City of Columbia City Council met Jan. 20.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of Columbia, Illinois Held Tuesday, January 20, 2026 in the Council Room of City Hall.
A. Call Meeting tto order
Mayor Hill called the City Council of Columbia, Illinois to order at 6:30 PM.
B. Roll call
Present: Aldermen Holtkamp, Khoury, Lawlor, Nobbe, Hitzemann and Mayer. Alderman Mayer left at 7:40 PM.
Absent: Aldermen Huch and Riddle.
Quorum present.
Ad ministrative Staff present:
City Administrator Douglas Brimm
City Attorney Terry Bruckert
City Treasurer Emily Voellinger
EMS Chief Kim Lamprecht
Library Director Michelle Sawicki
City Clerk Derek Reichert
Deputy City Clerk Kelly Mathews
City Engineer Chris Smith
Chief of Police Jason Donjon
Director of Public Works Mike Sander
C. Pledge of Allegiance
Those-in attendance recited the Pledge of Allegiance.
D. Proclamations /Recognitions /Presentations
There were no Proclamations/Recognitions/Presentations.
E. Public Input
There was-no Public Input.
F. Comments & Announcements -Mayor
Mayor Hill announced the Chocolate Walk event will be held on February 7, 2026.
G. Comments & Announcements -Aldermen
There were no Aldermen Comments & Announcements.
H. Comments & Announcements -Department Directors
Mr. Brimm explained the Illinois Environmental Protection Ageney (IIlinois EPA) contacted the City to report a PFOS result has been detected above the applicable standard in the Village of Dupo’s Community Water System. Due to an emergency interconnection the City has with the Village of Dupo, the Crty was required to send out a Right-to-Know notice to all City water customers.
I. Consent Agenda
City Clerk Richert read the Consent Agenda.
1. Motion to Approve Minutes of the January 5, 2026 Regular city council Meeting 2. Motion to Approve Closed Session Minutes of the January 5, 2026 Regular City Council Meeting 3. Motion to Approve Payment of vouchers for the Period of December 30, 2026 through January 15, 2026 totaling $896,191.17
Mayor Hill inquired if the Council wished to remove any items prior to a motion. There were none.
.Motion:
It was moved by Alderman Holtkamp, and seconded by Alderman Nobbe, to approve the Consent Agenda as read.
Motion Passed.
Roll Call Vote results:
6 Aye: Holtkamp, Khoury, Lawlor Nobbe, Hitzemann, and Mayer
0 Nay:
2 Absent: Huch and Riddle
0 Abstain:
I. Unfinished Business
1. Ordinance No. 3726Amendingsection 5.20.080ofthecityofcolumbia Municipal code Regarding Classification of Liquor Licenses and Creating a Class J (Mobile Bartender) License
Motion:
It was moved by Alderman Lawlor, and seconded by Alderman Khoury, to Pass and Approve Ordinance No. 3726, an Ordinance Amending Section 5.20.080 of the City of Columbia Municipal Code Regarding Classification of Liquor Licenses and Creating a Class J (Mobile Bartender) License
Motion Passed.
Roll Call Vote results:
6 Aye: Holtkamp, Khoury, Lawlor Nobbe, Hitzemann, and Mayer
0 Nay:
2 Absent: Huch and Riddle
0 Abstain:
2. Ordinance No. 3727 Authorizing the Mayor to Affix His signature to Loan Documents/Agreements with Bank of Belleville for the Financing to Purchase Property at 11800 Old BIuff Road
Mr. Brimm explained Staff recommends entering into a bank-qualified, tax exempt general obligation loan with Bank of Belleville. This will allow the City to borrow $6,9cO,000 from Bank of Belleville for a 12 months term, a 3.55% interest rate, and the principal and interest due at maturity.
Mr. Brimm also explained this borrowing will provide interim financing for the property acquisition. Debt service will be paid from legally available funds and is intended to be refinanced through issuance of long-term bonds. This loan will count toward the City’s statutory debt limit.
Motion:
It was moved by Alderman Nobbe, and seconded by Alderman Mayer, to Pass and Approve Ordinance No. 3727, an Ordinance Authorizing the Mayor to Affix His Signature to Loan Documents/Agreements with Bank of Belleville for the Financing to Purchase Property at 11800 Old BIuff Road
Motion Passed.
