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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil.Minutes.04-23-2007.Special Proceedings of the City Council, City of Cape Girardeau, Mo. Special Session April 23,2007 FF-287 E006001O7DW SPECIAL SESSION—APRIL 23,2007 The Cape Girardeau City Council convened in special joint session with the Cape Girardeau County Commission on Monday, April 23, 2007 at 6:30 p.m., at the Osage Community Centre with Cape Girardeau Mayor Jay B. Knudtson and Cape County Presiding_Commissioner Gerald Jones presiding. Cape Girardeau City Council Members present were Charlie Herbst, Matt Hopkins, Marcia Ritter, Loretta Schneider, Debra Tracy and John Voss. Cape County Commissioners present were,Larry Bock, and Jay Purcell. Cape Girardeau City Attorney Eric Cunningham presented the invocation, and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Mr. Voss made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Tracy, to adopt the agenda for the City. The motion was approved upon the following vote: Ayes, Herbst, Hopkins, Knudtson, Ritter, Schneider, Tracy and Voss. Nays,none. Mr. Jones made a motion, seconded by Mr. Purcell, to adopt the agenda for the County. The motion was approved upon the following vote: Ayes,Bock,Jones,Purcell. Nays,none. Mr. Robb McClary, Assistant to the County Commission, gave a presentation on the 2006 accomplishments for Cape Girardeau County. He reviewed personnel changes from the election and new staff and positions added, reviewed state legislative issues, and reviewed Proposition 1, Y2 cent county sales tax which went into effect January 1. Mayor Knudtson presented the Mayor's Progress Report. He reviewed the comprehensive plan process,the Public Safety Trust Fund progress, downtown development,'trail and recreation projects, commercial/residential developments, and economic development issues. Mr. Doug Richards, Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Cape County Transit Authority, presented an update on the County transit system. Mr. Tom Mogelnicki is the Interim Director for a three to six month period, and an official search for a new Director will be conducted. Mr. Mogelnicki has been directed to get a handle on personnel, operations, and finances. The next one to three years is critical in educating the public on public transit, as well as planned expansion in Cape and Jackson and the rural areas. They would like to move ahead with another bus route in Cape and then add one in Jackson. Mr. Gerald Jones introduced County Clerk Kara Clark, County Treasurer Roger Hudson, and County Auditor David Ludwig. Mr. Jones discussed the financial impacts of FIB 131 relating to sales tax exemption for manufacturing facilities. This could potentially cost the County$365,000 from Procter and Gamble alone. Mayor Knudtson stated that the City is working with Ameren to figure the financial impact to the City. He felt the key to this legislation is remove local sales taxes from the exemption. The Council and Commission discussed the impacts of this legislation to both entities. Mr. Roger Hudson reported on the positive financial impact that Proposition 1 has had on the County budget. This sales tax replaced the Cape Special Road District Tax. The added income is being used to fund a hard road surface program and increase the salaries for the Sheriff's Office. Mr. Larry Payne appeared as Chairman of the County Road Advisory Committee. This Committee is made up of 11 members and is charged with developing the new hard road surface program, Proceedings of the City Council, City of Cape Girardeau, Mo. Special Session April 23,2007 FF-288 E00600107DW which will include paving and dust control projects. The Committee is holding hearings to obtain public input on the program. He reviewed the program and funding and the impact it will have on the county roads. Mr. Purcell presented a history and update on the status of the federal courthouse and the possibility of moving county offices to this building. He reviewed the process that must be followed in order for the General Services Administration to turn over the building to another entity. A committee has been appointed to review this process and to see if it is feasible for the County to take over this building. The committee consists of Mo Sanford, Harry Rediger and Joe Gambill, and they are working with Chauncey Buchheit of the SEMO Regional Planning Commission. Mr. Gambill continued that the committee is working on a proposal that the City and County could present jointly to the GSA to purchase the building. There are concerns that GSA may attempt to dispose of this building through the internet. Mayor Knudtson stated the City Council has been discussing the process of peripheral zoning in conjunction with expanding the City limits. City Manager explained that staff has been researching Chapter 89 RSMo. which establishes this process, and City Attorney Eric Cunningham reviewed the requirements of this chapter. This would allow the city to adopt an ordinance establishing zoning restrictions extending up to two miles outside of the city limits. Once an ordinance is adopted, in order for it to be effective, the County Commission is required to hold a public hearing and approve it by majority vote. The Commission and Council discussed this process. Mayor Knudtson explained that Cape Girardeau County is the only first class county in the state that does not have county planning and zoning. Mayor Knudtson discussed the LaSalle/East Main/I-55 project. The City is working to move forward to develop the outer road. At the present time legislation does not exist that would allow for shared sales tax revenue between political subdivisions. Mr. Jones suggested that THF Development, the entity that is developing the interchange, make a presentation to all the entities involved. Mayor Knudtson stated that he has spoken with Mr. Jones concerning the County's participation in the Greater Missouri Buildings/NARS development similar to the Kohls and Sears development agreements, and these discussions will continue. There being no further business, the Cape Girardeau County Commission adjourned upon Mr. Purcell's motion, Mr. Bock's second, and the following vote: Ayes Bock, Jones, Purcell. Nays, none. There being no further business, the Cape Girardeau City Council adjourned upon Mr. Hopkins' motion, Mr. Voss' second, and the following vote: Ayes, Herbst, Hopkins, Knudtson, Ritter, Schneider, Tracy and Voss. Nays. none. : udtson, Mayor S Gayle L. onrad, City Clerk