South West Illinois News

City of Columbia City Council met Feb. 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 6:30 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 Administrator Douglas Brimm 

City Attorney Terry Bruckert 

Chief of police Jason Donjon 

Deputy chief of police Karla Heine 

Director of public works Mike sander 

Director of IT James Mitchell 

C. Pledge of Allegiance

Those in attendance recited the pledge of Allegiance. 

D. Proclamations /Recognitions /Presentations 

1. Oath of office -Officer Eric brown 

Mayor Hill administered the Oath of Office to Officer Eric Brown. 

E. Public Input 

There was-no Public Input. 

F. Comments & Announcements -Mayor 

Mayor Hill announced he will be recognizing the Columbia High School Cheerleaders for placing first at the 2025 lHSA Competitive Cheer State Finals at the March 3, 2025 Council meeting. 

G. Comments & Announcements -Aldermen 

There were no Aldermen Comments & Announcements. 

H. Comments & Announcements - Department Directors 

IT Director James Mitchell provided an-overview of the Information Technology Department. 

I. Consent Agenda 

City Clerk Richert read the Consent Agenda. 

1. Motion to Approve Minutes of the February 3, 2025 Regular city council Meeting 2. Motion to Approve closed session Minutes of the February 3, 2025 Regular city council Meeting 

3. Motion to Approve payment of vouchers for the period of January 30, 2025 through February 11, 2025 Totaling $617,057.98 

4. Motion to Approve statement of Funds for January 31, 2025 

5. Motion to Approve special Event permit -Columbia Tree Lighting ceremony (November 29, 2025) 

6. Motion to Approve Special Event Permit -Bright Night Christmas Parade (December 6, 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 Niemietz, 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 Award Bid for Creekside Park Site Improvements Project to Baxmeyer Construction, Inc. in the Amount of $1,074,757.77 

Motion: 

It was moved by Alderman Huch, and seconded by Alderman Khoury, to Award Bid for Creekside Park Site Improvements Project to Baxmeyer Construction, Inc. in the Amount of $ 1,074,757.77

Motion Passed. 

Roll Call Vote results: 

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

0 Nay: 

0 Absent: 

0 Abstain: 

2. Motion to Award Bid for 2025 Various Water Main Replacement Projects -Materials 

Motion: 

It was moved by Alderman Holtkamp, and seconded by Alderman Nobbe, to Award Bid for 2025 Various Water Main Replacement Projects -Materials 

Motion Passed. 

Roll Call Vote results: 

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

0 Nay: 

0 Absent: 

0 Abstain: 

3. Discussion of columbia Municipal code update 

Mr. Brimm reported he began his review of the draft Municipal Code and explained he still has concerns regarding the legal review completed by Municode. Mr. Brimm stated a call has been set up with Municode to review these concerns and he will update the Council when he has a better understanding of the draft provided. 

K. New Business 

1. Discussion of a Special Use Permit to Allow a Short-Term Rental at 419 S. Main St. (C-2 Zoning District) 

Mr. Brimm stated Bault Enterprises applied for a special use permit to allow a short term rental for the property located at 419 South Main Street in the C-2 District. The Plan Commission conducted the public hearing and considered the request on February 10, 2025. The Plan Commission recommended approval of the request with the condition that the City work with the owners to determine the legal means of ingress/egress and access maintenance. After the plan Commission meeting, City staff has determined that the owner has a ten-foot-wide legal access for ingress/egress through the property to the east documented in his recorded deed. 

An ordinance will be presented at the March 3, 2025 Council meeting for consideration. 

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, 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 of a Price for Sale or Lease of Property Owned by the Public Body, and 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(11) Pending, Probable, or Imminent Litigation. 

Motion: 

It was moved by Alderman Lawlor, and seconded by Alderman Nobbe, to direct the Mayor to go into Closed Session at 7:02 PM to discuss 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1) Appointment, Employment, Compensation, Discipline, Performance, or Dismissal of Specific Employees of the Public Body, 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 of a Price for Sale or Lease of Property Owned by the Public Body, and 5 ILCS 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 7:57 PM. Upon return to Regular Session, Aldermen Niemietz, Huch, Holtkamp, Riddle, Khoury, Lawlor, Nobbe, Hitzemann were present. 

M. Announcements 

There were no Announcements. 

N. Adiournment 

Motion: 

It was moved by Alderman Hitzemann, and seconded by Alderman Lawlor to adjourn the Regular City Council meeting held Tuesday, February 18, 2025 at 7:57 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/_02182025-384