Council committee advances measure to restructure Citizens’ Advisory Board

The effort to rebuild the city of Springfield’s Citizens’ Advisory Board began yesterday at a meeting of City Council’s Plans & Policies Committee.

The Citizens’ Advisory Board makes recommendations to council for expenditures from a half-cent portion of the city’s three-quarter-cent Spring Forward SGF tax – funds intended for projects that advance the objectives of the Forward SGF comprehensive plan. However, the board’s work halted following a March 2 council workshop, when City Attorney Jordan Paul explained the body was out of alignment with the city’s charter.

The board had three members who were not city residents, it had eight members instead of the charter-required nine, and it did not elect its own chair but instead had one appointed by council. The issues were raised in a complaint by local resident Linda Simkins.

Three CAB members – former Chair Erin Danastasio, Christina Angle and Andy Peebles – are now off the board, and another member has to be appointed to bring the number to nine. Further, the term of member Lauren Shantz expired May 1, though she is eligible for reappointment.

Councilmember Callie Carroll offered her opinion on the CAB restructuring.

“I just on-the-record hate it that these individuals put a lot of time and effort and insight into it, and then it’s like, ‘Thanks, but no thanks,’” she said. “I think that kind of isn’t great, because it’s not their fault by any means; they didn’t do anything wrong.”

Carroll asked if the trio could stay on the CAB in an advisory capacity, and Councilmember Abe McGull, chair of Plans & Policies, said no.

City Clerk Anita Cotter said she would anticipate that the city’s public information office would send out a news release to seek new applicants. A resolution would be considered at the next council meeting, with a Committee of the Whole meeting on June 15 to evaluate applications, including existing ones and new ones that are received. She said council will be provided with only applications of those who qualify for board membership.

Lane filtering
The Plans & Policies Committee considered adopting legislation to allow lane filtering for motorcycles, following council’s unanimous vote to ban lane splitting in March 2025.

The lane filtering measure would allow motorcycles to ride between lanes of stopped traffic to go to the front of the line of traffic at a stop or in heavy congestion, a move that motorcycle advocacy groups say enhances safety for cyclists as it keeps them from being rear-ended by automobile drivers. The committee watched a video on lane filtering prepared by the Colorado State Patrol; the practice is legal in that state.

Lane splitting, a different practice that is not being considered by the committee, occurs when motorcyclists travel between two lanes of traffic moving in the same direction.

David Romano, a Springfield resident who wrote the legislation being considered, told the committee he has been rear-ended twice while stopped in traffic. He said the risk of lane filtering at 15 miles per hour or lower is minimal.

Major Eric Reece of the Springfield Police Department told council that enforcement of a law to allow lane filtering would be challenging.

Reece said he suspected that safety-wise, legalizing lane filtering would be a wash, with fewer incidents of rear-ending and more accidents on right turns.

“People just change one type of accident for a different one,” he said.

He added that if council does pass the measure, he would prefer that cars be stopped to allow it. He also noted that noise complaints may result from having louder motorcycles driving closely beside cars.

McGull said he would like to hear from motorcycle officers to get their opinion, and he would also like to learn if there are other Missouri cities that allow the practice.

Romano said the practice is endorsed by the American Motorcycle Association.

Development incentives
Plans & Policies members also heard a report about development incentives from Matt Schaefer, the city’s assistant director of economic vitality.

During a wide-ranging discussion, Councilmember Craig Hosmer said he would support disincentivizing vacant buildings in the city.

“There’s been a building on our square empty, falling down, for 20 years,” he said. “How do we let that happen? It’s ridiculous.”

McGull said the city is looking at incentivizing investments in abandoned properties.

Carroll said there are developers who would want to work with those properties.

“I think you’re correct, and there is a lot of vacant lots, but if it’s not for sale, these developers can’t purchase it,” she said.

Planning Director Steve Childers said identifying the properties is a start, as is identifying hindrances, like lack of infrastructure. When that information is known, an appropriate incentive can be set.

Hosmer suggested something like a $500 fine every six months for a building that is not appropriately boarded up.

“We’ve just got self-inflicted wounds after self-inflicted wounds that we don’t do anything about,” he said.

McGull said he believes in maximizing the city’s potential and avoiding unnecessary costs in the process. He indicated the committee would discuss Hosmer’s idea in the future.

Community Involvement Committee
Council’s Community Involvement Committee also met yesterday for a report on the Help Without the Hazard public safety initiative.

The program aims to reduce pedestrian and driver safety risks near high-traffic roadways where panhandling activity occurs by encouraging motorists to give help through community-based organizations instead of to individuals on roadways.

The initiative used signage at seven high-traffic locations, removed in March, as well as news releases and social media posts. A website related to the initiative received 450 hits in a year that ended in April.

The initiative faced challenges, including restrictions on sign placement, enforcement challenges and the difficulty posed by balancing education and compassion, according to a report by Director of Public Works Dan Smith.

Councilmember Heather Hardinger said that panhandling is a protected right that cannot be restricted.

The committee plans to look at ways to tweak the program for the future.