City Beat: City Council lays out legislative laundry list

At its Dec. 9 luncheon, Springfield City Council spelled out its list of 2009 legislative priorities.

Council, with help from city lobbyist Scott Marrs, identified three items as having greatest importance:

• Local governing power. As it has for several years, the city is asking the state and federal governments to refrain from limiting local authority on a variety of issues, including local franchising authority, taxation, smoking and business licensing.

• Public transit support. The city is asking for legislative support for public transit systems, noting that Springfield's bus system is subsidized by City Utilities.

• Red light legislation. The city wants the civil penalties assessed by its red-light camera system put into state statute, along with provisions to ensure that fines go to the city to pay for the camera system rather than to other political subdivisions.

In the 20-page legislative policy draft approved by city staff and issued to council, the city is asking for legislation to provide tax credits for home builders who install automatic fire suppression systems in new homes. The request is a response to new guidelines in international fire code for sprinkler systems.

Other priorities include support of increased funding for the state Aviation Trust Fund, which supports public airports; Sunshine Law exemptions for police internal affairs records; and continued support for statewide economic development programs.

Not on the list

One item that isn't on the legislative priority list generated a lot of discussion at the meeting: the possibility of a federal stimulus package for infrastructure investments. President-elect Barack Obama has discussed the package as a way to create additional jobs, similar to the Works Progress Administration programs of the 1930s and 1940s.

Mayor Tom Carlson said if the stimulus package does happen, Springfield needs to be ready with ideas.

"We've talked a lot about alternative forms of transportation, and if there really is going to be ... a lot of money available, we ought to seriously be thinking about where to be spending that," he said. "This may be a once-in-50-years opportunity to get capital funds for those projects."

Carlson also noted that now may be a good time to seriously consider major investment in mass transit, an idea seconded by councilmen Ralph Manley and Dan Chiles.

Chiles noted the needs to invest in storm-water improvements and reduce pollution levels created by motor vehicles.

"On storm-water compliance, the (Environmental Protection Agency) has given us notice that we will soon be out of compliance, and if we don't come up with a plan, we'll face major fines," Chiles said, adding that the EPA has given similar warnings about air pollution levels.

City Manager Greg Burris said the city's Public Works department already is compiling a list of projects for which to request federal funding, though he added that funding is more likely for projects that can be started quickly.

"What we've heard is that they're going to smile more favorably on those who have already taken some action for planning," Burris said. "The emphasis ... is on job creation, so you have to be really ready to snap into action and start the projects."

Council is expected to vote on the official priority list in January; the Missouri General Assembly convenes Jan. 7.

Clean audit

Council also heard the results of the annual independent audit of the city's finances.

Kansas City accounting firm KPMG gave the city an unqualified opinion, meaning there were no material misstatements in the city's financial records for the fiscal year that ended June 30.

KPMG Partner Michelle Stromp, who led the audit for Springfield, praised the city for receiving the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada. Fiscal 2008 marks the 31st consecutive year Springfield has received the honor.

She also said the city is ahead of the game in adopting new additions to the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, which act as a national framework for financial accounting.[[In-content Ad]]