City of Columbia City Council met Nov. 21.
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 7:02 PM.
B. Roll Call
Present: Aldermen Niemietz, Huch, Holtkamp, Martens, Riddle, Garmer, and Khoury. Absent: None.
Quorum present.
Administrative Staff present:
City Administrator Douglas Brimm
City Treasurer Linda Sharp
City Engineer Chris Smith
Director of Public Works Mike Sander Library Director Annette Bland
C. Pledge of Allegiance
City Attorney Terry Bruckert Deputy City Clerk Kelly Mathews Chief of Police Jason Donjon Dir. of Comm. Dev. Scott Dunakey
Those in attendance recited the Pledge of Allegiance.
D. Proclamations /Recognitions /Presentations
1. Presentation of FY2022 Audit
City Auditor Jim Schmersahl presented the Fiscal Year 2022 Audit.
2. Small Business Saturday Proclamation
Mayor Hill proclaimed Saturday, November 26, 2022 as Small Business Saturday.
3. Mayoral Pardon - Turkey Tom
Mayor Hill granted clemency to Turkey Tom and pardoned him from the dinner table on Thanksgiving Day.
E. Public lnput
There was no Public Input.
F. Comments & Announcements - Mayor
Mayor Hill encouraged the community to attend the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on November 26, 2022 and the Bright Night Parade on December 3, 2022.
G. Comments & Announcements - Aldermen
There were no Alderman Comments & Announcements.
H. Comments & Announcements - Department Directors
There were no Department Directors Comments & Announcements.
I. Consent Agenda
City Administrator Brimm read the Consent Agenda.
1. Motion to Approve Minutes of the November 7, 2022 Regular City Council Meeting
2. Motion to Approve Closed Session Minutes of the November 7, 2022 Regular City Council Meeting
3. Motion to Approve Payment of Vouchers for the Period of November 4, 2022 through November 17, 2022 totaling $1,336,187.09
4. Motion to Accept the Fiscal Year 2022 Audit as Presented
5. Motion to Accept the Fiscal Year 2022 Treasurer's Report
Mr. Brimm announced Agenda Item 1.1. was amended.
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 amended.
Motion Passed.
Roll Call Vote results:
7 Aye: Niemietz, Huch, Holtkamp, Martens, Riddle, Garmer, and Khoury
0 Nay:
0 Absent:
0 Abstain:
J. Unfinished Business
1. Ordinance No. 3628 Granting a Special Use Permit Application to Allow a Mini-Storage Business on Property Zoned C-3 Highway Business District Located at 124 Southwoods Drive
Motion:
It was moved by Alderman Riddle, and seconded by Alderman Garmer, to pass and approve Ordinance No. 3628, an Ordinance Granting a Special Use Permit Application to Allow a Mini-Storage Business on Property Zoned C-3 Highway Business District Located at 124 Southwoods Drive.
Motion Passed.
Roll Call Vote results:
7 Aye: Niemietz, Huch, Holtkamp, Martens, Riddle, Garmer, and Khoury
0 Nay:
0 Absent:
0 Abstain:
2. Resolution No. 2022-33 Approving a Collective Bargaining Agreement Between the City of Columbia and the Illinois Fraternal Order of Police Labor Council (Telecommunicators)
Mr. Brimm reviewed the following economic items: a "market adjustment" will be enacted in Year 1, 2.5% increase to hourly rates in Years 2 and 3, all sick leave hours in excess of 480 will be paid to employee at½ the employee's hourly rate, and telecommunicators working with a trainee will receive an additional $1.00 per hour.
Motion:
It was moved by Alderman Huch, and seconded by Alderman Khoury, to pass and approve Resolution No. 2022-33, a Resolution Approving a Collective Bargaining Agreement Between the City of Columbia and the Illinois Fraternal Order of Police Labor Council (Telecommunicators).
Motion Passed.
Roll Call Vote results:
7 Aye: Niemietz, Huch, Holtkamp, Martens, Riddle, Garmer, and Khoury
0 Nay:
0 Absent:
0 Abstain:
3. Motion to Approve 2023 Employee Benefits Renewal
Mr. Brimm reviewed the information previously discussed at a prior Council Meeting. It is staff's recommendation to remain with Cigna for medical coverage and change carriers for ancillary offerings to Sunlife.
Motion:
It was moved by Alderman Khoury, and seconded by Alderman Niemietz, to approve 2023 Employee Benefits Renewal as presented.
Motion Passed.
Roll Call Vote results:
7 Aye: Niemietz, Huch, Holtkamp, Martens, Riddle, Garmer, and Khoury
0 Nay:
0 Absent:
0 Abstain:
4. Confirmation of Mayoral Appointment (Ward II Alderman)
Motion:
It was moved by Alderman Garmer, and seconded by Alderman Martens, to approve the Mayoral Appointment of Michael Lawlor for the vacant seat of Ward II Alderman.
Motion Passed.
Roll Call Vote results:
7 Aye: Niemietz, Huch, Holtkamp, Martens, Riddle, Garmer, and Khoury
0 Nay:
0 Absent:
0 0 Abstain:
Mayor Hill announced Michael Lawlor will be seated at the December 5, 2022 Council meeting.
K. New Business
l. Discussion of a Special Use Permit Application to Allow a Car Rental Business on Property Zoned CP Commercial Park District Located at 306 Southport Drive
Director of Community Development Scott Dunakey reviewed the Plan Commission Report. Mr. Dunakey stated the Plan Commission recommended approval of the request as submitted.
An ordinance to grant a Special Use Permit Application to Allow a Car Rental Business on Property Zoned CP Commercial Park District Located at 306 Southport Drive will be presented at the December 5, 2022 Council meeting for consideration.
2. Discussion of 2022 Property Tax Levy
Mr. Brimm stated he and Director of Finance Linda Sharp worked together to prepare the property tax levy for Tax Year 2022 (payable in 2023).
Mr. Brimm announced a new approach was utilized this year to prepare the tax levy in an effort to more accurately anticipate the impact fluctuations in equalized assessed valuation from both Monroe and St. Clair Counties have on the City's levy request and subsequent rate. Mr. Brimm explained this approach is intended to capture values from new properties, while still making every effort to alleviate the tax burden on property owners. This proposal, if implemented, represents the third consecutive year the City' s property tax levy has decreased
L. Closed Session
There was no business addressed in Closed Session.
M. Announcements
Mayor Hill and Mr. Brimm announced staff has been reviewing the possibility of the City becoming a home rule municipality. Mr. Brimm stated the City would have to put a referendum on the upcoming election ballot to do so. Mr. Brimm reviewed upcoming projects that could benefit financially with the City being a home rule municipality.
Mr. Brimm plans on having further discussion at the December 5, 2022 Council meeting and if need be at a December 12, 2022 Committee of the Whole meeting. Mr. Brimm explained a resolution would need to be passed by December 19, 2022 to be able to file the referendum.
N. Adjournment
Motion:
It was moved by Alderman Khoury, and seconded by Alderman Holtkamp, to adjourn the Regular City Council meeting held Monday, November 21, 2022 at 8:01 PM.
Motion Passed.
Roll Call Vote results:
7 Aye: Niemietz, Huch, Holtkamp, Martens, Riddle, Garmer, and Khoury
0 Nay:
0 Absent:
0 Abstain:
https://www.columbiaillinois.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_11212022-249
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