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DPW garage approved after separate vote; member recuses under legal advice
Summary
The committee approved a multi-million-dollar DPW garage and fleet maintenance facility in a separate vote after Alderman Kelly said legal counsel asked her not to participate; the abstention was recorded and staff will take the authorization to the Board.
The committee voted to authorize the DPW garage and fleet maintenance facilty (item 12) as a distinct action separate from the remainder of the capital plan. The decision followed an explicit request from Alderman Kelly, who said she had been advised by legal counsel not to participate in discussion or voting on the garage project.
Alderman Kelly told the committee, "I am unable to vote on the DPW garage, and legal has requested that I not participate in that discussion." The chair recorded Kelly's abstention before the vote and the motion passed by voice vote. Staff confirmed the authorization will be processed as a separate bond authorization and that project-specific planning and contracting steps will follow, with final bond documents presented to the Board of Aldermen for approval.
Committee members discussed that separating the garage vote preserved their ability to act on the rest of the plan while respecting the legal guidance for individual members. The committee also requested that staff ensure full documentation accompanies the garage bond when it is brought forward, including any conflict-of-interest filings as required by city rules.
