South West Illinois News

City of Columbia City Council met Aug. 18.

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 Holtkamp, Riddle, Khoury, Lawlor, Nobbe, Hitzemann, and Mayer. Absent: Alderman Huch.

Quorum present.

Administrative Staff present:

City Administrator Douglas Brimm 

City clerk Derek Recihert

City Attorney Terry Bruckert 

City Engineer Chris Smith

Deputy city clerk Kelly Mathews 

Chief of police Jason Donjon

Library Director Michelle Sawicki

C. Pledge of Allegiance

Those-in attendance recited the pledge of AIIegiance.

D[ Proclamations/Recognitions/Presentations

There were no Proclamations/Recognitions/Presentations.

E. Public Input

1. Agenda Item J.2. Ordinance No. 3704 Approval of a Special Use Permit to Allow a Ground-Mounted Solar Energy System at 1 Christ Church Way, in the A-1 Agricultural District

a. Christ community Lutheran church members Margaret DeBonis, Debbie Campbell, Karen Walker, Leif Karnuth, James Curtis, Nathan Rau, Todd Velnosky, Scott Verseman, Brian Donovan, Neal Bockwoldt, and Jackie Parker spoke in favor of the Special Use Permit.

b. Residents Pat Seibel and Mike Lalk spoke against the Special Use Permit.

c. Blake Marchi with Azimuth Energy addressed some concerns regarding the special Use Permit.

F. Comments & Announcements -Mayor

Mayor Hill reported despite the hot weather, the Columbia Days festival was well-attended.

Mayor Hill also announced large item pick up will be Tuesday, August 26 and Friday, August 29 and the 12th Annual Songs4Soldiers Benefit Concert will be Friday, September 5 and Saturday, September 6.

G. Comments & Announcements -Aldermen

There were no Aldermen Comments & Announcements.

H. Comments & Announcements -Det)artment Directors

There were no Department Directors C-omments & Announcements.

H. Consent Agenda

City clerk Richert read the Consent Agenda.

1. Motion to Approve Minutes of the August 4, 2025 Regular city council Meeting 

2. Motion to Approve closed session Minutes of the August 4, 2025 Regular city council Meeting

3. Motion to Approve payment of vouchers for the period of August 1, 2025 through August 14, 2025 totaling $577,974.76

4. Motion to Approve statement of FundsforJuly 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 Nobbe, and seconded by Alderman Hitzemann, to approve the Consent Agenda as read.

Motion Passed.

Roll Call Vote results:

7 Aye: Holtkamp, Riddle, Khoury, Lawlor, Nobbe, Hitzemann, and Mayer 

0 Nay:

1 Absent: Huch

0 Abstain:

I. Unfinished Business

1. Ordinance No. 3703 Implementing a Municipal Grocery Retailers' Occupation Tax and a Municipal Grocery Service Occupation Tax

Motion:

lt was moved by Alderman Lawlor, and seconded by Alderman Nobbe, to pass and approve Ordinance No. 3703, an Ordinance Implementing a Municipal Grocery Retailers' Occupation Tax and a Municipal Grocery Service Occupation Tax

Motion Passed.

Roll Call Vote results:

7 Aye: Holtkamp, Riddle, Khoury, Lawlor, Nobbe, Hitzemann, and Mayer 

0 Nay:

1 Absent: Huch

0 Abstain:

2. Ordinance No. 3704 Approval of a Special Use Permit to Allow a Ground-Mounted Solar Energy System at 1 Christ Church Way, in the A-1 Agricultural District

Alderman Holtkamp suggested City not address the ordinance until the church and neighbors get together and come to a solution.

After a brief discussion, Mr. Bruckert stated it would be his recommendation to refer the special use permit back to the Plan Commission since the majority of the Council wishes to let the church and neighbors come to an agreement.

Motion:

lt was moved by Alderman Nobbe, and seconded by Alderman Holtkamp, to refer the Special Use Permit to Allow a Ground-Mounted Solar Energy System at 1 Christ Church Way, in the A-1 Agricultural District to the plan Commission for Additional Consideration or Modification

Motion Passed.

