A vote on buying a new vehicle for the Aurora Police Department turned into a disagreement between Ald. John Laesch, at large, Mayor Richard Irvin and city staff over the availability of electric vehicles.
Eventually, aldermen voted 11-1 to allow the Aurora Police Department to spend up to $60,000 for an additional fleet vehicle. The vote took place during Tuesday’s regular City Council meeting.
Aurora Police Lt. Bill Rowley, administrative services officer, said while it has not yet been decided, the department would likely ask for an SUV as the vehicle, which is supposed to be for the public information officer. That person often carries equipment that “wouldn’t fit in a Prius, for example,” Rowley said.
Laesch moved to amend the resolution to require that the purchase be only an electric vehicle. His amendment was seconded by Ald. Ted Mesiacos, 3rd Ward.
Irvin had city staff speak to the issue of buying electric vehicles. Derek Winston, the city’s public facilities director, said “there is not a lot out there” due to production problems. He said when buying vehicles, the first consideration is what is the most efficient vehicle available.
“Our biggest hurdle now has been production,” he said.
Rowley said the cost of an electric SUV would be more than the $60,000 budgeted.
Laesch tried to counter that with information he had about an electric SUV that would be available for less than $60,000, but he was eventually ruled out of order by Irvin.
“There is no supply chain issue,” Laesch said.
Aldermen voted 11-1 against the amendment requiring an electric vehicle and then voted 11-1 to allow the purchase of any vehicle, up to $60,000.
After the vote, Ald. Carl Franco, 5th Ward, suggested that if Laesch had information about an electric vehicle that was available, he should have talked to staff about it ahead of time instead of bringing it up at the time of the final vote.
“I think some people forget that we’re on the same page, that this is a team decision,” Franco said. “It’s frustrating because it becomes about them, and not the people of the city.”
Laesch said he has had conversations with staff about converting the fleet to electric – although not necessarily about this particular purchase – and that he “would have liked to present my information” during the council meeting.
“I wasn’t given the opportunity to speak,” he said.
After Ald. Edward Bugg, 9th Ward, suggested Laesch should have been able to address the city’s legal counsel on a point of order, Irvin said “that’s not true.”
“As the chair of this body, I am the one who determines how we proceed, period,” he said.
slord@tribpub.com
