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1 CITY CHARTER
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1 CAPE GIRARDEAU, MISSOURI
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MEMBERS OF THE
CAPE GIRARDEAU CHARTER COMMISSION
NARVOL A. RANDOL
'
Chairman
HOWARD C. TOOKE
Vice -Chairman
'
J. HUGH LOGAN
Secretary
' A. C.
"Doc" Brase
James P. Limbaugh
Edward
E. Calvin
Thomas
M. Meyer
'
Ralph
L. Edwards
Paul W.
Stehr
Vernon
V. Fee
Don R.
Strohmeyer
Peter
Hilty
George
H. Wrape
A STATEMENT TO THE PEOPLE OF CAPE GIRARDEAU
In October, 1971, Missouri voters approved a constitutional
' amendment permitting a greater degree of home rule for the cities
of the state. At the city election in April, 1981, Cape Girardeau
voters elected a thirteen -member commission to draft a charter
for the city under this Home Rule provision.
' Since their election, members of the Cape Girardeau Charter
Commission have met regularly to work on a charter for the city.
Two public hearings have been held. Criticisms and suggestions
' brought out in a public hearing were taken into account before
completion of the final draft of the charter. The Commission has
now completed the proposed Charter, which will be presented to
the voters at the November 3, 1981 city election.
A CHARTER
A city charter may be viewed as the basic legal document for
the city government. The charter need not include all the details
necessary for the day-to-day operation of the city, but should
provide the basic framework within which such procedures and
functions can be developed by the elected representatives of the
people. A charter should provide the governing body sufficient
' flexibility to deal effectively with problems confronting the
city, yet contain the necessary safeguards to protect citizens
against the abuse of power. Allowing local officials a greater
hand in running the affairs of the city is the esseryce of Home
t Rule. Some significant provisions of the charter proposed for
Cape Girardeau follow.
FORM OF GOVERNMENT
' It was the intent of the Cape Girardeau Charter Commission
to retain the best features of the present city government. The
charter proposed by the Commission provides for the continuation
of the council-manager form of government. Under the new charter,
the voters would elect a city council. A mayor would run at
large for the position of mayor, instead of being selected by the
council. The council would employ a full-time city manager who
would serve at the pleasure of the council. The manager would be
' the administrative head of the city, selected on the basis of
administrative qualifications and experience.
or prohibitions as listed in Section 3.06, 3.07, 11.01, and
11.03.
FINANCES
Fiscal procedures for the city are covered in considerable
detail in Article VI of the charter. The article not only out-
lines procedures to be followed, but establishes certain safeguards
to insure the proper conduct of the fiscal affairs of the city.
POPULAR CONTROL.
The charter further provides the opportunity for citizen
participation in city government through the initiative, referendum,
and recall as outlined in Article VIII. Amendments to the charter
would require approval of the voters.
ORGANIZATION OF THE CHARTER
The organization of the charter is as follows:
Article
1
THE CITY COUNCIL
Article
Under the proposed charter, the legislative power for the
'
city would rest in a seven (7) member council, one of whom would
III
be the Mayor, elected at large by the voters of the city. Members
Article
would be elected for four year terms on a rotating basis.
City Manager
Candidates for the council would be nominated by petition as
'
provided in Article VII. The city election would be held every
other year on the first Tuesday in April, with a primary election
Personnel System
to be held if more than two candidates seek the same seat on the
VI
council.
,
Section 3.14 of the charter elaborates in detail the procedure
Nominations and Elections
for the enactment of an ordinance. Copies of a proposed ordinance
VIII
would be available for public inspection, and citizens would have an
Article
opportunity to express their views concerning matters brought
'
before the council.
X
Council members would be subject to a number of restrictions
'
or prohibitions as listed in Section 3.06, 3.07, 11.01, and
11.03.
FINANCES
Fiscal procedures for the city are covered in considerable
detail in Article VI of the charter. The article not only out-
lines procedures to be followed, but establishes certain safeguards
to insure the proper conduct of the fiscal affairs of the city.
POPULAR CONTROL.
The charter further provides the opportunity for citizen
participation in city government through the initiative, referendum,
and recall as outlined in Article VIII. Amendments to the charter
would require approval of the voters.
ORGANIZATION OF THE CHARTER
The organization of the charter is as follows:
Article
I
Incorporation, Name and Boundaries
Article
II
Form of Government and Powers
Article
III
The Council
Article
IV
City Manager
Article
V
Administrative Organization and
Personnel System
Article
VI
Financial Procedures
Article
VII
Nominations and Elections
Article
VIII
Initiative, Referendum and Recall
Article
IX
Franchises
Article
X
Licensing, Taxation and Regulation
Article XI General Provisions
Article XII Transitional Provisions
Article XIII Schedule
IMPLEMENTATION OF NEW CHARTER
If approved by the voters at the November 3, 1981 election,
t the proposed charter shall be in effect at the time of its adoption
to the extent necessary in order to conduct the first election of
the members of the city council in accordance with the provisions
of this charter.
Adoption of this charter will require the members of the
present council to run for re-election April 6, 1982. The
various agencies, boards, departments, offices, etc., now es-
tablished would be continued, subject to changes made by the
council.
As a citizen of Cape Girardeau, you are encouraged to read
and study the proposed charter prior to the city election of
November 3, 1981. An effective city government will contribute
to a better life for us all.
Respectfully submitted,
CAPE GIRARDEAU CHARTER COMMISSION
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ARTICLE 1 - INCORPORATION, NAME AND BOUNDARIES
Section 1.01. Incorporation, Name and Boundaries
ARTICLE II - FORM OF GOVERNMENT AND POWERS
Section 2.01. Form of Government
Section 2.02. Powers
Section 2.03. Construction
Section 2.04. Where Powers Vested
ARTICLE III - THE COUNCIL
Section 3.01. Composition of Council
Section 3.02. Eligibility
Section 3.03. Term of Office
Section 3.04. Mayor
Section 3.05. Compensation
Section 3.06. Prohibitions
Section 3.07. Vacancies; Forfeiture of Office;
Filling of Vacancies
Section 3.08. Judge of Qualifications
Section 3.09. Investigations
Section 3.10. Independent Audit
Section 3.11. City Treasurer
Section 3.12. City Clerk
Section 3.13. Legislative Proceedings
Section 3.14. Ordinances
Section 3.15. Emergency Measures
Section 3.16. Resolutions
Section 3.17. Other Actions
Section 3.18. Codification of Ordinances
ARTICLE IV - THE CITY MANAGER
Section
4.01.
Appointment; Qualifications; Compensation
Section
4.02.
Acting City Manager
'
Section
4.03.
Powers and Duties of the City Manager
ARTICLE V -
ADMINISTRATIVE ORGANIZATION AND
PERSONNEL SYSTEM
'
Section
5.01.
Creation of Departments, Offices
and Agencies
Section
5.02.
Direction by City Manager
Section
5.03.
Existing Departments
'
Section
5.04.
Boards and Commissions
Section
5.05.
Existing Boards and Commissions
Section
5.06.
Planning and Zoning Commission
Section
5.07.
Employee Personnel
'
Section
5.08.
Merit Principles
Section
5.09.
City Attorney
Section
5.10.
Duties of City Attorney
'
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' ARTICLE VI - FINANCIAL PROCEDURES
Section
6.01.
Fiscal Year
Section
6.02.
Submission of Budget and
Budget Message
'
Section
6.03.
Budget
Section
6.04.
Capital Program
Section
6.05.
Council Action on Capital Program
Section
6.06.
Council Action on Budget
Section
6.07.
Public Records
Section
6.08.
Amendments After Adoption
Section
6.09.
Administration of Budget
Section
6.10.
Tax Rates and Tax Rolls
Section
6.11.
Sale of Bonds
ARTICLE VII -
NOMINATIONS
AND ELECTIONS
Section
7.01.
City Elections
'
Section
7.02.
Non -Partisan Election
Section
7.03.
Nominations by Petition
Section
7.04.
Preparation of Ballots
Section
7.05.
Voting Machines
Section
7.06.
Number of Votes
'
Section
7.07.
Primary Elections
Section
7.08.
Determination of Primary Election Results
Section
7.09.
General or Special Elections
'
ARTICLE VIII
- INITIATIVE,
REFERENDUM AND RECALL
Section
8.01.
General Authority
Section
8.02.
Commencement of Proceedings,
t
Petitioners' Committee; Affidavit
Section
8.03.
