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Proceedings of the City Council, City of Cape Girardeau, Mo.
Special Session Oetnher 24, 2005 iiii
SPECIAL SESSION—OCTOBER 24, 2005
The Cape Girardeau City Council convened in special joint session on Monday, October 24, 2005,
at 6:00 p.m. with the Cape Girardeau Public School Board of Education. Mayor Pro-Tempore
Matt Hopkins presided over the Council, with Council Members Evelyn Boardman, Charlie
Herbst, Marcia Ritter, Loretta Schneider and Debra Tracy present. Mayor Jay Knudtson was
absent. Mr. Steve Trautwein presided over the School Board, with Board Members Sharon
Mueller, Laura Sparkman, Tim Arbeiter, Tom Reinagel and Charles Bertrand present. Bill Bird
was absent.
The agenda was adopted by the Council upon Mrs. Boardman's motion, Mr. Herbst's second, and
the following vote: Ayes, Boardman, Herbst, Hopkins, Ritter, Schneider and Tracy. Nays,none.
The agenda was adopted by the School Board upon Ms. Mueller's motion, Mr. Reinagel's second,
and a unanimous vote.
City Engineer Jay Stencel presented an update on the status of the South Kingshighway/Silver
Springs Road intersection improvements, including traffic control signals. MoDOT managed the
project and will maintain the signals. Mr. Hopkins requested city staff contact MoDOT to place
directional signage to the High School and Career and Technology Center.
City Manager Doug Leslie distributed an update report on the Enterprise Zone tax abatements for
the years 2002 through 2005. The city continues to track these abatements and the effects on tax
revenues in the city.
Mr. Leslie discussed the State Tax Increment Financing program and the effects it can have on the
city and the school. To date, new developments have used other means of financing for their
projects to minimize the property tax impact on the school.
City Planner Kent Bratton reviewed the present school district boundaries for the Cape, Nell
Holcomb and Jackson School Districts. He also presented an update on future growth and
anticipated annexations to the city well as projects that will be completed under the Transportation
Trust Fund 3 Program, including the East Main Interchange and Armstrong Drive, as well as
others. A sub-committee of the Planning and Zoning Commission has begun the process to update
the City's Master Street Plan.
Upon questioning by Mrs. Boardman, Mr. Leslie explained the boundaries of the Cape Public
Library District, which were pursuant to state statutes based on the 1967 city limits.
Ms. Mueller discussed issues relating to strategic planning for the city and any forecasting methods
that are available to forecast growth in revenue based on anticipated new construction in the city.
Mr. Leslie explained that the City is predominantly dependent on sales tax revenue, with only a
small portion of revenue coming from property tax. Therefore, the City generally does not project
future property tax increases. Information relating to the development of new subdivisions,
including the number of lots and building permits, is available to the public through the City. Mr.
Bratton continued that an Assessor from the Cape County Assessor's office comes to city hall
approximately every two months to review new building plans and acquire square footages for
assessment purposes.
Ms. Tracy questioned how much of the old Schultz School is being used by the alternative school,
and whether the remainder of the building is available for lease space. Mr. Trautwein explained
Proceedings of the City Council, City of Cape Girardeau, Mo.
Special Session October 24, 2005 332
that there are no plans in place to lease the building; however, the School Board is presently
reviewing options for use of this building.
F.
Mr. Trautwein thanked the city for cleaning up the area around Jefferson School by adding
sidewalks and landscaping. W
Following comments by the Board and Council, Ms. Mueller made a motion, seconded by Mr.
Reinagel to adjourn the meeting. The motion was approved upon a unanimous vote on behalf of
the School Board.
There being no further business, the City Council adjourned to closed session for purposes of
discussing confidential communications with the City Attorney, pursuant to RSMo. Section
610.021(1) upon Mr. Herbst's motion, Ms. Tracy's second, and the following vote: Ayes,
Boardman, Herbst, Hopkins, Ritter, Schneider and Tracy. Nays, none.
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Matt Hopkins, Pro Tempore
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Gayle L. C orj rad, City Clerk