COUNCIL TO MEET TONIGHT

Annexation, rezoning to accommodate parking space for Boyd Missouri's casino operation and a resolution establishing a policy for fee increases are among items on tonight's Cape Girardeau City Council agenda.

The city staff is recommending that land east of Cape Rock Drive and west of Old Sprigg Street Road be annexed though an ordinance scheduled for first reading.

"It is the staff's recommendation that this annexation is reasonable and necessary to the proper development of the city, and that the city has full capability to provide municipal services to the area," said City Planner Kent Bratton.

On April 18, City Attorney Warren Wells received a petition requesting voluntary annexation from residents whose property adjoins the northern city limits between Cape Rock Drive and Old Sprigg Street Road.

The next section of Lexington Avenue to be constructed will run across this tract, largely between the part that is already inside the city and the part that is under consideration for annexation.

The city council will also consider a proposed resolution for a public hearing on July 18 for the annexation of property along Bloomfield Road.

On June 1, the Division of Planning Services received petitions requesting voluntary annexation from property owners residing along County Road 205 (Bloomfield Road), County Road 206 (Benton Hill Road), and Wolf Lane in Briarwood Estates Subdivision.

At the June 6 city council meeting, a resolution was passed accepting these petitions.

"The staff is recommending that the council proceed with setting the required public hearing date," said Bratton.

In addition, the council will consider the final payment for Phase IV of the Lexington Avenue project. Phase IV involves improvement of Lexington Avenue from the centerline of Perryville Road through Northfield First Subdivision for a distance of 1,919 feet.

"The project is now complete, has been inspected by the Engineering Division, and is ready for council acceptance into the city's system," said City Engineer J. Kensey Russell. "I recommend that the council accept, by motion, the improvement as presented and authorize the final payment to Nip Kelley Equipment Company and give first reading to the ordinance authorizing the issuance of the special assessment tax bills."

The city council will also consider the recommendation made by the Planning and Zoning Commission to rezone and issue a special permit with two stipulations.

Those stipulations, which were made at a special meeting May 25, include:

-- That the number of parking spaces to be provided will be those submitted in a May 6 memorandum from the architectural firm of Askew, Nixon and Ferguson.

-- That plans for on-site and immediate signage be subject to review by the Planning and Zoning Commission and city council when plans are completed.

In other business :

-- At the request of City Councilman Richard Eggimann, the city staff has prepared a resolution establishing a policy for increases in all taxes, fees and utility charges.

The city council will review a policy that would prevent any fee increase above five percent during any 12-month period without the consent of the voters.

-- David Gerlach will appear before the city council to request a discussion of plans for the extension of Kent Street to Lexington.

-- The city council will hold a discussion and subsequently appoint a three-member committee to review public relations for the city.

-- Another item on the agenda is consideration by the council of a resolution authorizing the city manager to enter into an agreement with the Cape Girardeau Redevelopment Corp. Under this agreement the corporation would implement additional downtown improvement projects described in the final development plan adopted Sept. 5, 1984.

These improvement projects will be funded entirely through the Downtown Special Business District tax revenues.

Members of the Downtown Special Business District Advisory Board reviewed this agreement at a joint meeting with the Redevelopment Corp. on June 22 and are recommending its approval.