Petitions
Section
8..04.
Procedure After Filing
Section
8.05.
Referendum Petitions;
Suspension of Effect of Ordinance
'
Section
8.06.
Action on Petitions
Section
8.07.
Recall Ballot
Section
8.08.
Results of Election
Section
8.09.
Conduct of Initiative, Referendum
'
and Recall Elections
Section
8.10.
Resubmission of Initiative Petitions
ARTICLE IX -
FRANCHISES
'
Section
9.01.
Granting of Franchises
Section
9.02.
Right of Regulation
Section
9.03.
Purchases; Condemnation
'
Section
Section
9.04.
9.05.
Revocable Permits
Operation Beyond Franchise Period
Section
9.06.
Use of Public Property
ARTICLE X - LICENSING, TAXATION AND REGULATION
Section 10.01. Objects of Licensing, Taxation
and Regulation
ARTICLE XI - GENERAL PROVISIONS
Section 11.01. Personal Financial Interest
Section 11.02. All Ordinances Effective on
Municipal Land
Section 11.03. Prohibitions
Section 11.04. Notice of Suits
Section 11.05. Official Bonds
Section 11.06. Charter Amendment
Section 11.07. Public Improvements and
Special Assessments
Section 11.08. Proof of Ordinance
Section 11.09. Specified Powers Not Limiting
Section 11.10. Separability
Section 11.11. Use of Masculine Pronoun
ARTICLE XII - TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS
Section 12.01. Personnel System
Section 12.02. Ordinances to Remain in Force
Section 12.03. Pending Actions and Proceedings
Section 12.04. Continuance of Contracts, Public
Improvements and Taxes
ARTICLE XIII - SCHEDULE
Section 13.01. Election to Adopt Charter
Section 13.02. Ballot for Charter Election
Section 13.03. First Election
Section 13.04. Time of Taking Full Effect
Section 13.05. Incumbent Councilmen; First
Meeting of Newly Elected Council
Section 13.06. Temporary Ordinances
Section 13.07. Purpose of Schedule
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ARTICLE I
Incorporation, Name and Boundaries
SECTION 1.01. Incorporation, Name and Boundaries.
The inhabitants of the City of Cape Girardeau, Missouri,
within the corporate limits as now established or as hereafter
established in the manner provided by law, shall continue to be a
municipal body politic and corporate in perpetuity, under the
name of the City of Cape Girardeau.
ARTICLE II
Form of Government, Powers
SECTION 2.01. Form of Government.
The municipal government provided by this charter shall be
the council-manager form of government.
SECTION 2.02. Powers.
The City shall have all powers which the General Assembly of
the State of Missouri has authority to confer upon any city,
provided such powers are consistent with the Constitution of the
State and are not limited or denied either by this charter or by
statute. The City shall, in addition to its home rule powers,
have all powers conferred by law.
SECTION 2.03. Construction.
The powers of the city shall be liberally construed. The
specific mention of a particular power in this charter shall not
be construed as limiting the powers of the city.
SECTION 2.04. Where Powers Vested.
Except as this charter provides otherwise, all powers of the
city shall be vested in the council. The council shall provide
for the exercise of these powers and for the performance of all
duties and obligations imposed on the city by law or this charter.
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ARTICLE III
The Council
SECTION 3.01. Composition of Council.
The city council shall consist of seven (7) members, six (6)
councilmen and a mayor, all elected at large by the voters of the
city. Said members shall be nominated and elected as provided in
Article VII of this charter.
SECTION 3.02. Eligibility.
A member of the council shall be a registered voter of the
city, and shall be at least twenty-one (21) years of age, and
shall have been a resident of the city for at least four (4)
consecutive years immediately prior to their election.
SECTION 3.03. Term of Office.
At the first general election under this charter, six (6)
councilmen shall be elected; the three (3) candidates receiving
the greatest number of votes shall serve for terms of four (4)
years, and the three (3) candidates receiving the next greatest
number of votes shall serve for terms of two (2) years. Commenc-
ing at the next general election and at all subsequent general
elections, three (3) councilmen shall be elected; each of the
three (3) candidates receiving the greatest number of votes shall
serve for a term of four (4) years.
SECTION 3.04. Mayor.
At the first general election under this charter, and every
four (4) years thereafter, a mayor shall be elected for a term of
four (4) years. He shall be a member of the council and shall
have the same qualifications as are required for other councilmen.
The mayor shall preside at meetings of the council, shall have
the right to vote, and shall be recognized as head of the city
government for all legal and ceremonial purposes and by the
governor for purposes of military law. The mayor shall have no
administrative duties and shall have no veto power. The council
shall elect from its members a mayor pro tempore who shall act as
mayor during the absence or disability of the mayor and, if a
vacancy occurs, shall act as mayor until such vacancy is filled
as provided in Section 3.07.
SECTION 3.05. Compensation.
Each councilman shall receive a salary of One Hundred Dollars
($100.00) per month for his or her services. The mayor shall
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receive a salary of One Hundred Fifty Dollars ($150.00) per
month. Every five (5) years after the effective date of this
charter the salaries of councilmen and mayor shall be reviewed by
the members of the council, which may adjust the salaries by
ordinance. This section shall not apply to increase any salaries
during a term of office; any increase shall become effective at
the start of the next succeeding term.
SECTION 3.06. Prohibitions.
(a) Holding Other Office. Except where authorized by law,
or pursuant to an agreement between the city and another
entity of government, no councilman shall hold any
other city office or city employment during the term
for which he was elected to the council, and no former
councilman shall hold any compensated appointive city
office or city employment until one (1) year after the
expiration of the term for which he was elected to the
council.
(b) Appointments and Removals. Neither the council nor any
of its members shall in any manner dictate the appointment
or removal of any city administrative officers or
employees whom the city manager or any of his subordi-
nates are empowered to appoint, but the council may
express its views and fully and freely discuss with the
city manager anything pertaining to appointment and
removal of such officers and employees.
' (c) Interference With Administration. Except for the
purpose of inquiries and investigations under Section
3.09 of this Article, the council or its members shall
' deal with city officers and employees who are subject
to the direction and supervision of the city manager
solely through the city manager, and neither the council
nor its members shall give orders to any such officer
or employee, either publicly or privately.
SECTION 3.07. Vacancies; Forfeiture of Office; Filling of Vacancies.
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(a) Vacancies. The office of a councilman or of a mayor
shall become vacant upon his death, resignation, removal
from office in any manner authorized by law, or forfeiture
of his office.
(b) Forfeiture of Office. A councilman or a mayor shall
forfeit his office if he:
(1) Lacks at any time during his term of office any
qualification for the office prescribed by this
charter or by law;
(2) Violates any express prohibition of this charter;
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(3) Is convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude;
(4) Remains in default to the city after notice of
such default; or
(5) Fails to attend three (3) consecutive regular
meetings of the council without being excused by
the council.
(c) Filling of Vacancies. A vacancy in the council or in
the office of mayor may be filled by the council for a
period running to the next general election unless such
period exceeds one (1) year. If the period exceeds one
(1) year, the council shall make arrangements for a
special election to fill such vacancy for the unexpired
term. The requirement for a quorum, as provided in
Section 3.13 of this Article, shall govern only if
sufficient members remain on the council. If the
council fails to fill said vacancy within sixty (60)
days after the date of its occurrence, the council
shall call a special election to fill the vacancy at
the earliest possible date, except that no election
shall be called for such purpose within one hundred
eighty (180) days preceding the next general city
election.
SECTION 3.08. Judge of Qualifications.
The council shall be the judge of the election and qualifi-
cations of its members and of the grounds for forfeiture of their
office as provided in Section 3.07 of this Article, and for that
purpose shall have power to subpoena witnesses, administer oaths
and require the production of evidence. A member charged with
conduct constituting grounds for forfeiture of office shall, upon
his request, be entitled to a public hearing before the council.
SECTION 3.09. Investigations.
The council may make investigations into the affairs of the
city and the conduct of any city department, office or agency ,and
for this purpose may subpoena witnesses, administer oaths, take
testimony and require the production of evidence. Any person who
fails or refuses to obey a lawful order issued in exercise of
these powers by the council shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and
shall be punishable as provided by ordinance.
SECTION 3.10. Independent Audit.
