COUNCIL DRAFTS AN ORDINANCE TO SATISFY STATE ETHICS MEASURE

The Cape Girardeau City Council took action Monday night to comply with a new state ethics law that apparently has confused legal experts and lawmakers alike.

The ethics measure requires that local officials disclose personal financial information, including income sources, corporate interests, names of relatives who are city employees or lobbyists, property and stock holdings.

The council asked City Attorney Warren Wells to draft a city ordinance to comply with the basic minimum disclosure requirements of the state law. By drafting its own ordinance, the city can waive the state's detailed "long form" disclosure statement.

Councilman David Barklage said he agreed with the concept of requiring elected officials to disclose financial interests. He said the measure would serve to abate charges of "good old boy politics" in local government.

Barklage said he thought the local ordinance primarily should include disclosure of property ownership and business licenses, including liquor licenses.

Wells said the council could adopt the state's "short form" guidelines for its disclosure ordinance and then add further restrictions in subsequent laws further detailing the types of information to be included in the disclosures.

"There are still a lot questions out concerning what this means," Wells said of the state ethics law. "There are more questions than answers as far as what's required and what's not.

"There's going to be a real shake-down period as everyone tries to sort out the law."

The council will consider the proposed law at its next meeting Aug. 19. The city has until Sept. 15 to adopt its own disclosure law or be subject to the more detailed state regulations.

In other business, Assistant City Manager Al Stoverink informed the council of the status of the Greyhound bus stop in Cape Girardeau. The bus stop has moved four times in the past year.

The latest tenure was for five days, from July 18-22, at Spanky's on 353 S. Kingshighway before a zoning violation forced the bus station's departure.

Stoverink said that although a site for new station hasn't been determined, the buses have been stopping on Spanish Street in downtown Cape Girardeau to pick up and deliver local passengers.

Because the city lacks a bus station and agent, passengers must purchase their tickets at either Sikeston to the south or Perryville to the north.

In other action, the council approved:

First reading of a law levying the annual city property tax, 58 cents per $100 of assessed valuation; and the downtown business district special tax, 80 cents per $100 of assessed valuation.

20Emergency passage of laws granting a special use permit to the Cape Bible Chapel for construction of a church addition at 2911 Kage Road and a record plat and permanent sewer easement for the Mid City Business Centre.

A resolution adopting the city's Rehabilitation Grant Program Guidelines for homeowners and rental units as part of the Community Development Block Grant program.

A resolution adopting minimum property rehabilitation standards for the block grant program.

A resolution authorizing a contract with Apex Paving Co. for paving a second group of projects slated for the city's three-inch asphalt overlay program.

The appointment of Loretta Dodd to the Historic Preservation Commission.

A motion to grant a right-of-way easement to Dr. Charles P. and Martha Lou McGinty for property along Gordonville Road.