South West Illinois News

City of Columbia City Council met July 15.

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, July 15, 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, Khoury, Lawlor, Nobbe, and Hitzemann.

Absent: None.

Quorum present.

Administrative Staff present:

City Administrator Douglas Brimm

City Attorney Terry Bruckert

Chief of Police Jason Donjon

Director of Public Works Mike Sander

Library Director Annette Bland

City Engineer Chris Smith

EMS Chief Kim Lamprecht

Deputy City Clerk Kelly Mathews

IT Director James Mitchell

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 Input

There was no public input.

F. Comments & Announcements - Mayor

Mayor Hill -

1. Gave an update on road maintenance performed by IDOT on Old Route 3.

2. Announced the BackStoppers Hot Rods for Heroes Car Show held on Main Street was a huge success with 196 entries.

3. Thanked everyone that was involved with the 4th of July Celebration.

4. Commented on the deplorable assassination attempt on President Donald Trump. City of Columbia joins the nation in a moment of reflection for the family of Corey Comperatore who lost his life and for David Dutch and James Copenhaver who sustained serious injuries. Despite our political differences we are all Americans.

G. Comments & Announcements - Aldermen

There were no Aldermen Comments & Announcements.

H. Comments & Announcements - Department Directors

There were no Department Director Comments & Announcements.

I. Consent Agenda

City Administrator Brimm read the Consent Agenda.

1. Motion to approve minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting held Monday, July 01, 2024

2. Motion to approve minutes of the Closed Session of the City Council held Monday, July 01, 2024

3. Motion to authorize the payment of vouchers for the period from June 27, 2024 through July 11, 2024 in the amount of $504,927.60

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

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

Motion Passed.

Roll Call Vote results:

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

0 Nay:

0 Absent:

1 Abstain: Huch

J. Unfinished Business

Mayor Hill asked if any alderman wished to enter into closed session to discuss either J.1. or J.2. Closed session was not needed at this time.

1. Ordinance No. 3678 Filling the Offices of Appointed City Officers of the City of Columbia, Illinois for the Fiscal Year of the City Commencing May 1, 2024 and Ending April 30, 2025

Mr. Brimm noted that Ordinance No. 3678 will officially appoint Director of Finance Emily Voellinger to the office of City Treasurer effective July 29, 2024

Motion: It was moved by Alderman Lawlor, and seconded by Alderman Khoury, to Approve Ordinance No. 3678, an Ordinance Filling the Offices of Appointed City Officers of the City of Columbia, Illinois for the Fiscal Year of the City Commencing May 1, 2024 and Ending April 30, 2025

Motion Passed.

Roll Call Vote results:

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

0 Nay:

0 Absent:

0 Abstain:

2. Resolution No. 2024-19 Approving an Authorized Agent with Respect to the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund

Mr. Brimm noted that Resolution No. 2024-19 will officially appoint Director of Finance Emily Voellinger as the IMRF Authorized Agent for the City of Columbia effective July 29, 2024

Motion: It was moved by Alderman Niemietz, and seconded by Alderman Hitzemann, to Approve Resolution No. 2024-19 Approving an Authorized Agent with Respect to the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund

Motion Passed.

Roll Call Vote results:

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

0 Nay:

0 Absent:

0 Abstain:

K. New Business

1. Resolution No. 2024-20 Approving an Agreement Between the City of Columbia and Songs4Soldiers, NFP Providing for Utilization of City-Owned Park Facilities Related to the 2024 Annual Benefit Concert

Songs4Soldiers President Dustin Row provided an overview of the proposed 2024 Annual Benefit Concert to be held in Bolm-Schuhkraft Park on September 13 and September 14

Motion: It was moved by Alderman Huch, and seconded by Alderman Riddle, to Approve Resolution No. 2024-20 Approving an Agreement Between the City of Columbia and Songs4Soldiers, NFP Providing for Utilization of City-Owned Park Facilities Related to the 2024 Annual Benefit Concert

Motion Passed.

Roll Call Vote results:

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

0 Nay:

0 Absent:

0 Abstain:

2. Mobile Vending Discussion

Alderman Holtkamp asked that the mobile vending ordinance be amended to allow an ice cream truck to operate within the City. Mr. Brimm stated he will work with Mr. Bruckert to draft an ordinance amending the mobile vending ordinance. The ordinance will be presented it at the next City Council meeting for consideration.

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 the Use of the Public Body and 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(6) Setting a Price for the Sale or Lease of Property Owned by the Public Body.

Motion: It was moved by Alderman Nobbe, and seconded by Alderman Huch, to direct the Mayor to go into Closed Session at 7:20 PM to discuss 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1) Appointment, Employment, Compensation, Discipline, Performance, or Dismissal of Specific Employees of the Public Body and 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(5) Purchase or Lease of Real Property for the Use of the Public Body and 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(6) Setting a Price for the Sale or Lease of Property Owned by the Public Body.

Motion Passed.

Roll Call Vote results:

8 Aye:

0 Nay:

0 Absent:

0 Abstain:

Niemietz, Huch, Holtkamp, Riddle, Khoury, Lawlor, Nobbe and Hitzemann

Mayor Hill called the Regular Session of the City Council back to order at 7:31 PM. Upon return to Regular Session, Aldermen Niemietz, Huch, Holtkamp, Riddle, Khoury, Lawlor, Nobbe, Hitzemann were present.

M. Announcements

Aldermen Nobbe announced applications are now being accepted for the Building Façade Grant Program for business owners to enhance their buildings.

N. Adjournment

Motion: It was moved by Alderman Riddle, and seconded by Alderman Lawlor to adjourn the Regular City Council meeting held Monday, July 15, 2024 at 7:33 PM.

Motion Passed.

Roll Call Vote results:

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

0 Nay:

0 Absent:

0 Abstain:

https://www.columbiail.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_07152024-345