Political signs posted for the Nov. 5 election are safe for now, but they will be the last ones allowed 10 feet from any Cape Girardeau street.

At Monday night's City Council meeting, councilmen passed by a 4-3 vote a law regulating political signs.

Seven days after the Nov. 5 election, they must be taken down or property owners will be in violation of city law. In the future, political signs won't be allowed on residents' lawns until 90 days prior to the election.

Councilman Tom Neumeyer proposed the law in September, saying he had received complaints about the placement of signs on city right of way. His most vocal opponent was Councilman Richard Eggimann, who said police shouldn't have to worry about the city's plethora of political signs.

"If you go down the streets of Cape Girardeau, you see a touch of Americana," he said Monday. "I am really proud that this small town has this much participation in the democratic process. This is truly a democratic way to do things, having people express themselves so that others can see who they support."

During the council's study session, Capt. Steve Strong, interim police chief, said enforcing the new law may be a time-consuming process. Officers will have to spot violations, measure the distance from the street, contact property owners and then check to see if the signs have been moved.

If they haven't, the law says police must store the signs in a safe place, and storage may be a problem, Strong said.

After the Nov. 5 election, those who violate the law may receive a sentence of up to 90 days in the city jail and up to a $500 fine.

City Council members also heard from City Engineer Mark Lester, who made a presentation about striping Mount Auburn Road.

"Drivers are confused as to whether it is two lanes or four," he said. "It is a heavily traveled road, and striping it will make it a little safer."

Mount Auburn is a two-lane road running from Route K to Kingshighway.

Under Lester's plan, the section between Route K and Independence Street would be striped as a four-lane road. The section from Independence to Hopper Road would remain striped as a two-lane road with limited parking and left-turn bays. The section from Hopper Road to Kingshighway would be striped as a two-lane road with no parking and a left-turn lane in the middle.

Councilmen indicated they would raise the proposal at a future meeting.

CAPE GIRARDEAU CITY COUNCIL

Agenda

Monday, Oct. 21, 7:30 p.m.

Appearances* Appearances before the council on items listed on the agenda.* Appearances before the council on items not listed on the agenda.Consent Ordinances* Amended the city code by enacting a new article relating to campaign signs.* Amended the city code relating to turning movements.* Amended the city code relating to zoning.* Amended the city code by changing the zoning of Forest Hills Estates from R-1 to R-2.* Granted a special use permit to Gary B. and Vonne J. Reagan for maintaining and operating an existing building for additional living quarters at 2409 Perryville.* Granted a special use permit to Cape Bible Chapel Inc. for purposes of constructing an addition to the existing facility at 2911 Kage.* Accepted permanent easements and temporary construction easements for the Belleridge Subdivision street improvement project.* Amended the city code relating to resisting or interfering with arrest.* Amended the city code establishing no parking on Bellevue Street.* Reaffirmed the action of the City Council declaring it necessary to improve Brucher Street from Wayne Street to Bertling Streets.* Authorized the mayor to execute a deed of release for property at 116 S. Henderson.* Accepted permanent easements and temporary construction easements for the Twin Lakes Subdivision sanitary sewer project.* Accepted general warranty deeds from Joseph W. and Mary G. Armbruster, trustees, for the Cape Girardeau recreational trail project.New Ordinances* Amended the city code relating to hours of sale and use of fireworks.* Approved the revised record plat of McLane Toney Subdivision.* Accepted general warranty deeds for the Cape LaCroix Creek/Walker Branch flood control project.* Reaffirmed the action of the City Council declaring it necessary to improve Sprigg Street from Bertling Street to Lexington Avenue.* Established the boundaries of Lateral Sewer District No. 14-1-C-2 and authorizing the construction of a system of sewers under a private contract.* Accepted into the city's system the street and sanitary sewer improvements as shown on plans approved for Crites Eighth Addition, the storm sewers in the street right of way and the stormwater retention basin.* Accepted a general warranty deed from West Cape Development Corp. for street dedication of Silver Springs Road and Spruce Street in Crites Eighth Addition.Appointments* Appointed Dennis Vollink, Robert Blank and Jim Ramage to four-year terms and Tom Mogelnicki to fill an unexpired term on the Planning and Zoning Commission.* Appointed Mike Kohlfeld, Terry Ashby and Kim Crites to three-year terms on the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board.Other* A motion accepting the additional roof replacement work on the A.C. Brase Arena Building and authorizing final payment to Western Waterproofing Co. Inc.* A motion approving the preliminary plat of Och's Development.* Discussion of the 1996 BOCA Building Codes.* Other business.* Adjournment.