Plans and Policies Committee

PLANS AND POLICIES COMMITTEE MEETING July 9, 2025 2:00 p.m. Councilman Denny Whayne Conference Room (Busch Building, 4th Floor) 840 Boonville Avenue MEMBERS PRESENT: Abe McGull, Chair; Callie Carroll; Heather Hardinger; and Craig Hosmer. MEMBERS ABSENT: None. COUNCIL/ STAFF PRESENT: Councilmember Bruce Adib-Yazdi; David Cameron, City Manager; Collin Quigley, Deputy City Manager; Maurice S. Jones, Deputy City Manager; Eric Reece, Police Major; Jordan Paul, City Attorney; Michelle Kaasa, City Clerk Senior Administrative Specialist; and Anita Cotter, City Clerk. GUEST: Jack McGee, Springfield Daily Citizen. Councilmember Abe McGull, Chair, called the meeting to order at approximately 2:00 p.m. He welcomed everyone and reviewed the meeting topic which was a discussion on the Chair's recommendation to City Council to refer consideration of adoption of policies to provide staff guidance when considering specific utility growth areas to encourage growth in the County to the Community Involvement Committee and review and consideration of changes to General Ordinance 6913. Roll call was conducted. Present: Callie Carroll, Heather Hardinger, Craig Hosmer, and Abe McGull. Absent: None. Councilmember Carroll moved to approve the minutes of the March 12, 2025, meeting as presented. Mayor Pro Tem Hardinger seconded the motion, and it was approved by the following vote: Ayes: Carroll, Hardinger, Hosmer, and McGull. Nays: None. Absent: None. Abstain: None. The Committee discussed the Chair’s recommendation to City Council to refer consideration of adoption of policies to provide staff guidance when considering specific utility growth areas to encourage growth in the County to the Community Involvement Committee. Councilmember McGull noted Councilmember Lee had expressed interest in the topic. He further noted there were no objections from the Community Involvement Committee Chair, Councilmember Carroll, to the referral. Approved by Plans and Policies Committee August 13, 2025 Councilmember McGull noted the items would be taken out of order. He further noted item 4 would be discussed, then item 3. Mayor Pro Tem Hardinger moved to recommend to City Council to refer consideration of adoption of policies to provide staff guidance when considering specific utility growth areas to encourage growth in the County to the Community Involvement Committee. Councilmember Carroll seconded the motion, and it was approved by the following vote: Ayes: Hardinger, Hosmer, Carroll, and McGull. Nays: None. Absent: None. Abstain: None. Councilmember McGull began the discussion of General Ordinance 6913. He expressed his belief the ordinance had good intentions. He noted there was concern regarding towing and storage fees. Councilmember McGull further noted the Mayor asked the Committee to review and wanted the Police Department to provide an overview of how the ordinance was applied and any unintended consequences. David Cameron, City Manager, introduced Major Reece from the Springfield Police Department, who was in attendance to answer any questions. Councilmember McGull asked how many vehicles were towed since the passage of the ordinance. Major Reece responded 24 had been towed. Councilmember McGull asked the longest stay in storage of the 24, and what was the cost. Major Reece responded 12 vehicles were released and noted he would provide follow up on the average cost. Councilmember McGull asked if an inspection was needed would the tow lot have the ability to provide an inspection if needed. Major Reece responded they did not. Councilmember McGull noted this issue had been brought forward. He further noted there was an issue with taking a vehicle that had been towed to be inspected. Major Reece responded he would provide the data. Councilmember Hosmer asked if the vehicle could be released without inspection. Mr. Paul responded there was a risk of being pulled over. He noted the owner would have to pay the tow fee and show ownership to have the vehicle released, and there was no inspection requirement to have the vehicle released. Councilmember Hosmer asked if the ordinance had been effective in more vehicles being legal and having insurance. Major Reece responded affirmatively. Councilmember Hosmer noted the number of vehicles towed was a small portion of vehicles. He asked if tow charges could be monitored by contract or ordinance. Major Reece responded affirmatively. Councilmember Hosmer noted $4.3 million in taxes had been collected since the ordinance was passed. Councilmember Hosmer asked if officers had noticed an increase in registered vehicles. Major Reece responded affirmatively. Councilmember Hosmer expressed his belief there had historically been a problem with uninsured and unregistered vehicles and asked if adding the added the ordinance had caused more individuals to register and insure their vehicles. Councilmember McGull expressed his agreement with the legislation. He further expressed his belief that unintended consequences needed to be considered and wanted to discuss any changes that may be needed to resolve these consequences. Councilmember McGull asked if a maximum towing fee could be set. Councilmember Hosmer expressed his belief a tow yard ordinance could resolve any issues