South West Illinois News

City of Columbia City Council met May 19.

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 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

Deputy Chief of Police Karla Heine

lT Support Analyst Courtney Konarcik

City Administrator Douglas Brimm

City Engineer Chris Smith

Director of Public Works Mike Sander

Chief of Police Jason Donjon

Library Director Michelle Sawicki

C. Pledge of AIIegiance

Those in attendance recited the Pledge of Allegiance.

D. Proclamations/Recognitions/Presentations

There were no Proclamations/Recognitions/Presentations.

E. Public Input

There was-no Public Input.

F. Comments & Announcements -Mayor

Mayor Hill congratulated the Class of 2-025 on their recent graduation.

Mayor Hill also offered thoughts and prayers to the Fairview Heights Police Department.

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 May 5, 2025 Regular City Council Meeting (1st Session)

2. Motion to Approve Minutes of the May 5, 2025 Regular City Council Meeting (2nd Session)

3. Motion to Approve Closed Session Minutes of the May 5, 2025 Regular City Council Meeting

4. Motion to Approve Payment of vouchers for the Period of May 1, 2025 through May 14, 2025 Totaling $478,484.23

5. Motion to Approve statement of Funds for April 30, 2025

6. Motion to Approve special Event permit -Columbia community Market (3rd Thursday of Every Month May -October 2025)

7. Motion to Approve Special Event Permit -Columbia Public Library Yoga with Goats (June 11, 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 Nobbe, and seconded by Alderman Huch, to approve the Consent Agenda as read.

Motion Passed.

Roll Call Vote results:

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

0 Nay:

0 Absent:

0 Abstain:

I. Unfinished Business

There was no Unfinished Business.

K. New Business

1. Motion to Award Bid for Centerville Road Reconstruction Project -Phase 2 to Baxmeyer Construction, Inc., in the Amount of $651,997.77

Motion:

It was moved by Alderman Hitzemann, and seconded by Alderman Khoury, to Award Bid for Centerville Road Reconstruction Project -Phase 2 to Baxmeyer Construction, Inc., in the Amount of $651,997.77

Motion Passed.

Roll Call Vote results:

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

0 Nay:

0 Absent:

0 Abstain:

2. Discussion of an Architectural Review Application for a Proposed Building at 320 East Locust Street

Mr. Brimm explained the owner of 320 East Locust Street is planning to construct an additional building. The applicant is seeking approval to use prefinished metal wall panels with veneer stone at the bottom and a prefinished metal roof. The owner has previously received a variance in 2021 to use the same materials on a new office building. 

The Plan Commission conducted a public meeting and considered the request on May 12, 2025 and unanimously recommended approval of the request. 

After a brief discussion, Mr. Brimm announced a motion to approve the request will be on the June 2, 2025 Council meeting agenda.

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)(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 6:48 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)(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 7:58 PM. Upon return to Regular Session, Aldermen Huch, Holtkamp, Riddle, Khoury, Lawlor, Nobbe, Hitzemann, and Mayer were present.

M. Announcements

Mayor Hill announced the American Legion Post 581 will be hosting a service in honor of Memorial Day on May 26, 2025.

N. Adjournment

Motion:

It was moved by Alderman Khoury, and seconded by Alderman Mayer to adjourn the Regular City Council meeting held Monday, May 19, 2025 at 8:00 PM.

Motion Passed.

Roll Call Vote results:

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

0 Nay:

0 Absent:

0 Abstain:

https://www.columbiail.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_05192025-400