South West Illinois News

City of Columbia City Council met Dec. 4.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of Columbia, Illinois Held Monday, December 04, 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 7:01 PM. 

B. Roll Call 

Present: 

Aldermen Niemietz, Holtkamp, Riddle, Garmer, Khoury, Lawlor, and Nobbe. 

Absent: Alderman Huch. 

Quorum present. 

Administrative Staff present: 

City Clerk Andrew Hitzemann City Attorney Terry Bruckert 

City Administrator Douglas Brimm Chief of Police Jason Donjon 

IT Director James Mitchell 

City Treasurer Linda Sharp 

C. Pledge of Allegiance 

City Engineer Chris Smith 

Director of Public Works Mike Sander Building Official Justin Osterhage Deputy City Clerk Kelly Mathews EMS Chief Kim Lamprecht 

Those in attendance recited the Pledge of Allegiance. 

D. Proclamations/Recognitions/Presentations 

There were no proclamations, recognitions, or presentations. 

E. Public Input 

There was no Public Input. 

F. Comments & Announcements - Mayor 

Mayor Hill thanked everyone for a great event and turnout at the Bright Night Christmas Parade. He also announced there will be a Christmas Light Display Contest in Columbia. Fall leaf pickup will continue until December 15. 

G. Comments & Announcements - Aldermen 

Alderman Nobbe thanked everyone for a great Bright Night Christmas Parade and announced the results of the Dog Park contest will be posted on December 5. 

H. Comments & Announcements - Department Directors 

There were no Department Director Comments & Announcements. 

I. Consent Agenda 

City Clerk Hitzemann read the Consent Agenda. 

1. Motion to Approve Minutes of the November 20, 2023 Regular City Council Meeting 

Motion to Approve Closed Minutes of the November 20, 2023 Regular City Council Meeting 

3. Motion to Approve Payment of Vouchers for the Period of November 17, 2023 through November 29, 2023 totaling $116,521.82 

4. Motion to Approve Statement of Funds for October 31, 2023 

5. Resolution No. 2023-27 Approving an Intergovernmental Cooperation Agreement with Columbia Community School District No. 4 (Emergency Medical Responder Course) 

Mayor Hill inquired if the Council wished to remove any items prior to a motion. There were none. 

Motion: 

It was moved by Alderman Lawlor, and seconded by Alderman Nobbe, to approve the Consent Agenda as read. 

Motion Passed. 

Roll Call Vote results: 

7 Aye: Niemietz, Holtkamp, Riddle, Garmer, Khoury, Lawlor, and Nobbe 

0 Nay: 

1 Absent: Huch 

0 Abstain: 

J. Unfinished Business 

1. Ordinance No. 3653 Abating Certain Taxes of the City of Columbia, Monroe and St. Clair Counties, Illinois (Series 2015 GO Bonds) 

City Administrator Douglas Brimm explained the City's utility tax receipts will be sufficient to pay the principal and interest for these bonds through Dec. 31, 2024. 

Motion: 

It was moved by Alderman Khoury, and seconded by Alderman Niemietz, to pass and approve Ordinance No. 3653 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, Holtkamp, Riddle, Garmer, Khoury, Lawlor, and Nobbe 

0 Nay: 

1 Absent: Huch 

0 Abstain: 

2. Ordinance No. 3654 Abating Certain Taxes of the City of Columbia, Monroe and St. Clair Counties, Illinois (Series 2020 GO Bonds) 

Mr. Brimm explained the City's video gaming receipts will be sufficient to pay the principal and interest for these bonds through Dec. 31, 2024. 

Motion: 

It was moved by Alderman Nobbe, and seconded by Alderman Khoury, to pass and approve Ordinance No. 3654 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, Holtkamp, Riddle, Garmer, Khoury, Lawlor, and Nobbe 

0 Nay: 

1 Absent: Huch 

0 Abstain: 

3. Ordinance No. 3655 Levying the Taxes for the Fiscal Year Ending April 30, 2024 

Mr. Brimm reviewed the levy of property taxes for Tax Year 2023. Mr. Brimm explained this will be the 4th consecutive year the City decreased its property tax rate. 

Motion: 

It was moved by Alderman Nobbe, and seconded by Alderman Lawlor, to pass and approve Ordinance No. 3655 Levying the Taxes for the Fiscal Year Ending April 30, 2024 

Motion Passed. 

Roll Call Vote results: 

7 Aye: Niemietz, Holtkamp, Riddle, Garmer, Khoury, Lawlor, and Nobbe 

0 Nay: 

1 Absent: Huch 

0 Abstain: 

4. Ordinance No. 3656 Amending Chapter 5.50 of the Columbia Municipal Code (Mobile Vending Licensing) 

Mr. Osterhage reviewed the proposed amendments and explained there were no changes made since presented at the November 20 Council meeting. 

Motion: 

It was moved by Alderman Lawlor, and seconded by Alderman Riddle, to pass and approve Ordinance No. 3656 Amending Chapter 5.50 of the Columbia Municipal Code (Mobile Vending Licensing) 

Motion Passed. 

