Recommended Reading 13: Park Central Square

The Community Free Press - Midweek has the most in depth coverage on Park Central Square:

See: CFP Exclusive: City Holds Meeting on Square's Historic Designation

Read the Cultural Landscape Foundation's response to the State Historic Preservation Office and the email answer from Bob Cumley regarding Councilman Dan Chiles questions about the square, including the City Manager's update on the square's section 106 status from May 6, 2008.

There are also other important and informative links at CFP's website regarding the square and the section 106 process.

More: From the News-Leader, Square renovation plans in hands of state agency

Springfield City Council's independent auditor (Investigator) position of vital importance

The decision about who should be the independent auditor hired by the City Council for oversight of the City of Springfield's financial dealings should be as vitally important to the citizens of Springfield as the City Manager's position (I wrote about this position here back in August after a memo from Deputy City Manager Evelyn Honea demanded that all information acquired from departments of the City be run through the City Manager's office prior to its release to any individual Council member. Memo included at end of this entry).

Following is the section of the City's Charter that allows for such an investigator:

Section 2.15. Investigator
The council may appoint an investigator who shall serve for such term as the council may prescribe. He shall be a certified public accountant or a person specially trained and experienced in governmental or business investigation or administration. His
duty shall be to keep the council informed as to the work performed, methods, and financial affairs of the city. He shall not be responsible for the keeping of accounts. He shall make such investigations of the work of all departments of the city and such reports to the council as it shall require. He shall make such other investigations as the council may direct. He shall have access to all books and records of all departments of the city. If the council desires, he shall certify to the correctness of any or all financial reports before the same shall be regarded as official.

The City suggests it will go outside Springfield to seek applicants for the City Manager position which Bob Cumley will vacate next year. Sources tell me that the Council is considering hiring someone locally for the position of independent investigator.

Memo from Deputy City Manager, then Assistant City Manager Evelyn Honea:

TO: Management Team Management Team Secretaries
FROM: Evelyn Honea, Assistant City Manager
RE: Process for Sending Material/Information to Mayor and City
Council
DATE: June 25, 2007
_________________________________________________

Any information or material being sent to the Mayor and members of City Council MUST be approved by the City Manager or Assistant City Manager BEFORE it is sent to Councilmembers.

To avoid confusion, please use the procedure outlined below:

1. Any memo or other information should be e-mailed to Evelyn Honea or Bob Cumley for approval. Please provide a hard copy if it is not possible to e-mail the material.

2. You will be notified of Bob/Evelyn's approval or asked to make changes. If asked to make changes, please resubmit the corrected material for approval.

3. Upon approval, please provide 13 copies to the City Manager's Office for distribution to Council. A member of the City Manager's staff will deliver the material to the Council mailboxes. (The 13 copies include: 9 for Mayor and Council, 1 for the media folder, 1 for the City Clerk, 1 for the City Manager, and 1 for the Assistant City Manager.)

4. Mail is only delivered to the Mayor and City Council on Wednesday afternoons at 4:00 p.m., prior to City Council meeting every other Monday night, and at Tuesday luncheons. Please keep this schedule in mind when communicating with Councilmembers.

Thank you for your cooperation and assistance with this process.

EH/jgcc:

Bob Cumley, City Manager
Brenda Cirtin, City Clerk
Anita Murphy Cotter, Assistant City Clerk

Council Bills 2007-363, 364

Council Bill 2007-363 amends the City Code, Traffic and Vehicles, Section 106-96 so that conservators of the peace (people the City Manager authorizes to issue parking citations) will also be given the authority to ENFORCE city parking ordinances, ENFORCE rules, regulations and ordinances pertaining to handicapped parking, and ENFORCE all Park rules, regulations and ordinances while on Park property.

Council Bill 2007-364 amends Article 1, In General, Chapter 82 of the Springfield City Code, Park rules generally, by adding an additional subsection (c) to Section 82-1 for ENFORCEMENT of the Park Rules, Regulations and Ordinances by THE PARK RANGERS for the Springfield-Greene County Parks Department, while on park property.

The originating department is the City Manager.

Under "remarks" at Bill 2007-364:

"The proposed amendment is in response to a request received from the Springfield-Greene County Park Board. This expanded authority will assist parks in dealing with problems at the various park locations, which is often a low priority for the City and County Police Departments, when compared to other service calls these Departments normally receive. This amendment will allow parks to address the park problems with its own Park Rangers as they occur."

Questions 1 and 2: How do you "enforce" rules, regulations and ordinances? Will Park Rangers be authorized to carry firearms for enforcement purposes?

Question 3: Is the lateral hiring program, which allows experienced police officers to be hired at a higher level of pay in consideration of their previous experience working? (see: CFP Midweek - Archive Issues Page, Volume 5 Issue 11 City Council Roundup, Addressing Police High Turnover Rate)

City of Springfield, MO - Upcoming Council Meeting Agenda