Crystal Thomas
The State Journal Register
A divided Springfield City Council on Tuesday rejected a proposal that would have closed Lincoln Library grounds after hours.
The ordinance, which was proposed by Mayor Jim Langfelder, was drafted after the library had seen an uptick in the homeless population who have been sleeping under the brick overhangs. The ordinance would have allowed Springfield police officers to ask those on the grounds from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. to move along or face a ticket or possible arrest, if there was disorderly conduct. Homeless people would still be welcome during the day.
At the committee meeting, aldermen were divided on whether the ordinance was the right solution.
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Ward 1 Ald. Chuck Redpath, Ward 4 Ald. John Fulgenzi, Ward 7 Ald. Joe McMenamin, Ward 8 Ald. Kris Theilen and Ward 10 Ald. Ralph Hanauer voted to move the ordinance forward to be discussed during the next city council meeting, where it could get final approval. Some compared it to how the city closes the parks overnight.
Both McMenamin and Redpath said most of their constituents wanted to see the ordinance pass.
Erica Smith, Helping Hands executive director, said there are still beds available in the shelter. She spoke in favor of the ordinance but pushed the aldermen to continue to move toward long-term solutions like having an officer solely dedicated to homelessness outreach, have year-round shelter with services and have a detox center.
Several community members spoke on the ordinance and appealed to the city council members’ compassion. One noted several of the homeless often are veterans who have post-traumatic stress disorder.
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In an interview, Langfelder said he wouldn’t use his executive authority to close the grounds. Instead, he hoped to continue discussing solutions with a small working group that includes overnight shelter Helping Hands employees and Office of Community Relations director Juan Huerta. He also said in his next budget proposal, he would have funds set aside to help bring along year-round, “holistic” shelter, though he said he didn’t yet know what the price tag would be.
The overflow shelter is open for six months of the year overnight and costs the city about $32,000, funded from the Office of Planning and Economic Development and the Round-Up program, which allows City Water, Light and Power customers to donate to shelter by rounding up their bills. The shelter was full for most of the time it was open from November to April.
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Joe McMenamin for Ward 7 