South West Illinois News

City of Columbia City Council met March 3.

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

City Attorney Terry Bruckert

Chief of Police Jason Donjon

Deputy Chief of Police Karla Heine

Director of Public Works Mike Sander

EMS Chief Kim Lamprecht

City Engineer Chris Smith

Director of IT James Mitchell Deputy

City Clerk Kelly Mathews

Library Director Annette Bland

C. Pledge of Allegiance

Those in attendance recited the Pledge of Allegiance.

D. Proclamations/Recognitions/Presentations

1. Retirement of Columbia Public Library Director Annette Bland

Mayor Hill recognized Annette Bland for her 36 years of service to the Columbia Public Library.

2. Columbia High School Cheerleading State Finals

Mayor Hill presented the Columbia High School cheerleaders a Certificate of Excellence and a City challenge coin for their first-place win 2025 IHSA Competitive Cheer State Finals in the Small Division.

3. NPDES Permit for Storm Water Discharges from Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4) Report

City Engineer Chris Smith reviewed the NPDES Permit.

E. Public Input

1. Carl Woodcock

Mr. Woodcock addressed the Council regarding ongoing water drainage issues in his yard.

2. Robert Reichert

Mr. Reichert addressed the Council regarding agenda item K.2. Mr. Bruckert explained he would have another chance to address the Council during the discussion pertaining to that item.

3. Tom Prindirille

Mr. Prindirille inquired if the City has ever considered annexing the portion of D Road from in between Valmeyer Road and The Pines Subdivision.

F. Comments & Announcements ‐ Mayor

Mayor Hill

G. Comments & Announcements ‐ Aldermen

There were no Aldermen Comments & Announcements.

H. Comments & Announcements – Department Directors

There were no Department Directors Comments & Announcements.

I. Consent Agenda

City Clerk Reichert read the Consent Agenda.

1. Motion to Approve Minutes of the February 18, 2025 Regular City Council Meeting

2. Motion to Approve Closed Session Minutes of the February 18, 2025 Regular City Council Meeting

3. Motion to Approve Payment of Vouchers for the Period of February 12, 2025 through February 26, 2025 Totaling $169,250.23

4. Motion to Approve Special Event Application – Sons of the American Legion Squadron 581 Meat Shoot (April 19, 2025)

5. Motion to Approve Special Event Application – Monroe County BackStoppers Hot Rod’s for Heroes Car Show (June 22, 2025)

6. Motion to Approve Special Event Application – Metro Tri Club Zilla Tri and Teen Zilla Tri/Sprint Triathlon (August 3, 2025)

7. Motion to Approve Special Event Application – Columbia Public Library Summer Events (Multiple)

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 Riddle, 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. 3691 Granting a Special Use Permit to Allow a Short-Term Rental at 419 S. Main St. (C-2 Zoning District)

Motion:

It was moved by Alderman Hitzemann, and seconded by Alderman Riddle, to Pass and Approve Ordinance No. 3691, and Ordinance Granting a Special Use Permit to Allow a Short-Term Rental at 419 S. Main St. (C-2 Zoning District)

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. 3692 Authorizing First Amendment to 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 Lawlor, and seconded by Alderman Khoury, to Pass and Approve Ordinance No. 3692, an Ordinance Authorizing First Amendment to 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 Proposal for Engineering Services by Curry & Associates Engineers Inc for Design and Construction Services for an Elevated Water Storage Tank

Motion:

It was moved by Alderman Lawlor, and seconded by Alderman Nobbe, to Approve Proposal for Engineering Services by Curry & Associates Engineers Inc for Design and Construction Services for an Elevated Water Storage Tank

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 Zoning Hearing Officer’s Findings of Fact and Decision - Variance (83 Hillcastle Lane)

Mr. Bruckert inquired if the property owner, Robert Reichert, of 83 Hillcastle Lane retained an attorney on this matter.

After a brief discussion, it was the consensus of the Council to postpone the agenda item K.2. and consider it at the March 17, 2025 Council meeting.

Motion:

It was moved by Alderman Niemietz, and seconded by Alderman Holtkamp, to Postpone the Discussion of Zoning Hearing Officer’s Findings of Fact and Decision - Variance (83 Hillcastle Lane) until the March 17, 2025 Council meeting

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, 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 7:00 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 8:11 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 Lawlor, and seconded by Alderman Niemietz to adjourn the Regular City Council meeting held Monday, March 03, 2025 at 8:12 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/Agenda/_03172025-388