City of Chester City Council met Jan. 3.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of Columbia, Illinois Held Tuesday, January 03, 2023 in the Council Room of City Hall.
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, Riddle, Garmer, Khoury, and Lawlor.
Absent: None.
Quorum present.
Administrative Staff present:
City Clerk Andrew Hitzemann
City Attorney Terry Bruckert
Dir. of Comm. Dev. Scott Dunakey
City Engineer Chris Smith
Deputy City Clerk Kelly Mathews
C. Pledge of Allegiance
City Administrator Douglas Brimm
Chief of Police Jason Donjon
Deputy Chief of Police Karla Heine
EMS Chief Kim Lamprecht
Those in attendance recited the Pledge of Allegiance.
D. Proclamations /Recognitions /Presentations
There were no Proclamations/Recognitions/Presentations.
E. Public Input
Gerald Siekerka addressed the Council regarding the sewer lagoon.
Ron Deedrick with the Illinois Realtors' Association addressed the Council regarding Home Rule.
F. Comments & Announcements - Mayor
There were no Mayor Comments & Announcements.
G. Comments & Announcements - Aldermen
There were no Alderman Comments & Announcements.
H. Comments & Announcements - Department Directors
City Administrator Douglas Brimm stated with the increased electric supply rate, the City anticipates an increase of solar panel installations. Mr. Brimm reported there are no current residential restrictions in the Municipal Code for solar panels. Mr. Brimm explained City staff is currently drafting regulations and will present them to the Plan Commission at the January 9, 2023 meeting. Mr. Dunakey briefly reviewed the draft regulations with the Council.
I. Consent Agenda
City Clerk Hitzemann read the Consent Agenda.
1. Motion to Approve Minutes of the December 19, 2022 Regular City Council Meeting
2. Motion to Approve Closed Session Minutes of the December 19, 2022 Regular City Council Meeting
3. Motion to Approve Payment of Vouchers for the Period of December 16, 2022 through December 28, 2022 totaling $179,269.56
Mayor Hill inquired if the Council wished to remove any items prior to a motion. There were none.
Motion:
It was moved by Alderman Garmer, and seconded by Alderman Niemietz, to approve the Consent Agenda.
Motion Passed.
Roll Call Vote results:
8 Aye: Niemietz, Huch, Holtkamp, Martens, Riddle, Garmer, Khoury, and Lawlor
0 Nay:
0 Absent:-
0 Abstain:
J. Unfinished Business
1. Resolution No. 2023-01 Providing for the Submission to the Electors of the City of Columbia, Monroe and Saint Clair Counties, A Referendum Regarding the Adoption of Home Rule Status
Mr. Brimm stated concerns brought forth by Mr. Deedrick could be addressed by ordinance or resolution. Mr. Brimm explained there will be a page on the City's website and a town hall meeting planned to help educate the community on Home Rule Authority.
Alderman Holtkamp asked if home rule required the Council to make any changes, or take any actions. Mr. Brimm confirmed it did not.
Motion:
It was moved by Alderman Niemietz, and seconded by Alderman Khoury, to pass and approve Resolution No. 2023-01, a Resolution Providing for the Submission to the Electors of the City of Columbia, Monroe and Saint Clair Counties, A Referendum Regarding the Adoption of Home Rule Status
Motion Passed.
Roll Call Vote results:
8 Aye: Niemietz, Huch, Holtkamp, Martens, Riddle, Garmer, Khoury, and Lawlor
0 Nay:
0 Absent:
0 Abstain
2. Ordinance No. 3634 Approving a Zoning Map Amendment to Rezone Two Parcels from A-1 Agricultural District to R-3 One-Family Dwelling District Located at 334 BB Road and 2530 Quint Lane
Motion:
It was moved by Alderman Niemietz, and seconded by Alderman Lawlor, to pass and approve Ordinance No. 3634 Approving a Zoning Map Amendment to Rezone Two Parcels from A-1 Agricultural District to R-3 One-Family Dwelling District Located at 334 BB Road and 2530 Quint Lane
Motion Passed.
Roll Call Vote results:
8 Aye: Niemietz, Huch, Holtkamp, Martens, Riddle, Garmer, Khoury, and Lawlor
0 Nay:
0 Absent:
0 Abstain
K. New Business
There was no New Business addressed by the Council.
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)(5) Purchase or Lease of Real Property for Use of the Public Body.
Motion:
It was moved by Alderman Garmer, and seconded by Alderman Khoury, to direct the Mayor to go into Closed Session at 7:40 PM to 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(5) Purchase or Lease of Real Property for Use of the Public Body
Motion Passed.
Roll Call Vote results:
8 Aye: Niemietz, Huch, Holtkamp, Martens, Riddle, Garmer, Khoury, and Lawlor
0 Nay:
0 Absent:
0 Abstain:
Mayor Hill called the Regular Session of the City Council back to order at 8:26 PM. Upon return to Regular Session, Aldermen Niemietz, Huch, Holtkamp, Martens, Riddle, Garmer, Khoury, Lawlor, and Mayor Hill were present.
M. Announcements
Mayor Hill reported he has asked Mr. Smith to contact IDOT to discuss improvements that could be made to Route 3 to avoid the constant accidents.
Mayor Hill announced the January 17, 2023 Council meeting is cancelled to ensure the Council and residents can attend the FEMA flood map meeting.
N. Adjournment
Motion :
It was moved by Alderman Khoury, and seconded by Alderman Huch, to adjourn the Regular City Council meeting held Tuesday, January 03, 2023 at 8:29 PM.
Motion Passed.
Roll Call Vote results:
8 Aye: Niemietz, Huch, Holtkamp, Martens, Riddle, Garmer, Khoury, and Lawlor
0 Nay:
0 Absent:
0 Abstain:
https://www.columbiaillinois.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_01032023-257
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