The council shall provide for an independent audit of all
city accounts at least annually. Such audits shall be made by a
certified public accountant or firm of such accountants who have
no personal interest, direct or indirect, in the fiscal affairs
of the city government. A copy of the report prepared by the
certified public accountant or firm of such accountants shall be
kept in the office of the city clerk and shall be open to public
inspection.
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SECTION 3.11. City Treasurer.
' The council shall appoint a city treasurer who shall hold
office at the pleasure of the council. Nothing in this section
shall be construed to mean that the treasurer may not be the same
' person as the city clerk.
SECTION 3.12. City Clerk.
The council shall appoint a city clerk who shall hold office
' at the pleasure of the council. The city clerk shall keep the
journal of council proceedings, authenticate by his signature all
ordinances and resolutions, and record them in full in a book
kept for that purpose. The city clerk shall perform such other
' duties as may be required by law, by this charter, or by the
council. The council may provide for the assignment or perfor-
mance of duties by the city clerk under the supervision of the
city manager.
■ SECTION 3.13. Legislative Proceedings.
(a) Meetings. The council shall meet regularly at least
twice each month at such times and places as the council
may prescribe by rule. The mayor upon his own motion
may, or at the request of three (3) members of the
council shall, call a special meeting of the council
for a time not earlier than three (3) hours after
notice is given to all members of the council then in
the city. Special meetings of the council may also be
held at any time by the consent of all the members of
the council, and such consent may be given either prior
to or during the special meeting. No action by the
council shall have legal effect unless the motion for
the action and the vote by which it is disposed of take
place at proceedings open to the public.
(b) Meetings Open. All meetings of the council shall be
open to the public except that a closed or executive
session may be held for purposes of discussing any
personnel matter, or any matter, the premature dis-
closure of which might affect pending litigation,
contract negotiations, property acquisitions or request
for bids.
(c) Rules and Journals. Except as herein provided, the
' council shall determine its own rules and order of
business. It shall cause a journal of its proceedings
to be kept and this journal shall be open to public
inspection.
' (d) Quorum. A majority of the council (four members) shall
constitute a quorum for the transaction of business,
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but a smaller number may meet and compel the attendance
of absent members in the manner and subject to such
penalties as may be prescribed by the rules of the
council.
(e) Voting. Voting may be by roll call or voice vote at
the discretion of the presiding officer. Any member of
the council may request a roll call vote at any time
before, or immediately after a voice vote is taken, and
such request shall be granted.
(1) Voice Vote. The presiding officer shall announce
the results of any voice vote, and except on
procedural motions, the ayes and nays shall be
recorded in the journal.
(2) Roll Call Vote. In all roll call votes the names
of the members of the council shall be called in
alphabetical order and the name to be called first
shall be advanced one position alphabetically in
each successive roll call vote. In all roll call
votes, the ayes and nays shall be recorded in the
journal.
The vote of any member of the council who abstains from
voting shall be cast and recorded with the majority of the
members voting, provided, however that this provision shall not
apply to the vote of any councilman abstaining for the expressly
stated purpose of compliance with the provisions of Section 11.01
relating to personal financial interest.
Except as otherwise provided by statute or by this charter,
all actions of the council shall require an affirmative vote of
at least four (4) members.
SECTION 3.14. Ordinances.
(a) Introduction of Ordinances. Those legislative acts of
the council, permanent in nature, shall be by ordinance.
An ordinance may be introduced by any member of the
council at any regular meeting, or at a special meeting
wherein said proposed ordinance appears on the agenda
for the meeting. A copy of each proposed ordinance
shall be provided for each council member at the time
of its introduction, and at least three (3) copies
shall be provided for public inspection in the office
of the city clerk until it is finally adopted or fails
of adoption. Every such ordinance shall be by bill in
written or printed form with the subject of the ordinance
clearly expressed in its title. The enacting clause
shall be "BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
CAPE GIRARDEAU, MISSOURI."
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The enacting clause of all ordinances submitted by
' initiative shall be "BE IT ORDAINED BY THE PEOPLE OF
THE CITY OF CAPE GIRARDEAU, MISSOURI."
No ordinance except those making appropriations of
' money and those codifying or revising existing ordi-
nances shall contain more than one (1) subject, which
shall be clearly expressed in its title. Ordinances
making appropriations shall be confined to the subject
matter of the appropriations.
' (b) Standard Codes. The council may adopt any standard
code of technical regulations by reference thereto
without the necessity of setting forth the same in
' detail, provided however, the code of technical regu-
lations shall be attached to the ordinance adopting the
same and copies of the technical code adopted shall
remain on file in the office of the city clerk and
shall be available for public inspection by all inter-
ested persons.
(c) Reading of Bills. All bills shall be read three (3)
times in open council meetings before final passage,
with no more than two (2) readings (except readings of
appropriations and emergency measures) at the same
session. All readings of bills may be by title only
unless reading in full is required by state statute or
court decision or requested by one (1) or more members
' of the council. Except for appropriation ordinances or
for emergency measures as provided for in Section 3.15,
at least seven (7) days shall elapse between the intro-
duction and final passage of any bill. Appropriation
' ordinances and emergency measures may be read three (3)
times and finally passed at the meeting at which
presented.
' (d) Public Hearings. Prior to the final passage of any
bill, except as hereinafter provided, all persons
interested therein may be heard before the council at
regular or special meetings in accordance with such
rules or regulations as the council may establish.
1 (e) Final Passage. After the third reading of any bill and
compliance with other provisions herein, the council
may pass a bill with or without amendment. If the bill
is amended in such manner as to constitute a material
' change in substance, as determined by the council,
final action shall not be taken until a subsequent
meeting at least seven (7) days after such amendment.
Any ordinance, when passed by the council, shall be
' signed by the presiding officer, attested by the city
clerk, properly indexed in a book kept for the purpose,
filed and preserved as a public record in the office of
the city clerk.
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(f) Effective Date. Unless a later date is specified
therein, every ordinance shall become effective ten
(10) days after its final passage, subject to pro-
visions of Paragraph (g), hereunder; provided, however,
that appropriation ordinances and emergency measures
shall be effective immediately upon final passage.
(g) Effective Date Under Referendum Petition. The effec-
tive date of an ordinance shall be delayed an addi-
tional thirty (30) days if an intent to petition is
filed within ten (10) days after final passage of the
ordinance under Section 8.02 of Article VIII relating
to Referendum Petition.
SECTION 3.15. Emergency Measures.
The council may adopt an emergency measure which shall take
effect immediately upon its passage, if it contains a declaration
describing in clear and specific terms the facts and reasons
constituting the emergency. Final action on such an ordinance
may be taken at the meeting in which the measure is introduced,
but shall require at least five (5) affirmative votes if greater
than a quorum is present. The emergency procedure shall be
restricted to the following:
(a) Bills concerning the immediate preservation of public
peace, property, health, safety or morals.
(b) An appropriation for payment of principal or interest
on the public debt.
(c) An appropriation for the payment of current expenses of
city government, including emergency appropriations as
provided in Section 6.08.
(d) Calling an election or providing for the submission of
a proposal to the people.
An ordinance granting, reviewing or extending a franchise
shall not be passed as an emergency ordinance.
SECTION 3.16. Resolutions.
The council may act on matters of a transitory nature by
resolution. A resolution may be adopted at the meeting at which
it is presented after only one (1) reading of the title.
SECTION 3.17. Other Actions.
The council may, without the constraints imposed by this
charter for the enactment of an ordinance, act on such other
incidental matters as it may see fit, with the ayes and nays to
be recorded in the journal.
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SECTION 3.18. Codification of Ordinances.
At intervals as the council may determine, all ordinances
and resolutions having the force and effect of law shall be
revised, codified and promulgated according to a system of
continuous numbering and revision as specified by ordinance.
ARTICLE IV
City Manager
SECTION 4.01. Appointment; Qualifications; Compensation.
The council shall appoint a city manager for an indefinite
term and shall fix his compensation and conditions of employment.
The city manager shall hold office at the pleasure of the council.
The city manager shall be appointed solely on the basis of his
executive and administrative qualifications with special refer-
ence to knowledge of, and experience in, municipal administration.
The city manager need not be a resident of the city or state at
the time of his appointment, but shall reside within the city
during his tenure of office. The city manager shall devote full
time to the duties of his office.
SECTION 4.02. Acting City Manager.
By letter filed with the city clerk, the city manager shall
designate a qualified city administrative officer to exercise the
powers and perform the duties of city manager during the temporary
absence or disability of the city manager. The council may
revoke such designation at any time and appoint another person to
serve until the city manager shall return or his disability shall
cease.
