Westfield council elects Patrick Tam president, John Dart vice president; approves minutes, claims and ordinance update

The Westfield City Council elected Councillor Patrick Tam as council president and Councillor John Dart as vice president during the meeting’s organizational items, approved minutes and the January claims docket, and adopted an ordinance updating the informatics nonreverting fund.

Elections and routine approvals: Councillor (name recorded as) Wanninger made the motion to elect Patrick Tam as council president; the motion was seconded by Councillor Hough and approved by unanimous roll call (7–0). The council also unanimously appointed John Dart as vice president (motion recorded, second recorded, roll call 7–0). The council approved the minutes from the Dec. 23, 2024 meeting and the claims docket for January 2025; both items were adopted by unanimous roll call.

Ordinance 24‑78 (Fund 270) adopted: Christopher Larson, director of informatics, presented an amendment to an existing 2012 ordinance creating a nonreverting informatics fund (Fund 270). Larson said the amendment updates language so the city can accept subscription and support payments from GPSC, which will use city‑owned technology and pay for subscriptions and support. The council voted to adopt Ordinance 24‑78 by unanimous roll call (7–0).

First reading — Ordinance 25‑1 (Fund 266): Deputy Mayor Danielle Carey Tolan presented the first reading of Ordinance 25‑1 to create a new capital projects fund (Fund 266). Carey Tolan said the fund will be used to separate capital infrastructure expenditures (roundabouts, buildings, roads, garages) from the general fund and that transfers into the fund will be considered at a later council action. She said the administration expects an initial transfer of approximately $27,000,000 (the deputy mayor described that figure as an estimate) and that potential ongoing revenue sources could include the city’s food‑and‑beverage proceeds and lease payments from Grand Park Sports and Entertainment (GPSC). Councilors asked for clarification about which grants or other program receipts (for example, community crossing) might be routed to the new fund; Carey Tolan said she would provide details later.

Process notes: Ferron and other staff said rezoning for the Grand Park district will be city‑initiated following adoption of the master plan addendum to the comprehensive plan. No votes on rezoning or on the master plan were taken at this meeting. The first reading of Ordinance 25‑1 will return for a later vote with appropriation and transfer details.

Votes at a glance: - Election of Council President (Patrick Tam): motion made by Councillor Waniger; second by Councillor Hough; roll call 7‑0 "yes." - Election of Vice President (John Dart): motion and second recorded; roll call 7‑0 "yes." - Approval of minutes (Dec. 23, 2024): motion by Councillor McCarty; second by Councillor Huff; roll call 7‑0 "yes." - Approval of January 2025 claims docket: motion by Councillor McCarty; second by Vice President Dart; roll call 7‑0 "yes." - Ordinance 24‑78 (Fund 270) — amendment to informatics fund: motion by Councillor Weininger; second by Councillor McCarty; roll call 7‑0 "yes." - Ordinance 25‑1 (Fund 266) — creation of capital projects fund: first reading presented by Deputy Mayor Danielle Carey Tolan; estimated initial transfer discussed (~$27,000,000); no final vote recorded.

What to expect next: Ordinance 25‑1 will come back for a second reading and appropriation actions with specific transfer amounts and funding sources. The master plan materials will be finalized by staff and returned as a comprehensive plan addendum; rezoning and individual development proposals will appear in future council or redevelopment commission agendas.