Cape City Council to consider rental inspections and licenses

CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO (KRCU) - The city of Cape Girardeau may soon call for landlords to become licensed as well as require rental inspections in hopes to enforce property maintenance codes.

The Neighborhood Protection Program was designed to provide safe living environments for tenants, protect property values, and encourage reinvestment, which Assistant City Manager Ken Eftink believes can be accomplished one block at a time.

"The goal is to protect neighborhoods, basically protecting one block at a time. If you look at a house that is in a dilapidated condition it brings down the values of all the other properties on that block," Eftink says.

Eftink asked for City Council approval last night and will meet with landlords this week before drafting an ordinance.

In other news, the Cape Girardeau City Council voted to authorize the Safe Routes to Schools grant of over $175,000 that will install nearly 5,000 feet of sidewalks around local schools.

The council also passed an ordinance that will require businesses that play outdoor music to apply for a seasonal Outdoor Music Venue Permit.

Matthew Caldwell, KRCU

Posted in: Cape Girardeau City Council,Ken Eftink,Matthew Caldwell