Video by Rob Schmidt

After a verbal storm of profanity and name-calling, the St. Joseph City Council decided to accept its share of federal stimulus money Thursday.

The council approved an ordinance 8-1 that will amend the city’s Consolidated Plan 2008 Action Plan for Community Development Block Grant Funding, which allows the city to accept more than $475,000 in federal stimulus money. The amendment states that Downtown redevelopment projects will be the city’s first priority.

Council member Barbara LaBass cast the dissenting vote.

The meeting had a somewhat benign start, with council members explaining their views on the issue. Mayor Ken Shearin and council member Bill Falkner said they favored any plan that would bring stimulus money to St. Joseph, but did not believe funding should be restricted to Downtown. Council member Mike Bozarth explained his philosophical opposition to the idea of a taxpayer-funded federal stimulus.

The debate turned sour when City Manager Vince Capell criticized the council — without referring to anyone by name — for turning a positive issue into a negative. He said some council members were applying President Barack Obama’s general stimulus rhetoric — more jobs, economic recovery — to individual programs that carry separate sets of regulations.

“You’ve got everybody all upset about a whole lot of things because you’re following some general guidelines. You’re not paying attention. You’re not paying attention to the specifics,” Mr. Capell said.

“I think you’re so full of (expletive) your eyes are brown,” Mr. Shearin said. “What I’m telling you is ...”

“And maybe you ought to take that back, mayor,” Mr. Capell demanded.

“I apologize. I apologize,” the mayor said, raising his hand and facing the crowd.

“You should apologize. Why don’t you apologize to me?” Mr. Capell asked.

“I apologize, Big Mouth. Write that down,” Mr. Shearin said, turning to Mr. Capell.

At that point, Deputy Mayor Mike Hirter interrupted to ask the two to get the meeting back on track. Council member Roger Baker banged his desk and followed Mr. Hirter with a motion to halt all discussion and vote on the ordinance.

Mr. Falkner attempted to stop the motion, stating that he had more questions to ask. His colleagues had little sympathy.

“Fine. Vote no,” Mr. Baker said.

The council voted 6-3 to proceed to a vote, then passed the ordinance 8-1.

After the vote, Mr. Falkner asked city staff to explain why Downtown had been given preferential treatment when other parts of the city may also have been eligible.

Gerald McCush, director of community development, said Downtown was the city’s first priority, though not necessarily the only priority. He predicted businesses from other parts of town would submit projects to receive the new CDBG funding from the stimulus.

“The amendment we passed is the first step in the process,” Mr. McCush said. “It’s by no means the last step.”

Mr. McCush added that, in the past, the city had used somewhat generic language in its CDBG applications to accommodate as many types of projects as possible. Now, the Department of Housing and Urban Development has asked for more specific information on the application, hence the city’s statement that Downtown is the first priority.

Mr. Capell noted the list of goals the council formed when it took office, with Downtown redevelopment at the top of the list.

The mayor attempted to close the meeting before the public had a chance to comment.

Citizens shouted in protest, ignored the gavel, and stepped to the podium anyway.

Steve Louk, president of Cleform Tool Corp., spoke on behalf of businesses in the Eastside Industrial Park. Businesses in the industrial park have long sought city assistance to repair crumbling roads in the area.

“If you’re not sure if our project is eligible, why can’t we apply and let HUD tell us it doesn’t qualify?” Mr. Louk asked.

Sarah Hochschwender, a local citizen who has consistently supported Downtown endeavors, reminded the council that it has the power to direct city staff to rewrite ordinances if council members do not like the way they are worded.

With the ordinance approved, the city must meet tight deadlines to select projects to receive stimulus money.

“We can sit here and hash this out all we want, but the bottom line is we did the right thing here tonight,” Mr. Hirter said.

Clinton Thomas can be reached

at clintonthomas@npgco.com.