City of Columbia City Council met Sept. 8.
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
City Treasurer Linda Sharp*
City Administrator Douglas Brimm
Deputy City Clerk Kelly Mathews 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.
1. Wes Hoeffken, Columbia Emergency Management Agency
Mayor Hutchinson recognized Wes Hoeffken for his years of service as the EMA Director for the City of Columbia.
2. Constitution Week 2020
Mayor Hutchinson read a proclamation declaring September 17, 2020 through September 23, 2020 as Constitution Week.
E. Public Input
There was no public input.
F. Comments & Announcements - Mayor
Mayor requested citizens support local businesses during the pandemic, as most of them are suffering financially.
G. Comments & Announcements - Aldermen
Alderman Niemietz informed the Council that she has walked the new connector trail and recommended others do the same. Alderman Niemietz then thanked everyone involved in the process, including the School District.
Alderman Niemietz informed the Council that the City of Prairie du Rocher and Fort de Chartes have applied for National Park status. Alderman Niemietz then requested the City send a letter supporting this effort, unless there are objections from the Council. There were none.
H. Comments & Announcements - Department Directors
Mr. Hoeffken informed the Council about the following dates associated with the 2021 City elections.
• September 14, 2020 - Circulation Petition Packets available at City Clerk's Office.
• September 22, 2020 - First day to circulate petitions.
• December 14 - 21, 2020 - Dates to file for office.
I. Consent Agenda
City Clerk Hoeffken read the Consent Agenda.
1. Motion to approve minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting held Monday, August 17, 2020
2. Motion to approve Resolution 2020-20 regarding the Release of Closed Session Minutes.
3. Motion to authorize the payment of vouchers for the period from August 12, 2020 through September 2, 2020 in the amount of $517,172.93.
4. Motion to approve the Statement of Funds for the month ending Sunday, May 31, 2020, and the month ending Tuesday, June 30, 2020, and the month ending Friday, July 31, 2020 as submitted and on file at City Hall.
5. Motion to approve the Special Event Permit for Songs 4 Soldiers Donate, Drive and Dine Event scheduled for September 12, 2020.
6. Motion to accept the gift from Sister Cities commemorating the 25th anniversary of the Sister City relationship with Gedern Germany.
Mayor Hutchinson inquired if the Council wished to remove any items prior to a motion. There were none.
Motion: It was moved by Alderman Huch, and seconded by Alderman Niemietz, 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. Resolution No 2020-21 - Public Hearing Time & Place for Exchange of Real Estate
Motion: It was moved by Alderman Niemietz, and seconded by Alderman Ebersohl, to pass and approve Resolution No. 2020-21, a resolution setting the time and place for a Public Hearing considering the Exchange of Real Estate.
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. Fence Installation on GM&O Heritage Trail at Gedern Village
There was a discussion by the Council regarding the placement of the fence, including the following:
Alderman Holtkamp
• Strongly disagreed with the fence and requested time to discuss this action with the Home Owners Association
• Restricting access to the trail was never the intent of the signage, as most of the home owners do not agree with the signs.
• Informed the Council there has been a change on the HOA Board,
Alderman Martens
• Clarified the fence would still allow citizens to use the footbridge to access sidewalks within the Gedern Village subdivision.
• Homeowners who do not agree with the signs erected by the HOA should attend a council meeting and express their concerns.
Mayor Hutchinson
• The sign reads "End of Public Trail", which is a very direct message.
• The fence is being placed as a safeguard to residents who do not live in the Gedern Village subdivision.
• The fence can always be removed should the HOA decide to allow access to the trail.
• In the past the HOA Board stated a vote of the homeowners would never occur.
• Police have been called when DOPW employees have been maintaining the trail.
Alderman Ebersohl
• Suggested a letter be sent to the HOA informing them of the Council's decision.
Alderman Niemietz
• The City needs to proceed with the fence since citizens and employees have been told to stay off the trail.
Motion:
It was moved by Alderman Niemietz, and seconded by Alderman Ebersohl, to approve the installation of a fence on the GM&O Heritage Trail at Gedern Village.
Motion Passed.
