City of Columbia City Council met Dec. 5.
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, Huch, Holtkamp, Martens, Garmer, and Khoury.
Absent: Alderman Riddle.
Quorum present.
Administrative Staff present:
City Clerk Andrew Hitzemann
City Attorney Terry Bruckert
City Treasurer Linda Sharp
City Engineer Chris Smith
Director of Public Works Mike Sander
IT Director James Mitchell
C. Pledge of Allegiance
City Administrator Douglas Brimm
Chief of Police Jason Donjon
Deputy Chief of Police Karla Heine
Dir. of Comm. Dev. Scott Dunakey
Deputy City Clerk Kelly Mathews
Those in attendance recited the Pledge of Allegiance.
D. Proclamations /Recognitions /Presentations
1. Oath of Office - Michael Lawlor, Alderman, Ward II
City Clerk Hitzemann administered the Oath of Office to Michael Lawlor for the vacant Aldermanic Ward II seat.
After the Oath of Office, Alderman Lawlor took his seat with the Council at 7:03 PM.
E. Public Input
There was no Public Input.
F. Comments &Announcements- Mayor
Mayor Hill thanked the City employees for their work on the City's Bright Night parade float and the community for attending the parade.
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 Clerk Hitzemann read the Consent Agenda .
1. Motion to Approve Minutes of the November 21, 2022 Regular City Council Meeting
2. Motion to Approve Payment of Vouchers for the Period of November 18, 2022 through November 30, 2022 totaling $208,460.75
3. Motion to Accept Statement of Funds for October 31, 2022
Mayor Hill 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 Khoury, to approve the Consent Agenda.
Motion Passed.
Roll Call Vote results:
7 Aye: Niemietz, Huch, Holtkamp, Martens, Garmer, Khoury, and Lawlor
0 Nay:
1 Absent: Riddle
0 Abstain:
J. Unfinished Business
1. Ordinance No. 3629 Abating Certain Taxes of the City of Columbia, Monroe and St. Clair Counties, Illinois (Series 2015 GO Bonds)
Motion:
It was moved by Alderman Niemietz, and seconded by Alderman Holtkamp, to pass and approve Ordinance No. 3629, an Ordinance Abating Certain Taxes of the City of Columbia, Monroe and St. Clair Counties, Illinois (Series 2015 GO Bonds).
Motion Passed.
Roll Call Vote results :
7 Aye: Niemietz, Huch, Holtkamp, Martens, Garmer, Khoury, and Lawlor
0 Nay:
1 Absent: Riddle
O Abstain:
2. Ordinance No. 3630 Abating Certain Taxes of the City of Columbia, Monroe and St. Clair Counties, Illinois (Series 2020 GO Bonds)
Motion:
It was moved by Alderman Martens, and seconded by Alderman Garmer, to pass and approve Ordinance No. 3630, an Ordinance Abating Certain Taxes of the City of Columbia, Monroe and St. Clair Counties, Illinois (Series 2020 GO Bonds).
Motion Passed.
Roll Call Vote results:
7 Aye: Niemietz, Huch, Holtkamp, Martens, Garmer, Khoury, and Lawlor
0 Nay:
1 Absent: Riddle
O Abstain:
3. Ordinance No. 3631 Levying the Taxes for the Fiscal Year Ending April 30, 2023
Motion:
It was moved by Alderman Niemietz, and seconded by Alderman Lawlor, to pass and approve Ordinance No. 3631, an Ordinance Levying the Taxes for the Fiscal Year Ending April 30, 2023.
Motion Passed .
Roll Call Vote results:
7 Aye: Niemietz, Huch, Holtkamp, Martens, Garmer, Khoury, and Lawlor
0 Nay:
1 Absent: Riddle
0 Abstain:
4. Ordinance No. 3632 Approving a Special Use Exception to Allow a Car Rental Business on Property Zoned CP Commercial Park District Located at 306 Southport Drive
Motion:
It was moved by Alderman Huch, and seconded by Alderman Khoury, to pass and approve Ordinance No. 3632, an Ordinance Approving a Special Use Exception to Allow a Car Rental Business on Property Zoned CP Commercial Park District Located at 306 Southport Drive.
Motion Passed.
Roll Call Vote results:
7 Aye: Niemietz, Huch, Holtkamp, Martens, Garmer, Khoury, and Lawlor
0 Nay:
1 Absent: Riddle
0 Abstain:
K. New Business
1. Motion to Approve Professional Services Agreement with Thouvenot, Wade & Moerchen, Inc. for Carl Street Bridge Replacement- Right of Way and Land Acquisition
Motion:
It was moved by Alderman Garmer, and seconded by Alderman Niemietz, to Approve Professional Services Agreement with Thouvenot, Wade & Moerchen, Inc. for Carl Street Bridge Replacement - Right of Way and Land Acquisition .
Motion Passed.
Roll Call Vote results:
7 Aye : Niemietz, Huch, Holtkamp, Martens, Garmer, Khoury, and Lawlor
0 Nay:
1 Absent: Riddle
0 Abstain:
2. Discussion of a Recommendation of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board to Change Park Rules to Allow Dogs on the Bolm-Schuhkraft Park Walking Trail
Mr. Dunakey reported the Bolm-Schuhkraft Park Rules were recently discussed at a Park & Recreation Advisory Board. The Park & Recreation Advisory Board is recommends allowing dogs on the Bolm-Schuhkraft walking trail. Mr. Dunakey reviewed the amendment needed to Section 12.32.080 of the Municipal Code.
An ordinance to amend Section 12.32.080 of the Municipal Code will be presented at the December 19, 2022 Council meeting for consideration .
3. Discussion of Home Rule Local Referendum
Mr. Brimm reviewed what it means to be a Non-Home Rule Municipality versus a Home Rule Municipality. Mr. Brimm explained how the City would benefit from becoming a Home Rule Municipality. Mr. Brimm explained since the City does not have the population requirement fulfilled, a referendum would need to be placed on the upcoming election ballot.
After a brief discussion, Mayor Hill announced there will be further discussion at the December 19, 2022 Council meeting and the City will plan a few "town hall" meetings for the public.
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 and 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(S) Purchase or Lease of Real Property for Use of the Public Body.
Motion:
It was moved by Alderman Martens, and seconded by Alderman Niemetz, to direct the Mayor to go into Closed Session at 7:47 PM to 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(2) Collective Bargaining and 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(S) Purchase or Lease of Real Property for Use of the Public Body
Motion Passed.
Roll Call Vote results:
7 Aye : Niemietz, Huch, Holtkamp, Martens, Garmer, Khoury, and Lawlor
0 Nay:
1 Absent: Riddle
0 Abstain:
Mayor Hill called the Regular Session of the City Council back to order at 8:35 PM. Upon return to Regular Session, Aldermen Niemietz, Huch, Holtkamp, Martens, Garmer, Khoury, Lawlor, and Mayor Hill were present.
M. Announcements
There were no Announcements.
N. Adjournment
Motion:
It was moved by Alderman Martens, and seconded by Alderman Lawlor, to adjourn the Regular City Council meeting held Monday, December 05, 2022 at 8:36 PM.
Motion Passed .
Roll Call Vote results:
7 Aye: Niemietz, Huch, Holtkamp, Martens, Garmer, Khoury, and Lawlor
0 Nay:
1 Absent: Riddle
0 Abstain:
https://www.columbiaillinois.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_12052022-252
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