Chief Procurement Officer Aileen Velazquez and Ald. Jason Ervin (28) speaking during a budget committee meeting on Wednesday.

Aldermen on Wednesday vehemently shot down a proposal from the city’s procurement department that would allow the chief procurement officer to make emergency payments of up to $1 million without City Council approval. The measure would double the current threshold requiring council approval, which is set at $500,000, specifically to allow officials to replenish a low supply of water treatment chemicals, they said.