[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6081160,"mediaKeyId","2943541-26752932ba5443e55ded8e16f75959af","parentId",2943541,"title","Votes at a glance: Committee of the Whole approves multiple utility, public works and public safety purchases; two items moved to debate or held","audioSeconds",3581,"startMs",2207000,"endMs",5788000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2943541-26752932ba5443e55ded8e16f75959af&start=2207&end=5788","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2943541-26752932ba5443e55ded8e16f75959af/thumbnail_2207000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6081160/Springfield/Sangamon-County/Illinois/Votes-at-a-glance-Committee-of-the-Whole-approves-multiple-utility-public-works-and-public-safety-purchases-two-items-moved-to-debate-or-held","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6081160-cdb231f20d50cb5e5448bd0a5698c7c8/orig.mp4?Expires=1770968945&Signature=Dg5o31VRnZ~l6gxi1OOUxZnjVuF-cDtPdDoTCGDOFWu1qLFiTOGQlkzHoSJ2DMQoLEy2vsmyERehQ4oo6iIwxXkrTuTLSuhcCN4sujylwIKXREvP8Z7GKfyMXoH~zfD4rHULbA2wf5pEs901U~JBaJW37D0KwFKGVou9JqiaOq6eNcf99hKR7cAMTARMPYSKsSloldXikMghepGymXrOr-mlfUOFhkiDQ7EOrNrhoKFSJ1R083s7o3DM59y~ZZ0Zg-OZVPHgU9Jx4NyQPr0W52g3Kzgg8my40ztXGAr1Z4lR8BM2UH8q7woJgM-POkauAOLn3HijEVA4xupyUsGLDw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Springfield, IL","date","2025-04-10T12:44:04.29Z","article","The Springfield City Council Committee of the Whole on April 8 considered a slate of ordinances and resolutions across public utilities, public works, public safety and economic development. The clerk read the items and the majority were moved on the consent calendar and approved. Several items were highlighted during discussion before passage; two items were not adopted and were set for further consideration.

Key approvals (consent items)

- CWLP ordinance 2025138: Purchase of two dump trucks from Althaw Ford Sales Inc., not to exceed $223,656 (Office of Public Utilities) — added to consent and approved.

- CWLP 2025139: Purchase of replacement parts for Doman Unit 4 inventory, Industrial Process Equipment LLC, not to exceed $70,904.29 — approved.

- CWLP 2025140: Repair parts for Dahlman Plant Unit 4 air preheater, Airbus Langstrom LLC, not to exceed $488,642 — approved.

- Public Works 2025141: Letter of understanding with Illinois (milling/resurfacing on Ninth Street/Peoria Road) — approved.

- Public Works 2025142: Annexation ordinance for property at 6405 Canadian Cross Drive — approved.

- Public Works 2025143: Acceptance of grant (IDNR/USDA Forest Service) $25,000 for a tree planting program — approved (Alderman Connolly noted a potential conflict and said he would vote present because of his employer).

- Public Works 2025144: One-year renewal with BLH Computers Inc. for e-waste collection/recycling, not to exceed $50,000 — approved.

- Intergovernmental agreement 2025145: Road improvements with Springfield Township, not to exceed $73,677.89 — approved.

- Public Works 2025146: Low-bid contract (Kenny Contractors Inc.) for concrete patching/sidewalk program, not to exceed $1,096,880.91; amendment No. 1 adopting sidewalk program language was proposed and adopted prior to final approval — approved as amended.

- Public Works 2025147: Low-bid contract (Truman L. Flatt and Sons Co.) for overlay program, not to exceed $7,426,244.25 — approved.

- General city business 2025148: Increase number of Class A licenses by one for Foxy Flag LLC d/b/a Fluid at 319 E. Jefferson St. — approved (Alderman Clark recorded present).

- Fire Department 2025149: Purchase 11 Scott SCBA units and 7 air packs (Municipal Emergency Services Inc.), not to exceed $131,937.78 — approved.

- Fire Department 2025150: Motorola radio equipment and service, not to exceed $140,238.66 — approved.

- Police 2025151: Acceptance of 2023 Byrne JAG grant $102,523 and supplemental appropriation — approved.

- Police 2025152: Acceptance of 2024 Byrne JAG grant $121,391, supplemental appropriation and memorandum of understanding with Sangamon County — approved.

- Human Resources 2025154: Agreement with Litmos for employee training, not to exceed $27,000 (06/30/2025\u0000\t6/29/2026) — approved.

Items moved or held for further work

- Ordinance 2025153 (agreement with sign company): Moved from consent to debate after council questioned political-sign rules, QR codes and bench siting. Council directed counsel and staff to return with legal analysis and vendor details; no adoption occurred.

