South West Illinois News

City of Columbia City Council met April 7.

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 City Clerk Kelly Mathews

Director of Public Works Mike Sander

EMS Chief Kim Lamprecht

City Engineer Chris Smith

IT Support Analyst Courtney Konarcik

Library Director Annette Bland

Library Director Michelle Sawicki

C. Pledge of Allegiance

Those in attendance recited the Pledge of Allegiance.

D. Proclamations/Recognitions/Presentations

1. Presentation Columbia-Gedern Student Exchange Program

Mayor Hill presented exchange students from Gedern, Gemany a certificate of appreciation and a City challenge coin.

E. Public Input

There was no Public Input.

F. Comments & Announcements ‐ Mayor

Mayor Hill addressed the current state of Valmeyer Road and the City’s options for permanent repair of the road.

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 March 17, 2025 Regular City Council Meeting

2. Motion to Approve Closed Session Minutes of the March 17, 2025 Regular City Council Meeting

3. Motion to Approve Payment of Vouchers for the Period of March 13, 2025 through April 2, 2025 Totaling $1,279,352.00

4. Motion to Approve Special Event Application – Makers Market and Block Party (May 3, 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 Nobbe, 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. 3693 Approving the Ogle Estates Final Subdivision Plat

Motion: It was moved by Alderman Khoury, and seconded by Alderman Nobbe, to pass and approve Ordinance No. 3693, an Ordinance Approving the Ogle Estates Final Subdivision Plat.

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 Approve Timber Rock Estates Subdivision Improvement Plans

Motion: It was moved by Alderman Lawlor, and seconded by Alderman Riddle, to Approve Timber Rock Estates Subdivision Improvement Plans.

Motion Passed.

Roll Call Vote results:

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

0 Nay:

0 Absent:

0 Abstain:

3. Motion to Award Bid for Creekside Park Playground Installation to Middendorf and Reuss Construction, Inc. in the Amount of $33,609

Motion: It was moved by Alderman Huch, and seconded by Alderman Nobbe, to Award Bid for Creekside Park Playground Installation to Middendorf and Reuss Construction, Inc. in the Amount of $33,609.

Motion Passed.

Roll Call Vote results:

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

0 Nay:

0 Absent:

0 Abstain:

4. Motion to Award Bid for Creekside Park Pavilion Installation to Middendorf and Reuss Construction, Inc. in the Amount of $67,427

Motion: It was moved by Alderman Niemietz, and seconded by Alderman Huch, to Award Bid for Creekside Park Pavilion Installation to Middendorf and Reuss Construction, Inc. in the Amount of $67,427.

Motion Passed.

Roll Call Vote results:

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

0 Nay:

0 Absent:

0 Abstain:

5. Motion to Award Bid for Creekside Park Restroom Construction to Lake Contracting, Inc. in the Amount of $218,000

Mayor Hill questioned if the City has any history with Lake Contracting, Inc. Mayor Hill also questioned if the bid could be awarded to Middendorf and Reuss Construction, Inc. since they were awarded the playground and park installation bids. Mr. Brimm explained when they reviewed bids, there were no grounds not to award the bid to Lake Contracting, Inc. since they were the low bid.

Motion:

It was moved by Alderman Lawlor, and seconded by Alderman Hitzemann, to Award Bid for Creekside Park Restroom Construction to Lake Contracting, Inc. in the Amount of $218,000.

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. Presentation and Discussion of Fiscal Year 2026 Draft Budget

Mr. Brimm provided a high-level overview of the Fiscal Year 2026 Draft Budget. Mr. Brimm stated the Fiscal Year 2026 budget hearing will be conducted within the April 21, 2025 Regular Council meeting.

2. Discussion of an Intergovernmental Agreement between the City of Columbia and Sugar Loaf Township Regarding Disconnection of City Water Service to Township Sewer Customers

Mr. Brimm explained Sugar Loaf Township recently proposed entering an Intergovernmental Agreement regarding disconnection of City water service to Township sewer customers. Mr. Brimm reported state statue does set forth that the Township can request the City to disconnect water of delinquent sewer accounts.

Mr. Brimm explained this agreement will be presented at the April 21, 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)(2) Collective Bargaining and 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(5) Purchase or Lease of Real Property for the Use of the Public Body.

Motion:

It was moved by Alderman Nobbe, and seconded by Alderman Huch, to direct the Mayor to go into Closed Session at 7:59 PM to discuss 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(2) Collective Bargaining, and 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(5) Purchase or Lease of Real Property for the Use of 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 7:39 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 Riddle, and seconded by Alderman Huch to adjourn the Regular City Council meeting held Monday, April 07, 2025 at 8:29 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/_04212025-396