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ALTON – One of Alton’s city attorneys and its director of planning, zoning, and code enforcement were not reappointed this week after a clash between city officials and two split votes.
City Council members voted to accept the reappointments of the vast majority of city officials appointed by the mayor, except for two. These include City Attorney Rodney Caffey and Greg Caffey, the city’s director of Planning and Development, Building and Zoning, and Code Enforcement.
Rodney’s reappointment was rejected in a 5-1 vote, with only Alderwoman Stephanie Elliott voting in favor. Greg’s reappointment was voted down 4-2, with Elliott and Alderwoman Martha Pfister voting in support. Alderwoman Rosie Brown was absent.
This comes two weeks after Alderman Michael Velloff heavily amended an ordinance on city employee residency requirements to deem each of Mayor David Goins’s appointments “null and void” and subject them to City Council approval. Velloff previously voiced concern that the city had no method to remove sitting employees who were “not doing their job.”
Goins was out on vacation when the amendment was made and returned to find himself in “an extraordinarily difficult position,” he said, adding he would have preferred the council lay the item over in his absence.
After seeking legal opinions on the matter, the mayor said issues would likely arise whether or not he submitted the names for reappointment as required under the amended ordinance. He asked the council to once again lay the item over until its legal validity could be evaluated further.
“The City has received multiple independent legal opinions concluding that Ordinance No. 7999 conflicts with the Illinois Municipal Code and that enforcement of its provision declaring prior mayoral appointments ‘null and void’ is likely unenforceable and presents substantial legal risk to the City,” Goins said.
The mayor said he was essentially left with two options – submit the names for reappointment to comply with an ordinance facing legal scrutiny, or choose not to submit the names for reappointment while the ordinance’s legal validity is decided upon. Goins chose not to submit the names for reappointment.
“I have been advised that the lawful appointments made prior to Ordinance No. 7999 remain effective unless and until they are lawfully terminated or otherwise expire under applicable law,” Goins added. “My decision not to submit reappointments pursuant to Ordinance No. 7999 should not be interpreted as a termination of employment or appointment. City employees and appointed officials should continue to report to work, perform their assigned duties, and conduct City business in the ordinary course.”
Shortly after the votes to reject two of the mayor’s appointees, Goins said Velloff’s actions were done “in design” to make his second term more difficult after Goins refused to remove both Caffeys at Velloff’s request.
“Prior to me being sworn into my second term at City Council, I was approached by Alderman Velloff, who had advised me that he wanted me to remove Rodney Caffey and Greg Caffey. He stated that he had the votes,” Goins said, adding Velloff allegedly told him “it would be a rough four years” for the mayor if he refused to remove both Caffeys.
Velloff denied the mayor’s claims, stating his actions were based on “job performance.” Velloff had previously criticized Rodney for a perceived lack of transparency regarding the city’s billing procedures for legal services. Greg has drawn criticism from Velloff for allowing the construction of a power plant to proceed without proper notice or permits from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, as well as allowing the city to amass over $13,000 in state fines regarding long-overdue financial reports.
While Goins said the city’s Corporation Counselor Heidi Eckert believes the amended ordinance is “lawful,” the mayor said he plans to use every legal avenue available to “fight this tooth and nail.”
A full recording of the July 22, 2026 Alton City Council meeting is available at the top of this story or on Riverbender.com/video.
