City of Columbia City Council met Aug. 1.
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 Niemietz, Roessler, Huch, Holtkamp, Martens, Riddle, and Garmer. Absent: Alderman Khoury
Quorum present.
Administrative Staff present:
City Administrator Douglas Brimm
City Attorney Terry Bruckert
City Clerk Andrew Hitzemann
Chief of Police Jason Donjon
City Treasurer Linda Sharp
Deputy Chief of Police Karla Heine
City Engineer Chris Smith
Dir. of Community Dev. Scott Dunakey
IT Director James Mitchell Director of Public Works Mike Sander
C. Pledge of Allegiance
Those in attendance recited the Pledge of Allegiance.
D. Proclamations /Recognitions /Presentations
1. Retirement of Columbia Police Department Detective Kelly Bramlett
Mayor Hill recognized Kelly Bramlett's retirement from the Columbia Police Department.
2. Municipal Treasurer's Week (August 8- 12, 2022)
Mayor Hill proclaimed August 8-12, 2022 as Illinois Municipal Treasurer's Week and recognized City Treasurer Linda Sharp.
E. Public Input
Valerie Howell addressed the Council regarding a commercial property, bonds for sidewalks in old town, plans for hard service Oak Street building.
John Koerber spoke in favor of the City having a cap of the total liquor licenses issued for video gaming but asked the Council to put more thought into increasing the cost to $1,500 or $2,000.
F. Comments &Announcements - Mayor
Mayor Hill announced Friday, July 29th was Systems Administrators Day and thanked IT Director James Mitchell for all his hard work.
Mayor Hill explained the Community Development has a list of properties who are not in compliance of City code and will begin receiving notices soon.
G. Comments & Announcements - Aldermen
There were no Aldermen Comments and Announcements.
H. Comments & Announcements - Department Directors
City Engineer Smith updated the Council on the Quarry Road roundabout project. Mr. Smith announced IDOT and East West Gateway opened grants for trails. Mr. Smith explained he would like to apply for the TAP Grant for the trail Creekside Park and ITEP Grant for extend the trail across Route 3 to Old Bluff Road. It was the consensus of the Council to allow Mr. Smith to apply for these grants.
IT Director James Mitchell presented the IT Department report.
A. Consent Agenda
City Clerk Hitzemann read the Consent Agenda.
1. Motion to Approve Minutes of the July 18, 2022 Regular City Council Meeting
2. Motion to Approve Closed Session Minutes of the July 18, 2022 Regular City Council Meeting
3. Motion to Approve Payment of Vouchers for the Period of July 16, 2022 through July 28, 2022 in the Amount of $102,608.86
4. Resolution No. 2022-17 Approving the Consolidation of Lot 55 and Lot 56 of the Original Town, now City of Columbia, Monroe County, Illinois Mayor Hill inquired if the Council wished to remove any items prior to a motion. There were none.
Motion:
It was moved by Alderman Niemietz, and seconded by Alderman Riddle, to approve the Consent Agenda as read.
Motion Passed.
Roll Call Vote results:
7 Aye: Niemietz, Roessler, Huch Holtkamp, Martens, Riddle, and Garmer 0 Nay:
1 Absent: Khoury
0 Abstain:
B. Unfinished Business
1. Discussion of Amendments to City Video Gaming Regulation
City Administrator Doug Brimm reviewed with the Council In July, 2021, a moratorium on the issuance of additional A-1 or A-2 liquor licenses was imposed.
Mr. Brimm explained staff has worked to remove ambiguity from the application of City Code pertaining to video gaming establishments. Staff is proposing the following revisions: video gaming will be considered an accessory use subject to licensure at certain primary business uses. Only fraternal/service organizations, lounges, taverns, pubs, private clubs or lodges, restaurants, tea rooms, and cafes are eligible to be licensed as a video gaming establishment.
Current establishments not eligible for A-1 or A-2 licenses may continue to operate video gaming terminals until such time as any business or liquor license is revoked. In these cases, full compliance with applicable State Statutes/City Codes shall be demonstrated for issuance of subsequent licenses.
Mr. Brimm stated there will be a cap of 15 combined total licenses is proposed for Class A-1 or A-2 licenses, with an annual fee of $1,500.00 and $2,000.00, respectively. Currently, there are 11 licensed establishments within the City and only 1 would ineligible from operating under the proposed revisions.
After a brief discussion, Mr. Brimm stated this matter will be presented to Council for consideration at the August 15th Council meeting.
C. New Business
There was no New Business addressed by the Council.
D. 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 and 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(S) Purchase or Lease of Real Property for the Use of the Public Body
Motion:
It was moved by Alderman Holtkamp, and seconded by Alderman Garmer, to direct the Mayor to go into Closed Session at 7:55 PM to 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(2) Collective Bargaining and 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(S) Purchase or Lease of Real Property for the Use of the Public Body
Motion Passed.
Roll Call Vote results:
7 Aye: Niemietz, Roessler, Huch Holtkamp, Martens, Riddle, and Garmer 0 Nay:
1 Absent: Khoury
0 Abstain:
Mayor Hill called the Regular Session of the City Council back to order at 8:53 PM . Upon return to Regular Session, Aldermen Niemietz, Roessler, Huch, Holtkamp, Martens, Riddle, Garmer, and Mayor Hill were present.
E. Announcements
There were no Announcements.
F. Adjournment
Motion:
It was moved by Alderman Niemietz, and seconded by Alderman Martens, to adjourn the Regular City Council meeting held Monday, August 01, 2022 at 8:54 PM.
Motion Passed .
Roll Call Vote results :
7 Aye: Niemietz, Roessler, Huch Holtkamp, Martens, Riddle, and Garmer 0 Nay:
1 Absent: Khoury
0 Abstain :
https://www.columbiaillinois.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_08012022-234
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