- Ordinance 2025155: Grant for Pharmacy Gallery and Art Space (Dept. of Commerce and Economic Opportunity) in the amount of $39,582; council voted to hold the item in committee pending a companion grant agreement.

Other business

- The treasurer\u000filed the March corporate fund report (beginning balance $58,768,026; receipts $11,174,331; disbursements $11,411,740; ending balance $58,530,617; includes ARPA balance $10,323,663); council voted to accept the treasurer's report.

Most ordinances were moved and seconded on the consent calendar and approved by voice vote. No detailed roll-call tallies were read into the record for the consent items; where an alderman noted a conflict, the remark and any recorded \"present\" vote were noted on the record.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Springfield Illinois Committee of the Whole Meeting Tuesday April 8 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Committee of the Whole voted on numerous ordinances and resolutions on April 8. Most items were added to the consent agenda and approved; the agreement with a sign company was moved to debate and a grant item was held in committee.","taxTitle","Springfield, Sangamon County, Illinois","taxId",2651,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6081164,"Council moves bench-and-signage contract with local firm to debate amid political-signage, QR-code and accessibility concerns",201,2969000,3170000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2943541-26752932ba5443e55ded8e16f75959af&start=2969&end=3170","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2943541-26752932ba5443e55ded8e16f75959af/thumbnail_2969000.jpg","/articles/6081164/Springfield/Sangamon-County/Illinois/Council-moves-bench-and-signage-contract-with-local-firm-to-debate-amid-political-signage-QR-code-and-accessibility-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6081164-cdc9b8a17eb0d20c0be20d08b0793db9/orig.mp4?Expires=1770968945&Signature=lX11zR~VG17zPhnC76aiMhHn-U3neyZzYXaa1tfdVyYO6wJ8bIVXX~7j11n-2AcX3Hrfne1kgDJ14j3~3y9gvf0ZKqOgm63UuBPOSCRwxVH2Lj-QsViCQogKXQcWNgYbP541OOJBpRXAeNfZds4r~IKu1yFZWn4LZQ7u8a~oPL0zwCQyOianPyoWA8ktN2Tnc15fQ~J9L-DF4qYOnJamBy1KyFH6W6l9skPevb-YLYQtWTnwBhKI0DhfPzzC3RmLds6dwq6QwMVvED5wMK9gOd~MYM17g7qlidQ7g3CDBTNwPT3nV71dY9JfsIlGuOD2dWGnTwuP~LwpNcXBlyO4xg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Committee of the Whole on April 8 moved an ordinance approving an agreement between the City of Springfield and a sign company (ACE) into debate after extended questioning from aldermen about political advertising, QR codes, accessibility and where benches are sited.

Clerk read ordinance 2025153 authorizing the agreement; members then asked company representative Keith Haines to answer questions. Haines described the program
nd said ACE operates roughly 60 bench sites and that the company has been the local contractor for decades. \"We have about a 60 benches out right now,\" he said, and added that the new aluminum benches cost about $1,500 each to fabricate and install.

Aldermen pressed whether ACE's contract prohibits political advertising on bench panels. Corporation Counsel Mordock said, \"Right now, there's nothing in the contract that would prohibit political advertising on these benches,\" and offered to research whether the city may include a content-based restriction in a private advertising contract. He said any content restriction could raise First Amendment concerns and suggested the council could instead apply content-neutral rules for temporary signs in the right-of-way.

Alderman Williams and others said the current arrangement lets one advertiser dominate bench placements and raised fairness concerns during election seasons. Williams asked for a written option that would either bar political advertising from bench panels or permit political signage with clear, neutral placement rules. Alderman Gregory asked counsel to prepare draft amendments: one to exclude political language from bench panels and another (if exclusion proved unlawful) to amend city rules to allow political signs in right-of-way in a way that is applied evenly.

Council members also discussed operational issues raised by residents: whether benches are prioritized at actual bus stops, how ACE coordinates with Springfield Mass Transit District on changes to routes and shelters, and how visual aids and QR codes will be vetted for broadcast. Haines said ACE already checks with SMTD maps and that shelters are installed by SMTD; if a shelter replaces a bench ACE will relocate the bench at company expense when routes change. He said the company will furnish 50 reverse-side panels for public service messages at the city's request.

On the procedural vote, the council
ccepted a motion to debate the ordinance rather than place it on the consent agenda. The motion to move the item to debate passed.

Council asked Corporation Counsel to research (1) whether the city can restrict political advertising on private contracts without violating the First Amendment and (2) whether the contract language or the city's sign rules should be changed to ensure equitable access during election periods. Staff and ACE were also asked to provide written details on contract duration, bench counts and the process for short-term bench availability so candidates and community groups can plan advertising or outreach ahead of campaigns.

