South West Illinois News

City of Columbia City Council met Jan. 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 6:30 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

Deputy Chief of Police Karla Heine

Chief of Police Jason Donjon

City Engineer Chris Smith

Director of Public Works Mike Sander

City Attorney Terry Bruckert Deputy

Clerk Kelly Mathews

EMS Chief Kim Lamprecht

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 water drainage issues in his yard.

F. Comments & Announcements ‐ Mayor

1. Mayor Hill wished Zac Daily a happy 30th birthday

2. Mayor Hill recognized Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

3. Mayor Hill congratulated President Trump on his inauguration

4. Mayor Hill announced the 1st Annual Chocolate Walk on February 8th

5. Mayor Hill welcomed the new Graphite Restaurant to the Franklin Yard development

G. Comments & Announcements ‐ Aldermen

There were no Aldermen Comments & Announcements.

H. Comments & Announcements – Department Directors

1. Chief of Police Jason Donjon provided a detailed update on the current status of the Police Department.

I. Consent Agenda

City Clerk Reichert read the Consent Agenda:

1. Motion to Approve Minutes of the January 6, 2025 Regular City Council Meeting

2. Motion to Approve Closed Session Minutes of the January 6, 2025 Regular City Council Meeting

3. Motion to Approve Payment of Vouchers for the Period of January 1, 2025 through January 15, 2025 totaling $428,913.75

4. Motion to Approve Special Event Permit – Arts in the Park (June 8, 2025)

5. Motion to Approve Special Event Permit – Electronic Recycling (August 2, 2025)

6. Motion to Approve Special Event Permit – Music at Metter Concert Series (June 22, July 13, July 27, and September 14, 2025)

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

Motion:

It was moved by Alderman Lawlor, and seconded by Alderman Huch, 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. Ordinance No. 3690 Authorizing a Municipal Services Agreement for the Provision of City of Columbia Water Service to Certain Property Located in Unincorporated Monroe County.

Motion:

It was moved by Alderman Khoury, and seconded by Alderman Niemietz, to Approve Ordinance No. 3690 Authorizing a Municipal Services Agreement for the Provision of City of Columbia Water Service to Certain Property Located in Unincorporated Monroe County.

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. Motion to Approve Preliminary Engineering Agreement with Gonzalez Companies, LLC for Quarry Road Bike Trail Connector Project

Motion:

It was moved by Alderman Nobbe, and seconded by Alderman Lawlor, to approve Preliminary Engineering Agreement with Gonzalez Companies, LLC for Quarry Road Bike Trail Connector Project.

Motion Passed.

Roll Call Vote results:

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

0 Nay:

0 Absent:

0 Abstain:

2. Discussion of Utility Billing

Mayor Hill explained the issue of customers not receiving their utility bills through the USPS on time. City Administrator Brimm provided the cost to mail out utility bills in the current postcard format, explained different options that would impact costs of the utility billing process, and help customers receive their bills on time.

After a discussion regarding changes to the format of utility bills, incentives to induce utility customers to switch to paperless billing, and requiring new customers to enroll in paperless billing, Mr. Brimm reported he will bring this matter back to a future City Council meeting.

3. Discussion of Establishment of Snow Routes During Winter Weather Events

Director of Public Work Mike Sander presented the Council with a City Snow and Ice Control Plan. Mr. Sander explained that the City of Columbia had previously discussed the creation of snow routes, but it was never finalized. Mr. Sander would like to see snow routes put in place and gave an overview of current City of Columbia roadways. A discussion followed where on-street parking concerns were reviewed.

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

Motion:

It was moved by Alderman Lawlor, and seconded by Alderman Khoury, to direct the Mayor to go into Closed Session at 7:25 PM to discuss 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(5) Purchase of Lease of Real Property for the Use of the Public and 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(6) Setting of a Price for Sale or Lease of Property Owned by 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 8:09 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 Khoury, and seconded by Alderman Huch, to adjourn the Regular City Council meeting held Tuesday, January 21, 2025 at 8:10 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/_01212025-380