SECTION 4.03. Powers and Duties of the City Manager.
The city manager shall be the chief administrative officer
' of the city and shall be responsible to the council for the
proper administration of all city affairs placed in his charge by
or under this charter. To that end he shall have the following
powers and duties:
(a) He shall appoint and, when he deems it necessary for
the good of the service, suspend or remove all city
employees and appointive administrative officers
provided for by or under this charter, except as
' otherwise provided by law, by this charter or by
personnel rules adopted pursuant to this charter. He
may authorize any administrative officer who is subject
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to his direction and supervision to exercise these
powers with respect to subordinates in that officer's
department, office or agency.
(b) He shall direct and supervise the administration of all
departments, offices and agencies of the city, except
as otherwise provided by this charter or by law.
(c) He shall attend all council meetings and shall have the
right to take part in discussion, but may not vote. He
shall receive notice of all special meetings.
(d) He shall see that all laws, ordinances, provisions of
this charter and acts of the council are faithfully
enforced.
(e) He shall prepare and submit the annual budget and
capital program to the council.
(f) He shall submit to the council and make available to
the public a complete report on the finances and ad-
ministrative activities of the city as of the end of
each fiscal year.
(g) He shall make such other reports as the council may
require concerning the operations of city departments,
offices and agencies subject to his direction and
supervision.
(h) He shall keep the council fully advised as to the
financial condition of the city and make such recom-
mendations to the council concerning the future needs
of the city as he may deem appropriate.
(i) He shall facilitate the prompt, economical and effi-
cient dispatch of city business, and to that end he may
from time to time organize or reorganize the work of
the departments responsible to the city manager, assign
assistants, deputies and employees from any office or
department of the city government under the city manager
to perform work or service in connection with any other
office or department thereof, or to work in more than
one of said offices or departments.
(j) He shall have the right to examine, or cause to be
examined, without notice, the official conduct of any
officer, assistant, deputy, clerk or employee in any of
the departments of the city government under the control
of the city manager.
(k) He shall perform such other duties as are specified in
this charter, or as may be required by the council not
inconsistent with this charter.
ARTICLE V
Administrative Organization and Personnel System
SECTION 5.01. Creation of Departments, Offices and Agencies.
By ordinance, the council shall establish and prescribe the
functions of such departments, offices and agencies as it deems
necessary. The council may further reorganize, alter, abolish or
discontinue any department, office or agency so created.
SECTION 5.02. Direction by, City Manager.
Unless otherwise specified in the ordinance, all departments,
offices or agencies established by the council shall be under the
direction and supervision of the city manager, and directors of
such departments or agencies shall be appointed by and responsible
to the city manager. Two or more departments may be headed by
the same person, and the city manager may serve as director of
one or more departments.
SECTION 5.03. Existing Departments.
Existing departments, agencies, authorities and offices
shall be continued as now constituted and with the same powers
and duties, subject, however to the power of the council to
eliminate, revise, consolidate, change or alter the same by
ordinance as it may deem necessary.
SECTION 5.04. Boards and Commissions.
' The council may, by ordinance, establish (a) quasi-judicial
appeal boards and (b) boards or commissions to serve solely in an
advisory capacity. Unless otherwise required by law, such boards
or commissions shall be appointed by the council.
' SECTION 5.05. Existing Boards and Commissions.
Existing boards or commissions shall be continued as now
constituted and with the same powers and duties, subject, however
to the power of the council to eliminate, revise, consolidate,
change or alter the same by ordinance as it may deem necessary.
SECTION 5.06. Planning and Zoning Commission.
' The council shall establish and maintain a planning and
zoning commission whose powers and duties are prescribed by
ordinance in a manner not inconsistent with this charter or the
requirements of State statutes.
I
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SECTION 5.07. Employee Personnel.
The council shall, by ordinance, adopt such personnel policies
as it may deem appropriate, providing a comprehensive personnel
system for city officers and employees. The personnel ordinance
may authorize the city manager, or a personnel board if one is
established, to promulgate regulations dealing with personnel
matters. The personnel ordinance and any regulations promulgated
pursuant thereto shall be consistent with this charter.
SECTION 5.08. Merit Principles.
All appointments and promotions of city officers and employees
shall be on the basis of merit and fitness demonstrated by examina-
tion or other evidence of competence.
SECTION 5.09. City Attorney.
There shall be a city attorney who shall be appointed by the
city manager with the consent of the council. The city attorney
shall serve at the direction of the city manager, and may be
dismissed at will by the city manager with the consent of the
council. The city attorney shall be a member of the Missouri Bar
Association.
SECTION 5.10. Duties of City Attorney.
The city attorney shall serve as chief legal adviser to the
council, the city manager, and all city departments, agencies and
officers. The city attorney or such other attorneys as the
council may designate shall represent the city in all legal
proceedings. The city attorney shall perform such other duties
as may be assigned by the city manager or prescribed by ordinance
ARTICLE VI
Financial Procedures
SECTION 6.01. Fiscal Year.
The fiscal year of the city shall begin on the first day of
July and end on the last day of June unless otherwise provided by
ordinance.
SECTION 6.02 Submission of Budget and Budget Message.
The city manager shall submit to the council a budget for
the ensuing fiscal year and an accompanying message on or before
forty-five (95) days prior to beginning the fiscal year.
I
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1
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SECTION 6.03. Budget.
The budget shall provide a complete financial plan of all
city funds and activities for the ensuing fiscal year and, except
as required by law or this charter, shall be in such form as the
city manager deems desirable or the council may require. The
budget shall indicate in separate sections:
(1) Proposed expenditures for current operations during the
ensuing fiscal year and the method of financing such
expenditures.
(2) Proposed capital expenditures during the ensuing fiscal
year and the proposed method of financing each such
capital expenditure; and
(3) Anticipated net surplus or deficit for the ensuing
fiscal year of each utility or "enterprise account"
owned or operated by the city and the proposed method
of its disposition; subsidiary budgets for each such
utility giving detailed income and expenditure infor-
mation shall be attached as appendices to the budget.
The total of proposed expenditures shall not exceed the
total of estimated income plus any unencumbered balance or less
any deficit estimated for the beginning of the fiscal year.
SECTION 6.04. Capital Program.
(a) Submission to Council. The city manager shall prepare
and submit to the council a five-year capital program
at least one hundred fifty (150) days prior to the
beginning of the fiscal year.
(b) Contents. The capital program shall include:
(1) A clear general summary of its contents;
(2) A list of all capital improvements which are
proposed to be undertaken during the five (5)
fiscal years next ensuing, with appropriate
supporting information as to the necessity for
such improvements;
(3) Cost estimates, method of financing, projection of
revenue sources to meet costs, and recommended
time schedules for each such improvement; and
(4) The estimated annual cost of operating and main-
taining any capital additions to be constructed or
acquired.
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The above information may be revised and extended each year
with regard to capital improvements still pending or in process
of construction or acquisition.
SECTION 6.05. Council Action on Capital Program.
(a) Notice and Hearing. The council shall publish in one
or more newspapers of general circulation in the city a
notice stating:
(1) The times and places where copies of the capital
program are available for inspection by the public,
and
(2) The time and place, not less than two weeks after
such publication, for a public hearing on the
capital program.
(b) Adoption. The council by resolution shall adopt the
capital program with or without amendment after the
public hearing and on or before 90 days prior to
beginning the new fiscal year.
SECTION.6.06. Council Action on Budget.
(a) Notice and Hearing. The council shall publish in one
or more newspapers of general circulation in the city a
notice stating:
(1) The times and places where copies of the message
and budget are available for inspection by the
public, and
(2) The time and place, not less than two weeks after
such publication, for a public hearing on the
budget.
(b) Amendment Before Adoption. After the public hearing,
the council may adopt the budget with or without amend-
ment. In amending the budget, it may add or increase
programs or amounts and may delete or decrease any
programs or amounts, except expenditures required by
law or for debt service or for estimated cash deficit,
provided that no amendment to the budget shall increase
the authorized expenditures to an amount greater than
the total of estimated income, plus any unencumbered
balance or less any deficit estimated for the beginning
of the fiscal year.
(c) Adoption. The council shall adopt the budget on or
before the first day of the new fiscal year. If it
fails to adopt the budget by this date, the amounts
appropriated for current operation for the current
fiscal year shall be deemed adopted for the ensuing
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fiscal year on a month-to-month basis, with all items
' in it prorated accordingly, until such time as the
council adopts a budget for the ensuing fiscal year.
