South West Illinois News

City of Columbia City Council met Oct. 21.

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:

Library Director Annette Bland 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

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. Mr. Carl Woodcock addressed the council regarding the disaster relief program and drainage issues at his residence.

2. Mr. Gary Stumpf requested the Council consider granting him a variance to be allowed to discharge firearms in City limits while hunting on his property.

F. Comments & Announcements ‐ Mayor

There were no Mayor Comments & Announcements

G. Comments & Announcements ‐ Aldermen

There were no Aldermen Comments & Announcements.

H. Comments & Announcements – Department Directors

City Engineer Chris Smith gave an update on the Valmeyer Road project.

I. Consent Agenda

City Administrator Brimm read the Consent Agenda.

1. Motion to Approve Minutes of the October 7, 2024 Regular City Council Meeting

2. Motion to Approve Closed Session Minutes of the October 7, 2024 Regular City Council Meeting

3. Motion to Approve Payment of Vouchers for the Period of October 3, 2024 through October 16, 2024 totaling $436,420.99

4. Motion to Approve Statement of Funds for September 30, 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 Riddle, 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

1. Motion to Approve Resolution No. 2024-22 Awarding Grants Under the Building Façade Program (123 S. Main St., 124 S. Main St., 126 S. Main St., 608 N. Main St., 111-117 W. Locust St.).

City Administrator Brimm and Alderman Nobbe provided an update on the Building Façade Program and the applicants. A discussion was held regarding notice of the program to all businesses within the City.

Motion: It was moved by Alderman Lawlor, and seconded by Alderman Nobbe, to Approve Resolution No. 2024-22, a Resolution Awarding Grants Under the Building Façade Program (123 S. Main St., 124 S. Main St., 126 S. Main St., 608 N. Main St., 111-117 W. Locust St.).

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. Discussion of 2025 Illinois Municipal League Risk Management Association Insurance Renewal.

Mr. Brimm reported the Illinois Municipal League Risk Management Association (IMLRMA), the City’s carrier for General Liability, Property, and Workers Compensation insurance, has provided a proposal for continued participation in its Minimum/Maximum (Min/Max) Contribution Program, with a 3% premium increase for 2025. The City can either go with the Min/Max program or pay a fix premium at 100%.

Mr. Brimm reported a resolution will be presented at the November 3, 2024 Council meeting for consideration.

2. Discussion of a Special Use Permit to allow a Short-Term Rental at 124 West Washington in the C-2 General Business District.

Mr. Brimm explained Hometown Select Properties has applied for a special use permit to allow a short-term rental located at 124 West Washington. Mr. Brimm reported the property has an existing single-family dwelling with an occupancy limit of three tenants. There is also no off-street parking, although street parking is available on both West Washington and South Rapp. Alderman Lawlor stated he preferred parking stay to West Washington.

Mr. Brimm reported an ordinance will be presented at the November 3, 2024 Council meeting for consideration.

3. Discussion of Municipal Electric Aggregation Program

Mr. Brimm reported himself, Mayor Hill, and City Attorney Bruckert met with Good Energy to discuss concerns relating to the program. It was noted Ameren Illinois filed a request with the Illinois Commerce Commission to increase the transmission portion of the default rate, effective January 1, 2025. Good Energy reported this increase is anticipated to be 20%, and will likely result in the price to compare being very close if not higher than the aggregation rate.

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.

Motion: It was moved by Alderman Niemietz, and seconded by Alderman Nobbe, to direct the Mayor to go into Closed Session at 7:46 PM to discuss 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(5) Purchase or Lease of Real Property for the Use of 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 8:35 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 Lawlor, and seconded by Alderman Riddle, to adjourn the Regular City Council meeting held Monday, September 16, 2024 at 8:35 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/_11042024-370