Key Decisions
- Approved the annual operating budget for fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026 (Bill 26-46).
- Approved utility rate changes by amending Chapter 29 relating to sewer and water rates (Bill 26-47).
- Approved a $700,000 contract with Fronabarger Concrete for concrete street repairs, coming in $700,000 under the engineer's estimate (Bill 26-49).
- Approved a demolition contract with JAC3 Contracting for demolishing buildings at various locations throughout the city (Bill 26-50).
- Approved the record plat of Reinagel-Baldwin Drive subdivision, which splits off a 5-acre tract along Baldwin Drive to continue use as farmland (Bill 26-51, passed unanimously).
- Approved amendments to Chapter 25 regarding billboard regulations after removing the downtown billboards section following public feedback (Bill 26-52).
- Approved amendments to Chapter 30 adding billboards as a special use in the C1 General Commercial District (Bill 26-53).
- Appointed Adam Criblez and Kathleen Walls to the Public Library Board.
- Appointed Anissa Patel and Andy Patel to the Cape Dogwood CID.
- Appointed Emily Buelow, Dennis Cain, and Jim Maevers to the Special Business District board.
- Reappointed incumbents Anissa Patel, Quantella Noto, and Randy Kluge to the Convention and Visitors Bureau advisory board.
Community Voices
The council recognized Miguel Morales, owner of Miguel's Tacon Madre food truck, for his heroic actions during the June 8, 2026 flash flood. According to the National Weather Service, Cape Girardeau recorded 3.31 inches of rain in one hour between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. Morales rescued a driver trapped in a flooded vehicle, preventing a potential tragedy. The driver, Thomas Beasley, was legally dead for eight minutes but survived thanks to Morales and emergency responders. Beasley's family attended the meeting to express gratitude, stating Morales showed "true selflessness and bravery, traits not seen here often in this day and age." Beasley has since been released from ICU and is breathing on his own.
Budget & Finance
- Approved a contract with Fronabarger Concrete for street repairs totaling approximately $700,000 less than the engineer's estimate, a significant savings for the city.
- Approved a demolition contract with JAC3 Contracting for demolishing eight condemned homes and other structures throughout the city. The city works with local developers to rehabilitate properties when possible rather than demolish them.
Watch This
- The council set an appeal hearing for a property owner contesting the building supervisor's dangerous building order. The appeal will come before the city council sitting as the building commission in a future meeting.
- Staff will research and draft an aggressive panhandling ordinance after council directed them to move forward. The ordinance would address behaviors such as stalking, approaching within three feet without consent, blocking ATMs, and accosting residents—not simple panhandling with a sign. Staff will consult with the police chief, downtown business partners including Old Town Cape and the Chamber of Commerce, and review ordinances from Liberty, Columbia, and St. Louis County, Missouri. The ordinance will return to council at a later date.
- A special use permit request for a billboard at 53 Doctors Park was tabled at the applicant's request to allow time to meet with the Doctors Park Covenants Board. The Planning and Zoning Commission will likely revisit this in the near future.
Other Business
The council received a detailed presentation on the city's new Commercial Vacant Building Registration Program. The program targets commercial buildings vacant for six months or longer with code violations. Property owners will receive a 30-day notice to correct violations before a $200 semi-annual registration fee is assessed. The program aims to encourage property maintenance and reinvestment, not to penalize owners. If owners fail to comply, the city can pursue municipal court enforcement, which may result in fines, permit restrictions, liens, and potential warrants. The city can extend deadlines for owners working cooperatively with inspections. The program does not apply to residential properties, though staff indicated a similar residential program may be developed in the future. The ordinance is still in draft form and will return to council.
Staff also presented the dangerous buildings condemnation process, explaining that properties go through a lengthy process including inspection, 30-day notice, public hearing before a building supervisor, and potential demolition if owners fail to comply. The city works with local developers to rehabilitate properties when possible. Property owners have the right to appeal the building supervisor's order to the city council sitting as the building commission.
Council members reported on community events, including attendance at the Boys and Girls Club Success Center ribbon cutting and the National Gun Violence Awareness proclamation presentation. One council member attended the Kellerman Hall flag day celebration marking the upcoming 250th birthday of the Declaration of Independence. The council recognized a Special Olympics team from Cape Girardeau heading to Minnesota for the national games with over 3,000 athletes from all 50 states.
Mayor Guard thanked fire, police, public works, and parks and recreation staff for their response to the June 8 flash flood. Staff is working with state and federal officials on the recovery process. The mayor acknowledged frustration with the government reimbursement process but emphasized that no residents died in the flooding.
Police officers fired weapons at a suspect who attempted to flee a traffic stop after midnight and nearly ran over two officers. The suspect, who was under the influence of drugs and alcohol and had outstanding warrants, crashed into a tree and was apprehended without gunshot injuries. In an eight-day period, the fire department responded to five fires, five hazardous situations, 57 medical calls, 41 public service calls, and 29 rescues.
Aimee Nance applied for the Public Library Board, citing her experience as a published author and employee of an e-book company. Jay Wolz withdrew his application for the Convention and Visitors Bureau advisory board in deference to incumbents willing to continue serving, but indicated he will reapply in future years.
The Planning and Zoning Commission approved several items in its June 10, 2026 meeting: a fence exception at 1200 South West End Boulevard allowing a six-foot black vinyl fence in the front yard (8-0); a parking lot landscaping exception at 1912 Ritter Drive (the old Notre Dame High School) allowing reduced interior landscaping from 15% to 10% with additional plantings (8-0); the Hope Lutheran Ministries record plat combining two lots (8-0); and the Reinagel-Baldwin Drive subdivision record plat creating a 5-acre farmland tract (8-0).
Recaps are based on the official meeting recording and may contain errors or omissions. Always refer to the full recording for authoritative information.