Jamie Munks
The State Journal-Register
Springfield aldermen were divided Tuesday about how to replace city council coordinator Joe Davis when he retires early next year, but ultimately decided to create a subcommittee to lead the process.
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Joe Davis has served as council coordinator since the post was created in 1993. Among his duties are serving as a go-between for aldermen and city department heads, fielding phone calls for aldermen and helping draft ordinances.
Aldermen voted 6-3 in favor of creating a subcommittee now, rather than waiting, with Ward 2 Ald. Gail Simpson, Ward 5 Ald. Sam Cahnman and Ward 7 Ald. Joe McMenamin opposed. Simpson and McMenamin contended that because the council will see some turnover after city elections in April, any new aldermen should have a say in who serves as coordinator.
Davis’ retirement date is Jan. 26, but when asked by aldermen Tuesday, he said he’d be willing to stay on until March 1, through the city’s budget process. City elections will be held April 7.
McMenamin suggested the decision for a new council coordinator should be made by the committee of the whole, with all 10 aldermen. Aldermen ultimately voted 5-4 to create a subcommittee of four aldermen. Simpson, Cahnman, McMenamin and Ward 4 Ald. Frank Lesko cast the dissenting votes.
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The council also approved an ordinance for a redevelopment agreement with Myers Family Real Estate of Springfield LLC that will funnel $246,000 in TIF funds to a facade project for the property at 1 West Old State Capitol Plaza. Both ordinances were unanimously OK’d, but a couple of aldermen brought up some overarching concerns about the city’s TIF process in general.
“This appears to be a very worthy project,” McMenamin said. “This discussion we’re having is more about communication between the administration and city council… It’s just a communication problem we have to be up front about.”
Joe McMenamin for Ward 7 