South West Illinois News

City of Columbia City Council met Jan. 16.

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 7:01 PM .

B. Roll Call

Present: Aldermen Niemietz, Huch, Holtkamp, Riddle, Garmer, Khoury, Lawlor, and Nobbe.

Absent: None.

Quorum present.

Administrative Staff present:

City Clerk Andrew Hitzemann

City Engineer Chris Smith

City Attorney Terry Bruckert

City Administrator Douglas Brimm

Chief of Police Jason Donjon

Director of Public Works Mike Sander

Deputy Chief of Police Karla Heine

IT Analyst Courtney Konarcik

IT Director James Mitchell

EMS Chief Kim Lamprecht

C. Pledge of Allegiance

Those in attendance recited the Pledge of Allegiance.

D. Proclamations /Recognitions /Presentations

There were no proclamations, recognitions, or presentations.

E. Public lnput

There was no public input.

F. Comments & Announcements - Mayor

Mayor Hill wished everyone a Great New Year and thanked the Public Works Department for all their hard work during the cold weather.

G. Comments & Announcements - Aldermen

Alderman Huch thanked City Engineer Chris Smith and Police Chief Jason Donjon for meeting with the residents in Columbia Lakes regarding concerns with the intersection on Old Route 3 prior to the Council Meeting.

H. Comments & Announcements - Department Directors

City Engineer Chris Smith provided an update on the STP funding and application process. This funding allows the City to use federal funding on certain City roads. Gall Road fits this criteria and is anticipated to be the next road to improve.

I. Consent Agenda

City Clerk Hitzemann read the Consent Agenda.

1. Motion to Approve Minutes of the December 18, 2023 Regular City Council Meeting Regular Meeting - January 16, 2024 Page 1 of 4

2. Motion to Approve Closed Minutes of the December 18, 2023 Regular City Council Meeting

3. Motion to Approve Payment of Vouchers for the Period of December 14, 2023 through January 11, 2024 Totaling $582,542.15

4. Motion to Approve Statement of Funds for December 30, 2023

5. Ordinance No. 3660 Amending the Public Hearing Date for the Establishment of a Business District

6. Ordinance No. 3661 Declaring Police Officer Steve Patton's Active Duty Firearm as Surplus Property

7. Motion to Approve Special Event Application - Monroe County Start-Up Color Run (March 23, 2024)

8. Motion to Approve Special Event Application - The Arts in the Park (June 9, 2024)

Mayor Hill and Alderman Niemietz thanked Officer Patton on his dedicated service to the City.

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 Huch, to approve the Consent Agenda as read .

Motion Passed.

Roll Call Vote results:

8 Aye: Niemietz, Huch, Holtkamp, Riddle, Garmer, Khoury, Lawlor, and Nobbe

0 Nay:

0 Absent:

0 Abstain:

J. Unfinished Business

1. Resolution No. 2024-01 Authorizing a Joint Agreement Between the Illinois Department of Transportation and City of Columbia (Carl Street Bridge Replacement Project)

Mr. Smith announced the Carl Street Bridge Replacement Project is anticipated to have a March letting. Working with IDOT, the City is also getting an additional $300,000 towards this project which requires a new agreement.

Motion:

It was moved by Alderman Lawlor, and seconded by Alderman Riddle, to pass and approve Resolution No. 2024-01 Authorizing a Joint Agreement Between the Illinois Department ofTransportation and City of Columbia (Carl Street Bridge Replacement Project)

Motion Passed.

Roll Call Vote results:

8 Aye: Niemietz, Huch, Holtkamp, Riddle, Garmer, Khoury, Lawlor, and Nobbe

0 Nay:

0 Absent:

0 Abstain

2. Resolution No. 2024-02 Appropriating Funding for the Carl Street Bridge Replacement Project

Motion:

It was moved by Alderman Garmer, and seconded by Alderman Riddle, to pass and approve Resolution No. 2024-02 Appropriating Funding for the Carl Street Bridge Replacement Project

Motion Passed.

Roll Call Vote results:

8 Aye: Niemietz, Huch, Holtkamp, Riddle, Garmer, Khoury, Lawlor, and Nobbe

0 Nay:

0 Absent:

0 Abstain

3. Resolution No. 2024-03 Approving an Easement Agreement Between the Herrmann Family, Timber Rock, LLC, and the City of Columbia

Motion:

It was moved by Alderman Khoury, and seconded by Alderman Nobbe, to pass and approve Resolution No. 2024-03 Approving an Easement Agreement Between the Herrmann Family, Timber Rock, LLC, and the City of Columbia

Motion Passed.

Roll Call Vote results:

8 Aye: Niemietz, Huch, Holtkamp, Riddle, Garmer, Khoury, Lawlor, and Nobbe

0 Nay:

0 Absent:

0 Abstain

4. Discussion of Code Update Request for Proposals

City Administrator Douglas Brimm updated the Council on the code recodification. As previously discussed, the determination was made to abandon the draft recodification started in 2019 due to deficiencies. A draft Request for Codification Services has been completed and will be distributed to firms. The entire process is anticipated to take 6-8 months. A new Municipal Code can likely be adopted by year's end.

K. New Business

1. Discussion of a Land Transfer between Monroe County Parcel No. 04-22-120-012-000 and Parcel No. 04-22-120-013-000 Located in the City of Columbia

Jim Vogt of Heneghan & Associates addressed the Council on behalf of his clients Bruce and Susan Naumann. They selling their house but would like to keep the surrounding land with another Parcel.

2. Discussion of an Agreement Between the City of Columbia and Blue Jay Football Association

Mr. Brimm announced the Columbia Blue Jay Football Association would like to make improvements to the Blue Jay Hut. The structure has deteriorated and is in need of repair. The Blue Jays are willing to fund a majority of the improvement, but are looking for a 25-year license to use specific areas of City Park for its youth football program. The City would reimburse up to $6,000 for concrete work and up to $5,000 per year for grounds/building maintenance.

L. Closed Session

There was no business addressed in Closed Session.

M. Announcements

There were no announcements.

N. Adjournment

Motion:

It was moved by Alderman Lawlor, and seconded by Alderman Niemietz, to adjourn the Regular City Council meeting held Tuesday, January 16, 2024 at 7:34 PM.

Motion Passed.

Roll Call Vote results:

8 Aye: Niemietz, Huch, Holtkamp, Riddle, Garmer, Khoury, Lawlor, and Nobbe

0 Nay:

0 Absent:

0 Abstain:

https://www.columbiaillinois.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_01162024-316