South West Illinois News

City of Columbia City Council met May 5.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of Columbia, Illinois

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 Attorney Terry Bruckert

City Engineer Chris Smith

Director of Public Works Mike Sander

Chief of Police Jason Donjon

IT Director James Mitchell

City Administrator Douglas Brimm

Deputy City Clerk Kelly Mathews

Finance Director Emily Voellinger

EMS Chief Kim Lamprecht

Deputy Chief of Police Karla Heine

Library Director Michelle Sawicki

C. pledge of AIlegiance

Those in attendance recited the pledge of Allegiance.

D. Proclamations /Recognitions/Presentations

1. Marv Ellen Niemietz, Alderman-Ward 4

Mayor Hill recognized Alderman Niemietz on her retirement from her position as Alderman -Ward 4.

E. Public lnput

1. Rhonda O'Farrell

Ms. 0'Farrell asked the Council to reconsider the City's position on backyard chickens.

2. Brandon champion

Mr. Champion spoke in support of Ms. O'Farrell's request regarding backyard chickens.

F. Comments & Announcements - Mayor

There was no Mayor Comments & Announcements.

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 Richert read the Consent Agenda.

1. Motion to Approve Minutes of the April 21, 2025 Regular city council Meeting

2. Motion to Approve Closed Session Minutes of the April 21, 2025 Regular City Council Meeting

3. Motion to Approve payment of vouchers for the period of April 16, 2025 through April 30, 2025 totaling $217,131.10

4. Ordinance No. 3697 Authorizing the sale of surplus personal property

5. Motion to Approve Special Event Permit -Porsche club Event at Millers on Main (May 10, 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. 3698 Approving a Special Use Permit to allow a Short-Term Rental at 1724 Ghent Road (C-2 Zoning District)

Motion:

It was moved by Alderman Huch, and seconded by Alderman Lawlor, to Pass and Approve Ordinance No. 3698, and Ordinance Approving a Special Use Permit to allow a Short-Term Rental at 1724 Ghent Road (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. Resolution No. 2025ro3 Designating a Section of West Cherry Street as Honorary Sgt. Alfred J. Descher Memorial Way

Mayor Hill announced a section of West Cherry Street will be designated as Honorary Sgt. Alfred J. Descher Memorial Way to recognize Sgt. Descher's service to the City until he was tragically killed in the line of duty.

Motion:

It was moved by Alderman Nobbe, and seconded by Alderman Niemietz, to Pass and Approve Resolution No. 2025-03, a Resolution Designating a Section of West Cherry Street as Honorary Sgt. Alfred J. Descher Memorial Way

Motion Passed.

Roll Call Vote results:

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

0 Nay:

0 Absent:

0 Abstain:

3. Resolution No. 2025-04 Designating a Section of West Cedar Street as Honorary Officer Jared R. Reddick Memorial Way

Mayor Hill announced a section of West Cedar Street will be designated as Honorary Officer Jared R. Reddick Memorial Way to recognize Officer Reddick's service to the City until his death.

Motion:

It was moved by Alderman Nobbe, and seconded by Alderman Holtkamp, to Pass and Approve Resolution No. 2025-04, a Resolution Designating a Section of West Cedar Street as Honorary Officer Jared R. Reddick Memorial Way

Motion Passed.

Roll Call Vote results:

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

0 Nay:

0 Absent:

0 Abstain:

4. Resolution No. 2025-05 Designating a Section of West Oak Street as Honorary Sgt. Michael A. Conrad Memorial Way

Mayor Hill announced a section of West Oak Street will be designated as Honorary Sgt. Michael A. Conrad Memorial Way to recognize Sgt. Conrad's service to the City until his death.

Motion:

It was moved by Alderman Lawlor, and seconded by Alderman Hitzemann, to Pass and Approve Resolution No. 2025-05, a Resolution Designating a Section of West Oak Street as Honorary Sgt. Michael A. Conrad Memorial Way

Motion Passed.

Roll Call Vote results:

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

0 Nay:

0 Absent:

0 Abstain:

K, Adjournment -Sine Die

Motion:

lt was moved by Alderman Niemietz, and seconded by Alderman Nobbe to adjourn Sine Die the Regular City Council meeting held Monday, May 05, 2025 at 7:cO PM.

Motion Passed.

Roll Call Vote results:

8 Aye: Niemietz, Huch, Holtkamp, Riddle, Khoury, Lawlor, Nobbe and Hitzemann 0 Nay:

0 Absent:

0 Abstain:

Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of Columbia, Illinois

A. Call Meeting to order

Mayor Hill called the city council of Columbia, Illinois to order at 7:08 PM.

