South West Illinois News

City of Columbia City Council met April 19.

Here is the minutes provided by the council:

A. Call Meeting to Order 

Mayor Ebersohl called the City Council of Columbia, Illinois to order at 7:00 PM. 

8. Roll Call 

Present: Aldermen Agne, Niemietz, Huch, Holtkamp, and Riddle.  

Absent: Aldermen Roessler and Martens.  

Quorum present.  

Administrative Staff present:  

City Clerk Wes Hoeffken                 City Administrator Douglas Brimm  

City Attorney Terry Bruckert            Chief of Police Jason Donjon

City Engineer Chris Smith                Deputy Chief of Police Karla Heine

City Treasurer Linda Sharp*             Dir. of Community Dev. Scott Dunakey

Director of IT James Mitchell           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

There was no public input.

F. Comments & Announcements - Mayor

There were no Mayor Comments & Announcements

G. Comments & Announcements - Aldermen

There were no Aldermen Comments & Announcements.

H. Comments & Announcements - Department Directors

There were no Department Director Comments & Announcements.

I. Consent Agenda

City Clerk Hoeffken read the Consent Agenda.

1. Motion to approve minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting held Monday, April 05, 2021

2. Motion to authorize the payment of vouchers for the period from April 1, 2021 through April 15, 2021 in the amount of $726,571.83.

3. Resolution No. 2021-05 directing the Treasurer of the City of Columbia to transfer from the Capital Development Fund of the City to the General Corporate Fund of the City the sum of Two Hundred Thousand Dollars ($200,000.00).

4. Resolution No. 2021-06 directing the Treasurer of the City of Columbia to transfer from the Garbage Fund of the City to the General Corporate Fund of the City the sum of Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00).

Mayor Ebersohl inquired if the Council wished to remove any items prior to a motion. There were none.

Motion:

It was moved by Alderman Holtkamp, and seconded by Alderman Niemietz, to approve the Consent Agenda as read.

Motion Passed.

Roll Call Vote results:

6 Aye: Ebersohl, Agne, Niemietz, Huch, Holtkamp, and Riddle

0 Nay:

2 Absent: Roessler and Martens

0 Abstain:

J. Unfinished Business

1. Ordinance No. 3566 -Amend Title 18 of Municipal Code

Motion:

It was moved by Alderman Huch, and seconded by Alderman Holtkamp, to pass and approve Ordinance No. 3566, an ordinance amending Title 18 of the City of Columbia Illinois Municipal Code to enact the Fees and Charges to be assessed for City Services and Business Licenses in the City for the City's Fiscal Year commencing May 1, 2021 and until said Title 18 of the City's Municipal Code is again amended by ordinance of the City enacted to change said fees and charges.

Motion Passed.

Roll Call Vote results:

6 Aye: Ebersohl, Agne, Niemietz, Huch, Holtkamp, and Riddle

0 Nay:

2 Absent: Roessler and Martens

0 Abstain:

2. Ordinance No. 3567 -Establish Salary/Remuneration of City Officers and Employees

Motion:

It was moved by Alderman Niemietz, and seconded by Alderman Huch, to pass and approve Ordinance No. 3567, an ordinance establishing the salary/remuneration of Appointed City Officers and Employees of the City of Columbia, Illinois for the fiscal year of the City commencing May 1, 2021 and ending April 30, 2022.

Motion Passed.

Roll Call Vote results:

6 Aye: Ebersohl, Agne, Niemietz, Huch, Holtkamp, and Riddle

0 Nay:

2 Absent: Roessler and Martens

O Abstain:

3. Special Event Permit Application for the 2021 Songs 4 Soldiers Benefit Concert

Motion:

It was moved by Alderman Riddle, and seconded by Alderman Niemietz, to approve the Special Event Permit Application for the 2021 Songs 4 Soldiers Benefit Concert as submitted and on file at City Hall and contingent upon the completion of a memorandum of understanding with the City.

Motion Passed.

Roll Call Vote results:

6 Aye: Ebersohl, Agne, Niemietz, Huch, Holtkamp, and Riddle

0 Nay:

2 Absent: Roessler and Martens

0 Abstain:

4. Preliminary Engineering Agreement with Gonzalez Companies, LLC - GM&O Trail Mr. Smith informed the Council this project will be used for the section of the trail from Cherry Street to Centerville Road.

Motion:

It was moved by Alderman Holtkamp, and seconded by Alderman Riddle, to approve the Preliminary Engineering Agreement with Gonzalez Companies, LLC for the GM&O Connector Trail Project.

Motion Passed.

Roll Call Vote results:

5 Aye: Ebersohl, Agne, Huch, Holtkamp, and Riddle

0 Nay:

2 Absent: Roessler and Martens

1 Abstain: Niemietz

Alderman Niemietz abstained because her husband occasionally consults for the engineering firm.