Roll Call Vote results:

5 Aye: Holtkamp, Khoury, Lawlor, Nobbe, and Mayer

2 Nay: Riddle and Hitzemann

1 Absent: Huch

0 Abstain:

3. Resolution No. 2025-15 Approving an Agreement Between the City of Columbia and Songs4Soldiers, NFP Providing for Utilization of City-Owned Park Facilities Related to the 2025 Annual Benefit Concert

Motion:

lt was moved by Alderman Nobbe, and seconded by Alderman Lawlor, to pass and approve Resolution No. 2025-15, a Resolution Approving an Agreement Between the City of Columbia and Songs4Soldiers, NFP Providing for Utilization of City-Owned Park Facilities Related to the 2025 Annual Benefit Concert

Motion Passed.

Roll Call Vote results:

7 Aye: Holtkamp, Riddle, Khoury, Lawlor, Nobbe, Hitzemann, and Mayer 0 Nay:

1 Absent: Huch

0 Abstain:

K. New Business

1. Motion to Award Bid for 2025 Pavement Striping Bid to with Varsity Striping and Construction Co. in the Amount of $12,945.60

Motion:

It was moved by Alderman Riddle, and seconded by Alderman Mayer, to Award Bid for 2025 Pavement Striping Bid to with Varsity Striping and Construction Co. in the Amount of $12,945.60

Motion Passed.

Roll Call Vote results:

7 Aye: Holtkamp, Riddle, Khoury, Lawlor, Nobbe, Hitzemann, and Mayer 0 Nay:

1 Absent: Huch

0 Abstain:

2. Discussion of an Annexation Agreement Regarding the Redevelopment of property North of Centerville Road, Monroe County parcel ID number 04-15-403ro23-000, for the Future Development of Fifth Addition to Pioneer Ridge Subdivision

Mr. Brimm reported A & a Land Inc. has submitted a Petition for Annexation for a

portion of their property located on Centerville Road, east of Walnut Drive (parcel ID number 04-15-403ro23roco). Of the 6.81 acre parcel, 6,528 square feet, or approximately 0.15 acres, is in unincorporated Monroe County. Mr. Brimm explained the plan Commission conducted the public hearing and considered the request on August 11, 2025. Upon consideration, they recommended approval of the request as submitted.

3. Discussion of an Application for zoning Map Amendment to Rezone six (6) Parcels, Located east of Breidecker Street between East Wood Drive and Centerville Road, from A-1 Agricultural District, R-3 One-Family Dwelling District and R-6 One-Family Dwelling District to R4 One-Family Dwelling District and R-5 One-Family Dwelling District

Mr. Brimm reported A & 8 Land lnc. owns 6 parcels east of Breidecker Street between Eastwood Drive and Centerville Road that they intend to develop into a residential subdivision. They are requesting all their properties be rezoned to either R-4 or R-5. Mr. Brimm explained the Plan Commission conducted the public hearing and considered the request on August 11, 2025. Upon consideration, they recommended approval of the request as submitted.

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)(5) Purchase or Lease of Real Property for the Use of the Public Body and 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(11) Pending, Probable, or Imminent Litigation.

Motion:

It was moved by Alderman Mayer, and seconded by Alderman Holtkamp, to direct the Mayor to go into Closed Session at 7:48 PM to 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(5) Purchase or Lease of Real Property for the Use of the Public Body and 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(11) Pending, Probable, or Imminent Litigation.

Motion Passed.

Roll Call Vote results:

7 Aye: Holtkamp, Riddle, Khoury, Lawlor, Nobbe, Hitzemann, and Mayer 

0 Nay:

1 Absent: Huch

0 Abstain:

Mayor Hill called the Regular Session of the City Council back to order at 8:21 PM. Upon return to Regular Session, Aldermen Holtkamp, Riddle, Khoury, Lawlor, Nobbe, Hitzemann, and Mayer were present.

M. Announcements

There were no Announcements.

N. Adjournment

Motion:

It was moved by Alderman Mayer, and seconded by Alderman Nobbe to adjourn the Regular City Council meeting held Monday, August 18, 2025 at 8:22PM.

Motion Passed.

Roll Call Vote results:

7 Aye: Holtkamp, Riddle, Khoury, Lawlor, Nobbe, Hitzemann, and Mayer 0 Nay:

1 Absent: Huch

0 Abstain:

https://www.columbiail.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_08182025-413