Cape landlords voice concern at public forum

CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO (KRCU) - The tension was palpable at a public forum over a possible rental inspection ordinance Thursday night.

The ordinance would create a system of mandatory inspections and licensing for those who either own or operate rental properties within the city.

The forum was attended mostly by local Cape Girardeau landlords, many of whom were restless and relentless in voicing their concerns with the possible ordinance.

Throughout the presentation and subsequent question and answer period many said that they felt there were already adequate regulations in place.

Many also felt that they are the ones who need protection against bad and destructive tenants.

Mayor Harry Rediger was at the forum and felt that it will serve as a useful tool to help the city to find the right course of action.

“That was loud and clear to us and um… well be studying it as we move ahead. As I told the audience before the left this is in the public input stage and this is just one part of the process,” Rediger said.

The forum was held at the Osage Center and scheduled to start at seven p.m. but was delayed so that more chairs could be brought in to accommodate the unexpectedly large assembly.

The city claims that the rental inspection program was the third most popular citizens’ initiative from two-thousand seven.

Tim Filla, KRCU

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Council passes nuisance party ordinance

CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO (KRCU) - The city of Cape Girardeau is now just ten days away from enacting a new ordinance that aims to bring an end to what it views as nuisance parties.

Bill number 1181, aptly dubbed the nuisance party ordinance, was approved at Monday nights City Council meeting.

The ordinance was first purposed by a group of citizens who were fed up with all night college blow outs in their neighborhood.

The ordinance seeks to curtail loud and unruly parties of over ten people by enacting tougher punishments for those hosting the parties, if need be.

Mayor Harry Rediger says that the city needed the ordinance.

“We were glad to get that brought forward this evening for the citizens. It’s been an ongoing issue and rightfully so, we should taken action; were glad to get it accomplished,” Rediger says.

A similar ordinance is on the books in Columbia, Missouri.

Even with Cape’s nuisance party ordinance, the mayor and members of city council are still planning to do more to end raucous college parties.

They plan to purpose an ordinance that will allow for landlords to inspect their property and potentially terminate the lease if they feel that parts of the contract are not being fulfilled.

The possible ordinance is intended to allow landlords and neighbors to deal with problem tenets and neighbors.

Mayor Rediger describes the nuisance party ordinance as a stop gap and the first step in allowing residents to take their neighborhoods back.

“That ordinance will, will uh protect even more the neighbors and citizens of our community because that will give us some teeth on the landlord side, this really does not,” he said.

A public meeting will be held at the Osage Center this Thursday at seven p.m. to discuss and get feedback on the matter.

Tim Filla, KRCU

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Union Pacific steam train stops in Cape Girardeau

CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO (KRCU) - Union Pacific Railroad’s steam locomotive number 844 made an appearance in Cape Girardeau Sunday.

The train and its engineers were met with welcoming words from Cape Girardeau Mayor Harry Rediger.

Union Pacific’s last steam powered train attracted both enthusiasts and families. Kerrie Waggener and her children came out to see the railroad’s “living legend” because trains are part of their family history.

"I was raised from a train family," Waggener said. "My father worked on Union Pacific as a conductor. So it’s always been important to us. Braydon, he’s always enjoyed trains from Thomas the train all the way up."

The 844 will continue on to its Little Rock destination today.

Cara Wilson, KRCU

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City council designs compromise on noise ordinance

CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO (KRCU) - The ongoing debate over the noise ordinance in Cape Girardeau might soon find a compromise.

City Manager Scott Meyer, speaking at the City Council meeting Monday night, said that the city could issue seasonal permits to the few bars and venues that offer outdoor entertainment during warm weather.

"Well really, it’s an idea that is evolving, taking the combination of this event permit that we currently have and expanding that to be more of a seasonal permit that defines parameters of how venues can work, how they’ll be evaluated, and what level of noise, or music would be allowed at different times of the day and different days of the week," Meyers says.

Violations of the proposed permit may be given a small fine, but business owners could risk losing the permit for the next season.

Mayor Harry Rediger likes the idea of the permit and says he “doesn’t want to limit commercial activity.”

In other council news, a liquor license was granted to Cape Mart, at 238 N. Fountain Street, despite strong, outspoken opposition from nearby residents.

The council had previously denied the request at the last meeting due to community disapproval. However, they said their hands were tied because the prior business, Ganix Market, had been granted a liquor license.

Matthew Caldwell, KRCU

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Council: $2 mil will go to pay airport bonds

CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO (KRCU) - In the first round of voting last night, the Cape Girardeau City Council unanimously approved a measure that will use $2 million of casino money to repay local airport bonds as well as replenishing the city’s emergency reserve fund, which had been depleted during the last ice storm.

The casino money had been set aside for improvements to Broadway and ten other civic projects as designated in the development plan with the casino.

Mayor Harry Rediger assured that these city improvements will be completed in the near future.

"We have committed to the Isle of Capri that the enhancements that were on the development agreement for the Broadway project will be done by fall of next year, prior to the opening of the gaming operation in December of 2012," Rediger said.

Using the casino funds to immediately repay the bonds will eliminate $260,000 from the city’s budget.

In other business, the council approved zoning changes to the Central Business District with the creation of a Downtown Commercial Corridor that creates residential space in the rear of the first floor of buildings, something the current zoning laws allow only with a special use permit.

Over the next few months the council will decide the specifics on how to spend a $250,000 grant from the Missouri Foundation of Health. The grant will fund nearly 40 miles of new bicycle lanes, the installation of bike racks, and bicycle education.

Matt Caldwell, KRCU

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