565936 Classified Ad PERL Script Modifications

I've been running a classified ads perl script for years that is overdue for several modifications. I setup a work environment on a temp domain where changes can be tested. Database files are delimited txt files. This project involves doing the following. 1) Convert to utf-8 encoding - I want all user pasted content converted to utf-8 before saving to database. 2) Improve image uploading - Currently using Fancybox for showing images, want modified so images maintain scale when re-sized (currently they get smooshed when height greater than width). 3) Capitalize before database save - I want the State/City fields to be capitalized before saving to database. For example if a user enters los angeles, will get saved as Los Angeles. 4) No Duplicate Email Addresses - Currently the script checks to make a sure a username isn't already in use but doesn't do same for email. 5) Remove obsolete JavaScript routines - There's some old javascript functions related to IE and Netscape browsers from days of old, fairly certain they are no longer needed. Also, one of the dropdown selection boxes doesn't function properly in Chrome, I suspect javascript related. 6) Allow URLs in textarea - Currently only www type urls work properly when pasted, and only to root url. Modify so short urls as well as deep url links can be pasted by users (all will be no followed). 7) print "Content-type: text/html\n\n";" error - This one is probably real simple but the Content Type gets printed inside the browser window unless refreshed. I'm seeking a perl programmer with good communication skills that can make suggestions on other improvements if discovered while making modifications. Work will be done on password protected domain we can both view and I'll copy changed files to live site after work completed. I'm attaching a few files so you can get an idea what current script functions look like. Note: script once used session IDs but now uses cookies, there may still be references to sessions in script functions but I believe they are commented out.