SEWER BOND VOTE DELAYED

It may be a few months before Cape Girardeau residents have a chance to vote on a bond issue for more sewer improvements.

The Cape Girardeau City Council Monday rejected an ordinance that would have set a Nov. 2 election for voters to consider allowing the city to borrow $8 million for sewer projects.

In April 1994, residents passed a quarter-cent sales tax to pay for $25 million in bonds for the city sewer overflow projects that are under way. But now the city needs an additional $8 million to complete the projects.

The ordinance before the council was being read on an emergency basis in order to get the proposal on the ballot in time. This meant there would be no public hearings on the issue.

Councilman Melvin Gateley said he would prefer to delay the issue so that people can have a chance to come before the council and voice their opinions. He said when the city is about to borrow that much money the public ought to be involved.

He also said it looked as though there would be no other election in November, and the city would have to pay the entire cost of the election, which is about $2,000.

"I did some checking and there are no other elections on Nov. 2," Gateley said. "I think we should wait until Feburary when there will be other elections."

As the city continues to work on the sewer improvements, there is concern that if the bond issue is not resolved soon there could be serious delays in completing the projects. City Engineer Mark Lester said without money the city will not be able to start the bidding process for the engineering and construction of the remainder of the projects.

But Cape Girardeau Mayor Al Spradling III said the delays will not be that serious. He said the city will not lose much time by waiting until Feburary, because even if the bond issue passed in November the work probably would not start until next summer anyway.

AGENDA

Cape Girardeau City Council

Monday, Aug. 16 at 7:30 p.m.

City Hall, 401 Independence

Consent Ordinances

(Second and third readings)

-- Approved an ordinance approving the transfer of the cable communications franchise.

-- Approved an ordinance accepting a general warranty deed from Cape Girardeau Sand Co. Inc. for the Cape Rock Water Treatment Plant expansion project, alluvial well field.

-- Approved an ordinance amending the boundaries of Ward 4 to include three lots in Lynwood Hills Estates.

-- Approved an ordinance amending the boundaries of lateral sewer district No. 14-1-G, a subdivision of trunk sewer district No. 14-1.

-- Approved an ordinance providing for the levying of the annual city revenue tax; library fund tax; public health tax; debt service fund tax; Special Business District No. 2 tax; for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2000.

-- Approved an ordinance accepting a permanent sewer easement from J.B. Properties, Inc. for sanitary sewer improvements in Hillcrest Place Subdivision.

-- Approved an ordinance changing the zoning of 802, 806 and 814 William St. from C-1 and C-2 to C-2.

-- Approved an ordinance changing the zoning of the northeast corner of Bertling and North Sprigg streets from R-1 to R-4.

-- Approved an ordinance granting a special-use permit to Cape Girardeau Schools and Place Acquisition, L.L.C., for purposes of constructing, maintaining and operating a community unit plan at the northeast corner of Bertling and North Sprigg streets.

New Ordinances

(First reading)

-- Approved and ordinance establishing the boundaries of lateral sewer district No. 13-C-1, a subdivision of trunk sewer district No. 13.

-- Approved an ordinance accepting water utility easements from Orscheln Farm and Home LLC and Michael J. and Mary D. Kutz.

-- Approved an ordinance levying a special assessment for Missouri Avenue from Mississippi Street to Scott Street, and authorizing the issuance of special tax bills therefore.

-- Approved a motion authorizing final payment to Lappe Cement Finishing, Inc. for improvements to Missouri Avenue to Mississippi Street to Scott Street.

-- Vetoed an ordinance granting a special-use permit to J.W. and Bonnie Strack and Capaha Antique Car Club for purposes of maintaining and operating a club meeting place and storage for club owned cars at 2827 Perryville Road.

-- Approved an ordinance approving the record plat of Brookshire Estates Fourth Subdivision.

-- Approved an ordinance amending the City Code relating to posted notices.

-- Approved an ordinance amending a section of the City Code by placing a stop sign at Melrose Street.

-- Approved an ordinance amending a section of the City Code establishing limited parking on Dunklin Street.

-- Vetoed an ordinance calling an election in Cape Girardeau on the question of issuing sewerage system revenue bonds (First, second and third readings).

Resolutions

(Reading and passage)

-- Approved a resolution authorizing the city manager to execute an addendum to an engineering services contract with Koehler Engineering and Land Surveying, Inc. for the Kage Road Project.

-- Approved a resolution authorizing the city manager to execute an addendum to an engineering services contract with Koehler Engineering and Land Surveying, Inc. for the William Street project.

-- Approved a resolution authorizing the city manager to execute an addendum to an engineering services contract with Koehler Engineering and Land Surveying, Inc. for the New Madrid Street Project.

-- Approved a resolution authorizing the city manager to enter into Memorandum of Agreement No. 6 with the U.S. Department of the Army for construction of the detention extension trunk sewer for detention reservoir phase of the Cape La Croix Creek/Walker Branch flood control project.

-- Approved a resolution approving a debt statement for Cape Girardeau.