Adoption of the budget shall constitute appropriations
of the amounts specified therein as expenditures from
the funds indicated.
' SECTION 6.07. Public Records.
Copies of the budget and the capital program as adopted
' shall be public records and shall be made available to the public
at suitable places in the city.
SECTION 6.08. Amendments after Adoption.
(a) Supplemental Appropriations. If during the fiscal year
the city manager certifies that there are available for
appropriation revenues in excess of those estimated in
the budget, the council by ordinance may make supple-
mental appropriations for the year up to the amount of
such excess.
(b) Reduction of Appropriations. If at any time during the
fiscal year it appears probable to the city manager
that the revenues available will be insufficient to
meet the amount appropriated, he shall report to the
council without delay, indicating the estimated amount
of the deficit, any remedial action taken by him and
' his recommendations as to any other steps to be taken.
The council shall then take such further action as it
deems necessary to prevent or minimize any deficit and
for that purpose it may by ordinance reduce one or more
appropriations.
(c) Transfer of Appropriations. At any time during the
fiscal year the city manager may transfer part or all
of any unencumbered appropriation balance among programs
within a department, office or agency and, upon written
request by the city manager, the council may by ordinance
transfer part or all of any unencumbered appropriation
balance from one department, office or agency to another.
I (d) Emergency Appropriations; Effective Date. The supplemental
appropriations and reduction or transfer of appropriations,
authorized by this section to be made by ordinance, may
be made effective immediately upon adoption, and may
' be made by emergency ordinance in accordance with the
provisions of Section 3.15.
SECTION 6.09. Administration of Budget.
(a) Work Programs and Allotments. At such time as the city
manager shall specify, each department, office or
agency shall submit work programs for the ensuing
fiscal year showing the requested allotments of its
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appropriation by periods within the year. The city
manager shall review and authorize such allotments with
or without revision as early as possible in the fiscal
year. He may revise such allotments during the year if
he deems it desirable and shall revise them to accord
with any supplemental, reduced or transferred appropriations
made pursuant to Section 6.08.
(b) Payments and Obligations Prohibited. No payment shall
be made or obligation incurred against any allotment or
appropriation except in accordance with appropriations
duly made and unless the city manager or his designee
first certifies that there is a sufficient unencumbered
balance in such allotment or appropriation and that
sufficient funds therefrom are or will be available to
cover the claim or meet the obligation when it becomes
due and payable. Any authorization of payment or
incurring of obligation in violation of the provisions
of this charter shall be void and payment so made
illegal; such action shall be cause for removal of any
officer who knowingly authorized or made such payment
or incurred such obligation, and he shall also be
liable to the city for any amount so paid. However,
except where prohibited by law, nothing in this charter
shall be construed to prevent the making or authorizing
of payments or making of contracts for capital improve-
ments to be financed wholly or partly by the issuance
of bonds or to prevent the making of any contract or
lease providing for payments beyond the end of the
fiscal year, provided that such action is made or
approved by ordinance.
SECTION 6.10. Tax Rates and Tax Rolls.
(a) Immediately after the budget is finally adopted, the
council shall by ordinance set the tax rates and levy
on the various classes of property, and the levy so
established shall be certified by the city clerk to the
appropriate official, who shall compute the taxes and
extend them upon the tax rolls.
(b) The rates of taxes levied by the council shall be
within the limits now or hereafter authorized by the
constitution and law of the state applicable to cities
adopting constitutional charters and no tax shall be
imposed unless clearly authorized by this charter, the
constitution or the general statutes of the State of
Missouri, any conflicting provisions herein to the
contrary notwithstanding.
(c) No income tax or tax on wages or earnings shall be
levied or collected unless clearly authorized by a
I
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majority of the qualified voters voting at a general
' election or special election called for said purpose,
at which such tax or taxes are submitted to a vote of
the people.
(d) Nothing contained in this section is intended to affect
taxes which are presently authorized or tax ordinances
and the same shall remain and be in force until altered,
modified or repealed by ordinance.
' SECTION 6.11. Sale of Bonds.
Except as otherwise required by law or this charter, all
general obligation bonds issued by the city shall be sold at
public sale upon sealed proposals after notice published at least
once in a newspaper published in Cape Girardeau, Missouri.
ARTICLE VII
Nominations and Elections
' SECTION 7.01. City Elections.
(a) General Elections. The city general election shall be
held on the municipal general election day which shall be the
first Tuesday in April in each even numbered year, commencing in
1982.
(b) Primary Elections. The city primary election, if
required, shall be held on the municipal primary election day
which shall be the first Tuesday after the first Monday in February
in each even numbered year, commencing in 1982.
(c) Special Elections. The city council may, by resolution,
order special elections, fix the time for such elections, and
provide for holding such elections.
(d) Conduct of Elections. All city elections shall be
conducted by the election authority or the city clerk, and governed
by the provisions of this charter and the applicable state statutes.
The city council, by ordinance, may further regulate city elections,
subject to the provisions of the charter and applicable state
statutes.
SECTION 7.02. Non -Partisan Election.
The names of candidates for any municipal office shall be
' printed on all ballots without party designation, and all elec-
tion campaigns shall be conducted on a non-partisan basis.
eeC
SECTION 7.03. Nominations by Petition.
(a) Nominations. Nominations of candidates for elective
offices shall be by petition. To be valid, any petition for
elective office shall be signed by not less than fifty (50)
registered voters who are entitled to vote for the candidate so
nominated. The signatures shall be executed in ink or indelible
pencil. Each signer shall indicate next to his or her signature
the date of signing and the place of his or her residence, giving
the street and number or other description sufficient to identify
his or her place of residence. The city council by ordinance
shall designate the appropriate form for nominating petitions and
for acceptance of nominations.
(b) Filing and Acceptance. All separate papers comprising
a nominating petition shall be assembled and filed with the city
clerk as one instrument not earlier than ninety (90) days nor
later than sixty (60) days before the primary election date. The
city clerk shall make a record of the exact time when each petition
is filed. No nominating petition shall be accepted by the city
clerk unless accompanied by a signed acceptance of the nomination.
(c) Procedure After Filing. The city clerk shall notify,
by certified mail, the candidate and the person who filed the
petition whether or not it is sufficient. If a petition is found
insufficient, the city clerk shall return it immediately to the
person who filed it with a statement certifying wherein it is
found insufficient. Within the regular time for filing petitions,
such a petition may be amended and filed again as a new petition
or a different petition may be filed for the same candidate. The
city clerk shall keep on file all petitions found sufficient at
least until the expiration of the term for which the candidates
are nominated in those petitions.
(d) Certification to Election Authority. If the election
authority conducts the election, the city clerk shall certify to
the said election authority within the time required by state
statutes, the names of candidates for whom sufficient petitions
have been filed, and shall indicate the order in which such
petitions were filed.
SECTION 7.04. Preparation of Ballots.
Except as provided in Section 7.08 hereof, candidates' names
shall be printed or listed on the ballots in the order of the
filing of the nominating petitions certified sufficient. The
names of candidates in election notices shall be printed in the
same manner as they are to appear on the ballot.
SECTION 7.05. Voting Machines.
The election authority or the city clerk shall have the
power to provide for the use of mechanical, electronic, or other
devices for voting or counting the votes not inconsistent with
state law.
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SECTION 7.06. Number of Votes.
' In any primary, general or special election, each registered
voter shall be entitled to vote:
(a) For mayor, full or unexpired term, for only one (1)
candidate.
(b) For councilman, full term, for as many candidates as
' there are councilmen to be elected.
(c) For councilman, unexpired term, for one (1) candidate
for each vacancy to be filled.
' SECTION 7.07. Primary Elections.
A primary election shall be held for either or both of the
offices of mayor or councilman only in the following instances:
' (a) For mayor, full or unexpired term, if more than two (2)
sufficient nominating petitions are filed for the
office of mayor.
' (b) For councilman, full term, if the total number of
sufficient nominating petitions filed for such full
term is more than twice the number of councilmen to be
elected at the general election.
' (c) For councilman, unexpired term, if more than two (2)
sufficient nominating petitions are filed for the
vacancy to be filled.
SECTION 7.08. Determination of Primary Election Results.
