South West Illinois News

City of Columbia City Council met Dec. 2.

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, December 02, 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.

8. Rollcall

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

Absent: None.

Quorum present.

Administrative Staff present:

City clerk Derek Reichert

City Attorney Terry Bruckert

City Engineer Chris Smith

City Administrator Douglas Brimm

Chief of Police Jason Donjon

EMS Chief Kim Lamprecht

Deputy city clerk Kelly Mathews

IT Support Analyst Courtney Konarcik

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

There was no Public Input

F. Comments & Announcements -Mayor

Mayor Hill made the following comments:

1. City of Columbia Christmas Tree Lighting was very well attended. Mayor Hill thanked the Public Works Department for putting up the tree and decorations. He also thanked the Girl Scouts, Brownies and Daises for signing along with the PTA for providing refreshments

2. Bright Night Christmas Parade will be held on December 7th with a social gathering to be held at Turner Hall immediately after.

3. December 8th will be the Winter Wonderland @ Main St. Abby with lots of vendors. 14 p.in.

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 R:ichert read the consent Agenda.

1. Motion to Approve Minutes of the November 18th, 2024 Regular City Council Meeting

2. Motion to Approve Closed Session Minutes of the November 18th, 2024 Regular City Council Meeting

3. Motion to Approve payment of vouchers for the period of November l5th, 2024 through November 25th, 2024 Totaling $144,258.44

4. Resolution No. 2024-25 Regarding the Release of closed Session Minutes

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

Motion:

It was moved by Alderman Huch, and seconded by Alderman Holtkamp, 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:

I. Unfinished Business

1. Ordinance No. 3686 Abating Certain Taxes of the City of Columbia, Monroe and St. Clair Counties, Illinois (Series 2015 GO Bonds)

Motion:

It was moved by Alderman Holtkamp, and seconded by Alderman Hitzemann, to Approve Ordinance No. 3686 Abating Certain Taxes of the City of Columbia, Monroe and St. Clair Counties, Illinois (Series 2015 GO Bonds)

Motion Passed.

Roll Call Vote results:

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

0 Nay:

0 Absent:

0 Abstain:

2. Ordinance No. 3687 Abating Certain Taxes of the City of Columbia, Monroe and St. Clair Counties, Illinois (Series 2020 GO Bonds)

Motion:

It was moved by Alderman Lawlor, and seconded by Alderman Khoury, to Approve Ordinance No. 3687 Abating Certain Taxes of the City of Columbia, Monroe and St. Clair Counties, Illinois (Series 2020 GO Bonds)

Motion Passed.

Roll Call Vote results:

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

0 Nay,

0 Absent:

0 Abstain:

3. Ordinance No. 3688 Levying the Taxes for the Fiscal Year Ending April 30th, 2025

Motion:

It was moved by Alderman Niemietz, and seconded by Alderman Huch, to Approve Ordinance No. 3688 Levying the Taxes for the Fiscal Year Ending April 30th, 2025

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. 2024-26 for Improvement under the Illinois Highway code

Motion:

It was moved by Alderman Riddle, and seconded by Alderman Hitzemann, to Approve Resolution No. 2024-26 for Improvement Under the Illinois Highway Code

Motion Passed.

Roll Call Vote results:

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

0 Nay:

0 Absent:

0 Abstain:

2. Approve Preliminary Engineering Agreement with Gonzalez Companies, LLC for the Gall Road Reconstruction - Phase 1 Project

Motion:

It was moved by Alderman Hitzemann, and seconded by Alderman Riddle, to Approve Preliminary Engineering Agreement with Gonzalez Companies, LLC for the Gall Road Reconstruction -Phase 1 Project

Motion Passed.

Roll Call Vote results:

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

0 Nay,

0 Absent:

0 Abstain:

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)(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.

Motion:

It was moved by Alderman Nobbe, and seconded by Alderman Niemietz, to direct the Mayor to go into Closed Session at 7:17 PM to discuss 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1), the 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.

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 7:32 PM. Upon return to Regular Session, Aldermen Niemietz, Huch, Holtkamp, Riddle, Khoury, Lawlor, Nobbe, Hitzemann and Mayor Hill were present.

M. Announcements

Mayor Hill reminded everyone about the Bright Night Christmas Parade on December 7th.

N. Adjournment

Motion:

It was moved by Alderman Niemietz, and seconded by Alderman Nobbe, to adjourn the Regular City Council meeting held Monday, December 02, 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/_12022024-374