Construction easements for the business park, continuation of a sidewalks project and a grant for the Cape Girardeau Fire Department are some of the main topics on tonight's agenda for the Cape Girardeau City Council.

The council will complete all three readings on an ordinance authorizing the mayor to execute a temporary construction easement to Union Electric Co., doing business as Ameren Missouri, to serve the Greater Cape Girardeau Business Park. The 50-foot-wide easement will extend necessary electrical service and infrastructure to the park.

Ameren needs to begin its work in early November "due to pending construction in the business park," according to reports from city staff.

Another ordinance to be considered by the council would accept general warranty deeds and temporary construction easements from various property owners for the Safe Routes to School 2011 sidewalk project. The Safe Routes to School program encourages children to walk or bicycle safely to school by building and expanding sidewalks. The city received multiple new sidewalks this summer in the areas surrounding Central Junior High School, Central Middle School, Franklin Elementary School and St. Vincent de Paul Grade School, thanks to funding from the 2008 program.

The 2011 project will build a 6-foot-wide sidewalk along the east side of

Kingsway Drive, between Janet Drive and Kurre Lane. It will serve students from Alma Schrader Elementary School.

Before the council votes on either of these issues, it will vote to accept a grant award from Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation to the Cape Girardeau Fire Department. In late September, battalion chief Brad Dillow learned about the grant opportunity provided through the foundation and submitted an application on behalf of the city. It received an award of up to $13,188.39 to purchase water rescue and personal protective equipment. The grant requires no matching funds from the city.

Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation will purchase all equipment directly per city specifications and donate the equipment to the city. Once the equipment is received, a demonstration of the equipment and acknowledgment of the donation will be held at Firehouse Subs, 3047 William St. in Cape Girardeau.

srinehart@semissourian.com

388-3641

Pertinent address:

401 Independence St., Cape Girardeau, Mo.