with fees and inspections. Approved by Plans and Policies Committee August 13, 2025 Mayor Pro Tem Hardinger expressed her belief the ordinance had been effective, and the goal of having people in compliance was being achieved. She noted the number of individuals impacted was relatively low with twelve vehicles remaining in impound. Mayor Pro Tem Hardinger asked the status of the twelve vehicles remaining in impound. She expressed her belief a missing strategy could be assistance for individuals with vehicles in impound. Councilmember Carroll expressed her agreement with having a tow maximum cost. She asked if a payment plan could be provided. Mr. Quigley noted the City had a towing contract with Henry's through January 31, 2026. He added the fee was $90 for the tow plus $30 per day for a small vehicle and $50 per day for a large vehicle. Mr. Quigley noted the contract could be sent out again to the Committee. Mayor Pro Tem Hardinger expressed her belief she did not want people to owe more in fees than taxes, and Councilmember Carroll expressed she did not want individuals to miss work. Mr. Quigley noted it was necessary to contract with a towing company as the City did not have a storage lot for this purpose. He added the reason the City did custody tows was to ensure individuals did not leave their vehicles unattended, and the company could go after the vehicle title after a certain amount of time. Councilmember McGull asked if a fee amount could be given at the time of tow. Major Reece responded this was not the practice. Councilmember Carroll asked what the situations were regarding the 24 towed. Major Reece responded most of the 24 vehicles were over a year expired, and Police Officers used heavy discretion on towing, with towing being the last option. Councilmember McGull asked if the City had considered using a boot. Mr. Quigley responded not for moving vehicles. Councilmember Hosmer asked the total number of tows in the City. He expressed his belief private tows would be a more significant number. Major Reese responded the number of custody tows could be provided. Mr. Quigley responded the data for private tows may not be known as some were private lot owners. Councilmember McGull expressed his concern that government was authorizing the tow and asked at what point did the taking of the vehicle become an issue. Councilmember McGull asked for answers to why the 12 vehicles were remaining in storage and the number of vehicles towed overall. Major Reece responded he would research the questions and provide the data. He noted the information on storage fees could be put in the report Councilmember Hosmer asked that the number of individuals that had registered their vehicles since the passage of the ordinance be included in the report. Approved by Plans and Policies Committee August 13, 2025 Councilmember Carroll asked if there was any way to differentiate between those paid for new vehicles and other registrations. Mr. Quigley responded the County could possibly provide the number of registrations for a certain period of time. Councilmember McGull expressed his belief the ordinance was beneficial in prompting individuals to comply with law. He further expressed his belief he did not want the ordinance to cause other issues. Councilmember Hardinger expressed her belief it was important for individuals to understand the process. She noted it seemed Officers were using discretion for the tows. Councilmember McGull noted he would like to see a standard form be provided to individuals when they were towed. Councilmember Hosmer noted he would like data on the 24 that were towed such as how long they were out of compliance and if they had insurance. Mr. Cameron noted it would be beneficial to consider how to address the 12 vehicles remaining in storage, the fees, and a way for these individuals to navigate out of the issue. Major Reece responded the process would need to be considered. Councilmember Hosmer expressed his belief this would depend on circumstances. He expressed his belief the issue was with individuals not following law. Councilmember Hardinger expressed her belief an assistance pathway for individuals to get in compliance could be considered, and the goal was to ensure taxes were paid. Councilmember Hosmer expressed his belief the goal was compliance. He further expressed his belief there was a problem with lack of enforcement and all individuals pay more because of lack of compliance. Councilmember Hardinger expressed her belief the number of individuals who could not comply was low. She noted the ordinance had made individuals more aware of needing to pay taxes. Major Reece noted he would email the information to the City Clerk. Councilmember McGull asked Councilmember Adib-Yazdi, who was in attendance, if he had any comments. Councilmember Adib-Yazdi expressed his agreement with having a form to be handed out and the option for payment plans. Councilmember Carroll moved to adjourn. Mayor Pro Tem Hardinger seconded the motion, and it was approved by the following vote: Ayes: Hardinger, Hosmer, Carroll, and McGull. Nays: None. Absent: None. Abstain: None. The meeting adjourned at approximately 2:36 p.m. Prepared by Michelle Kaasa Approved by Plans and Policies Committee August 13, 2025