South West Illinois News

City of Columbia Committee of the Whole met Aug. 26.

Here is the minutes provided by the committee:

I. CALL TO ORDER 

Chairman Ebersohl called the Committee of the Whole committee meeting of the City Council of the City of Columbia, Illinois to order at 7:00 P.M.

Upon Roll Call, the following members were:

Present: Committee Members - Chairman Ebersohl and Aldermen Agne, Niemietz, Roessler, Holtkamp, Martens, and Riddle. Mayor Hutchinson was also present.

Absent: Alderman Huch.

Quorum Present.

Administrative Staff Present: Interim City Administrator Al Hudzik, City Attorney Luke Behme, Director of Community Development Scott Dunakey, EMS Chief Kim Lamprecht, Chief of Police Jerry Paul, Deputy Chief of Police Jason Donjon, City Engineer Chris Smith, and Deputy Clerk Kelly Mathews.

Chairman Ebersohl stated the meeting was called for the following purposes: (1) Donation Drive - Knights of Columbus; (2) DEA Task Force Officer MOU; (3) Cherry Street Water Tank Painting Bid; (4) Water and Sanitary Sewer Easements - Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church; (5) Water and Sanitary Sewer Easements - Edward A. and Norman J. Schaefer; (6) Electronic Message Center Policy & Standards; (7) Other Items to be Considered; (8) Public Comments; and (9) Executive Session - 5 ILCS 120/2(c).

Chairman Ebersohl asked for a moment of silence in memory of Illinois State Trooper Nick Hopkins.

II. DONATION DRIVE - KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS Interim City Administrator Al Hudzik presented the fundraising request from the Knights of Columbus to hold their annual fundraising drive to help those with intellectual disabilities on Friday, September 20th (from 6:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M.) and on Saturday, September 21% (from 6:30 A.M. to 4:00 P.M.). The letter detailed four locations where KC members would be soliciting donations and mentioned two businesses they planned to contact for permission to solicit in front of their businesses. It was the consensus of the Committee to grant permission to the KCs, as requested, and Mr. Hudzik stated he would present the letter at the next Council meeting for formal approval.

III. DEA TASK FORCE OFFICER MOU 

Police Chief Jerry Paul presented a Memorandum of Understanding from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Chief Paul explained the DEA is asking for a two year commitment from the City, effective October 2019, in order for the DEA to provide Columbia's DEA task force officer with a drug sniffing K9. The DEA would purchase the dog and pay for the training. Columbia's officer would continue his work on the task force, but his duties with the local DEA and FBI could be expanded due to his K9 officer status.

It was the consensus of the Committee that the DEA Task Force Officer MOU be presented for approval at the next Council meeting.

IV. CHERRY STREET WATER TANK PAINTING BID 

City Engineer Chris Smith reported on the bids received for the Cherry Street Water Tank Painting project. Mr. Smith said the City received six bids on August 20th, and recommended approval of the low bid from CCIMW, LLC.

V. WATER AND SANITARY SEWER EASEMENTS - IMMACULATE CONCEPTION ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH 

Mr. Smith presented two water line and access easements, as well as two sanitary sewer easements; one set each for Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church, and Edward and Norman Schaefer properties. Mr. Smith said the easements were drafts and he has a few changes to make to them, but they will be presented at a future Council meeting in final form.

VI. WATER AND SANITARY SEWER EASEMENTS - EDWARD A. AND NORMAN J. SCHAEFER 

See Water And Sanitary Sewer Easements – Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church for discussion regarding this item.

VII. ELECTRONIC MESSAGE CENTER POLICY & STANDARDS 

Director of Community Development Scott Dunakey reviewed the proposed electronic message center policy and standards he drafted regarding electronic message board style monument signs owned by the city and located on city property. Mr. Dunakey stated the purpose is to set standards for items and events to be posted on such signs. The policy will be administered by the Community Development department to ensure consistency and website security.

VIII. OTHER ITEMS TO BE CONSIDERED 

Interim City Administrator Al Hudzik provided the Committee an update on the FOP Patrol Officers and Telecommunicators collective bargaining. Mr. Hudzik stated both units voted on their respective agreements and the City should be receiving the proposed contracts soon. Once received, the contracts will be reviewed to assure they contain the changes tentatively agreed upon; they will then be presented at a Committee meeting for discussion before being presented to the Council for approval,

Alderman Martens expressed his appreciation to the citizens of Columbia for showing up, on short notice, to support bringing Illinois State Trooper Nick Hopkins home this afternoon by lining up along Illinois Route 3.

IX. PUBLIC COMMENTS 

There were no public comments.

X. EXECUTIVE SESSION – 5 İLCS 120/2(c) 

Chairman Ebersohl inquired if there was a need to go into Executive Session. There was none.

XI. ADJOURNMENT 

MOTION: 

It was moved by Alderman Roessler and seconded by Alderman Martens to adjourn the Committee of the Whole committee meeting of the City Council of the City of Columbia, Illinois held Monday, August 26, 2019 at 7:19 P.M. Upon Roll Call vote, Chairman Ebersohl and Aldermen Agne, Niemietz, Roessler, Holtkamp, Martens, and Riddle voted yea. MOTION CARRIED.

https://www.columbiaillinois.com/DocumentCenter/View/10682/2019-08-26-Committee-minutes