South West Illinois News

City of Columbia City Council met Nov. 18.

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 Deputy City Clerk Kelly Mathews City Engineer Chris Smith EMS Chief Kim Lamprecht

C. Pledge of Allegiance

Those in attendance recited the Pledge of Allegiance.

D. Proclamations/Recognitions/Presentations

1. Small Business Saturday Proclamation

Mayor Hill proclaimed Saturday, November 30, 2024 as Small Business Saturday and encouraged residents to shop local this holiday season.

E. Public Input

There was no Public Input.

F. Comments & Announcements ‐ Mayor

Mayor Hill announced the following upcoming events:

∙ Saturday, November 30: Christmas Tree Lighting at City Hall Fountain Park

∙ Saturday, November 30: Small Business Saturday

∙ Saturday, December 7: Bright Night Christmas Parade and Turner Hall Christmas Social

Mayor Hill also announced the Plan Commission will be holding a Public Hearing to review the 2024 Comprehensive Plan on December 2nd at 6:30 PM.

G. Comments & Announcements ‐ Aldermen

There were no Aldermen Comments & Announcements.

H. Comments & Announcements – Department Directors

There were no Department Directors Comments & Announcements.

I. Consent Agenda

1. Motion to Approve Minutes of the November 4, 2024 Regular City Council Meeting

2. Motion to Approve Closed Session Minutes of the November 4, 2024 Regular City Council Meeting

3. Motion to Approve Payment of Vouchers for the Period of October 30, 2024 through November 14, 2024 Totaling $607,948.82

4. Motion to Approve Statement of Funds for October 31, 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 Hitzemann, and seconded by Alderman Nobbe, 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 2025 Employee Benefits Renewal

Motion:

It was moved by Alderman Lawlor, and seconded by Alderman Khoury, to approve 2025 Employee Benefits Renewal

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 Property Tax Levy for Tax Year 2024 (Payable in 2025)

Mr. Brimm recommends setting the tax levy at 5% over Tax Year 2023. Mr. Brimm explained the EAV for 2024 is conservatively trending at a 6.3% increase. If the City Council decides to increase the levy by 5% over last year, the City’s actual property tax rate will decrease by 1.2%.

Mr. Brimm noted this will represent the 5th consecutive year the City has decreased its property tax rate, and the 9th year out of the last 10 years

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, 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(6) Setting a Price for Sale or Lease of Property Owned by the Public Body, and 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(11) Discussion of Minutes of Meetings Lawfully Closed Under the Act.

Motion:

It was moved by Alderman Lawlor, and seconded by Alderman Riddle, to direct the Mayor to go into Closed Session at 7:11 PM to discuss 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(5) Purchase or Lease of Real Property for the Use of the Public Body, 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(6) Setting a Price for Sale or Lease of Property Owned by the Public Body, and 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(11) Discussion of Minutes of Meetings Lawfully Closed Under the Act.

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 7:57 PM. Upon return to Regular Session, Aldermen Niemietz, Holtkamp, Riddle, Khoury, Lawlor, Nobbe, and Hitzemann were present.

M. Announcements

There were no Announcements.

N. Adjournment

Motion:

It was moved by Alderman Hitzemann, and seconded by Alderman Lawlor, to adjourn the Regular City Council meeting held Monday, November 18, 2024 at 7:57 PM.

Motion Passed.

Roll Call Vote results:

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

0 Nay:

https://www.columbiail.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_11182024-372