The Laurel Street underpass is closed through July 31. Union Pacific Railroad is installing abutments over Laurel.
Curb Your Car Challenge
The challenge encourages people to take an active approach to commuting.
There will be no team competition due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but anyone who bikes, walks, runs or uses public transit to get around Sangamon County is eligible to sign up to win prizes.
This year’s scheduled events include a bicycle commute from Washington Park to the Old Capitol Farmers Market May 19; free rider day on all Sangamon Mass Transit District fixed routes May 20; free rides on SMTD all week for anyone who brings their bike and 10% off at Maldaner’s Restaurant all week when you park your bike outside.
Mayor Jim Langfelder officially vetoed an ordinance that decreased the minimum contract amounts for which Springfield City Council approval is required.
The April 20 vote, which was approved 6-4, lowered the spending amount for the mayor and city departments from $50,000 to $10,000.
In a filing before Tuesday s city council meeting, Langfelder reiterated his position that the ordinance would slow down city business. The proposed change will result in significant delays and inefficiency to the regular daily operations of city government, Langfelder said.
The mayor held up ShotSpotter Connect, the next phase of software enhancement that will be used by the Springfield Police Department, as an example of a program that could be delayed under the ordinance.
3 weeks ago in Local Photo: Shutterstock
For the six city council members who want to rein in Mayor Langfelder’s spending, their job in the next two weeks is to persuade one of the other four – Alds. Shawn Gregory, Roy Williams, John Fulgenzi, or Joe McMenamin – to flip.
It takes seven to override a veto. The ordinance reduces Langfelder’s ability to spend money without running it by the council. The current limit is $50,000, but the ordinance, sponsored by Ald. Ralph Hanauer, cuts it to $10,000.
Ald. Erin Conley told WTAX News after Tuesday’s meeting that, with no economic development director on staff and with many federal dollars coming in, somebody has to manage both the income, the spending, and rigorous regulations.
Langfelder has until Tuesday for the veto. What it comes down to is the municipality being able to get things done sooner rather than later, Langfelder said.
The ordinance, sponsored by Ward 10 Ald. Ralph Hanauer, has been around since 2018.
Hanauer said he wasn t shocked by the mayor s move. That s his prerogative, and we ll see if we can t get it overturned, Hanauer said. The response I get from the public is that they want us to watch the money more.
Contact Steven Spearie: 217-622-1788, sspearie@sj-r.com, twitter.com/@StevenSpearie.
Photo: Saga Communications
Mayor Langfelder has lost the trust of the city council to spend very much money – from a no-bid fire consulting contract to an unpopular homelessness advisor. Aldermen have had enough and Tuesday cut his spending authority from $50,000 to $10,000.
Ald. Ralph Hanauer cracked that for $45,000, the consultant the mayor hired said the solution to homelessness is to find places for people to live. Ald. Erin Conley criticized a no-bid contract for a firm to review the fire department.
Ald. Joe McMenamin said the ordinance neuters highly-paid department heads. Ald. Roy Williams said it’s just micromanagement. They joined Alds. Shawn Gregory and John Fulgenzi in voting against the ordinance.