South West Illinois News

City of Columbia City Council met met April 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 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 Director James Mitchell Finance Director Emily Voellinger Library Director Michelle Sawicki

C. Pledge of Allegiance

Those in attendance recited the Pledge of Allegiance.

D. Proclamations/Recognitions/Presentations

1. Varsity & Junior Varsity Columbia Eagles Hockey Club

Mayor Hill presented the Varsity and Junior Varsity Columbia Eagles Hockey Club with a Certificate of Excellence Award and a City challenge coin in recognition of their winning seasons.

E. Business Prior to Public Input

1. Public Hearing Regarding the Fiscal Year 2026 Budget

i. Motion to Open Public Hearing

Motion:

It was moved by Alderman Nobbe, and seconded by Alderman Huch, to Open the Public Hearing Regarding the Fiscal Year 2026 Budget at 6:48 PM.

Motion Passed.

Roll Call Vote results:

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

0 Nay:

0 Absent:

0 Abstain:

ii. Staff Report

Finance Director Emily Voellinger presented the Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Report.

iii. Public Input

There was no Public Input.

iv. Motion to Adjourn Public Hearing

Motion:

It was moved by Alderman Niemietz, and seconded by Alderman Holtkamp, to Adjourn the Public Hearing Regarding the Fiscal Year 2026 Budget at 6:50 PM.

Motion Passed.

Roll Call Vote results:

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

0 Nay:

0 Absent:

0 Abstain:

F. Public Input

1. Carl Woodcock

Mr. Woodcock addressed the Council regarding drainage issues at his property.

G. Comments & Announcements ‐ Mayor

There was no Mayor Comments & Announcements.

H. Comments & Announcements ‐ Aldermen

There were no Aldermen Comments & Announcements.

I. Comments & Announcements – Department Directors

There were no Department Directors Comments & Announcements.

J. Consent Agenda

City Clerk Reichert read the Consent Agenda.

1. Motion to Approve Minutes of the April 7, 2025 Regular City Council Meeting

2. Motion to Approve Closed Session Minutes of the April 7, 2025 Regular City Council Meeting

3. Motion to Approve Payment of Vouchers for the Period of April 3, 2025 through April 15, 2025 totaling $480,585.70

4. Motion to Approve Statement of Funds for March 31, 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 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:

K. Unfinished Business

1. Ordinance No. 3694 Amending Title 18 of the City of Columbia, Illinois Municipal Code to Enact the Fees and Charges to be Assessed for City Services and Business Licenses in the City for the City’s Fiscal Year Commencing May 1, 2025 and Until Said Title 18 of the City’s Municipal Code is Again Amended by Ordinance of the City Enacted to Change Said Fees and Charges

Motion:

It was moved by Alderman Huch, and seconded by Alderman Khoury, to Pass and Approve Ordinance No. 3694, an Ordinance Amending Title 18 of the City of Columbia, Illinois Municipal Code to Enact the Fees and Charges to be Assessed for City Services and Business Licenses in the City for the City’s Fiscal Year Commencing May 1, 2025 and Until Said Title 18 of the City’s Municipal Code is Again Amended by Ordinance of the City Enacted to Change Said Fees and Charges

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. 3695 Establishing the Budget for the City of Columbia, Illinois for the Fiscal Year of Said City Commencing May 1, 2025 and Ending April 30, 2026

Motion:

It was moved by Alderman Niemietz, and seconded by Alderman Nobbe, to Pass and Approve Ordinance No. 3695, an Ordinance Establishing the Budget for the City of Columbia, Illinois for the Fiscal Year of Said City Commencing May 1, 2025 and Ending April 30, 2026

Motion Passed.

Roll Call Vote results:

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

0 Nay:

0 Absent:

0 Abstain:

L. New Business

1. Ordinance No. 3696 Approving the East Locust Addition Minor Subdivision Plat

Motion:

It was moved by Alderman Niemietz, and seconded by Alderman Nobbe, to Pass and Approve Ordinance No. 3696, an Ordinance Approving the East Locust Addition Minor 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. Discussion of a Special Use Permit to allow a Short-Term Rental at 1724 Ghent Road (C-2 Zoning District)

Mr. Brimm reported Brad Roessler has applied for a special use permit to allow a short term rental for his property at 1724 Ghent Road, in the C-2 District. The property has an existing two-bedroom one-bath single-family dwelling approximately 1,162 square feet

in size. The Plan Commission conducted a public hearing on April 14, 2025 and unanimously recommended approval of the request.

An ordinance will be presented at the May 5, 2025 Council meeting for consideration.

M. 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 Hitzemann, and seconded by Alderman Nobbe, to direct the Mayor to go into Closed Session at 7:07 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 7:53 PM. Upon return to Regular Session, Aldermen Niemietz, Huch, Holtkamp, Riddle, Khoury, Lawlor, Nobbe, Hitzemann were present.

Mayor Hill informed the Council that he would entertain a motion to go into Closed Session to discuss 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(11) Probable or Pending Litigation

Motion:

It was moved by Alderman Nobbe, and seconded by Alderman Riddle, to direct the Mayor to go into Closed Session at 7:54 PM to discuss 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(11) Probable or Pending 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 7:39 PM. Upon return to Regular Session, Aldermen Niemietz, Huch, Holtkamp, Riddle, Khoury, Lawlor, Nobbe, Hitzemann were present.

N. Announcements

Aldermen Holtkamp questioned what initiates the tornado siren to be set off. Mr. Brimm explained it’s initiated whenever there is a tornado warning issued by the National Weather Service.

O. Adjournment

Motion:

It was moved by Alderman Riddle, and seconded by Alderman Huch to adjourn the Regular City Council meeting held Monday, April 21, 2025 at 8:13 PM.

https://www.columbiail.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_05052025-397