The Cape Girardeau City Council tonight will consider a contract with the Southeast Missouri Regional Planning and Economic Development Commission to conduct a study of the city's public transportation needs.

The council last year agreed to the study subject to receipt of a grant from the Missouri Highway and Transportation Department. The department has approved the city's request for $20,000, which is 80 percent of the project's cost.

Through the contract, the planning commission will study the city's taxi coupon program for elderly residents and catalog additional transportation providers in the city.

In a document summarizing the scope of the study, the planning commission said: "It has been noted that the use of the taxi coupon program continues to grow and the city feels a need to make decisions about the provision for transportation services in the near future.

"A study conducted to assess the need of the community's residents, the availability of other forms of transportation, the unmet need that exists, and an analysis of alternative means of serving the unmet need will be necessary in order to make educated decisions at the city management level."

A final report, including planning commission recommendations, will be drafted and submitted to the council for its consideration later this year.

The council also will consider a proposal to expand Shawnee Park on the city's south side.

A proposal to trade property north of Cape LaCroix Creek along Minnesota Avenue, which is owned by 630 Corp., for outstanding tax bills and interest owed by the company is on Monday's agenda for council action.

The total purchase price of the 39-acre tract of land is $175,000. 630 Corp. owes the city nearly $170,000 in delinquent tax bills for sewer and street improvements in the area.

In other business, the council will:

Hold public hearings on and consider initial approval of requests by: Emil and Mabel Dewrock, Peggy St. Cin and Jeffery L. Pickle to rezone 2200 Bloomfield Road from single-family residential to multiple-family residential; G. Keith Deimund to rezone a portion of Mount Auburn Subdivision III from local commercial to two-family residential; and Cape LaCroix Methodist Church for a special use permit at 1800 Cape LaCroix Road.

Consider a city law to establish speed limits and parking regulations on portions of Cape Rock Drive and Bloomfield recently annexed.

Make two appointments to the Cable Television Citizens Committee.

Consider conditional approval of liquor licenses for: Bluff City Beer, 450 Siemer Drive; Misbehavin'II, 701 N. Main; and Wise Guys Italian Eatery, 1000 N. Sprigg.