City of Columbia City Council met Feb. 17.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
A. Call Meeting to Order
Mayor Hill called the City Council of Columbia, Illinois to order at 6:30 PM.
B. Roll Call
Present: Aldermen Huch, Holtkamp, Khoury, Lawlor, Nobbe, Hitzemann, and Mayer.
Absent: Alderman Riddle.
Quorum present.
Administrative Staff present:
City Attorney Terry Bruckert
City Administrator Douglas Brimm
Director of Public Works Mike Sander
City Engineer Chris Smith
Chief of Police Jason Donjon
Land Use & Planning Coordinator John Brancaglione
EMS Chief Kim Lamprecht
Deputy Chief of Police Josh Bayer
Library Director Michelle Sawicki
Assistant Library Director Crystal Snyder
Deputy City Clerk Kelly Mathews
C. Pledge of Allegiance
Those in attendance recited the Pledge of Allegiance.
D. Proclamations/Recognitions/Presentations
1. 75th Anniversary of the Columbia Public Library Proclamation
Mayor Hill presented the Columbia Public Library members, Friends of the Library, and the Columbia Woman’s Club a proclamation wishing the library a happy 75th Anniversary.
2. NPDES Permit for Storm Water Discharges from Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4) Report Mr. Smith presented the MS4 report.
E. Public Input
John Csik addressed the Council regarding the denial of ground-mounted solar at his home and the proposed solar code amendment.
F. Comments & Announcements ‐ Mayor
Mayor Hill addressed a recent Republic-Times newspaper article regarding Illinois American Water rates.
Mayor Hill recognized Karla Heine on her retirement from the Columbia Police Department.
G. Comments & Announcements ‐ Aldermen
There were no Aldermen Comments & Announcements.
H. Comments & Announcements – Department Directors
Director of Public Works Mike Sander provided an update regarding the recent snow storm.
I. Consent Agenda
City Administrator Brimm read the Consent Agenda.
1. Motion to Approve Minutes of the February 2, 2026 Regular City Council Meeting
2. Motion to Approve Closed Session Minutes of the February 2, 2026 Regular City Council Meeting
3. Motion to Approve Payment of Vouchers for the Period of January 30, 2026 through February 12, 2026 totaling $608,048.31
4. Motion to Approve Special Event Application – Electronic Recycling (August 1, 2026)
5. Motion to Approve Special Event Application – Shakespeare in the Park (September 3, 2026)
6. Motion to Approve Special Event Application – FestiFall (October 4, 2026)
7. Motion to Approve Special Event Application – Halloween Hi-Jinks (October 24, 2026)
8. Motion to Approve Special Event Application – Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony (November 28, 2026)
9. Motion to Approve Special Event Application – Bright Night Christmas Parade (December 5, 2026)
Mayor Hill inquired if the Council wished to remove any items prior to a motion. There were none.
Motion:
It was moved by Alderman Nobbe, and seconded by Alderman Mayer, to approve the Consent Agenda as read.
Motion Passed.
Roll Call Vote results:
7 Aye: Huch, Holtkamp, Riddle, Khoury, Lawlor Nobbe, Hitzemann, and Mayer
0 Nay:
1 Absent: Riddle
0 Abstain:
J. Unfinished Business
1. Ordinance No. 3728 to Fill the Offices of Appointed City Officers for the Fiscal Year of the City Commencing May 1, 2025 and Ending April 30, 2026
Motion:
It was moved by Alderman Huch, and seconded by Alderman Khoury, to Pass and Approve Ordinance No. 3728, an Ordinance to Fill the Offices of Appointed City Officers for the Fiscal Year of the City Commencing May 1, 2025 and Ending April 30, 2026
Motion Passed.
Roll Call Vote results:
7 Aye: Huch, Holtkamp, Riddle, Khoury, Lawlor Nobbe, Hitzemann, and Mayer
0 Nay:
1 Absent: Riddle
0 Abstain:
Mayor Hill administered the Oath of Office to Deputy Chief of Police Joshua Bayer.
2. Resolution No. 2026-03 Approving an Illinois Cash Farm Lease Between the City of Columbia, Illinois and Daniel Sondag (Illinois Route 3 Property)
Motion:
It was moved by Alderman Lawlor, and seconded by Alderman Holtkamp, to Pass and Approve Resolution No. 2026-03 Approving an Illinois Cash Farm Lease Between the City of Columbia, Illinois and Daniel Sondag (Illinois Route 3 Property)
Motion Passed.
Roll Call Vote results:
7 Aye: Huch, Holtkamp, Riddle, Khoury, Lawlor Nobbe, Hitzemann, and Mayer
0 Nay:
1 Absent: Riddle
0 Abstain:
K. New Business 1. Motion to Approve an Agreement for Reimbursable Utility Adjustment Between the City of Columbia, Illinois and Village of Dupo, Illinois for Utility Design Engineering and Easement Acquisition (I-255 Interchange Project)
Motion:
It was moved by Alderman Holtkamp, and seconded by Alderman Mayer, to Approve an Agreement for Reimbursable Utility Adjustment Between the City of Columbia, Illinois and Village of Dupo, Illinois for Utility Design Engineering and Easement Acquisition (I-255 Interchange Project)
Motion Passed.
