South West Illinois News

City of Columbia City Council met Sept. 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 7:00 PM.

B. Roll Call

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

Absent: None.

Quorum present.

Administrative Staff present:

City Clerk Derek Reichert City Administrator Douglas Brimm City Attorney Terry Bruckert Chief of Police Jason Donjon

City Engineer Chris Smith EMS Chief Kim Lamprecht

Deputy City Clerk Kelly Mathews Director of Public Works Mike Sander Library Director Annette Bland

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

1. Ms. Jean Jenkins addressed the council about a FOIA she submitted, and concerns regarding time and resource management within the Department of Public Works.

F. Comments & Announcements Ǧ Mayor

1. Songs4Soldiers was held this past weekend and was a great success. Thank you to all involved.

G. Comments & Announcements Ǧ Aldermen

There were no Aldermen Comments & Announcements.

H. Comments & Announcements – Department Directors

There were no Department Director Comments & Announcements.

I. Consent Agenda

City Clerk Reichert read the Consent Agenda.

1. Motion to Approve Minutes of the September 3, 2024 Regular City Council Meeting

2. Motion to Approve Payment of Vouchers for the Period of August 27, 2024 through September 11, 2024 totaling $464,445.94

3. Motion to Approve Statement of Funds for August 31, 2024

4. Motion to Approve Special Event Permit – Columbia High School Homecoming Parade (October 9, 2024)

5. Motion to Approve Special Event Permit – Makers on Main Bewitched Bash (October 10, 2024)

6. Motion to Approve Special Event Permit – Historic Main Street Columbia Association Witches Night Out (October 10, 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 Nobbe, and seconded by Alderman Huch, to approve the Consent Agenda as read.

Motion Passed.

Roll Call Vote results:

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

0 Nay:

0 Absent:

0 Abstain:

J. Unfinished Business

There was no Unfinished Business.

K. New Business

1. Discussion of a Resolution to Levy a Tax Up to .02% of the Value of the Taxable Property in the City of Columbia, Illinois for Columbia Public Library Building and Equipment Purposed for the Fiscal Year of the City Commencing May 1, 2024 and Ending April 30, 2025.

Mr. Brimm reported the City is required to adopt a resolution determining to levy a tax for the Columbia Public Library Building and Equipment. Mr. Brimm reviewed the proposed resolution. This resolution has been drafted to authorize an amount up to .02%, rather than the limit specified in statute. This is intended to allow the City Council and Staff to determine the appropriate amount to be levied during preparation of the annual property tax levy in December.

2. Motion to Approve Engineering Services Agreement with Gonzalez Companies, LLC for the Gall Road Bridge over Carr Creek.

Mr. Smith explained the bridge along Gall Road over Carr Creek is eligible for funding through an IDOT grant. As part of the application a Bridge Condition Report (BCR) is recommended with the funding application. An engineering service agreement is required for Gonzalez Companies, LLC to prepare the BCR.

Motion:

It was moved by Alderman Lawlor, and seconded by Alderman Riddle, to approve Engineering Services Agreement with Gonzalez Companies, LLC for the Gall Road Bridge over Carr Creek.

Motion Passed.

Roll Call Vote results:

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

0 Nay:

0 Absent:

1 Abstain: Niemietz

3. Discussion of Façade Grant Applications

Alderman Nobbe reported the Façade Grant Committee received the following applications that meet all requirements:

ξ Owner of 124 S. Main Street is requesting $5,000.00 to use towards an entire building renovation

ξ Owner of 123 S. Main Street is requesting $5,000.00 to use towards replacing siding, gutters, soffit, downspouts, and windows/door frames

ξ Owner of 111-117 W. Locust Street is requesting $5,000.00 to use towards repainting the exterior

After a brief discussion, Mr. Brimm reported there will be a resolution presented at the October 7 Council meeting for the consideration of the applications.

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)(6) Setting a Price for the Sale or Lease of Property Owned by the Public Body.

Motion:

It was moved by Alderman Niemietz, and seconded by Alderman Hitzemann, to direct the Mayor to go into Closed Session at 7:45 PM to discuss 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: Niemietz, Huch, Holtkamp, Riddle, Khoury, Lawlor, Nobbe and Hitzemann

0 Nay:

0 Absent:

0 Abstain:

Mayor Hill called the Regular Session of the City Council back to order at 8:08 PM. Upon return to Regular Session, Aldermen Niemietz, Huch, Holtkamp, Riddle, Khoury, Lawlor, Nobbe, Hitzemann were present.

M. Announcements

There were no Announcements.

N. Adjournment

Motion:

It was moved by Alderman Riddle, and seconded by Alderman Khoury, to adjourn the Regular City Council meeting held Monday, September 16, 2024 at 8:09 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/Agenda/_10072024-365