South West Illinois News

City of Columbia City Council met Feb. 20.

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, February 20, 2024 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, Riddle, Garmer, Khoury, Lawlor, and Nobbe.

Absent: None.

Quorum present.

Administrative Staff present:

City Clerk Andrew Hitzemann City Attorney Terry Bruckert City Engineer Chris Smith

City Administrator Douglas Brimm Director of Public Works Mike Sander Chief of Police Jason Donjon

IT Director James Mitchell Deputy City Clerk Kelly Mathews Asst. Dir. of DOPW Doug Stinemetz

C. Pledge of Allegiance

Those in attendance recited the Pledge of Allegiance.

D. Proclamations /Recognitions /Presentations

1. Presentation - Chris Smith. NPDES Permit for Storm Water Discharges from Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4) Report

City Engineer Chris Sm ith reviewed the NPDES Permit.

E. Public Input

There was no public input.

F. Comments & Announcements - Mayor

Mayor Hill thanked al l the employees at the Department of Public Works for all their hard work during the last snow storm.

G. Comments & Announcements - Aldermen

There were no Aldermen Comments & Announcements.

H. Comments & Announcements - Department Directors

1. Columbia Police Department - Chief Jason Donjon

Chief of Police Jason Donjon provided a review of the Police Department.

I. Consent Agenda

City Clerk Hitzemann read the Consent Agenda .

1. Motion to Approve Minutes of the February 5, 2024 Regular City Council Meeting

2. Motion to Approve Closed Session Minutes of the February 5, 2024 Regular City Council Meeting

3. Motion to Approve Payment of Vouchers for the Period of February 1, 2024 through February 13, 2024 Totaling $526,764.34

4. Motion to Approve Special Event Application - Columbia Easter Egg Hunt Mandy McGuire Group (March 24, 2024)

5. Motion to Approve Special Event Application - Music at Metter Concert Series (June 23, July 14, and August 4, 2024)

6. Motion to Approve Special Event Application - Electronic Recycling (August 3, 2024)

7. Motion to Approve Special Event Application - FestiFall (October 6, 2024)

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 Holtkamp, 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. Ordinance No. 3662 Setting the Public Hearing Date for the Establishment of a Business District in Columbia

Mr. Brimm reported adjustments were made to the Business District Plan based upon the last Public Hearing. This includes five parcels being added and the reference to eminent domain being removed . Since amendments were made, another public hearing has to be held. This Ordinance would set it for Monday March 4, 2024 at 7:00 pm as part of the Regular City Council Meeting. Mr. Brimm anticipates the City Council will consider adoption at the March 18, 2024 Regular City Council Meeting.

Motion:

It was moved by Alderman Lawlor, and seconded by Alderman Khoury, to pass and approve Ordinance No. 3662 Setting the Public Hearing Date for the Establishment of a Business District in Columbia

Motion Passed.

Roll Call Vote results:

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

0 Nay:

0 Absent:

0 Abstain

2. Ordinance No. 3663 Granting a Perpetual Utility Easement to Ameren Illinois

Motion:

It was moved by Alderman Nobbe, and seconded by Alderman Riddle, to pass and approve Ordinance No. 3663 Granting a Perpetual Utility Easement to Ameren Illinois

Motion Passed.

Roll Call Vote results:

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

0 Nay:

0 Absent:

0 Abstain

K. New Business

1. Discussion of an Ordinance Amending Titles 5 and 17 of the Columbia Municipal Code to Provide for the Licensing and Regulation of Short-Term Rental of Property

Mr. Brimm explained the City does not have any regulations perta ining to short-term rentals, colloquially known as "AirBNBs" or "VRBOs."

Staff has drafted regulations applicable to short-term rentals, segmented into three categories: Type-A (Owner Occupied); Type-B (Non-Owner Occupied); and Bed & Breakfasts. All short-term rentals are limited to the C-2 General Business District, and permitted only as a special use. Each type is subject to an annual registration and inspection. It is proposed the maximum number of Type-A and Type-B short-term rental licenses be capped at (S) each.

The Plan Commission held a public hearing on this matter February 12, 2024. No public comment was received. The Plan Commission unanimously recommended approval.

An ordinance will be presented at the March 4, 2024 Council meeting for consideration.

2. Discussion of a Special Use Permit Application for a Ground-Mounted Solar Energy System at 200 Quarry Road

Mr. Brimm explained ReThink Electric, on behalf of Midland States Bank, has applied for a special use permit to allow installation of a ground-mounted solar system on property located at 200 Quarry Road. The solar system is proposed to be located behind the bank building, opposite of Quarry Road. The system meets applicable setback requirements for a ground-mounted system. The plans will need to be updated prior to permit issuance to include the required 4'-6' fence enclosing the system. Plan Commission unanimously recommended approval of the request.

An ordinance will be presented at the March 4, 2024 Council meeting for consideration. 

3. Discussion of a Special Use Permit Application for a Ground-Mounted Solar Energy System at 361 Grant Drive

Mr. Brimm reported LGCY Installation has applied for a special use permit to allow installation of a ground-mounted solar system on property located at 361 Grant Drive. the ground-mounted application for 361 Grant Drive. The solar system is proposed to be located in the backyard, which abuts three other residential lots in the subdivision. The plans do not indicate the setbacks but do not appear to meet the requirements. The plans also do not include the required 4'-6' fence around the system.

Neighboring property owners spoke against the request. Plan Commission unanimously recommended denial of the request, citing the possible impacts to nearby residential properties, potential setback issues and the lack of justification for ground-mounted vs roof-mounted. There was no representative of the applicant in attendance to present feedback on these issues.

It was the consensus of the Council to let the Plan Commission's recommend denial stand.

4. Discussion of an Ordinance Authorizing the Sale of Surplus Personal Property

Mr. Brimm announced the City has determined there are two trailers and two vehicles no longer in use.

An ordinance will be presented at the March 4, 2024 Council meeting for consideration .

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)(2) Collective Bargaining

Motion:

It was moved by Alderman Niemietz, and seconded by Alderman Huch, to direct the Mayor to go into Closed Session at 7:48 PM pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(2) Collective Bargaining

Motion Passed.

Roll Call Vote results:

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

0 Nay:

0 Absent:

0 Abstain:

Mayor Hill called the Regular Session of the City Counci l back to order at 8:13 PM . Upon return to Regular Session, Aldermen Niemietz, Huch, Holtkamp, Riddle, Garmer, Khoury, Lawlor, Nobbe, and Mayor Hill were present.

M. Announcements

Mayor Hill announced a new Building Official had been hired and the City is also hiring a Code Enforcer.

Mr. Brimm provided an update on the RFP for recodification. There were two responses in addition to General Code reaching out to try and salvage the last project.

N. Adjournment

Motion:

It was moved by Alderman Lawlor, and seconded by Alderman Nobbe, to adjourn the Regular City Council meeting held Tuesday, February 20, 2024 at 8:15 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/_02202024-320