South West Illinois News

City of Columbia City Council met Sept. 15.

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 Huch, Holtkamp, Riddle, Khoury, Lawlor, Nobbe, Hitzemann and Mayer.

Absent: None.

Quorum present.

Administrative Staff present:

City Administrator Douglas Brimm City Clerk Derek Reichert

City Attorney Terry Bruckert City Engineer Chris Smith

Library Director Michelle Sawicki Land Use & Planning Coordinator John Brancaglione Chief of Police Jason Donjon Director of Public Works Mike Sander IT Director James Mitchell

C. Pledge of Allegiance

Those in attendance recited the Pledge of Allegiance.

D. Proclamations/Recognitions/Presentations

There were no Proclamations/Recognitions/Presentations.

E. Public Input

1. Agenda Item J.1. 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

Pastor Jared Parker, Lief Karnuth, Jackie Parker, Margaret DeBonis, Cindy McMullan, Jon Seibel, Pat Seibel, Todd Velnesky, and Nathan Rau addressed the Council regarding Agenda Item J.1.

F. Comments & Announcements - Mayor

Mayor Hill took a moment to reflect on the recent assassination of Charlie Kirk. Mayor Hill asked that the community come together during this difficult time to grieve, to reflect, and to recommit to building a community and a country where respect, civility, and compassion.

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 September 2, 2025 Regular City Council Meeting

2. Motion to Approve Closed Session Minutes of the September 15, 2025 Regular City Council Meeting

3. Motion to Approve Payment of Vouchers for the Period of August 28, 2025 through September 15, 2025 totaling $656,659.33

4. Motion to Approve Statement of Funds for August 31, 2025

5. Resolution No. 2025-16 in Support of the Illinois America250 Commemoration

6. Motion to Approve Special Event – Witches Ghoulish Night Out (October 9, 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 Huch, and seconded by Alderman Khoury, 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:

J. Unfinished Business

1. 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

Mr. Brimm reported at the August 15, 2025 Council meeting, the Council recommended the matter be sent to the Plan Commission for further discussion. The Plan Commission met on September 8, 2025 and reviewed additional information presented by Christ Community Lutheran Church. Following the discussion, the Plan Commission voted 3 ayes and 3 noes to recommend approval to the Council.

Mr. Brimm explained under the Plan Commission’s adopted by-laws, a tie vote constitutes a denial.

Motion:

It was moved by Alderman Riddle, and seconded by Alderman Huch, to pass and approve Ordinance No. 3704, an Ordinance Approving a Special Use Permit to Allow a Ground-Mounted Solar Energy System at 1 Christ Church Way, in the A-1 Agricultural District

Motion Failed.

Roll Call Vote results:

0 Aye:

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

0 Absent:

0 Abstain:

K. New Business

1. Resolution No. 2025-17 Authorizing a Joint Agreement Between the Illinois Department of Transportation and the City of Columbia (Creekside Park Connector Trail)

Motion:

It was moved by Alderman Riddle, and seconded by Alderman Khoury, to pass and approve Resolution No. 2025-17, a Resolution Authorizing a Joint Agreement Between the Illinois Department of Transportation and the City of Columbia (Creekside Park Connector Trail)

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. 2025-18 Appropriating Funding for the Creekside Park Trail Connector Trail Project

Motion:

It was moved by Alderman Huch, and seconded by Alderman Khoury, to pass and approve Resolution No. 2025-18 Appropriating Funding for the Creekside Park Trail Connector Trail Project

Motion Passed.

Roll Call Vote results:

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

0 Nay:

0 Absent:

0 Abstain:

3. Motion to Approve JJDR Minor Subdivision Plat

Motion:

It was moved by Alderman Riddle, and seconded by Alderman Khoury, to Approve JJDR Minor Subdivision Plat

Motion Passed.

Roll Call Vote results:

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

0 Nay:

0 Absent:

0 Abstain:

4. Discussion of 5th Addition to Pioneer Ridge Preliminary Subdivision Plat

Mr. Brancaglione reported the Plan Commission held a public meeting on September 8, 2025 and voted to recommended approval of the 5th Addition to Pioneer Ridge Preliminary Subdivision Plat as submitted.

A ordinance will be presented at the October 6, 2025 Council meeting for consideration.

5. Discussion of a Resolution to Levy a Tax Up to .02% of the Value of the Taxable Property in the City of Columbia, Illinois for Columbia Public Library Building and Equipment Purposes

Mr. Brimm reported the City is required to adopt a resolution determining to levy a tax for the Columbia Public Library Building and Equipment. Mr. Brimm reviewed the proposed resolution. This resolution has been drafted to authorize an amount up to .02%, rather than the limit specified in statute. This is intended to allow the City Council and Staff to determine the appropriate amount to be levied during preparation of the annual property tax levy in December.

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 Use of the Public Body, 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(6) Setting a Price for the Sale or Lease 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 Hitzemann, and seconded by Alderman Riddle, to direct the Mayor to go into Closed Session at 7:22 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, 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(5) Purchase or Lease of Real Property for Use of the Public Body, 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(6) Setting a Price for the Sale or Lease 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, Hitzemann, and Mayer

0 Nay:

0 Absent:

0 Abstain:

Mayor Hill called the Regular Session of the City Council back to order at 7:48 PM. Upon return to Regular Session, Aldermen Huch, Holtkamp, Riddle, Khoury, Lawlor, Nobbe, Hitzemann, and Mayer were present.

M. Announcements

Mr. Brimm announced City Staff recently discovered there is a need to amend the sign code regarding variances. Mr. Brimm reported there will be an ordinance presented at the October 6, 2025 Council meeting for consideration of the amendment.

N. Adjournment

Motion:

It was moved by Alderman Khoury, and seconded by Alderman Hitzemann to adjourn the Regular City Council meeting held Monday, September 15, 2025 at 7:51 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/Agenda/_10062025-422