City of Columbia City Council met Sept. 21.
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, Huch*, Martens, and Riddle.
Absent: Aldermen Roessler and Holtkamp.
Quorum present.
Administrative Staff present:
City Clerk Wes Hoeffken
City Attorney Terry Bruckert
City Engineer Chris Smith
Deputy City Clerk Kelly Mathews
IT Manager James Mitchell
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*
C. Pledge of Allegiance
Those in attendance recited the pledge of Allegiance.
D. Proclamations/Recognitions/Presentations
There were no proclamations, recognitions, or presentations.
E. Public Input
1. Karl Nowak - Chicken Discussion
Regarding the matter of keeping chickens on the agenda for tonight 9/21: hens only; we can all agree on no roosters; any nuisance concerns are already covered by other sections of the code with respect to noise & odor. There are many positives with keeping a small number of hens and no more problematic than keeping dogs.
2. Janet Livingstone – Chicken Discussion
My husband and I have owned a home in Phase 1 of Columbia Lakes for 29 years. We are completely in agreement that residents SHOULD be allowed to own and maintain a small flock of backyard chickens on their property. A well-kept flock of no more than 8 birds, minus any roosters, would not afflict any consequences on surrounding neighbors. In fact, most neighbors wouldn't even know such a flock was present. I assure you they would be much more aware of the barking Labrador, and the yapping Schnauzers let out at 6 am. Chickens are quiet, eat bugs, provide food, and their waste products are beneficial to gardens and landscape. We strongly support the idea of chickens in Columbia.
3. Brent Ludwig – Chicken Discussion
I have been a lifelong resident of Columbia and had chickens when I grew up in town. Then as an adult wanted to get enough to provide fresh eggs for my family only to find that the rules have been changed. I can't understand why in Columbia we can't have chickens and in many other communities like Kirkwood, Webster Groves, and the list goes on, can have chickens and some even goats. We are not asking to have goats just enough chickens (no roosters) to provide eggs for our families. I want to say to the council that all the work and redesigning of Main Street is looking amazing it feels like the historic old small town we are. Now we need to remove the one word added to the ordinance at the very end (fowl). When I was shown the ordinance to get rid of my chickens the word fowl was even in a different font it was like it was just thrown in there as an afterthought.
Please give us citizens back the right to provide eggs for our families in this great small town we are still a town with deep connections to farming, yet we are restricted from having what even the residents of St. Louis City can have. Please make chickens legal again in Columbia.
4. Kendra Nowak - Chicken Discussion
Please support backyard chickens (no roosters). They are very quiet and clean conditions are easy to maintain. Besides providing eggs for food, they are a great hobby that promotes outdoor activity and mental well-being. These are especially important considerations for promoting the mental and emotional well-being of residents, namely elderly residents, who have effectively been made shut-ins during the pandemic. Finally, they are no more a "nuisance" than the average outdoor dog or cat kept by hundreds of residents.
5. Katherine Miller - Chicken Discussion
Chickens should be allowed for residents in Columbia. Cap the number per residence and require coops and fencing if this issue is of such big concern. If towns like Waterloo, Creve Coeur, and even Ladue can manage to allow backyard chickens. I can't for the life of me imagine why Columbia can't figure this out for its residents also.
F. Comments & Announcements - Mayor
Mayor Hutchinson recognized Joe Antolik and Mozel for their contribution of face coverings for City personnel and added that Mr. Antolik and Mozel host a 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony but due to the COVID-19 pandemic the event was not held this year.
G. Comments & Announcements - Aldermen
Alderman Niemietz inquired as to how the City is managing the video gaming and liquor licenses issued by the City and inquired about the number of available licenses. Alderman Niemietz added that she was under the impression there was a limit to the number of video gaming licenses that could be issued. Mayor Hutchinson stated there is no limit to the number of licenses that can be issued. Mr. Brimm stated that the previous discussion with the Council was the market typically drives the number of gaming facilities and reminded the Council, at their direction, gaming licenses are not permitted in gas stations. Aldermen
Niemietz then stated the City's website needs to be updated to reflect the correct types of licenses issued by the City.
Alderman Niemietz stated that before staff spends too much time on the proposed dog park the City should conduct additional research to ensure the size of the park and the location adequately meets the needs of the City and its residents.
H. Comments & Announcements - Department Directors
There were no Department Director Comments & Announcements.
Consent Agenda City Clerk Hoeffken read the Consent Agenda.
