HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil.Minutes.10-08-2001 Proceedings of the City Council, City of Cape Girardeau, Mo.
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SPECIAL SESSION—OCTOBER 8,2001
The Cape Girardeau City Council convened in special joint session with the Cape Public School
Board of Education on Monday, April 8, 2001, at 5:00 p.m. at the Career and Technology Center
with Mayor Albert M. Spradling III and President of the Board of Education Robert Fox presiding.
City Council members present were Richard Eggimann, Matthew Hopkins, Tom Neumeyer, Jay
Purcell, Frank Stoffregen and Hugh White. Board of Education members present were William
Bird,Robert Blank,Mark Carver, Sharon Mueller, Steve Trautween and Martha Zlokovich.
The Board of Education approved the agenda as presented.
Randy McWilson of the Career and Technology Center gave an update of the television studio in
the school. The school is prepared to broadcast; however, it is waiting on a final piece of
equipment from Charter Communications. The channel will include the broadcasting of
community events, notices, sporting events, Board of Education meetings, student events at the
high school and student produced programs. There will not be advertising of any kind. Mr.
McWilson stated that the School District is developing a policy statement for the airing of events
on the channel.
Regarding street lighting by the new high school and career center, Superintendent of Schools Dan
Steska stated he wrote a letter to the city requesting enhanced lighting in this area. Mr. Dennis
Young of Wm. B. Ittner, Inc. presented a handout of lighting illustrations preferred for the area.
Since the school is visible from the interstate, attractive lighting with the option of hanging
banners was recommended. Dr. Steska requested these lights be reviewed with the completion of
the design and construction of streets around the schools. City Engineer Mark Lester stated that no
lights were planned for Southern Expressway. Eleven lights would be needed at a cost of$35,000,
which does not include maintenance or electricity. Mr. Neumeyer suggested that the school
review possible alternative funding for this expense.
Mr. Lester reviewed the time line for completion of Silver Springs Road in front of the high
school. The design is underway with a proposed completion date of August, 2002. This will
depend on the weather and the time frame for right-of-way acquisition. The City is working with
MoDOT to resolve the issues relating to the intersection of Kingshighway and Silver Springs
Road. Mr. Young explained that there are three main entrances to the school. When the schools
were designed and construction began, the grade of the streets was not established. Therefore, the
school did not complete the transition areas between the school's property and the streets. Upon
questioning by Dr. Steska, Mr. Young stated that in previous meetings it was his understanding
that the city would complete these transition areas at the city's expense. The two transition areas
to Silver Springs Road are 75 feet long each, and the area to Southern Expressway is 100 feet
long. Mr. Lester stated the c:ty would review this.
City Planner Kent Bratton gave a brief history of the naming of Southern Expressway. He
explained that once the project is completed, it will be the city staff's recommendation that the
name Mount Auburn Road be carried all the way to Kingshighway. This will require City Council
action.
Regarding the traffic signal at Kingshighway and Silver Springs Road, Dr. Steska questioned what
would be the best way to convince MoDOT to work on this project. Mayor Spradling stated that
the city and the school need to meet with Scott Meyer of MoDOT and the district engineer. Earl
Norman has also been involved in the redesign of this intersection. Mr. Lester stated there is a
Proceedings of the City Council, City of Cape Girardeau, Mo.
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public meeting regarding the construction of Silver Springs Road tentatively scheduled for
November 12.
� Mr. Lester reported that MoDOT is presently bidding out the traffic signal project on Highway 74
and Mount Auburn, and it should be installed within six months.
Dr. Steska discussed the property assessments for road development near the high school. He
explained that all the owners along the new streets will be assessed for the street construction, and
the school can petition the City Council for full or partial forgiveness of the tax bill. Mayor
Spradling further explained that abatement of tax bills occurs on an annual basis. The school
would have to petition the Council annually regarding the tax bills if the school chose to pay the
tax bills over a ten year period. The present council cannot bind future councils to abate tax bills.
Dr. Steska explained that when designing the new school site and the proper water runoff, it was
necessary to develop the elevation of Silver Springs Road. The school met with the city at the
time, and the school ended up paying $10,000 for road design fees to Ittner for the road project
when he thought the city was going to pay this fee. Mr. Young continued that the school
developed a stormwater detention plan, and it was necessary to raise and widen Silver Springs
Road to accommodate the water flow. Since the city could not complete this portion of the project
in time for the school, the school's engineer developed the scope of services, reviewed it with the
city, and said he received final approval. The school completed a rough grade of the southern
portion of Silver Springs Road, installed two 48" stormwater pipes, and stockpiled dirt from the
area. Dr. Steska stated that city contends the design was not helpful and did not pay the $10,000
bill. Mr. Lester explained that the proposed design plans received by the city included two
stormwater pipes, a stockpile of dirt, and a gravel road. The city had not finalized right-of-way
and easement issues relating to the location of the street and the dirt, and the stockpile of dirt could
not be placed on the property. In addition, the city does not construct gravel streets. Mr. Young
explained that when the district began grading for this project, they placed excess dirt on the
proposed football field site to be used by the city when constructing the streets. However, the
district needed to begin the high school project and gave the dirt to Kelley Construction. City
Manager Michael Miller stated that the city never had a formal agreement with the school for this
design, and the city's engineer said that this plan does not assist in designing the Silver Springs
Road project area.
Dr. Steska stated that the school is not asking the city to reimburse this cost. He requested that if
the design plan is useful to the city, that the city consider this when reviewing the school's request
for abatement of the tax bills. Upon questioning by Mr. Eggimann, Dr. Steska further explained
that the school did not budget the cost of the tax bills, and if the streets had already been in place
� before the schools were built,then the school would not have to pay for the streets.
! Mr. Miller stated that the estimated tax bill for Southern Ex resswa is $96 824 and for Silver
iSprings Road is $143,000. However, this will depend on the cost of right-of-way acquisition.
i These assessments are only approximately 25 percent of the actual total project cost, and the city is
� paying the rest. He could not see why the school should ask for an abatement.
�i Mr. Young reviewed the current drainage site plan for the school property. He met with the
adjoining property owners, and they have concerns with the amount of runoff that will be
discharging through the two storm drain pipes. He stated this may be a problem with right-of-way
acquisition with Mr. Drury. Mr. Lester reviewed requirements for water flow and detention.
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Regarding the Schultz School property, Mr. Bratton reviewed the history of this building and its
location. His suggested best use for the property is residential, including, possibly, multi-
component units. The deed restrictions on the property will need to be reviewed. Mr. Fox stated
the district is assessing all school programs and buildings, and this building is structurally sound
and usable,but it is high maintenance.
There being no further business,the City Council and School Board adjourned.
Albert M. Spradling, III,Mayor
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Gayle L. onrad, City Clerk