Columbia City Council met May 18.
Here is the minutes provided by the council:
A. Call Meetin2 to Order
Mayor Hutchinson called the City Council of Columbia, Illinois to order at 7:02 PM.
B. Roll Call
Present: Aldermen Ebersohl, Agne, Niemietz, Roessler, Huch, Holtkamp*, Martens, and Riddle.
Absent: None.
Quorum present.
Administrative Staff present:
City Clerk Wes Hoeffken*
City Attorney Terry Bruckert*
City Engineer Chris Smith
Dir. of Finance Nicole Guile*
Dir. of IT James Mitchell
City Treasurer Linda Sharp*
City Administrator Douglas Brimm*
Chief of Police Jerry Paul*
Deputy Chief of Police Jason Donjon*
Dir. of Community Dev. Scott Dunakey*
EMS Chief Kim Lamprecht*
Asst. to City Admin. Sue Spargo*
c. Pled2e of Alle2iance
Those in attendance recited the Pledge of Allegiance.
D. Proclamations /Recomitions /Presentations
There were no proclamations, recognitions, or presentations.
E. Public Input
There was no public input.
F. Comments & Announcements - Mayor
Mayor Hutchinson announced that National Police Week was celebrated May 10- 16 and National EMS Week is being celebrated May 17 - 23.
Mr. Smith announced that National Public Works Week is being celebrated May 17 - 23.
Mayor Hutchinson informed the Council that the Southwestern Illinois Council of Mayors has sent a communication to the governor indicating that Southern Illinois cannot be treated the same as Northern Illinois when it comes to the COVID-19 pandemic and the reopening of businesses. Mayor Hutchinson added a reply had not yet been received.
G. Comments & Announcement - Aldermen
There were no Aldermen Comments & Announcements.
H. Comments & Announcements-Department Directors
1. Historic Main Street Walking Tour & Signs Project
Mr. Dunakey and Ms. Spargo provided an overview of an initiative to provide historic marker signage along the Kaskaskia Cahokia Trail, including the creation of a brochure and map. Mr. Dunakey then stated that he wanted the Council to be aware before the project is submitted for bids that the majority of the signs will be placed on existing sign posts but some signage might require the installation of some new sign posts. There were no objections from the Council.
I. Consent Agenda
City Clerk Hoeffken read the Consent Agenda.
1. Motion to approve minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting held Monday, May 04, 2020
2. Motion to authorize the payment of vouchers r the period from May 2, 2020 through May 15, 2020 in the amount of $450,214.98.
3. Motion to approve the Statement of Funds for the month ending Saturday, February 29, 2020 as submitted and on file at City Hall.
Mayor Hutchinson inquired if the Council wished to remove any items prior to a motion. There were none.
Motion:
It was moved by Alderman Niemietz, and seconded by Alderman Roessler, to approve the Consent Agenda as read.
Motion Passed.
Roll Call Vote results:
8 Aye: Ebersohl, Agne, Niemietz, Roessler, Huch, Holtkamp, Martens, and Riddle 0 Nay:
0 Absent:
0 Abstain:
J. Un nished Business
1. Ordinance No. 3517 - Joint Agreement Between IDOT and the City
Motion:
It was moved by Alderman Ebersohl, and seconded by Alderman Niemietz, to pass and approve Ordinance No. 3517, an ordinance authorizing a Joint Agreement between the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and the City of Columbia, Illinois with regards to improvements to Old Blu Road and DD Road in the City of Columbia, Illinois.
Motion Passed.
Roll Call Vote results:
8 Aye: Ebersohl, Agne, Niemietz, Roessler, Huch, Holtkamp, Martens, and Riddle
0 Nay:
0 Absent:
0 Abstain:
2. Agreement with Millenia Professional Services Inc.
Motion:
It was moved by Alderman Ebersohl, and seconded by Alderman Roessler, to approve an Agreement with Millenia Professional Services Inc. for Preliminary and Construction Engineering for the Old Bluff Road and DD Road Improvements Project.
Motion Passed.
Roll Call Vote results:
8 Aye: Ebersohl, Agne, Niemietz, Roessler, Huch, Holtkamp, Martens, and Riddle
0 Nay:
0 Absent:
0 Abstain:
3. Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Columba and lntertel Inc.
Motion:
It was moved by Alderman Niemietz, and seconded by Alderman Martens, to approve a Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Columbia, Illinois and lntertel Inc. regarding the EDP Grant and the proposed improvements to Old Bluff Road and DD Road.
Motion Passed.
Roll Call Vote results:
8 Aye: Ebersohl, Agne, Niemietz, Roessler, Huch, Holtkamp, Martens, and Riddle
0 Nay:
0 Absent:
0 Abstain:
K. New Business
1. Ordinance No. 3518 - Declaration of Surplus Property
Motion:
It was moved by Alderman Huch, and seconded by Alderman Ebersohl, to pass and approve Ordinance No. 3518, an ordinance declaring Police Officer Shawn Westfall's Active Duty Forearm as Surplus Property.
Motion Passed.