Roll Call Vote results:
7 Aye: Huch, Holtkamp, Riddle, Khoury, Lawlor Nobbe, Hitzemann, and Mayer
0 Nay:
1 Absent: Riddle
0 Abstain:
2. Motion to Approve Engineering Services Agreement with Millennia Professional Services for the Creekside Park Connector Trail Project
Motion:
It was moved by Alderman Huch, and seconded by Alderman Nobbe, to Approve Engineering Services Agreement with Millennia Professional Services for the Creekside Park Connector Trail Project
Motion Passed.
Roll Call Vote results:
7 Aye: Huch, Holtkamp, Riddle, Khoury, Lawlor Nobbe, Hitzemann, and Mayer
0 Nay:
1 Absent: Riddle
0 Abstain:
3. Motion to Approve Professional Services Agreement with Heneghan and Associates for the Breidecker Street Improvement Project
Motion:
It was moved by Alderman Nobbe, and seconded by Alderman Hitzemann, to Approve Professional Services Agreement with Heneghan and Associates for the Breidecker Street Improvement Project
Motion Passed.
Roll Call Vote results:
7 Aye: Huch, Holtkamp, Riddle, Khoury, Lawlor Nobbe, Hitzemann, and Mayer
0 Nay:
1 Absent: Riddle
0 Abstain:
4. Motion to Approve Preliminary Engineering with Gonzalez Companies, Inc. for the Main Street Streetscape-Phase IV Project
Motion:
It was moved by Alderman Nobbe, and seconded by Alderman Mayer, to Approve Preliminary Engineering with Gonzalez Companies, Inc. for the Main Street Streetscape-Phase IV Project
Motion Passed.
Roll Call Vote results:
7 Aye: Huch, Holtkamp, Riddle, Khoury, Lawlor Nobbe, Hitzemann, and Mayer
0 Nay:
1 Absent: Riddle
0 Abstain:
5. Motion to Approve Towing Agreement with M&C Auto Repair and Towing LLC for Police Department Towing Services
Mr. Brimm requested this item be pulled from the agenda.
6. Discussion of an Amendment to Chapter 17.42.070, Additional Regulations for Solar Energy Systems, of the Zoning Code to Amend the Regulations for Solar Installations
Mr. Brancaglione explained he is proposing an amendment to the current section of the code pertaining to solar energy systems not containing adequate language. The Plan Commission conducted a public hearing on the matter on February 9, 2026. Upon consideration, they unanimously recommended approval of the amended regulations as submitted.
7. Discussion of an Amendment to Chapter 17, Zoning, of the Municipal Code to Add Chapter 17.64, Stream Buffer Protection, to Establish Regulations for Stream Buffers
Mr. Brancaglione stated City staff has worked on writing a new Chapter of the Zoning Code to provide regulation of the development intrusions to the areas along stream banks that are recognized as “Blueline” streams and their tributaries by the United States Geological.
8. Discussion of an Amendment to Chapter 54.32, Electrical Code, of the Municipal Code to Amend the Regulations for Electrical Installations
Mr. Sander explained while staff was reviewing Chapter 17.42.070, it was determined that the current electrical code should also be amended to align with Chapter 17.42.070 and Ameren’s requirements regarding solar installations.
9. Discussion of a Special Use Permit Amendment to Allow Ancillary Entertainment in Conjunction with a restaurant at 11604 Bluff Road, in the C-1 Neighborhood Business District with an HP
Historic Preservation Overlay
Mr. Brancaglione explained Sunset Overlook has an existing special use permit approved by Ordinance No. 3529. Sunset Overlook has requested an amendment to the special use to allow ancillary entertainment on the front porch.
The Plan Commission conducted a public hearing on the matter on February 9, 2026. Upon consideration, they unanimously recommended approval of the special use permit amendment with modifications in the proposed stipulations.
L. Closed Session
Mayor Hill informed the Council that he would entertain a motion to go into Closed Session to discuss 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1) Appointment, Employment, Compensation, Discipline, Performance, or Dismissal of Specific Employees of the Public Body, 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(2) Collective Bargaining and 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(6) Setting a Price for the Sale or Lease of Property Owned by the Public Body
Motion:
It was moved by Alderman Nobbe, and seconded by Alderman Huch, to direct the Mayor to go into Closed Session at 8:18 PM to discuss 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1) Appointment, Employment, Compensation, Discipline, Performance, or Dismissal of Specific Employees of the Public Body, 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(2) Collective Bargaining and 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(6) Setting a Price for the Sale or Lease of Property Owned by the Public Body
Motion Passed.
Roll Call Vote results:
7 Aye: Huch, Holtkamp, Khoury, Lawlor Nobbe, Hitzemann, and Mayer
0 Nay:
1 Absent: Riddle
0 Abstain:
Mayor Hill called the Regular Session of the City Council back to order at 8:40 PM. Upon return to Regular Session, Aldermen Huch, Holtkamp, Khoury, Lawlor, Nobbe, Hitzemann, and Mayer were present.
M. Announcements
There were no Announcements.
N. Adjournment
Motion:
It was moved by Alderman Nobbe, and seconded by Alderman Huch to adjourn the Regular City Council meeting held Tuesday, February 17, 2026 at 8:40 PM.
Motion Passed.
Roll Call Vote results:
7 Aye: Huch, Holtkamp, Riddle, Khoury, Lawlor Nobbe, Hitzemann, and Mayer
0 Nay:
1 Absent: Riddle
https://www.columbiail.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_03022026-456
