Dear Friends and Neighbors, Winter 2012
This letter updates various issues in Ward 7 and our City.
While canvassing our neighborhoods last year, many residents commented on the poor
condition of our roads and sidewalks. Many are cracked and deteriorated.
With that in mind, I have talked on several occasions with Mr. Mark Mahoney, our new City Public Works
Director, regarding the sidewalk, street, and other improvements needed in Ward
7. Although there is no guarantee, it appears several areas of Ward 7 will receive
attention in 2012.
However, the City’s budget remains very weak, making it difficult to direct revenue
toward neighborhood improvements. Based on recent actuarial reports, our Police
and Fire Pensions’ unfunded liabilities continue to grow at an alarming rate.
Springfield Police and Firefighter
Pension Funds
| As of | Police unfunded liability (millions) / % unfunded |
Fire unfunded liability (millions) / % unfunded |
Combined unfunded liabilities in millions |
| 1994 | $10 million > 15 % | $5 million > 15 % | $15 million |
| FY 2007 | $50 35% | $65 45% | $115 million |
| FY 2010 | $80 43% | $95 51% | $175 million |
| FY 2011 | $93 45% | $112 54% | $205 million |
Our City’s finances are seriously out of balance – and these two local Pension funds are a
major cause. I favor one-year pay freezes for all our City workers as their
union contracts expire. Many of our city workers benefited from union contracts
that paid annual 4% raises over 5 years (almost 22% compounded) – during the
Great Recession. We also must repeal the practice of offering retirement pay
spikes to our Firefighters and Police, which inflate pensions permanently.
We cannot keep spending money we do not have. I am dedicated to bringing these fiscal
problems into focus with other city office holders, and keeping city residents
informed. As always, please share your views and any concerns by emailing
joeforward7@aol.com or phoning 787-2297.
The Hy-Vee planning and zoning process continues with all positives so far. The
City Council approved
Hy-Vee’s zoning requests in December, 2011. Earlier in October, I introduced Hy-Vee
officials to Mayor Houston at his City Hall office. The Mayor and his
administration have been extraordinarily helpful.
I announced my run for Alderman at the former K-mart and then with 50 volunteers
we cleaned-up the trash and later painted-over the graffiti, so the Hy-Vee
development is hugely symbolic and meaningful to this alderman. Let’s do all we
can to advance this project to completion.
MacArthur Boulevard Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District
The City Council adopted the first of several resolutions and ordinances in
September 2011 to establish the “Mac” TIF. On Nov 18, our City filed a Redevelopment
Plan for the corridor with the City Clerk. This triggers a series of required
Notices and Meetings culminating with a Public Hearing on January 23, 2012. Affected
taxing bodies voted unanimously to support the TIF in late December. All
required steps should be completed by late February. Hy-Vee can then break ground and can use
future real estate tax revenue (TIF funds) from increased property values at
the site and reimburse itself for some of its development costs. Follow the SJR
and other news sources for more information.
MacArthurPark“Apartments” -2715 S. MacArthur Blvd
In early August 2011, I swore out an affidavit and our City obtained a search
warrant to allow our City Inspectors into the Apartments. The owner was denying
access. Since then, our City has inspected 27 buildings involving 108 units, found over 1400 violations, placarded 52 units
“Occupancy Prohibited”, and required the owner to register and board-up 7
buildings.
For several months, I requested our local Springfield Housing Authority (SHA) to deny
approval of any additional “Section 8” units there. The SHA was paying the property owner for some
60 Section 8 apartments with federal money. Federal regulations allow Housing
Authorities to deny Section 8 to landlords with “a history or practice of
renting units that fail to meet State or local housing codes.” On December 21,
2011, the SHA acted. It cut off additional Section 8 vouchers.
Ward 7 Alderman McMenamin Office Hours – No appointments needed
- Saturday
mornings – 10 am to noon – South Side Christian Church, 2600 So.MacArthur Blvd - Enter at
the canopy on the east side of the church building. - For other meeting times/dates,
please phone 787-2297 or email joeforward7@aol.com.
Personal – In December 2011, I retired from the Illinois Army National Guard, 30 years
after enlisting as a Private and shipping out to Fort Dix, New Jersey,
for Basic Training. Photo below is after final formation with the last of many
Brigade Commanders I served as Command Judge Advocate.
Wishing you the very Best this New Year, Joe McMenamin
Joe McMenamin for Ward 7 