City of Columbia City Council met Aug. 3.
Here is the minutes provided by the council:
A. Call Meeting to Order
Mayor Hutchinson called the City Council of Columbia, Illinois to order at 7:00 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 Luke Behme*
City Engineer Chris Smith
Accounting Manager Nicole Guile*
IT Manager James Mitchell
Director of Com Dev Scott Dunakey*
City Administrator Douglas Brimm
Chief of Police Jerry Paul
City Treasurer Linda Sharp*
Deputy City Clerk Kelly Mathews
Deputy Chief of Police Jason Donjon
C. Pledge of Allegiance
Those in attendance recited the pledge of Allegiance.
D. Proclamations/Recognitions/Presentations
1. Hospice of Southern Illinois
Kim Oplet, with Hospice of Southern Illinois, sent a note thanking the City for their continued support and also sent a gift of a polo shirt for Mayor Hutchinson.
E. Public Input
1. Natalie Lorenz
Ms. Lorenz informed the Council that Mr. Dunakey had told her he does not have enough staff to police noise issues that might be associated with the Special Use Permit the Council is considering for Sunset Overlook. Ms. Lorenz added that the City is just asking for trouble if they approve the request because the owners, Pete and Julie Ingold, have petitioned the courts to provide an interpretation of the zoning code to permit them to have crowds on the front of the entire parcel of land and implied this is just one more example of the Ingold's taking a yard when the City gives them an inch. Ms. Lorenz concluded that the Council should make sure all loopholes are closed and be careful with the wording of the Special Use Permit before approving it.
2. Carol Waide
Mrs. Waide stated she did not have a prepared statement and was present for a report for the Lakefield Place HOA that will be presented later by Mr. Chris Smith.
F. Comments & Announcements - Mayor
1. IML Meeting
Mayor Hutchinson informed the Council that the IML continues to meet and that all cities are experiencing similar issues. Mayor Hutchinson added that the IML is watching for unfunded mandates and working to curtail their approval.
2. EMA Resignation
Mayor Hutchinson informed the Council that Wes Hoeffken has submitted his resignation as the City's EMA Director. Mayor Hutchinson then thanked Mr. Hoeffken for his service over the past seven years.
3. Mayor Candidacy
Mayor Hutchinson informed the Council he would not be seeking another term as Mayor and thanked the Council for their support.
G. Comments & Announcements - Aldermen
1. Monroe County Fair Booklet
Alderman Niemietz thanked Mayor Hutchinson for the article he wrote for the Monroe County Fair memorial booklet.
H. Comments & Announcements - Department Directors
1. Lakefield HOA Project
Mr. Smith informed the Council that the Lakefield Place HOA has requested the City to sponsor an Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) greenspace infrastructure grant for improvements to the creek that runs through their subdivision. Mr. Smith explained the grant has a 75/25 cost share with the HOA paying the 25% match to the State's 75%. Mr. Smith then stated the grant application is due August 21, 2020 and he would create a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City and the HOA. Alderman Niemietz inquired if the City had done this before and if this would be setting a precedence. Mr. Smith stated this would be a policy decision by the Council. Mayor Hutchinson stated this is no different than what the City has previously done for TIF grants and loans. The Council directed Mr. Smith to proceed with the MOU and grant application.
2. Staff Changes
Mr. Brimm informed the Council about the following staff changes.
Mary Hawkins - Replaces Nancy Suedkamp (Customer Service)
Jenny Kujawa - Replaces Pam Frierdich (Accounts Payable) Connie Maness - Replaces Jessica Unger (Community Development Assistant)
3. Music At Metter Concerts
Mr. Brimm informed the Council the City had received a thank you from the Waterloo German Band thanking the City for continuing the Music at Metter concerts virtually. Mr. Brimm also thanked Life Community Church for offering to host the concerts. Mr. Brimm then recognized Sue Spargo and James Mitchell for their work on producing Virtual Music at Metter.
I. Consent Agenda
City Clerk Hoeffken read the Consent Agenda.
1. Motion to approve minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting held Monday, July 20, 2020
2. Motion to approve minutes of the Closed Sessions of the City Council held Monday, July 20, 2020
3. Motion to authorize the payment of vouchers for the period from July 17, 2020 through July 29, 2020 in the amount of $170,474.79.
4. Motion to approve improvements to Athletic Fields to be completed by the Columbia Athletic Association.
5. Motion to extend Temporary Outdoor Seating Regulations through the duration of Phase IV of the Restore Illinois Plan.
Mayor Hutchinson inquired if the Council wished to remove any items prior to a motion. Item #2 was removed because aldermen were unable to open the files and review.
Motion:
It was moved by Alderman Niemietz, and seconded by Alderman Riddle, 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. Unfinished Business
1. Ordinance No. 3529 - Special Use Permit - Sunset Overlook
Motion:
It was moved by Alderman Riddle, and seconded by Alderman Ebersohl, to pass and approve Ordinance No. 3529, an ordinance approving a Special Use Permit to allow ancillary entertainment on property zoned C-1 Neighborhood Business District located at 11604 Bluff Road (Sunset Overlook).
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. 3530 - Right-Of-Way License Agreement Alderman Niemietz inquired as to how easy it will be to conduct the audits as required by the ordinance. Mr. Brimm stated the audits will be conducted by the City's third party auditor and will be added to their current scope of services. Alderman Niemietz then inquired if the lines will be installed anywhere other than the Illinois Department of Illinois (IDOT) right-of-way. Mr. Brimm stated the majority of the lines will be installed in the IDOT right-of-way, but eventually there will be some lines installed in City right-of way. Alderman Roessler inquired if the lines were being installed via open trench or tunnel bore. Mr. Smith stated the lines were being installed by tunnel boring.
Motion:
It was moved by Alderman Ebersohl, and seconded by Alderman Martens, to pass and approve Ordinance No. 3530, an ordinance approving a Right-Of-Way Agreement with Delta Communications, L.L.C, d/b/a Clearwave Communications.
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 Columbia Emergency Management Agency
Mayor Hutchinson informed the Council he would like to restructure the EMA department similar to Fairview Heights with the director being a member of the police department and a deputy director assigned from within the DOPW, especially since most emergencies involved the police department and assistance from the Department of Public Works. Chief Paul stated this model has served Fairview Heights well for tornados. Mayor Hutchinson inquired if there were any questions from the Council. There were none.
3. Agreement with Curry and Associates Inc.
Motion: It was moved by Alderman Ebersohl, and seconded by Alderman Martens, to approve an agreement with Curry and Associates Inc. for preliminary engineering for the Bluffside and Columbia Quarry Water Main Extension Project.
Motion Passed.
Roll Call Vote results:
8 Aye: Ebersohl, Agne, Niemietz, Roessler, Huch, Holtkamp, Martens, and Riddle
0 Nay:
0 Absent:
0 Abstain:
4. Agreement with Thouvenot, Wade and Moerchen Inc.
Motion: It was moved by Alderman Ebersohl, and seconded by Alderman Huch, to approve an agreement with Thouvenot, Wade and Moerchen Inc. for preliminary engineering for the Carl Street Bridge Replacement Project.
Motion Passed.
Roll Call Vote results:
8 Aye: Ebersohl, Agne, Niemietz, Roessler, Huch, Holtkamp, Martens, and Riddle
0 Nay:
0 Absent:
0 Abstain:
L. Closed Session
There was no business addressed in Closed Session.
M. Announcements
There were no announcements.
N. Adjournment
Motion: It was moved by Alderman Agne, and seconded by Alderman Riddle, to adjourn the Regular City Council meeting held Monday, August 03, 2020 at 7:31 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/_08032020-117
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