Roll Call Vote results:
8 Aye: Ebersohl, Agne, Niemietz, Roessler, Huch, Holtkamp, Martens, and Riddle
0 Nay:
0 Absent:
0 Abstain:
2. Discussion of 1-1 Light Industrial Rezoning Concept
Mr. Dunakey provided an overview of the existing BP-2 zoning in the bottoms explaining that zoning is quite restrictive and was designed the match the project that was then being proposed. Mr. Dunakey then informed the Council that staff is recommending a change to 1-1 Light Industrial and that past inquires in that area have not matured because of the strict uses and prohibitive development costs. Mr. Dunakey added the change in zoning would make Columbia more competitive with other communities.
Mr. Joe Hardin, a real estate broker, stated the City currently does not have any parcels available for light industrial development such as 30,000 sq. ft. office buildings similar to Eastport outside Collinsville. Mr. Hardin added the bottoms area is perfect for this type of development, as there will never be homes or retail facilities built in that area.
Mr. Dunakey stated this is a preliminary discussion with the Council and requested feedback. Mayor Hutchinson stated that 3 of the existing buildings in that area were built to higher standards, but the rest already meet the light industrial standards. Mr. Dunakey stated he hopes to send the rezoning request to the Plan Commission in July. Alderman Roessler inquired about the area highlighted in blue. Mr. Dunakey explained this is the flood plan district and located near the substation. Alderman Holtkamp inquired about the permitted use for adult entertainment. Mayor Hutchinson explained this was incorporated into the zoning code years prior to ensure there was a designated zone with the appropriate restrictions as a way to prevent adult entertainment facilities from locating within any zoned district. Alderman Niemietz inquired if the City should revisit the zoning for adult entertainment. Mr. Bruckert stated he would work with staff to review the current code and provide a recommendation. Alderman Niemietz stated the 1-1 zoning does allow for some heavy industrial businesses. Mr. Dunakey stated the City's zoning code is actually fairly light compared to other communities and 1-1 is the only zoning classification the City has for any type of industrial development. Mr. Dunakey then stated the City's Industrial Standards Code provides another layer of restrictions that regulates what is allowed in an 1-1 zoned district. Mayor Hutchinson stated any additional questions should be forwarded to Mr. Dunakey.
3. Discussion of Lowest Responsible Bidder for Electricity Supplier Mr. Brimm informed the Council Good Energy, LP., the broker for the CEOSI aggregation buying group, is recommending the buying group proceed with the bid process for renewal of the aggregation supply contract since the current agreement expires December, 2020. Mr. Brimm added that several Southwestern Illinois municipalities, including Columbia, have expressed concern regarding the deletion of the price match provision contained in the initial contract, which has previously resulted in at least two situations where the aggregation rate was higher than the Ameren Illinois default rate. Mr. Brimm then stated that Attorney Doug Gruenke is working with our consultant in an attempt to address this concern and it is the intent of staff to present a resolution to approve the new agreement at the June 1, 2020 Council meeting.
4. "Cops in Schools" School Resource Officer (SRO) Program Discussion Mr. Brimm informed the Council that Chief Paul and Mr. Bruckert have had conversations with the Columbia School District formalizing the Intergovernmental Agreement between the City of Columbia and Columbia School District #4 that established the "Cops in Schools" School Resource Officer (SRO) Program and amended the agreement to reflect the 50/50 cost share between the two entities. Mr. Brimm added that an amended agreement will be presented to the Council for review and subsequent approval at a future Council meeting.
L. Closed Session
Mayor Hutchinson informed the Council that he would entertain a motion to go into Closed Session to discuss collective bargaining as permitted under 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(2).
Motion:
It was moved by Alderman Agne, and seconded by Alderman Huch, to direct the Mayor
to go into Closed Session at 7:40 PM to discuss collective bargaining as permitted under 5ILCS 120/2(c)(2).
Motion Passed.
Roll Call Vote results:
8 Aye: Ebersohl, Agne, Niemietz, Roessler, Huch, Holtkamp, Martens, and Riddle
0 Nay:
0 Absent:
0 Abstain:
Motion:
It was moved by Alderman Martens, and seconded by Alderman Agne, to return to Regular Session of the City Council at 7:52 PM.
Motion Passed.
Roll Call Vote results: 8 Aye: Ebersohl, Agne, Niemietz, Roessler, Huch, Holtkamp, Martens, and Riddle 0 Nay: O Absent: O Abstain:
Upon return to Regular Session, Aldermen Ebersohl, Agne, Niemietz, Roessler, Huch, Holtkamp, Martens, Riddle, and Mayor Hutchinson were present.
M. Announcements
There were no announcements.
N. Adjournment
Motion: It was moved by Alderman Niemietz, and seconded by Alderman Riddle, to adjourn the Regular City Council meeting held Monday, May 18, 2020 at 7:52 PM.
Motion Passed. Roll Call Vote results: 8 Aye: Ebersohl, Agne, Niemietz, Roessler, Huch, Holtkamp, Martens, and Riddle 0 Nay: 0 Absent: 0 Abstain:
https://www.columbiaillinois.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_05182020-86
Alerts Sign-up