South West Illinois News

City of Columbia City Council met Dec. 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, and Hitzemann. Absent: Alderman Nobbe.

Quorum present.

Administrative Staff present:

Deputy City Clerk Kelly Mathews City Attorney Terry Bruckert

City Engineer Chris Smith Chief of Police Jason Donjon

Director of Public Works Mike Sander EMS Chief Kim Lamprecht

IT Director James Mitchell

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. Janese Sondag

Ms. Sondag addressed the Council seeking clarification regarding annexations in the Comprehensive Plan.

F. Comments & Announcements - Mayor

Mayor Hill announced the Bright Night Christmas Parade and the Winter Wonderland events were very well attended by the public.

G. Comments & Announcements - Aldermen

EMS Chief Kim Lamprecht invited Mayor Hill to the Emergency Medical Responder Class certificate ceremony on December 18, 2024.

H. Comments & Announcements – Department Directors

There were no Department Director Comments & Announcements.

I. Consent Agenda

Deputy City Clerk Kelly Mathews read the Consent Agenda.

1. Motion to Approve Minutes of the December 2, 2024 Regular City Council Meeting

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

3. Motion to Approve Payment of Vouchers for the Period of November 26, 2024 through December 11, 2024 Totaling $802,266.58

4. Motion to Approve Statement of Funds for November 31, 2024

Mayor Hill inquired if the Council wished to remove any items prior to a motion. Alderman Niemietz requested Agenda Item I.2. be removed from the Consent Agenda.

Motion:

It was moved by Alderman Niemietz, and seconded by Alderman Lawlor, to approve the Consent Agenda as amended.

Motion Passed.

Roll Call Vote results:

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

0 Nay:

1 Absent: Nobbe

0 Abstain:

J. Unfinished Business

1. Resolution No. 2024-27 Supporting the City’s Application for Illinois Department of Transportation TAP Grant – Veterans Parkway Sidewalk Connector Project

Motion:

It was moved by Alderman Holtkamp, and seconded by Alderman Hitzemann, to Approve Resolution No. 2024-27, a Resolution Supporting the City’s Application for Illinois Department of Transportation TAP Grant – Veterans Parkway Sidewalk Connector Project

Motion Passed.

Roll Call Vote results:

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

0 Nay:

1 Absent: Nobbe

0 Abstain:

K. New Business

1. Discussion of the Draft Comprehensive Plan

Mayor Hill announced the Plan Commission held a public hearing to review the draft Comprehensive Plan on December 9, 2024. The Plan Commission voted 7-0 to recommend approval of the Comprehensive Plan to the City Council, subject to any necessary formatting and grammatical modifications.

Mayor Hill explained the Comprehensive Plan does not automatically annex any properties into the City. The Comprehensive Plan shows where the City would like to expand.

John Brancaglione, PGAV Planners Senior Director, briefly reviewed the draft Comprehensive Plan with the Council. Main discussions were regarding karst areas, flood areas, and high-density housing.

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 and 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(6) Setting a Price for Sale or Lease of Property Owned by the Public Body.

Motion:

It was moved by Alderman Huch, and seconded by Alderman Hitzemann, 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 and 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(6) Setting a Price for Sale or Lease of Property Owned by the Public Body.

Motion Passed.

Roll Call Vote results:

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

0 Nay:

1 Absent: Nobbe

0 Abstain:

Mayor Hill called the Regular Session of the City Council back to order at 8:02 PM. Upon return to Regular Session, Aldermen Niemietz, Huch, Holtkamp, Riddle, Khoury, Lawlor, Hitzemann and Mayor Hill were present.

M. Announcements

Mayor Hill wished everyone Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

N. Adjournment

Motion:

It was moved by Alderman Niemietz, and seconded by Alderman Nobbe, to adjourn the Regular City Council meeting held Monday, December 16, 2024 at 8:02 PM.

Motion Passed.

Roll Call Vote results:

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

0 Nay:

1 Absent: Nobbe

0 Abstain:

https://www.columbiail.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_01062025-377