8. Roll call

Present: Aldermen Huch, Holtkamp, Riddle, Khoury, Lawlor, Nobbe, Hitzemann, and Mayer.

Absent: None.

Quorum present.

Administrative Staff present:

City clerk Derek Reichert

City Attorney Terry Bruckert

Deputy City Clerk Kelly Mathews

EMS Chief Kim Lamprecht

IT Director James Mitchell

Library Director Michelle Sawicki

C. New Business

City Administrator Douglas Brimm

Chief of Police Jason Donjon

Director of Public Works Mike Sander

City Engineer Chris Smith

Finance Director Emily Voellinger

1. Resolution No. 2025-06 for Maintenance of streets and Highways by Municipality Under the Illinois Highway Code

Motion:

lt was moved by Alderman Riddle, and seconded by Alderman Holtkamp, to Pass and Approve Resolution No. 2025ro6, a Resolution for Maintenance of Streets and Highways by Municipality Under the Illinois Highway Code

Motion Passed.

Roll Call Vote results:

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

0 Nay:

0 Absent:

0 Abstain:

2. Resolution No. 2025-07 Approving a Master Facilities License Agreement Between the City of Columbia and Ameren Illinois Company

Mr. Mitchell explained the IT Department has been steadily increasing City camera coverage by working with local businesses and organizations to place City cameras to their infrastructure. Resolution No. 2025-07 would allow the City to utilize Ameren Illinois utility poles for additional cameras throughout the City.

Motion:

It was moved by Alderman Khoury, and seconded by Alderman Lawlor, to Pass and Approve Resolution No. 2025-07, a Resolution Approving a Master Facilities License Agreement Between the City of Columbia and Ameren Illinois Company

Motion Passed.

Roll Call Vote results:

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

0 Nay:

0 Absent:

0 Abstain:

3. Resolution No. 2025-08 Providing for the Appointment of Members of certain Boards, Commissions and Committees of the City of Columbia, Illinois for the Fiscal Year of the City Commencing May 1, 2025 and Ending April 30, 2026

Mr. Brimm reported Resolution No. 2025-08 reappoints Sarah Clarke, and appoints a new member, Mary Ellen Niemietz, to the Parks & Recreation Advisory Board.

Motion:

lt was moved by Alderman Nobbe, and seconded by Alderman Huch, to Pass and Resolution No. 2025-08, a Resolution Providing for the Appointment of Members of Certain Boards, Commissions and Committees of the City of Columbia, Illinois for the Fiscal Year of the City Commencing May 1, 2025 and Ending April 30, 2026

Motion Passed.

Roll Call Vote results:

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

0 Nay:

0 Absent:

0 Abstain:

4. Motion to Approve preliminary Engineering Agreement with Gonzalez companies, LLC for the Centerville Road Reconstruction Project -Phase 3

Motion:

It was moved by Alderman Lawlor, and seconded by Alderman Nobbe, to Approve Preliminary Engineering Agreement with Gonzalez Companies, LLC for the Centerville Road Reconstruction Project -Phase 3

Motion Passed.

Roll Call Vote results:

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

0 Nay:

0 Absent:

0 Abstain:

5. Motion to Approve preliminary Engineering Agreement with Gonzalez companies, LLC for Metter Avenue Reconstruction Project

Motion:

It was moved by Alderman Khoury, and seconded by Alderman Hitzemann, to Approve Preliminary Engineering Agreement with Gonzalez Companies, LLC for Metter Avenue Reconstruction Project

Motion Passed.

Roll Call Vote results:

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

0 Nay:

0 Absent:

0 Abstain:

D. 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, 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 a Price for the Sale 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 Huch, and seconded by Alderman Riddle, to direct the Mayor to go into Closed Session at 7:25 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, 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(6) Setting a Price for the Sale 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: Huch, Holtkamp, Riddle, Khoury, Lawlor, Nobbe and Hitzemann, and Mayer

0 Nay:

0 Absent:

0 Abstain:

Mayor Hill called the Regular Session of the City Council back to order at 8:06 PM. Upon return to Regular Session, Aldermen Huch, Holtkamp, Riddle, Khoury, Lawlor, Nobbe, Hitzemann, and Mayer were present.

E, Announcements

There were no Announcements.

F. Adjournment

Motion:

It was moved by Alderman Khoury, and seconded by Alderman Hitzemann to adjourn the Regular City Council meeting held Monday, May 05, 2025 at 8:07 PM.

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