HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil.Minutes.12-18-2023.RegularSession Proceedings of the City Council, City of Cape Girardeau, Mo.
Regular Session December 18, 2023 LL-359
STUDY SESSION—December 18,2023
NO ACTION TAKEN DURING THE STUDY SESSION
The Cape Girardeau City Council held a study session at the Cape Girardeau City Hall on
Monday, December 18, 2023, starting at 5:00 p.m. with Mayor Stacy Kinder presiding and
Council Members Mark Bliss, Robbie Guard, Dan Presson, Tameka Randle, Nate Thomas and
Shannon Truxel present.
REGULAR SESSION—December 18,2023
CALL TO ORDER
The Cape Girardeau City Council convened in regular session at the Cape Girardeau City Hall on
Monday, December 18, 2023, starting at 5:08 p.m. with Mayor Stacy Kinder presiding and
Council Members Mark Bliss, Robbie Guard, Dan Presson, Tameka Randle, Nate Thomas and
Shannon Truxel present.
ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA
A Motion was made by Dan Presson, Seconded by Tameka Randle,to approve and adopt.
Motion passed. 7-0. Ayes: Bliss, Guard, Kinder, Presson, Randle, Thomas,Truxel.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
A public hearing to consider a request to vacate the City's interest in various easements on
property located at 2062 Silver Campine Lane.
Mayor Kinder opened the hearing.
There being no appearances,the hearing was closed.
A Public Hearing to consider vacating the City's interest in a part of an Access & Utility
Easement in Lot 1 of the Isles of Capri 1st Addition which is located at 720 N. Main Street.
Mayor Kinder opened the hearing.
There being no appearances,the hearing was closed.
CONSENT AGENDA
Approval of the December 4,2023, City Council Regular Session Minutes.
BILL NO. 23-180, an Ordinance accepting an Electric Line Easement from the Trustees of the
Cape Girardeau Country Club for property located on East Cape Rock Drive, in the City of Cape
Girardeau, Missouri. Second and Third Readings.
Proceedings of the City Council, City of Cape Girardeau, Mo.
Regular Session December 18, 2023 LL-360
BILL NO. 23-181, an Ordinance authorizing the City Manager to execute a Transportation
Alternatives Funds Program Agreement with the Missouri Highways and Transportation
Commission and to construct the Cape LaCroix Trail Enhancements Project, in the City of Cape
Girardeau, Missouri. Second and Third Readings.
BILL NO. 23-182, an Ordinance amending Chapter 23 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of
Cape Girardeau, Missouri, regarding exemption conditions for stormwater management. Second
and Third Readings.
BILL NO. 23-190, a Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a License and Indemnity
Agreement to place certain improvements in a Utility Easement along property located at 2930
Pine Hill Spur, in the City of Cape Girardeau,Missouri. Reading and Passage.
A Motion was made by Tameka Randle, Seconded by Mark Bliss,to approve and adopt.
Motion passed. 7-0. Ayes: Bliss, Guard, Kinder, Presson, Randle, Thomas, Truxel.
BILL NO. 23-180 will be Ordinance NO. 5712; BILL NO. 23-181 will be Ordinance NO. 5713;
BILL NO. 23-182 will be Ordinance NO. 5714; and BILL NO. 23-190 will be Resolution NO.
3588.
NEW ORDINANCES
BILL NO. 23-183, an Ordinance approving the record plat of Stevenson Subdivision No. 2. First
Reading. Mayor Kinder called for public appearances regarding this Bill.No one appeared.
A Motion was made by Dan Presson, Seconded by Nate Thomas,to approve.
Motion passed. 7-0. Ayes: Bliss, Guard,Kinder, Presson,Randle, Thomas, Truxel.
BILL NO. 23-184, an Ordinance authorizing the issuance of Special Tax Bills for various
properties for the demolition of dangerous buildings, located in the City and County of Cape
Girardeau, Missouri. First Reading. Mayor Kinder called for public appearances regarding this
Bill.No one appeared.
A Motion was made by Shannon Truxel, Seconded by Mark Bliss,to approve.
Motion passed. 7-0. Ayes: Bliss, Guard, Kinder, Presson,Randle, Thomas, Truxel.
BILL NO. 23-185, an Ordinance vacating the City's interest in various easements on property
located at 2062 Silver Campine Lane, in the City of Cape Girardeau, Missouri. First Reading.
Mayor Kinder called for public appearances regarding this Bill.No one appeared.
A Motion was made by Dan Presson, Seconded by Robbie Guard,to approve.
Motion passed. 7-0. Ayes: Bliss, Guard,Kinder, Presson,Randle, Thomas,Truxel.
