YOUR BUSINESS AUTHORITY
Springfield, MO
YOUR BUSINESS AUTHORITY
Springfield, MO
With local coronavirus cases continuing to grow, Springfield City Council on Oct. 5 voted unanimously to extend the city’s masking mandate through early 2021.
That means face coverings must continue to be worn at all businesses within public spaces, including social clubs and sporting events. Violations could result in a fine of up to $100. In addition, business owners who do not comply and require face coverings in their establishments may face suspension or revocation of their business permit or license, according to the new ordinance. First enacted in July, the mandate now is extended until Jan. 9, 2021. While the mandate remains in place, the latest approved ordinance increases occupancy limitation for city-permitted events on public property to 50%, up from 25% occupancy.
Springfield-Greene County Public Health Department Director Clay Goddard told council members 392 cases were added in the first four days of October. As of Oct. 7, there have been 7,858 cases and 112 deaths in Greene County since the pandemic began, according to the Health Department's COVID-19 dashboard.
“Nobody likes wearing these masks; nobody likes taking these steps. But we recognize that we have rights and responsibilities, and an inconvenience is worth it to protect the health of our fellow citizens, keep local businesses open and keep the community running,” Councilperson Matthew Simpson said before voting.
However, 12 of the 17 public speakers who addressed council opposed the extension. Springfield artist Meike Aton told council members the mandate has hurt small businesses.
“It used to be a joyful gathering place. Now, it is not,” Aton said of her art gallery at 1200 E. Woodhurst Drive. “I offer therapeutic creativity with my art workshops – now, I am not. These are great losses to the community, especially during times of uncertainty, like we are facing right now.”
She encouraged council to recommend the masks rather than require them.
“If the businesses are not a concern to you, you probably still have your job and your livelihoods,” said Aton.
Springfield Director of Public Information and Civic Engagement Cora Scott said the city received 1,067 comments online prior to the meeting, with 878 in support of the proposal.
“Additionally, we had 225 calls submitted. We received 169 in support and 56 in opposition,” she said via email.
Council members also heard from local college officials, who recently penned an open letter to council recommending continued face mask requirements. Leaders of Missouri State, Evangel and Drury universities, as well as Ozarks Technical Community College, addressed council in favor of extending the masking mandate.
“We have seen almost a 100% compliance with the masking requirement,” MSU President Clif Smart said. “We have seen our numbers go down five weeks in a row; most importantly, we have not had a single faculty member contract the virus while teaching in a classroom.”
Council approved the mandate 8-0, with council member Phyllis Ferguson recusing herself abstaining from the vote. She also abstained from voting on the mandate this summer, due to her role in the restaurant industry that must enforce the mandate. Ferguson serves as chief operating officer for Mexican Villa.
“Based on the possibility of an appearance of impropriety – no matter how I vote – I will be abstaining tonight from voting on the masking ordinance to avoid an appearance of impropriety and to preserve public faith in the actions of City Council,” Ferguson said during the vote.
Council member Jan Fisk said future extensions are possible.
“Not until I have proof from our experts that our cases are manageable, will I ever entertain expiring this ordinance,” Fisk said before voting.
Residential development
Council voted unanimously to annex 45 acres of private land at 6177 S. Farm Road 189 – and rezone 38 acres of the property to single-family residential. Located east of the Millwood Golf and Racquet Club, the land has been used by owners Frank and Kimberly Steed for agricultural purposes.
The Steeds intended to sell the property to K2 Commercial Group of Chesterfield for a single-family and patio home development, according to sources involved in the project. However, by another unanimous vote, council did not approve the owners’ request to rezone 6.7 acres to a residential townhouse district.
Residents of the Millwood subdivision wrote letters expressing their concerns about traffic safety and property value, according to bill documents. Councilperson Craig Hosmer called the opposition to the townhouses legitimate, and fellow member Abe McGull agreed.
“If the developer wanted to bring townhomes out on the road of Highway 189, I think that would make more sense,” McGull said. “But this doesn’t make any sense in terms of the scheme, the scope of the zoning in that area.”
Officials with CJW Transportation Consultants LLC say Craig Kiser of K2 Commercial has a contract in place to purchase the property.
Body cameras contract
Council authorized the city to enter into a contract with Motorola for the purchase of body cameras and related hardware for the Springfield Police Department. The $612,376 budgeted for the program will come from the quarter-cent capital improvements sales tax and the Minor Neighborhood Improvements Fund. The expense covers the first of the year program.