Roll Call Vote results:
7 Aye: Ebersohl, Agne, Niemietz, Roessler, Huch, Martens, and Riddle
1 Nay: Holtkamp
0 Absent:
0 Abstain:
2. Street Closure Requests - Reifschneider's Grill & Grape and R'Casa
There was a brief discussion by the Council, including the following:
Alderman Agne
• Consideration must be given to ensure not all access streets off Main Street are closed.
Alderman Ebersohl
• Not excited about having a tent on a street
• Inquired if it is possible to have the tent erected on the Reifschneider property without violating any safety issues. Mr. Dunakey stated an inspection of the original tent on the Reifschneider property presented a safety issue, along with not meeting set-back requirements. Mr. Brimm stated that not having sides on the tent would mitigate the safety concerns.
• Expressed concern about the parking of vendor vehicles as they make deliveries.
Mayor Hutchinson
• Safety concerns should not be compromised in the decision process.
• While this is not a perfect solution, something needs to be done to assist the restaurants in the City.
Scott Dunakey
• Any tents erected on a street would need to be secured with ballasts and stakes could not be installed into the street.
• Staff would review each request independently of others previously submitted.
Alderman Roessler
• It needs to be understood this is a temporary situation and a date or event needs to be defined as the end of the street closures and temporary structures.
Alderman Niemietz
• Strongly suggested these request be approved as the businesses are suffering during the pandemic.
Luke Behme
• Any motion passed by the Council should give staff the authority to review, approve/deny, and subsequently revoke, as necessary.
Motion:
It was moved by Alderman Riddle, and seconded by Alderman Huch, to authorize City staff to review and subsequently approve/deny requests for street closures for restaurants with the understanding an approval will be frequently reviewed and could be revoked through Phase IV of the Restore Illinois Plan.
Motion Passed.
Roll Call Vote results:
8 Aye: Ebersohl, Agne, Niemietz, Roessler, Huch, Holtkamp, Martens, and Riddle
0 Nay:
0 Absent:
0 Abstain:
3. Discussion of Dog Park Concept
Mr. Brimm informed the Council that he has worked with Alderman Niemietz and Scott Dunakey to identify a possible dog park site and inquired if the proposed site makes sense before proceeding with additional research. Alderman Martens stated the proposed site, which is 66' by 70', is small and that most dog parks are just open space where dogs can run. Alderman Martens then stated the dog park in Springfield, MO is one of the better dog parks. Mr. Brimm stated the intent is to get our "toes in the water and the proposed area could always be extend towards the library, or an additional site could always be selected, should this concept prove successful. Mr. Dunakey stated the proposed site is centrally located and along a route frequented by walkers. Mr. Dunakey added a larger scale park can always be considered downstream. Alderman Niemietz stated this will be a good start and a lot will be determined by how citizens police themselves when using the facility.
The Council agreed to proceed with the proposed concept.
L. Closed Session
Mayor Hutchinson informed the Council that he would entertain a motion to go into Closed Session to discuss 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(5) Purchase or Lease of Real Property for the Use of the Public Body, and 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1) Appointment, Employment, Compensation, Performance, or Dismissal of Specific Employees of the Public Body.
Motion:
It was moved by Alderman Huch, and seconded by Alderman Ebersohl, to direct the Mayor to go into Closed Session at 7:46 PM to discuss 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(5) Purchase or Lease of Real Property for the Use of the Public Body, and 5 İLCS 120/2(c)(1) Appointment, Employment, Compensation, Performance, or Dismissal of Specific Employees of the Public Body.
Motion Passed. Roll Call Vote results: 8 Aye: Ebersohl, Agne, Niemietz, Roessler, Huch, Holtkamp, Martens, and Riddle 0 Nay: O Absent: 0 Abstain:
Motion: It was moved by Alderman Niemietz, and seconded by Alderman Agne, to return to Regular Session of the City Council at 7:57 PM.
Motion Passed.
Roll Call Vote results:
8 Aye: Ebersohl, Agne, Niemietz, Roessler, Huch, Holtkamp, Martens, and Riddle
0 Nay:
0 Absent:
0 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 Agne, and seconded by Alderman Huch, to adjourn the Regular City Council meeting held Tuesday, September 08, 2020 at 7:58 PM.
https://www.columbiaillinois.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_09082020-122
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