(a) Returns; Canvass. The city council shall canvass the
primary election returns as soon as practicable after
receipt of such returns from the election authority or
city clerk, and shall declare the results of such
election. For those offices submitted to a primary
election, the following shall be the candidates for the
general election, and, except as provided in subsection
(b) hereof, their names only shall appear on the general
election ballot in the order of total votes received by
each:
(1) for mayor, full or unexpired term, the two (2)
candidates receiving the highest number of votes.
(2) for councilman, in the April 1982 election, the
twelve (12) candidates receiving the highest
number of votes.
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(3) for councilmen, full term, for all general elections
after April 1982, the six (6) candidates receiving
the highest number of votes.
(4) for councilman, unexpired term, the two (2) candi-
dates receiving the highest number of votes.
(b) Tie Vote, Primary Election. If at any municipal primary
election there shall be two (2) or more candidates
receiving an equal number of votes, and if that number
of votes would otherwise qualify each such tied candidate
for a position on the general election ballot, the city
council shall certify all such tied candidates for
inclusion on the general election ballot.
SECTION 7.09. General or Special Elections.
(a) Returns; Canvass. The city council shall canvass the
election returns and declare the results of any municipal
general election or special election, at a special
meeting to be held within one (1) week following every
such election, and the candidate or candidates receiving
the highest number of votes for each office shall be
declared elected, and shall be inducted into office at
that time.
(b) Tie Vote, General or Special Election. If at any
general or special election there shall be two (2) or
more candidates receiving an equal number of votes, and
if that number of votes would otherwise qualify each
such tied candidate for election to office, then the
city council shall call a special election at which
said candidates shall be the only candidates.
ARTICLE VIII
Initiative, Referendum and Recall
SECTION 8.01. General Authority.
(a) Initiative. The registered voters of the city shall
have the power to propose ordinances to the council, and if the
council fails to adopt an ordinance so proposed without any
change in substance, then the voters shall have the power to
adopt or reject it at a city election, provided that no ordinance
so proposed shall be for the appropriation of money other than if
new revenues are created and provided for thereby, or for fixing
the salaries of employees. No proposed initiative ordinance
shall contain more than one subject, which shall be clearly
expressed in its title.
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(b) Referendum. The registered voters of the city shall
have the power to require reconsideration by the council of any
adopted ordinance, and if the council fails to repeal the ordinance
so reconsidered, then to approve or reject it at a city election,
provided that such power shall not extend to ordinances for the
' appropriation of money, or to ordinances which have been passed
on emergency procedures for the immediate preservation of public
peace, property, health or safety, or to ordinances relating to
the budget, zoning, salaries of employees or levy of taxes.
' (c) Recall. Any elected official may be removed by the
registered voters of the City of Cape Girardeau, except as here-
inafter provided. No elected official shall be subject to
recall within six (6) months from his or her induction into
office nor during the last six (6) months of his or her term; and
if he or she is retained in office upon any recall election, he
or she shall not be subject to recall within a period of six (6)
months thereafter.
' SECTION 8.02. Commencement of Proceedings, Petitioners'
Committee; Affidavit.
Any five (5) registered voters of the city may commence
' initiative, referendum or recall proceedings by filing with the
city clerk an affidavit stating they will constitute the peti-
tioners' committee and be responsible for circulating the peti-
tion and filing it in proper form, stating their names and addresses
' and specifying the address to which all notices to the committee
are to be sent, and setting out in full the proposed initiative
ordinance, or citing the ordinance to be reconsidered, or specifying
the name of the elected official to be recalled.
' Promptly after the affidavit of the petitioners' committee
is filed, the city clerk shall issue the appropriate petition
blanks to the petitioners' committee.
' SECTION 8.03. Petitions.
(a) Number of Signatures. Initiative and referendum petitions
must be signed by registered voters of the city equal in number
to at least ten percent (108) of the total number of voters
' registered to vote at the last general city election. A recall
petition shall be signed by registered voters of the city equal
in number to at least ten percent (108) of the total number of
voters registered to vote at the last general city election.
' (b) Form and Content. All papers of a petition shall be
uniform in size and style and shall be assembled as one instru-
ment for filing. Each signature shall be executed in ink or
indelible pencil and shall be followed by the address of the
' person signing. Initiative and referendum petitions shall
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contain or have attached thereto throughout their circulation the
full text of the ordinance proposed or sought to be reconsidered.
Recall petitions shall state the name and office of the elected
official sought to be recalled.
(c) Affidavit of circulator. Each paper of a petition
shall have attached to it when filed, an affidavit executed by
the circulator thereof, stating that he or she personally cir-
culated the paper, the number of signatures thereon, that all the
signatures were affixed in his or her presence, that he or she
believes them to be the genuine signatures of the persons whose
names they purport to be and that each signer had an opportunity,
before signing, to read the full text of the ordinance proposed
or sought to be reconsidered, or the recall statement.
(d) Referendum, Time for Filing. Referendum petitions must
be filed within forty (40) days after adoption by the city council
of the ordinance sought to be reconsidered.
SECTION 8.04. Procedure After Filing.
(a) Certificate of City Clerk; Amendment. Within twenty
(20) days after the petition is filed, the city clerk shall
complete a certificate as to its sufficiency, specifying, if it
is insufficient, the particulars wherein it is defective and
shall promptly send a copy of the certificate to the petitioners'
committee by certified mail. A petition found insufficient for
lack of the required number of valid signatures may be amended if
the petitioners' committee files a notice of intention to amend
it with the city clerk within five (5) days after receiving the
copy of his certificate and files with the city clerk a supple-
mentary petition upon additional papers executed and filed within
ten (10) days after receiving the copy of such certificate. Such
supplementary petition shall comply with the requirements of
Section 8.03, subsections (b) and (c) of this charter. Within
five (5) days after it is filed, the city clerk shall complete a
certificate as to the sufficiency of the petition as amended and
promptly send a copy of such certificate to the petitioners'
committee by certified mail as in the case of an original peti-
tion. If a petition or amended petition is found insufficient
and the petitioners' committee does not elect to amend or request
council review under subsection (b) of this section within the
time required, the city clerk shall promptly present his or her
certificate to the council and the certificate shall then be a
final determination as to the sufficiency of the petition.
(b) Council Review. If a petition has been found insuf-
ficient and the petitioners' committee does not file notice of
intention to amend it or if an amended petition has been found
insufficient, a majority of the members of the committee may,
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within five (5) days after receiving the copy of such certificate,
file a request that it be reviewed by the council. The council
shall review the certificate at its next meeting following the
filing of such request and approve or disapprove it, and the
council's determination shall then be a final determination as to
the sufficiency of the petition.
(c) Court Review; New Petition. A final determination as
to the sufficiency of a petition shall be subject to court review.
A final determination of insufficiency, even if sustained upon
court review, shall not prejudice the filing of a new petition in
proper form for the same purpose.
SECTION 8.05. Referendum Petitions; Suspension of Effect of
Ordinance.
When a referendum petition is filed with the city clerk and
is finally determined to be sufficient, the ordinance sought to
be reconsidered shall be suspended from taking effect. Such
suspension shall terminate when;
(a) The petitioners' committee withdraws the petition; or
(b) The city council repeals the ordinance; or
(c) Election results sustaining the ordinance are certified
by the council.
SECTION 8.06. Action on Petitions.
(a) Action by Council. When an initiative or referendum
petition has been finally.determined sufficient, the council
shall promptly consider the proposed initiative ordinance in the
manner provided in Article III of this charter or reconsider the
referred ordinance by voting its repeal. If the council fails to
adopt a proposed initiative ordinance without any change in
substance within sixty (60) days or fails to repeal the referred
ordinance within thirty (30) days after the date the petition was
finally determined sufficient, it shall submit the proposed or
referred ordinance to the voters of the city.
(b) Submission to Voters. The vote of the city on a
proposed or referred ordinance shall be held not less than thirty
(30) days and not later than one hundred twenty (120) days from
the date of the final council vote thereon. If no general city
election is to be held within the period prescribed in this
subsection, the council shall provide for a special election;
otherwise, the vote shall be held at the same time as such
general election, except that the council may, in its discretion,
provide for a special election at an earlier date within the
prescribed period. Copies of the proposed or referred ordinance
shall be made available at the polls. For the sake of economy,
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the provision for a special election can be deferred by a request
from the majority of the petitioners' committee with the concurrence
of the council.