5. Motor Fuel Tax Program Materials Proposals

Mr. Smith provided the following summary of low bids.

Beelman Logistics, LLC - Items 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, and 7a

Concrete Supply of Illinois - Items 6a, 6b, 6c, and 6d

Roy Wolfmeier Truck Service - Item 8

Don Anderson - Items 9 and 10

Motion:

It was moved by Alderman Huch, and seconded by Alderman Niemietz, to accept the proposals to furnish material for the Motor Fuel Tax Program as submitted and on file at City Hall.

Motion Passed.

Roll Call Vote results:

6 Aye: Ebersohl, Agne, Niemietz, Huch, Holtkamp, and Riddle

0 Nay:

2 Absent: Roessler and Martens

0 Abstain:

6. Approve Agreement with Curry and Associates Engineers - Sewer Lagoon Improvements

Motion:

It was moved by Alderman Holtkamp, and seconded by Alderman Riddle, to approve an agreement with Curry and Associates Engineers, Inc. for Engineering Service for NPDES Permit Compliance and Sewer Lagoon improvements.

Motion Passed.

Roll Call Vote results:

6 Aye: Ebersohl, Agne, Niemietz, Huch, Holtkamp, and Riddle

0 Nay:

2 Absent: Roessler and Martens

0 Abstain:

K. New Business

1. Debt Collection Agreement with Credit Collection Partners

Motion:

It was moved by Alderman Holtkamp, and seconded by Alderman Niemietz, to authorize the City Administrator to sign a Debt Collection Agreement with Credit Collection Partners for Monroe County Circuit Clerk Collections.

Motion Passed.

Roll Call Vote results:

6 Aye: Ebersohl, Agne, Niemietz, Huch, Holtkamp, and Riddle

0 Nay:

2 Absent: Roessler and Martens

0 Abstain:

2. City Water Service for Properties Outside City Limits

Mr. Dunakey initiated a discussion for providing city water service to two properties outside City Limits located on Red Brick Lane and requested authorization for the Mayor and City Clerk to sign the required IEPA permit application. Mr. Dunakey stated the property owners will pay to extend the existing 611 water line approximately 875'. Mr. Dunakey also explained the pre-annexation agreement will be in effect for as long as the property owners receive City water service. Mr. Dunakey added the acquisition of an easement will be required.

Motion:

It was moved by Alderman Niemietz, and seconded by Alderman Holtkamp, to authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to sign the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) permit required to extend the existing 6" waterline to the two properties on Red Brick Lane requesting City water service.

Motion Passed.

Roll Call Vote results:

6 Aye: Ebersohl, Agne, Niemietz, Huch, Holtkamp, and Riddle

0 Nay:

2 Absent: Roessler and Martens

O Abstain:

3. Sign Variance Request - Harres Home Furnishings & Appliance

Mr. Dunakey initiated a discussion for a sign variance for a sign located at 900 Admiral Weinel Blvd for the Harres Home Furnishings & Appliance store. Mr. Dunakey explained the existing pole sign will be replaced with an electronic monument sign and will require a variance increasing the height of the sign from 6' to 15'. Mr. Dunakey then explained the current pole sign is 15' tall.

Alderman Agne stated he agrees with the variance request but still has issues with the constant changing of messages on electronic signs and the impact they have to drivers along Route 3.

L. Closed Session

Mayor Ebersohl informed the Council that he would entertain a motion to go into Closed Session to discuss 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(2), Collective negotiating matters between the public body and its employees or their representatives and S ILCS 120/2(c)( 21) - Discussion of Minutes of Meetings Lawfully Closed Under this Act.

Motion:

It was moved by Alderman Riddle, and seconded by Alderman Holtkamp, to direct the Mayor to go into Closed Session at 7:30 PM to discuss 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(2), Collective negotiating matters between the public body and its employees or their representatives and S ILCS 120/2(c)( 21) - Discussion of Minutes of Meetings Lawfully Closed Under this Act.

Motion Passed.

Roll Call Vote results:

6 Aye: Ebersohl, Agne, Niemietz, Huch, Holtkamp, and Riddle

0 Nay:

2 Absent: Roessler and Martens

0 Abstain:

Mayor Ebersohl called the Regular Session of the City Council back to order at 7:41 PM. Upon return to Regular Session, Aldermen Agne, Niemietz, Huch, Holtkamp, Riddle, and Mayor Ebersohl were present.

M. Announcements

1. Call For Meetings - Monday, April 26, 2021

2021- 2022 Budget Public Hearing - 6:45 PM

Special Meeting - 7:00 PM

N. Adjournment

Motion:

It was moved by Alderman Agne, and seconded by Alderman Holtkamp, to adjourn the Regular City Council meeting held Monday, April 19, 2021 at 7:42 PM.

https://www.columbiaillinois.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_04192021-157