South West Illinois News

City of Columbia City Council met Oct. 7.

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

Absent: Alderman Niemietz.

Quorum present.

Administrative Staff present:

City Clerk Derek Reichert

City Administrator Douglas Brimm

City Attorney Terry Bruckert

Chief of Police Jason Donjon

IT Director James Mitchell

Deputy Chief of Police Karla Heine

Deputy City Clerk Kelly Mathews

Director of Public Works Mike Sander

C. Pledge of Allegiance

Those in attendance recited the Pledge of Allegiance.

D. Proclamations/Recognitions/Presentations

Mayor Hill proclaimed October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

E. Public Input

1. Ms. Jean Jenkins expressed her concerns about crosswalks needing to be painted and numerous gambling/slots signs around town and on school bus routes.

F. Comments & Announcements ‐ Mayor

Mayor Hill commented on the follow items:

1. FestiFall was a big success

2. You can vote for your favorite Scarecrow on Main Street

3. CHS Homecoming Parade will be on Wednesday, October 9th

4. Witches Night Out and Bewitched Bash events will be on Thursday, October 10th

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 Clerk Reichert read the Consent Agenda.

1. Motion to Approve Minutes of the September 16, 2024 Regular City Council Meeting

2. Motion to Approve Payment of Vouchers for the Period of September 12, 2024 through October 2, 2024 totaling $606,311.80

3. Motion to Approve Closed Session Minutes of the September 16, 2024 Regular City Council Meeting

4. Ordinance No. 3683 Authorizing the Sale of Surplus Personal Property

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

Motion:

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

Motion Passed.

Roll Call Vote results:

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

0 Nay:

1 Absent: Niemietz

0 Abstain:

J. 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 Nobbe, and seconded by Alderman Riddle, to direct the Mayor to go into Closed Session at 7:13 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:

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

0 Nay:

1 Absent: Niemietz

0 Abstain:

Mayor Hill called the Regular Session of the City Council back to order at 7:33 PM. Upon return to Regular Session, Aldermen Huch, Holtkamp, Riddle, Khoury, Lawlor, Nobbe, Hitzemann were present.

K. Unfinished Business

1. Resolution No. 2024-21 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 Purposes for the Fiscal Year of the City Commencing May 1, 2024 and Ending April 30, 2025

Motion:

It was moved by Alderman Lawlor, and seconded by Alderman Khoury, to Approve Resolution No. 2024-21, 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 Purposes for the Fiscal Year of the City Commencing May 1, 2024 and Ending April 30, 2025

Motion Passed.

Roll Call Vote results:

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

0 Nay:

1 Absent: Niemietz

0 Abstain:

L. New Business

1. Discussion of Compensation to be Paid to City of Columbia, Illinois Municipal Officers Who are Elected at the Next Regular Municipal Election Held April 1, 2025 City Administrator Brimm explained Ordinance No. 3626 adopted in October 17, 2022 programmed in the compensation for the elected officials who are elected at the April 1, 2025 election. Mr. Brimm wanted to review the ordinance with the Council if any adjustments were needed.

It was the consensus of the Council to use Ordinance No. 3626 as the set compensation of the election held April 1, 2025.

2. Discussion of Façade Grant Applications

Before the discussion, Mr. Brimm explained the funding for the grants will come from the capital development fund, the general fund, and the tourism fund.

Alderman Nobbe reviewed two new façade grant applications with the Council. The owner of 608 N. Main Street is requesting $5,000.00 to use towards new signage and painting the building. The owner of 126 S. Main Street is requesting $2,000.00 for building repair.

Mr. Brimm reported a resolution will presented at October 21, 2024 Council Meeting for consideration of the five applications reviewed.

M. 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

Motion:

It was moved by Alderman Khoury, and seconded by Alderman Hitzemann, to direct the Mayor to go into Closed Session at 7:48 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:

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

0 Nay:

1 Absent: Niemietz

0 Abstain:

Mayor Hill called the Regular Session of the City Council back to order at 8:15 PM. Upon return to Regular Session, Aldermen Huch, Holtkamp, Riddle, Khoury, Lawlor, Nobbe, Hitzemann were present.

N. Announcements

Alderman Lawlor brought up the subject of installing crosswalks on North Main Street near the Rueck Road intersection.

Alderman Holtkamp asked for an update regarding the culvert on GM&O Trail. O. Adjournment

Motion:

It was moved by Alderman Nobbe, and seconded by Alderman Riddle, to adjourn the Regular City Council meeting held Monday, October 07, 2024 at 8:17 PM.

Motion Passed.

Roll Call Vote results:

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

0 Nay:

https://www.columbiail.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_10212024-369