(c) Withdrawal of Petitions. An initiative, referendum, or
recall petition may be withdrawn at any time prior to the fifteenth
(15th) day preceding the day scheduled for a vote of the city by
filing with the city clerk a request for withdrawal, signed by at
least four (4) members of the petitioners' committee. Upon the
filing of such request, the petition shall have no further force
or effect and all proceedings thereon shall be terminated.
(d) Recall Election. when a recall petition has been
certified to the city council as sufficient by the city clerk,
the city council shall fix a date for holding the election, on
the next legally available election day but no sooner than sixty
(60) days after the petition is certified sufficient. If such
office becomes vacant prior to the election, such election shall
be canceled, and the vacancy shall be filled as provided in
Article III of this charter.
SECTION 8.07. Recall Ballot.
The ballot shall be in the following form:
SHALL BE REMOVED FROM OFFICE?
name/title
YES
NO
Voters in favor of the removal place a cross (X) in the square
opposite the word "YES". Voters opposed to the removal place a
cross (X) in the square opposite the word "NO".
If voting machines or devices other than printed ballots are
used, the ballot shall be prepared in a form so as to give the
elector an opportunity to vote substantially as set forth above.
SECTION 8.08. Results of Election.
(a) Initiative. If a majority of the registered voters
voting on a proposed initiative ordinance vote in its favor, it
shall be considered adopted upon certification of the election
results and shall be treated in all respects in the same manner
as ordinances of the same kind adopted by the council. I£ con-
flicting ordinances are approved at the same election, the one
receiving the greatest number of affirmative votes shall prevail
to the extent of such conflict.
(b) Referendum. If a majority of the qualified electors
voting on a referred ordinance vote against it, it shall be
considered repealed upon certification of the election results.
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(c) Recall. If a majority of the voters in such recall
' election shall vote in favor of the recall, then a vacancy shall
exist regardless of any defect in the recall petition. Such
vacancy shall be filled as provided in Article III of this charter.
If a majority of the voters in such election shall vote against
the recall, the elected officer shall continue in office. Any
such person who has been recalled shall be ineligible to serve in
the city in any capacity at any time during the remainder of the
term for which he or she was originally elected.
SECTION 8.09. Conduct of Initiative, Referendum and Recall
Elections.
Notice of initiative, referendum and recall elections shall
be given, the elections conducted, the returns canvassed, and the
results declared in all respects as in other city elections.
SECTION 8.10. Resubmission of Initiative Petitions.
Under provisions of this Article, initiative petitions
having the same general subject or the same general import of a
measure once defeated by the voters, shall not again be filed
until a lapse of one (1) year from the date of the election when
first submitted.
ARTICLE IX
Franchises
SECTION 9.01. Granting of Franchises.
All public franchises and all renewals, extensions, and
amendments thereof shall be granted only by ordinance. No such
ordinance shall be adopted within less than thirty (30) days
after application therefor has been filed with the council, nor
until a public hearing has been held thereon. No exclusive
franchise shall be granted, and no franchise shall be granted for
a longer term than twenty (20) years. No such franchise shall be
transferable directly or indirectly, except with the approval of
the council expressed by ordinance after a public hearing.
All public utilities (gas, electric, water and telephone)
must have a franchise and the franchise shall not become effective
until submitted to the voters and approved by a majority voting
thereon. No such public utility franchise ordinance shall be
submitted at an election less than sixty (60) days after the
grantee named therein has filed its unconditional acceptance of
such franchise, and it shall not be submitted to a special
election unless the expense of holding such election, as determined
by the council, shall have been paid into the city treasury by
the grantee.
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SECTION 9.02. Right of Regulation.
All public franchises, whether it be so provided in the
ordinance or not, shall be subject to the right of the council
to:
(a) Terminate the same for misuse or nonuse, or for failure
of the grantee to comply with any of the terms or
conditions of the franchise.
(b) Require proper and adequate extension of plant and
service and the maintenance thereof at the highest
practicable standards of efficiency.
(c) Establish reasonable standards of service and quality
of products.
(d) Make an independent audit and examination of accounts
at any time, and require reports annually.
(e) Require continuous and uninterrupted service to the
public in accordance with the terms of the franchise
throughout the entire period thereof.
(f) Control and regulate the use of the city streets,
alleys, bridges, and public places, and the space above
and beneath them.
(g) Regulate rates, fares and charges and make readjustments
thereof from time to time if the same are not regulated
by the state.
(h) Impose such other regulations from time to time as it
may determine to be conducive to the safety, welfare
and accommodation of the public.
SECTION 9.03. Purchases; Condemnation.
The city shall have the right to acquire by condemnation or
otherwise the property of any public utility in accordance with
the general laws of the state.
SECTION 9.04. Revocable Permits.
Temporary permits for the operation of public franchises, or
like permits for a period not to exceed two (2) years but subject
to being renewed for a period not to exceed one (1) year and
subject to amendment, alteration, or revocation at any time at
the will of the council may be granted only by ordinance on such
terms and conditions as the council shall determine. Such permits
shall in no event be construed to be franchises, or extensions or
amendments of franchises.
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SECTION 9.05. Operation Beyond Franchise Period.
' Any operation of a public franchise by a franchise holder,
with the tacit permission of the city, beyond the period for
which the franchise was granted, shall under no circumstances be
construed as a renewal or extension of such franchise. Any such
operation shall at most be regarded as a mere temporary permit,
' subject, like other permits, to amendment, alteration, or revocation
at any time at the will of the council.
' SECTION 9.06. Use of Public Property.
Nothing contained in this Article shall be construed as
constituting any surrender or relinquishment to the public
service commission or any similar state or federal regulatory
body by the city of the city's exclusive right to regulate and
control the use of the streets, alleys, boulevards, highways, and
other public ways and places of the city, nor its general police
powers over all public utilities.
ARTICLE X
' Licensing, Taxation, and Regulation
SECTION 10.1. Objects of Licensing, Taxation, and Regulation.
' The council shall have power by ordinance to license, tax,
and regulate all businesses, occupations, professions, vocations,
activities, or things whatsoever set forth and enumerated by the
statutes of this state now or hereafter applicable to constitutional
' charter cities, or cities of the third or fourth class, or of any
population group, and which any such cities are now or may
hereafter be permitted by law to license, tax, and regulate.
ARTICLE XI
General Provisions
' SECTION 11.01. Personal Financial Interest.
' Any city officer or employee who has a substantial financial
interest, as defined by the statutes of the State of Missouri,
direct or indirect or by reason of ownership of stock in any
corporation, in any contract with the city or in the sale of any
' land, material, supplies or services to the city or to a contractor
supplying the city, shall make known that interest to the city
council and shall refrain from voting upon or otherwise partici-
pating in his capacity as a city officer or employee in the
making or performance of such contract or making of such sale.
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Any city officer or employee who willfully violates the require-
ments of this section shall be guilty of malfeasance in office or
position and shall forfeit his office or position. Violation of
this section with the knowledge express or implied of the person
or corporation contracting with or making a sale to the city
shall render the contract or sale voidable by the city manager or
the city council.
SECTION 11.02. All Ordinances Effective On Municipal Land
In addition to all other powers herein granted, the City of
Cape Girardeau shall have the right and authority to administer
and enforce all its municipal ordinances within all areas owned
or occupied by the city which are outside of the corporate city
limits.
SECTION 11.03. Prohibitions.
(a) Activities Prohibited.
(1) No person shall be appointed to or removed from,
or in any way favored or discriminated against
with respect to any city position or appointive
city administrative office because of age, race,
sex, physical handicap, political or religious
opinions or affiliations.
(2) No -person shall willfully make any false statement,
certificate, mark, rating or report in regard to
any test, certification or appointment under the
personnel provisions of this charter or the rules
and regulations made thereunder, or in any manner
commit or attempt to commit any fraud preventing
the impartial execution of such provisions, rules
and regulations.
(3) No person who seeks appointment or promotion with
respect to any city position or appointive city
administrative office shall directly and indirectly
give, render or pay any money, service or other
valuable thing to any person for or in connection
with his test, appointment, proposed appointment,
promotion or proposed promotion. The provisions
of this section do not in any way prohibit the use
of established employment agencies.
(b) Penalties.
Any person who by himself or with others willfully violates
any of the provisions of paragraphs (1) through (3) shall be
guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof shall be
punishable by a fine of not more than One Thousand Dollars
($1,000.00) or by imprisonment for not more than one (1) year or
both.
' -29-
SECTION 11.04. Notice of Suits.