Roll Call Vote results:
6 Aye: Holtkamp, Khoury, Lawlor Nobbe, Hitzemann, and Mayer
0 Nay:
2 Absent: Huch and Riddle
0 Abstain:
3. Resolution No. 2026-01 Approving an Agreement between Shree Umiya Mataj.i lnc DBA Red Roof Lottery and Liquor and the City of Columbia, Illinois
Mr. Brimm explained Resolution No. 2026-01 establishes a rebate mechanism intended to offset the incremental 1% Business District sales tax impact on motor fuel sales to Red Roof. Under the Agreement, the City will rebate an amount equal to 1% of total fuel sales, as certified by Red Roof, subject to the documentation and reporting provisions set forth in the agreement.
Motion:
It was moved by Alderman Mayer, and seconded by Alderman Khoury, to Pass and Approve Resolution No. 2026-01, a Resolution Approving an Agreement between Shree Umiya Mataji lnc DBA Red Roof Lottery and Liquor and the City of Columbia, Illinois
Motion Passed.
Roll Call Vote results:
6 Aye: Holtkamp, Khoury, Lawlor Nobbe, Hitzemann, and Mayer
0 Nay:
2 Absent: Huch and Riddle
0 Abstain:
4. Motion to waive Bidding Requirement for carr creek stream Mitigation project
Mr. Smith explained the US Army Corps of Engineers approved the City’s approach to offset the impact of the Valmeyer Road Reconstruction Project on Carr Creek by installing riffles downstream from the site of the box culvert installation underway. These riffles, comprised of rip rap, eliminate the need for the City to purchase stream mitigation credits under the clean Water Act. Mr. Smith reported Staff is seeking approval to waive the competitive bidding process.
Staff will contact a minimum of 3 qualified contractors to solicit proposals and the proposals received will be discussed at the Council at the February 2, 2026 meeting for consideration.
Motion:
It was moved by Alderman Holtkamp, and seconded by Alderman Hitzemann, to Waive Bidding Requirement for Carr Creek Stream Mitigation Project
Motion Passed.
Roll Call Vote results:
6 Aye: Holtkamp, Khoury, Lawlor Nobbe, Hitzemann, and Mayer
0 Nay:
2 Absent: Huch and Riddle
0 Abstain:
K. New Business
1. Motion to Approve Proposal for Engineering Services by Curry & Associates Engineers, Inc. for Illinois EPA Funding Application Submital (Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrades)
Motion:
It was moved by Alderman Holtkamp, and seconded by Alderman Nobbe, to Approve Proposal for Engineering Services by Curry & Associates Engineers, lnc. for Illinois EPA Funding Application Submittal (Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrades)
Motion Passed.
Roll Call Vote results:
6 Aye: Holtkamp, Khoury, Lawlor Nobbe, Hitzemann, and Mayer
0 Nay:
2 Absent: Huch and Riddle
0 Abstain:
2. Motion to Award Bid for Creekside Park Trail Connector Project to DMS Contracting, lnc. in the Amount of $928,456.94
Motion:
lt was moved by Alderman Khoury, and seconded by Alderman Mayer, to Award Bid for Creekside Park Trail Connector Project to DMS Contracting, lnc. in the Amount of $928,456.94
Motion Passed.
Roll Call Vote results:
6 Aye: Holtkamp, Khoury, Lawlor Nobbe, Hitzemann, and Mayer
0 Nay:
2 Absent: Huch and Riddle
0 Abstain:
L. Closed session
Mayor Hill informed the Council that he would entertain a motion to go into Closed Session to discuss 5 lLCS 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 lLCS 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 Hitzemann, to direct the Mayor to go into Closed Session at 7:08 PM to discuss 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1) Appointment, Employment, Compensation, Discipline, Performance, or Dismissal of Specific Employees of the Public Body, 5 lLCS 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:
6 Aye: Holtkamp, Khoury, Lawlor Nobbe, Hitzemann, and Mayer
0 Nay:
2 Absent: Huch and Riddle
0 Abstain:
Mayor Hill called the Regular Session of the City Council back to order at 7:59 PM. Upon return to Regular Session, Aldermen, Holtkamp, Khoury, Lawlor, Nobbe, Hitzemann, and were present. Alderman Mayer left Closed Session at 7:40 PM.
M. Announcements
There were no Announcements.
N. Adjournment
Motion:
It was moved by Alderman Nobbe, and seconded by Alderman Riddle to adjourn the Regular City Council meeting held Tuesday, January 20, 2026 at 7:59 PM.
Motion Passed.
Roll Call Vote results:
6 Aye: Holtkamp, Khoury, Lawlor Nobbe, Hitzemann, and Mayer
0 Nay:
2 Absent: Huch and Riddle
0 Abstain
https://www.columbiail.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_01202026-438