1. Motion to approve minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting held Tuesday, September 08, 2020
2. Motion to approve minutes of the Closed Session of the City Council held Tuesday, September 08, 2020
3. Resolution No. 2020-22 Setting the Time and Place for a Public Hearing considering the Exchange of Real Estate.
4. Motion to authorize the payment of vouchers for the period from September 3, 2020 through September 16, 2020 in the amount of $498,907.57.
5. Motion to approve the Statement of Funds for the month ending Monday, August 31, 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 Martens, and seconded by Alderman Agne, to approve the Consent Agenda as read.
Motion Passed.
Roll Call Vote results:
6 Aye: Ebersohl, Agne, Niemietz, Huch, Martens, and Riddle
0 Nay:
2 Absent: Roessler & Holtkamp
0 Abstain:
J. Unfinished Business
There was no Unfinished Business addressed by the Council.
K. New Business
1. Resolution No 2020-23 – Library Tax Levy
Motion:
It was moved by Alderman Niemietz, and seconded by Alderman Ebersohl, to pass and approve Resolution No. 2020-23, a resolution to levy a tax of.02% of the value of the taxable property in the City of Columbia, Illinois, for the Columbia Public Library Building and Equipment Purposes for the fiscal year of the City commencing May 1, 2020 and ending April 30, 2021.
Motion Passed.
Roll Call Vote results:
6 Aye: Ebersohl, Agne, Niemietz, Huch, Martens, and Riddle
0 Nay:
2 Absent: Roessler & Holtkamp
0 Abstain:
2. Ordinance No. 3533 - Approve Plat of Survey and Land Transfer
Motion:
It was moved by Alderman Ebersohl, and seconded by Alderman Ebersohl, to pass and approve Ordinance No. 3533, an ordinance approving a Plat of Survey and Land Transfer by way of Real Estate Exchange between Monroe County Parcel No. 04-15-100-020-000 and Monroe County Parcel No. 04-15-100-002-000, both located in the City of Columbia, Illinois.
Motion Passed.
Roll Call Vote results:
6 Aye: Ebersohl, Agne, Niemietz, Huch, Martens, and Riddle
0 Nay:
2 Absent: Roessler & Holtkamp
0 Abstain:
3. Ordinance No. 3534 - Approve Plat of Survey and Land Transfer
Motion: It was moved by Alderman Martens, and seconded by Alderman Ebersohl, to pass and approve Ordinance No. 3534, an ordinance approving a Plat of Survey and Land Transfer by way of Real Estate Exchange between Monroe County Parcel No. 04-15-100-004-000 and Monroe County Parcel No. 04-15-100-002-000, both located in the City of Columbia, Illinois.
Motion Passed.
Roll Call Vote results:
6 Aye: Ebersohl, Agne, Niemietz, Huch, Martens, and Riddle
0 Nay:
2 Absent: Roessler & Holtkamp
0 Abstain:
4. Ordinance No. 3535 - Grant Variance Permit for Lucky Dog Lodge
Motion: It was moved by Alderman Martens, and seconded by Alderman Huch, to pass and approve Ordinance No. 3535, adopting the Zoning Officer's decision to grant applicant David Meyer/Lucky Dog Lodge's Variance Permit 20-181.
Motion Passed.
Roll Call Vote results:
6 Aye: Ebersohl, Agne, Niemietz, Huch, Martens, and Riddle
0 Nay:
2 Absent: Roessler & Holtkamp
0 Abstain:
5. Discussion of Quarry Road Resurfacing - Phase 1 Project
Mr. Smith informed the Council that the Quarry Road Resurfacing project was rebid and while the new bids came in lower, they are still higher than expected. Mr. Smith added that he will have a recommendation at the next Council meeting.
6. Discussion of Keeping of Chicken within the City of Columbia
Mayor Hutchinson inquired if there were any issues about allowing the keeping of chickens within the City of Columbia. Alderman Niemietz stated that she grew up across the street from a home that had both chickens and pigeons so she will not be a good source for positive feedback about the request. Alderman Niemietz added that during the heat of summer there is no way to combat the smell from prevailing winds. Mayor Hutchinson suggested staff look at how other communities address the issue, including noise and smell nuisances and make a recommendation to the Council. Mr. Brimm stated that since this will require a change to the zoning code, any proposal will need to be sent to the Plan Commission for their review and recommendation. Alderman Agne inquired as to how nuisances would be address. Mayor Hutchinson stated chicken nuisances would be addressed like any other reported nuisance. Alderman Martens suggested staff also talk to other community leaders for feedback on lessons learned.
L. Closed Session
There was no business addressed in Closed Session.
M. Announcements
There were no announcements.
N. Adjournment
https://www.columbiaillinois.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_09212020-126
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