' No action shall be maintained against the city for or on
account of any injury growing out of alleged negligence of the
city unless notice shall first have been given in writing to the
city manager within ninety (90) days of the occurrence for which
said damage is claimed, stating the place, time, character and
circumstances of the injury, and that the person so injured will
claim damages therefor from the city.
SECTION 11.05. Official Bonds.
All officers and employees of the city who receive, disburse,
or are responsible for city funds, and such other officers and
employees as the council by ordinance may designate, shall,
within such time after election or appointment as may be fixed by
ordinance, and before entering upon the discharge of their duties,
give bond to the city in such sums and with such sureties as
shall be prescribed by ordinance, and subject to approval by the
council, conditioned upon the faithful and proper performance of
their duties and for the prompt accounting for and paying over to
the city of all moneys belonging to the city that may come into
their hands. The city shall pay the premiums on all such bonds.
SECTION 11.06. Charter Amendment.
Amendments to this charter may be framed and submitted to
the electors by a commission in the manner provided by law and
the Constitution for framing and submitting a complete charter.
Amendments may also be proposed by the council or by petition of
not less than ten per cent (108) of the registered qualified
electors of the city, filed with the city clerk, setting forth
the proposed amendment. The council shall at once provide by
ordinance that any amendment so proposed shall be submitted to
the electors at the next general election held in the city not
less than sixty (60) days after its passage, or at a special
election held as provided by law and the Constitution for a
charter. Any amendment approved by a majority of the qualified
electors voting thereon shall become a part of the charter at the
time and under the conditions fixed in the amendment; sections or
articles may be submitted separately or in the alternative and
determined as provided by law and the Constitution for a complete
charter.
SECTION 11.07. Public Improvements and Special Assessments.
(a) Improvements. The procedure for making, altering,
vacating or abandoning a public improvement shall be governed by
general ordinance, not inconsistent with applicable state law.
(b) Special Assessments. The procedure for levying,
collecting and enforcing the payment of special assessments for
public improvements or special tax bills evidencing such assessments
shall be governed by general ordinance, not inconsistent with
applicable state law.
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SECTION 11.08. Proof of Ordinance.
Any ordinance may be proved by a copy thereof certified by
the city clerk under the seal of the city; or, when printed and
published by authority of the city, it shall be received in
evidence in all courts, or other places, without further proof of
authenticity.
SECTION 11.09. Specified Powers Not Limiting.
The powers and rights specified and granted herein to the
City of Cape Girardeau are not in any way intended to limit the
general powers of a Constitutional Charter City.
SECTION 11.10. Separability.
If any provision of this charter is held invalid, the other
provisions of the charter shall not be affected thereby. If the
application of the charter or any of its provisions to any person
or circumstances is held invalid, the application of the charter
and its provisions to other persons or circumstances shall not be
affected thereby.
SECTION 11.11. Use of Masculine Pronoun.
Throughout this charter, any use of the masculine pronoun is
understood to apply to either sex.
ARTICLE XII
Transitional Provisions
SECTION 12.01. Personnel System.
An employee holding a city position at the time this charter
takes full effect, who was serving in that same or a comparable
position at the time of its adoption, shall not be subject to
competitive tests as a condition of continuance in the same
position but in all other respects shall be subject to the
personnel system established pursuant to Section 5.07.
SECTION 12.02. Ordinances to Remain in Force.
All ordinances, regulations and resolutions in force at the
time this charter takes effect, which are not inconsistent with
the provisions of this charter, shall remain and be in force
until altered, modified or repealed by or under authority of this
charter or ordinance.
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SECTION 12.03. Pending Actions and Proceedings.
No action or proceeding, civil or criminal, pending at the
time this charter shall take effect, brought by or against the
city or any office, department, agency or officer thereof, shall
be affected or abated by the adoption of this charter or by
anything herein contained.
SECTION 12.04. Continuance of Contracts, Public Improvements
And Taxes.
All contracts entered into by the city, or for its benefit,
prior to the taking effect of this charter, shall continue in
full force and effect. Public improvements for which legislative
steps have been taken under laws existing at the time this charter
takes effect may be carried to completion as nearly as practicable
in accordance with the provisions of such existing laws. All
taxes and assessments levied or assessed, all fines and penalties
imposed, and all other obligations owing to the city which are
uncollected at the time this charter becomes effective, shall
continue in full force and effect and shall be collected as if no
change had been made.
ARTICLE XIII
Schedule
SECTION 13.01. Election to Adopt Charter.
This charter shall be submitted to a vote of the electors of
the City of Cape Girardeau, Missouri, at a special election to be
held on the 3rd day of November, 1981. The election shall be
administered by the officials now charged with the responsibility
for the conduct of city elections.
SECTION 13.02. Ballot for Charter Election.
The ballot for the charter election shall be substantially
in the following form:
OFFICIAL BALLOT
For
Special Election, Tuesday, November 3, 1981
On
PROPOSED HOME RULE CHARTER
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For
CAPE GIRARDEAU, MISSOURI
SHALL THE PROPOSED CHARTER FOR THE CITY OF CAPE GIRARDEAU
MISSOURI, DRAFTED BY THE CAPE GIRARDEAU CHARTER COMMISSION,
BE ADOPTED?
/-7 Yes
/-7 No
If you are in favor of the question, place an "X" in the
box opposite "Yes".
If you are opposed to the question, place an "X" in the
box opposite "No"."
SECTION 13.03. First Election.
At the time of its adoption, this charter shall be in effect
to the extent necessary in order that the first election of
members of the city council and the mayor may be conducted in
accordance with the provisions of this charter. The first
election shall be held on the general municipal election day on
April 6, 1982.
SECTION 13.04. Time of Taking Full Effect.
This charter shall be in full effect for all purposes on and
after the date and time of the first meeting of the newly elected
council.
SECTION 13.05. Incumbent Councilmen; First Meeting of Newly
Elected Council.
All councilmen in office at the date this charter is adopted
shall continue in office until after the election of April 6,
1982, and within one (1) week thereafter, shall canvass the
returns of said election, declare the results thereof, and induct
into office the mayor and councilmen declared elected. Thereupon
the newly elected mayor and councilmen shall forthwith become the
official governing body of the city and shall conduct the first
meeting of the newly elected council.
SECTION 13.06. Temporary Ordinances.
At its first meeting as provided in Section 13.05, or at any
meeting held within sixty (60) days thereafter, the newly elected
charter council may adopt temporary ordinances to deal with cases
in which there is an urgent need for prompt action in connection
with the transition of government and in which the delay incident
to the appropriate ordinance procedure would probably cause
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serious hardship or impairment of effective city government.
Every temporary ordinance shall be plainly labeled as such but
shall be introduced in the form and manner prescribed for ordinances
generally. A temporary ordinance may be considered and may be
adopted with or without amendment or rejected at the meeting at
which it is introduced. A temporary ordinance shall become
effective upon adoption or at such later time preceding automatic
repeal under this subsection as it may specify, and the referendum
power shall not extend to any such ordinance. Every temporary
ordinance, including any amendments made thereto after adoption,
shall automatically stand repealed as of the ninety-first (91st)
day following the date the new mayor and councilmen take office,
and it shall not be readopted, renewed or otherwise continued
except by adoption in the manner prescribed in Section 3.19 for
ordinances of the kind concerned.
SECTION 13.07. Purpose of Schedule.
The purpose of the foregoing provisions is to provide a
transition from the present government of the City of Cape
Girardeau, Missouri, to the new government provided for in this
charter and to inaugurate the new government under the provisions
of this charter. They shall constitute a part of this charter
only to the extent and for the time required to accomplish that
aim.
AUTHENTICATION OF THE HOME RULE
CHARTER FOR THE CITY OF '
CAPE GIRARDEAU, MISSOURI
We, the undersigned, members of the Cape Girardeau Charter
Commission, elected pursuant to Section 19 of Article VI of the
Constitution of the State of Missouri, as amended, on the fourth
day of April, 1972, for the purpose of framing a charter for the '
City of Cape Girardeau, hereby certify that the above and foregoing
is a true and complete copy of the proposed charter as prepared
and finally approved by the vote of the members of the Commission
for submission to the registered voters in the City of Cape '
Girardeau at the special city election to be held on the third
day of November, 1981.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, we have hereunto subscribed our names.
Narvol A. Randol, Chairman
/Wm " Oma, i
Howard C. Tooke, Vice -Chairman
yr—
. Ht[glyLogan, Secretary
n �
I