South West Illinois News

City of Columbia City Council met Jan. 6.

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. 

8. Rollcall 

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

Absent: None. 

Quorum present. 

Administrative Staff present: 

City Clerk Derek Reichert 

Deputy Chief of Police Karla Heine 

Director of lT James Mitchell 

City Administrator Douglas Brimm 

Chief of Police Jason Donjon 

Director of Public Works Mike Sander 

C. Pledge of AIlegiance 

Those-in attendance recited the Pledge of Allegiance. 

D. Proclamations /Recognitions/Presentations 

There were no proclamations, re-cognitions, or presentations. 

E. Public lnl)ut 

There was-no Public Input. 

F. Comments & Announcements -Mavor 

Mayor Hill thanked all the DOPW workers and First Responders for their efforts during the recent snow event 

G. Comments & Announcements -Aldermen 

There were no Aldermen Comments & Announcements. 

H. Comments & Announcements - Department Directors 

Director of Public Works Mike Sander gave an overview of the recent snow event and the efforts by the DOPW. Mr. Sander thanked all of the DOPW workers. 

Chief of Police Donjon gave an overview of the Police Departments activity during the recent snow event. Chief Donjon thanked all of the Police Officers. 

Chief Donjon, City Administrator Brimm, Mayor Hill, City Clerk Reichert and City Council thanked First Responders for their quick action during a medical emergeney of a Columbia citizen. 

I. ConsentAf!enda 

City Clerk R;ichert read the Consent Agenda. 

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

2. Motion to Approve Minutes of the December 16, 2024 Regular City Council Meeting 

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

4. Motion to Approve payment ofvouchersforthe period of December 12, 2024 through December 31, 2024 totaling $411,018.18 

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

Motion: 

It was moved by Alderman Holtkamp, and seconded by Alderman Lawlor, 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. Motion to Approve Ordinance No. 3689 Adopting a Comprehensive plan for the City of Columbia, lL 

Mr. Brimm noted the Plan Commission recommended approval of the Comprehensive Plan at the December 9, 2024 Plan Commission meeting. Mr. Brimm also mentioned the parks master plan will need to be approved by the Parks and Recreations board and then added as an addendum to the overall Comprehensive Plan 

Motion: 

It was moved by Alderman Niemietz, and seconded by Alderman Nobbe, to Approve Ordinance No. 3689 Adopting a Comprehensive Plan for the City of Columbia, lL. 

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 Regular  city council Meeting schedule 

Mr. Brimm led a discussion regarding changing the starting time of the City Council meetings to 6:30 pin from 7:00 pm. 

It was the consensus of the Council to change the start time to 6:30 PM starting January 21, 2025. 

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)(11) Pending, Probable, or Imminent Litigation 

Motion: 

It was moved by Alderman Hitzemann, and seconded by Alderman Lawlor, to direct the Mayor to go into Closed Session at 7:14 PM to discuss 5 lLCS 120/2(c)(11) Pending, Probable, or Imminent Litigation. 

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 7:33 PM. Upon return to Regular Session, Aldermen Niemietz, Huch, Holtkamp, Riddle, Khoury, Lawlor, Nobbe, Hitzemann were present. 

M[ Announcements 

There were no Announcements. 

N. Adioumment 

Motion: 

It was moved by Alderman Khoury, and seconded by Alderman Huch, to adj.ourn the Regular City Council meeting held Monday, January 06, 2025 at 7:34 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/_01062025-377