City of Columbia City Council met March 7.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
A. Call Meeting to Order
Mayor Hill called the City Council of Columbia, Illinois to order at 7:00 PM.
B. Roll Call
Present: Aldermen Roessler, Huch, Holtkamp, Martens, Riddle, Garmer, and Khoury.
Absent: Alderman Niemietz.
Quorum present.
Administrative Staff present:
City Administrator Douglas Brimm
City Clerk Andrew Hitzemann
Deputy Chief of Police Karla Heine
City Engineer Chris Smith
Dir. of Community Dev. Scott Dunakey
City Attorney Terry Bruckert
Chief of Police Jason Donjon
Deputy City Clerk Kelly Mathews
EMS Chief Kim Lamprecht
Building Official Justin Osterhage
C. Pledge of Allegiance
Those in attendance recited the Pledge of Allegiance.
D. Proclamations /Recognitions /Presentations
Mayor Hill recognized Assistant to the City Administrator Sue Spargo on her retirement from the City.
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
City Administrator Douglas Brimm updated the Council on hiring plans for the vacant positions at City Hall and DOPW.
Director of Community Development Scott Dunakey announced the Comprehensive Plan Open House will be held on March 31st at Main Street Abbey. Mr. Dunakey also noted the Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee is waiting on one more appointment to have a full Committee.
I. Consent Agenda
City Clerk Hitzemann read the Consent Agenda.
1. Motion to Approve Minutes of the February 22, 2022 Regular City Council Meeting
2. Motion to Approve Payment of Vouchers for the Period of February 18, 2022 through March 3, 2022 in the Amount of $154,746.20
3. Motion to Approve Statement of Funds for January 31, 2022
4. Motion to Approve Special Event Application - Sons of the American Legion Meat Shoot (April 16, 2022)
Mayor Hill inquired if the Council wished to remove any items prior to a motion.
Motion:
It was moved by Alderman Martens, and seconded by Alderman Garmer, to approve the Consent Agenda as read.
Motion Passed.
Roll Call Vote results:
7 Aye: Roessler, Huch, Holtkamp, Martens, Riddle, Garmer, and Khoury
0 Nay:
1 Absent: Niemietz
0 Abstain:
J. Unfinished Business
1. Ordinance No. 3601 Adding Section 9.16.200 to the City of Columbia Municipal Code Relating to Vehicle Tampering
Motion:
It was moved by Alderman Holtkamp, and seconded by Alderman Riddle, to pass and approve Ordinance No. 3601. An Ordinance Adding Section 9.16.200 to the City of Columbia Municipal Code Relating to Vehicle Tampering.
Motion Passed .
Roll Call Vote results:
7 Aye: Roessler, Huch, Holtkamp, Martens, Riddle, Garmer, and Khoury
0 Nay:
1 Absent: Niemietz
0 Abstain:
2. Discussion of Sign Code
Director of Community Development Scott Dunakey explained the current sign code that is currently under a moratorium regulates signs by the content which is unconstitutional. Mr. Dunakey stated the current sign code including confusing language and he was struggling on how to interpret it.
Mr. Dunakey then reviewed the draft sign code with the Council. Mr. Dunakey began with the way the City will be regulating the signs. Mr. Dunakey stated all definitions were modernized and updated to current standards. The draft sign code will provide measurements and will include graphics. Mr. Dunakey explained the draft sign code addresses certain signs that will be exempted from regulation. These are signs that are required by law, signs placed in the City's right-of-way, signs that are not intended by anyone other than those who are doing business at a location
Mayor Hill stated the draft sign code presented is still very hard to read and still has work to be done to it. Alderman Roessler questioned if existing signs will need to be replaced once the new sign code is adopted. Mr. Brimm explained the City would not force them to be replaced and the signs would become legal nonconforming.
Mr. Dunakey clarified that the intent with the regulation was not to change what the City allows except for allowing monument signs as the only allowed freestanding sign and limiting their height based on the zoning district.
Mr. Dunakey will make the appropriate changes and insert the graphics to the sign code draft to be presented at the next Council meeting.
K. New Business
1. Motion to Approve Purchase of Materials for Quarry Road Water Main Replacement Project in an Amount Not to Exceed $50,000.00
City Engineer Chris Smith reported two bids were received for the Quarry Road Water Main Replacement Project. Mr. Smith explained not every item needed for the project is currently in stock with each vendor. Mr. Smith is requesting authorization to purchase materials not to exceed $50,000. Mr. Smith stated the material will need to be purchased from multiple companies.
Motion:
It was moved by Alderman Huch, and seconded by Alderman Martens, to Approve Purchase of Materials for Quarry Road Water Main Replacement Project in an Amount Not to Exceed $50,000.00
Motion Passed.
Roll Call Vote results:
7 Aye: Roessler, Huch, Holtkamp, Martens, Riddle, Garmer, and Khoury
0 Nay:
1 Absent: Niemietz
0 Abstain:
L. Closed Session
Mayor Hill informed the Council that he would entertain a motion to go into Closed Session to discuss 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(2) Collective Bargaining.
Motion:
It was moved by Alderman Garmer, and seconded by Alderman Holtkamp, to direct the Mayor to go into Closed Session at 7:51 PM to discuss 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(2) Collective Bargaining
Motion Passed.
Roll Call Vote results:
7 Aye: Roessler, Huch, Holtkamp, Martens, Riddle, Garmer, and Khoury
0 Nay:
1 Absent: Niemietz
0 Abstain:
Mayor Hill called the Regular Session of the City Council back to order at 8:37 PM. Upon return to Regular Session, Aldermen Roessler, Huch, Holtkamp, Martens, Riddle, Garmer, Khoury, and Mayor Hill were present.
M. Announcements
There were no announcements.
N. Adjournment
Motion:
It was moved by Alderman Khoury, and seconded by Alderman Riddle, to adjourn the Regular City Council meeting held Monday, March 07, 2022 at 8:38 PM.
Motion Passed.
Roll Call Vote results:
7 Aye: Roessler, Huch, Holtkamp, Martens, Riddle, Garmer, and Khoury
0 Nay:
1 Absent: Niemietz
0 Abstain:
https://www.columbiaillinois.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_03072022-209
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