City of Decatur City Council met Jan. 20.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
On Monday, January 20, 2026, the City Council of the City of Decatur, Illinois, met in Regular Meeting at 5:30 p.m., in the Council Chamber, One Gary K. Anderson Plaza, Decatur, Illinois.
Mayor Julie Moore Wolfe presided, together with her being Council members Ed Culp, Dennis Cooper, Lisa Gregory, Consuelo Cruz, Pat McDaniel and David Horn. Mayor Moore Wolfe declared a quorum present.
Interim City Manager Melissa Hon attended the meeting as well.
Mayor Moore Wolfe led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Mayor Moore Wolfe announced that the Resolution Authorizing the Economic & Community Development Department’s Revitalization Plan for 2026-2029 was changed from an action item to a discussion item.
Ms. Laura Dean, Associate Professor at Millikin University along with her student, Cassidy Culjat, presented a proclamation proclaiming January 2026 as Human Trafficking Awareness Month in Decatur.
Mayor Moore Wolfe called for Appearance of Citizens.
The following citizens provided comments to the Council: Reed Sutman, Stephanie Kee, James Taylor and Chad Bowlin.
Council members responded to citizens’ comments.
Mayor Moore Wolfe called for approval of the minutes.
The minutes of January 5, 2026, City Council meeting were presented. Councilwoman Gregory moved the minutes be approved as written; seconded by Councilman Culp and on call of the roll, Council members David Horn, Ed Culp, Dennis Cooper, Lisa Gregory, Consuelo Cruz, Pat McDaniel and Mayor Moore Wolfe voted aye. Mayor Moore Wolfe declared the motion carried.
With there being no Unfinished Business, Mayor Moore Wolfe called for New Business.
R2026-05 Resolution Authorizing Amendment No. 5 for Professional Engineering Services Agreement with Spheros Environmental Parent Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation, for Lake Decatur Watershed Management Plan City Project 2019-38, was presented. Councilwoman Gregory moved the Resolution do pass, seconded by Councilman Culp.
Ms. Hon, Interim City Manager, provided an overview of the Resolution.
Council members expressed their opinions on the proposed project.
Upon call of the roll, Council members David Horn, Ed Culp, Dennis Cooper, Lisa Gregory, Consuelo Cruz, Pat McDaniel and Mayor Moore Wolfe voted aye. Mayor Moore Wolfe declared the motion carried.
2026-06 Ordinance Amending City Code, Chapter 51.4, Local Motor Fuel Tax, was presented. Councilwoman Gregory moved the Ordinance do pass, seconded by Councilman Culp.
Ms. Hon, Interim City Manager, provided an overview of the Ordinance.
Council members expressed their opinions regarding the proposed amendment.
Upon call of the roll, Council members David Horn, Ed Culp, Dennis Cooper, Lisa Gregory, Consuelo Cruz, Pat McDaniel and Mayor Moore Wolfe voted aye. Mayor Moore Wolfe declared the motion carried.
Ms. Hon, Interim City Manager, lead a discussion on the Economic & Community Development 2026-2029 Revitalization Plan.
Ms. Lacie Elzy, Director of Economic & Community Development, provided an overview of the plan, outlining its purpose, key priorities, and goals, along with a financial summary. She also addressed questions from Council members and noted that public feedback can be submitted through the city’s website or by phone.
Mr. Chad Bowlin with Urban Roots Properties, LLC presented a proposal for property rehabilitation.
R2026-06 A Resolution to Induce the Redevelopment Located at 250 North Water Street, Commonly Referred to as the Citizens-Barnes Building, was presented. Councilwoman Gregory moved the Resolution do pass, seconded by Councilman Culp.
Ms. Elzy, Director of Economic & Community Development Department, provided an overview of the Resolution.
Council members expressed their opinions regarding the proposed Resolution.
Upon call of the roll, Council members David Horn, Ed Culp, Dennis Cooper, Lisa Gregory, Pat McDaniel and Mayor Moore Wolfe voted aye. Councilwoman Cruz voted nay. Mayor Moore Wolfe declared the motion carried.
Interim City Manager Hon provided the City Manager Update highlighting the Christmas Tree recycling program aimed at creating fish habitats in specific areas of the lake.
Mayor Moore Wolfe called for Consent Agenda Calendar Items A. through I. and asked if any Council member wished to remove an item from the Consent Agenda Calendar. No Council member requested to remove an item from the Consent Agenda Calendar. The Clerk read Calendar Items A. through I.:
R2026-07 Item A. Resolution Authorizing the Expenditure of Funds to Install Street Lighting on Park Place and Cobb Avenue
R2026-08 Item B. Resolution Authorizing a Cash Rent Farm Lease with Craig Hill for Two DeWitt County Farms
R2026-09 Item C. Resolution Authorizing a 2026 Cash Rent Farm Lease with Peter Pistorius for Farm #5 in Harristown
R2026-10 Item D. Resolution Authorizing a Sourcewell Contract to Martin Equipment for the Purchase of Two (2) Backhoes
R2026-11 Item E. Resolution Authorizing a Sourcewell Contract for the Purchase of Four (4) Dump Trucks
R2026-12 Item F. Resolution Authorizing a Sourcewell Contract to Martin Equipment for the Purchase of One (1) Skidsteer
R2026-13 Item G. Resolution Authorizing Payment to the Macon County Law Enforcement Training Center for New Police Officer Recruit Training (Recruit Class 25- 27)
R2026-14 Item H. Resolution Approving Reappointments – Zoning Board of Appeals Item I. Receiving and Filing of Minutes of Boards and Commissions
Councilwoman Gregory moved Items A. through I. be approved by Omnibus Vote; seconded by Councilman Culp, and on call of the roll, Council members David Horn, Ed Culp, Dennis Cooper, Lisa Gregory, Consuelo Cruz, Pat McDaniel and Mayor Moore Wolfe voted aye. Mayor Moore Wolfe declared the motion carried.
With no other New Business, Mayor Moore Wolfe called for Other Business.
There being no Other Business, Mayor Moore Wolfe called for Recess to Closed Executive Session at 6:24 p.m. pursuant to Open Meetings Act Section 2(c)(1) the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance or dismissal of specific employees of the public body.
Council returned to the regular City Council meeting following Closed Executive Session at 6:52 p.m.
Councilwoman Gregory moved the regular City Council meeting be adjourned, seconded by Councilman McDaniel and upon call of the roll, Council members David Horn, Ed Culp, Dennis Cooper, Lisa Gregory, Consuelo Cruz, Pat McDaniel and Mayor Moore Wolfe voted aye. Mayor Moore Wolfe declared the motion carried.
Mayor Moore Wolfe declared the regular Council meeting adjourned at 6:52 p.m.
https://decaturil.portal.civicclerk.com/event/958/files/attachment/1497