Roll Call Vote results: 

7 Aye: Niemietz, Holtkamp, Riddle, Garmer, Khoury, Lawlor, and Nobbe 

0 Nay: 

1 Absent: Huch 

0 Abstain 

5. Ordinance No. 3657 Amending Chapter 17.60 of the Columbia Municipal Code (Mobile Vending Business Park) 

Mr. Osterhage reviewed the proposed amendments and explained there were no changes made since presented at the November 20 Council meeting. 

Motion: 

It was moved by Alderman Garmer, and seconded by Alderman Niemietz, to pass and approve Ordinance No. 3657 Amending Chapter 17.60 of the Columbia Municipal Code (Mobile Vending Business Park) 

Motion Passed. 

Roll Call Vote results: 

7 Aye: Niemietz, Holtkamp, Riddle, Garmer, Khoury, Lawlor, and Nobbe 

0 Nay: 

1 Absent: Huch 

0 Abstain 

6. Ordinance No. 3658 Amending Chapter 17.54 of the Columbia Municipal Code (Mobile Vending Business Park) 

Mr. Osterhage reviewed the proposed amendments and explained there were no changes made since presented at the November 20 Council meeting. 

A brief discussion was held regarding the inside/outside activities of the proposed Mobile Vending Park and time/noise restraints. 

Motion: 

It was moved by Alderman Khoury, and seconded by Alderman Riddle, to pass and approve Ordinance No. 3658 Amending Chapter 17.54 of the Columbia Municipal Code (Mobile Vending Business Park) 

Motion Passed. 

Roll Call Vote results: 

7 Aye: Niemietz, Holtkamp, Riddle, Garmer, Khoury, Lawlor, and Nobbe 

0 Nay: 

1 Absent: Huch 

0 Abstain 

7. Motion to Approve 2024 Employee Benefits Renewal 

Mr. Brimm reviewed the Employee Benefits Renewal and explained there were no changes made since presented at the November 20 Council meeting. 

Motion: 

It was moved by Alderman Holtkamp, and seconded by Alderman Lawlor, to pass and approve a Motion to Approve 2024 Employee Benefits Renewal 

Motion Passed. 

Roll Call Vote results: 

7 Aye: Niemietz, Holtkamp, Riddle, Garmer, Khoury, Lawlor, and Nobbe 

0 Nay: 

1 Absent: Huch 

0 Abstain 

K. New Business 

1. Ordinance No. 3659 Setting the Public Hearing Date for the Establishment of a Business District in Columbia 

Mr. Brimm explained as part of the process for the establishment of a business district, Illinois State Statute requires the City to hold a public hearing to receive input on the proposed plan. Ordinance No. 3659 sets the date/time for the hearing on January 16, 2024 at 6:45 pm. John Brancaglione of PGAV Planners will facilitate a review of the draft plan as part of the December 18, 2023 Regular City Council Meeting. 

Motion: 

It was moved by Alderman Niemietz, and seconded by Alderman Nobbe, to pass and approve Ordinance No. 3659 Setting the Public Hearing Date for the Establishment of a Business District in Columbia 

Motion Passed. 

Roll Call Vote results: 

7 Aye: Niemietz, Holtkamp, Riddle, Garmer, Khoury, Lawlor, and Nobbe 

0 Nay: 

1 Absent: Huch 

0 Abstain 

L. Closed Session 

Mayor Hill informed the Council that he would entertain a motion to go into Closed Session pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1) Appointment, Employment, Compensation, Discipline, Performance, or Dismissal of Specific Employees of the Public Body 

Motion: 

It was moved by Alderman Khoury, and seconded by Alderman Niemietz, to direct the Mayor to go into Closed Session at 7:29 PM pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1) Appointment, Employment, Compensation, Discipline, Performance, or Dismissal of Specific Employees of the Public Body 

Motion Passed. 

Roll Call Vote results: 

7 Aye: Niemietz, Holtkamp, Riddle, Garmer, Khoury, Lawlor, and Nobbe 

0 Nay: 

1 Absent: Huch 

0 Abstain: 

Mayor Hill called the Regular Session of the City Council back to order at 8:39 PM. Upon return to Regular Session, Aldermen Niemietz, Holtkamp, Riddle, Garmer, Khoury, Lawlor, Nobbe, and Mayor Hill were present. 

M. Announcements 

There were no announcements. 

N. Adjournment 

Motion: 

It was moved by Alderman Lawlor, and seconded by Alderman Nobbe, to adjourn the Regular City Council meeting held Monday, December 04, 2023 at 8:39 PM. 

Motion Passed. 

Roll Call Vote results: 

7 Aye: Niemietz, Holtkamp, Riddle, Garmer, Khoury, Lawlor, and Nobbe 

0 Nay: 

1 Absent: Huch 

0 Abstain: 

https://www.columbiaillinois.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_12042023-309