No ordinance adoption occurred at this meeting; the item will return for debate and possible action in a future meeting.","Council read an ordinance approving an agreement with a local sign company (ACE) to furnish bus benches and panels; members and residents pressed for clarity on political advertising, QR codes, accessibility and shelters. The item was moved from consent into debate.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6081170,"City attorney walks council through Illinois Open Meetings Act and public comment rules",753,472000,1225000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2943541-26752932ba5443e55ded8e16f75959af&start=472&end=1225","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2943541-26752932ba5443e55ded8e16f75959af/thumbnail_472000.jpg","/articles/6081170/Springfield/Sangamon-County/Illinois/City-attorney-walks-council-through-Illinois-Open-Meetings-Act-and-public-comment-rules","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6081170-7daaff32955704ba8c2eed13a52126e2/orig.mp4?Expires=1770968945&Signature=l7I4nfBhM0aJ1BHD8KflmwhttUGNJigSKSa1SIyoijCw4Cx-VCOisd2WYC6ZScvj3-t7XFbpxhqgKEnnyaNBE2By5ShIymUTKeD0eDKUWJEjeLK17UG4fppCgQdPZM5pgS1bhJ2A9Wz6SloXHtskkpw1Eg5ADiZEa2T4PamidvrIqDfHOdNRRJfB7v2uUUutC4l4vj5CEpVdGd8OtNPLyy6GJbJw7k4BNHOqRRqLTh3lKg9GswRbba4NiBePPEfhQqy0LKkSOfBuJyliINTobUmgtOAk2S3~fSpfl9y77X5WZf8cE9OxMwN77iYWHcZQXxGnhpvFAU7pp5g4eCOeEQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Corporation Counsel Mordock told the Springfield City Council Committee of the Whole on April 8 that the Illinois Open Meetings Act governs meetings of the 11-member council and that agendas must be posted at least 48 hours before a meeting.

Mordock said the Open Meetings Act requires public comment but does not require local bodies to broadcast meetings, except for fully remote meetings held under an emergency declaration. \"Broadcasting public meetings is not required by the Open Meetings Act,\" he said. He also said the city can discuss matters not on the posted agenda as long as it does not take final action on them.

The presentation explained that the council has two separate rule sets: the council\u000book of procedure (adopted 02/2007; amended 2020) and public comment rules adopted June 21, 2022. Mordock said both documents impose reasonable, content-neutral time, place and manner restrictions and that the council's public comment limits are enforceable. \"City council rule 8.1 and 8.2 limit public comment to 5 minutes unless time is granted by the presiding officer,\" he said.

Mordock advised consistent application of the rules to avoid confusion when different presiding officers apply different practices. He recommended either keeping a strict five-minute limit or formally amending the rules so any additional time would be uniform across speakers.

Aldermen asked about who decides whether to broadcast public comment; Mordock said the mayor currently controls broadcasting as an executive action but added that the council's public comment rules could require broadcasting and that such a change might alter the attorney general's view of who has authority. Council members also asked whether public comment can be limited to agenda items; Mordock said the rules now vest that determination in the presiding officer but that a two-thirds council vote could change that.

The presentation addressed enforcement steps: a presiding officer may gavel a disruptive speaker and the council may vote to remove someone; the mayor also has authority to enforce rules as chief executive. Mordock noted that the city provides alternate channels for input, including written comments to the city clerk and distribution by the council coordinator.

Council members raised related operational items: adding a sign-up checkbox for visual aids and QR codes, clarifying whether speakers may yield their time to another person (Mordock said the city does not presently allow yielding and suggested adding a rule if the council wants a different practice), and improving public notice of accessibility accommodations. Mordock said the clerk's office will receive and vet visual aids and the communications office will include approved images or QR codes in the meeting broadcast.

The council accepted the treasurer's monthly report earlier in the meeting and then heard the presentation; members thanked Mordock for the clarification and discussed whether the council wants to amend its rules on time limits, yielding, and whether public comment must be limited to agenda items.

The city\founcil did not change rules during the meeting but voted to follow existing rules and to consider rule amendments if members want consistent, council-wide changes.","Corporation counsel reviewed the Illinois Open Meetings Act, clarified when the city must post agendas and broadcast meetings, and advised consistent enforcement of the council's five-minute public comment rule.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Committee of the Whole approves multiple utility, public works and public safety purchases; two items moved to debate or held

Council moves bench-and-signage contract with local firm to debate amid political-signage, QR-code and accessibility concerns

City attorney walks council through Illinois Open Meetings Act and public comment rules