is ready to endorse a preferred gaming company," Rediger said, declining to say which company he believes will get the endorsement.

Rediger said it's important to act now with the Missouri Gaming Commission's Sept. 1 deadline for applications for the lone casino license available in Missouri. A Nov. 2 election will give Cape Girardeau voters a chance to allow or remove the city from consideration by the gaming commission.

"The gaming commission and everybody knows everything hinges on the vote in November," Rediger said. "But we're ready to move forward and promote Cape Girardeau. We want to be sure they know we're seriously interested in obtaining that license."

The council will gather tonight to discuss a resolution that it will vote on, giving its endorsement to either Isle of Capri Casinos Inc. or St. Louis Capital Partners LLC. While there have been several opportunities for the public to weigh in at city council meetings, Meyer said there will be no public input at the meeting.

Meyer said the city manager's office will make a recommendation to the council, based on its review of both companies' proposals. Meyer said it would be inappropriate for him to tell the public his recommendation before he has a chance to give it to council members.

"The staff has had a chance to review the plans with the developers and take a look at the nuts and bolts of what they're proposing," Meyer said. "We'll put all that in front of the council and then give our recommendation so the council members can make theirs."

smoyers@semissourian.com

388-3642

Pertinent address:

401 Independence St., Cape Girardeau MO