City of Columbia City Council met Oct. 19.
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 Terry Bruckert
City Engineer Chris Smith
EMS Chief Kim Lamprecht*
IT Manager James Mitchell
City Administrator Douglas Brimm
Deputy City Clerk Kelly Mathews
Deputy Chief of Police Jason Donjon
Dir. of Community Dev. Scott Dunakey
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. C. J. Schlemmer - Gaming Parlors
Mr. Schlemmer addressed the Council regarding the B&D Slots of Fun establishment located at 950 Columbia Center and requested clarity for the process for opening a new gaming business. Mr. Schlemmer read several sections of ordinances passed by the Council and then inquired if the Council thought the Mayor should exercise his right and request financial information from the new business before issuing the gaming license.
F. Comments & Announcements - Mayor
There were no Mayor Comments & Announcements
G. Comments & Announcements - Aldermen
Aldermen Niemietz informed the Council about the Bluff Road Grant Application submitted by Monroe County that pays for the construction of bike paths along both shoulders of Bluff Road. Alderman Niemietz then informed the Council that the next informational meeting regarding the grant application will be held from 4:00 - 6:00 PM on October 21, 2020 at the
Fountain Inn. Alderman Niemietz then inquired if the Council would be in favor of sending a letter of support for the project. Since there was no opposition from the Council, Mayor Hutchinson stated he would send a letter of support.
H. Comments & Announcements - Department Directors
There were no Department Director Comments & Announcements.
I. Consent A enda
City Clerk Hoeffken read the Consent Agenda.
1. Motion to approve minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting held Monday,October 05,2020
2. Motion to approve minutes of the Closed Session of the City Council held Monday, October 05,2020
3. Motion to authorize the payment of vouchers for the period from October 1,2020 through October 14,2020 in the amount of $396,197.60.
4. Motion to approve the Statement of Funds for the month ending Wednesday, September 30,2020 as submitted and on file at City Hall.
5. Motion to approve the release of Infrastructure Maintenance Guarantee Irrevocable Letter of Credit #18-02 for the Brellinger Fourth Addition Subdivision.
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 Ebersohl,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. 3538 -Annexation Agreement - Timber Rock,LLC
Motion:
It was moved by Alderman Agne,and seconded by Alderman Ebersohl,to pass and approve Ordinance No. 3538,an ordinance authorizing the execution of an Annexation Agreement between the City of Columbia,Illinois and Timber Rock,LLC for the annexation and zoning of a tract of real estate compromising the former Fairfield Country Club located at 1800 and 1900 Columbia Quarry Road.
Motion Passed.
Roll Call Vote results:
8 Aye: Ebersohl, Agne, Niemietz, Roessler, Huch, Holtkamp, Martens, and Riddle
0 Nay:
0 Absent:
0 Abstain:
2. Ordinance No 3537 - Rezone 12 Parcels (Metter Park and Upchurch Oil & Ready Mix)
Motion:
It was moved by Alderman Niemietz, and seconded by Alderman Riddle, to pass and approve Ordinance No. 3537, an ordinance approving an amendment to the official Zoning Map of the City of Columbia, Illinois to rezone 12 parcels comprising the Metter Park block and the former Upchurch Oil & Ready Mix Concrete property from 1-1 Industrial District and R-6 One-Family Dwelling District to C-2 General Business District.
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. Award Bid for 2020 Concrete Replacement Program
Motion:
It was moved by Alderman Ebersohl, and seconded by Alderman Agne, to accept the recommendation of the City Engineer and award the low bid for the 2020 Concrete Replacement Program to Henke Excavating Inc. in the amount of $101,273.00.
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 Municipal Codes Related to Video Gaming
Mr. Dunakey presented an overview of the Liquor codes and Video Gaming codes explaining that a liquor license is required for the issuance of a gaming license. Mr. Dunakey also explained the revenue caps associated with gaming licenses and stressed the ordinance created the cap as a passive enforcement by indicating the Mayor "may" request financial information from an applicant or license holder. Mr. Dunakey then inquired if the Council wanted to change this requirement by making it mandatory.
Alderman Roessler expressed concern about the current statute stating he thought gaming parlors already in operation were exempt from the revenue caps. Mr. Dunakey stated the original ordinance did grandfather existing businesses but an amendment
passed three months later eliminated that clause. Mayor Hutchinson stated that at the time the two ordinances were drafted this was a new concept and there were many unknowns and the existing requirements probably need to be reviewed and tweaked. Mr. Bruckert stated that staff just needs direction from the Council and will amend the existing requirements accordingly. Mr. Dunakey then stated he will take the comments from the Council and draft an ordinance for Council review.
3. Discussion of Elected Official Salaries
Mr. Brimm provided a projected salaries spreadsheet for officials scheduled to be elected in April 2021. The projected salaries included a 2.5% increase for fiscal years ending 2022 and 2023 and no increase for fiscal years ending 2024 and 2025. Mr. Brimm stated this increase follows past increase patterns and aligns the salaries with those aldermen not up for reelection. Mr. Brimm was directed to draft an ordinance with the proposed salary increases for consideration at the next Council meeting.
4. Discussion of Election Day Holiday
Mr. Brimm provided an overview of Election Day Holiday state statute and the subsequent court rulings and inquired if the Council wanted to make this a holiday for City employees. Mayor Hutchinson stated that City Hall typically hosts a polling place and inquired how closing the government would benefit the election. Mayor Hutchinson then stated it should be business as usual on Election Day. The Council agreed with the Mayor.
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 Roessler, and seconded by Alderman Agne, to adjourn the Regular City Council meeting held Monday, October 19, 2020 at 7:40 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/_10192020-130
Alerts Sign-up