BILL NO. 23-186, an Ordinance vacating the City's interest in a part of a Permanent Access and
Utility Easement located at 720 North Main Street in the City of Cape Girardeau, Missouri. First
Reading.Mayor Kinder called for public appearances regarding this Bill.No one appeared.
A Motion was made by Mark Bliss, Seconded by Dan Presson,to approve.
Motion passed. 7-0. Ayes: Bliss, Guard, Kinder, Presson, Randle,Thomas, Truxel.
Proceedings of the City Council, City of Cape Girardeau, Mo.
Regular Session December 18, 2023 LL-361
BILL NO. 23-187, an Ordinance accepting a Permanent Access and Utility Easement from Cape
G LLC, for property located at 720 North Main Street, in the City of Cape Girardeau, Missouri.
First Reading. Mayor Kinder called for public appearances regarding this Bill.No one appeared.
A Motion was made by Dan Presson, Seconded by Mark Bliss,to approve.
Motion passed. 7-0. Ayes: Bliss,Guard, Kinder, Presson, Randle,Thomas, Truxel.
BILL NO. 23-188, an Ordinance of the City of Cape Girardeau, Missouri, increasing its Ad
Valorem Tax for Municipal Purposes to a rate of$0.56 per $100.00 in Assessed Valuation; and
providing for submission of the proposal to the qualified voters of the City at the General
Municipal Election to be held on April 2, 2024; and directing the City Clerk to provide notice of
said election. First Reading. Mayor Kinder called for public appearances regarding this Bill.
Ms. Elaine Edgar, Semo Home Realty 1200 N. Kingshighway, spoke about increasing crime and
the need for the city to review its current budget to provide for things the city needs and not just
what it wants.
Mr. Martin Weber, a retired law enforcement and first responder chaplain, expressed concern for
the current pay levels of the police officers and first responders.
Ms. Michelle Latham questioned what other options in the current budget have been considered
to increase salaries of public safety employees. She stated there should be more transparency on
the current pay scale of all police and fire personnel,from the top rank to the bottom.
Mr. Harold Tilley, 204 Rockport, expressed support for increased salaries of public service
employees, but questioned the figures provided by the city relating to the proposed tax.
No more appearances.
A Motion was made by Dan Presson, Seconded by Shannon Truxel,to approve.
Ms. Truxel expressed support of the ordinance.
Ms. Randle commented that it is not in the best interest of the City to put this tax burden on
taxpayers.
Mr. Guard questioned if this is the correct mechanism to address public safety pay and if the City
should be looking at something bigger. He also commented that the city has other serious needs,
including water system improvements.
Mayor Kinder commented that public safety salaries have not been competitive for decades, even
though there have been significant bumps to employees in the recent past. The low salary issue is
a problem with recruitment and retention for all departments. She agreed with letting the
community make the decision.
Mr. Thomas stated that the tax previously passed for Cape County Public Safety has no sunset,
and none of those tax revenues are received by the City.
Motion passed. 6-1. Ayes: Bliss, Guard,Kinder, Presson, Thomas, Truxel. Nays: Randle.
BILL NO. 23-189, an Ordinance of the City of Cape Girardeau, Missouri, conditionally
dedicating a portion of its Ad Valorem Tax for Municipal Purposes to the purpose of improving
public safety. First Reading. Mayor Kinder called for public appearances regarding this Bill.
Proceedings of the City Council, City of Cape Girardeau, Mo.
Regular Session December 18, 2023 LL-362
Ms. Sylvia Edgar questioned when the tax would be implemented, and stated the public safety
salary needs should be addressed immediately.
Ms. Lisa Green, 1218 College, questioned why increased salaries could not be funded from the
voter approved fire sales tax and public safety trust fund passed in 2014.
A Motion was made by Robbie Guard, Seconded by Dan Presson,to approve.
Ms. Randle stated that the City has taken strides to increase salaries and benefits for all
employees, including public safety. The results have not proven that wage increases will make
the city safer. Council members should take on the burden and not the community.
Ms. Truxel commented there is approximately $2 million in the City's emergency fund. The
City's Charter requires that this fund balance be 15 percent of the city's operating expenditures,
and these funds cannot be used other than for an emergency as defined by City Charter.
Motion passed. 6-0. Ayes: Bliss, Guard,Kinder, Presson, Thomas, Truxel. Nays: Randle.
OTHER BUSINESS
Ms. Lisa Green commented she participated in the United Way virtual meeting on homelessness,
and questioned why the Police Station community room couldn't be used for homeless sheltering
in cold weather.
MEETING ADJOURNMENT
A Motion was made by Robbie Guard, Seconded by Dan Presson,to adjourn.
Motion passed. 7-0. Ayes: Bliss, Guard, Kinder,Presson, Randle,Thomas,Truxel.
The regular session ended at 6:20 pm
Stacy Kin•er, ayor
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