City of Decatur City Council met September 4.

By Angelica Saylo Pilo

Oct 31, 2018

City of Decatur City Council met Sept. 4.

Here is the minutes provided by the council:

On Tuesday, September 4, 2018, the City Council of the City of Decatur, Illinois, met in Regular Meeting at 5:30 p.m., in the Council Chambers, One Gary K. Anderson Plaza, Decatur, Illinois.

Mayor Julie Moore Wolfe presided, together with her being Council members Lisa Gregory, David Horn, Charles Kuhle, Pat McDaniel, Dana Ray and Bill Faber. Seven members present. Mayor Julie Moore Wolfe declared a quorum present.

Interim City Manager Billy Tyus attended the meeting as well.

Mayor Julie Moore Wolfe led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

Mayor Julie Moore Wolfe called for Appearance of Citizens.

Shannon Wright shared her experience with the City of Decatur Administrative Court. Eldon Burg asked for leniency for Shannon Wright’s Administrative Court case.

Mayor Julie Moore Wolfe called for approval of the minutes. The minutes of the August 20, 2018, City Council meeting were presented. Councilman Pat McDaniel moved the minutes be approved as written; seconded by Councilwoman Dana Ray, and on call of the roll, Council members Lisa Gregory, David Horn, Charles Kuhle, Pat McDaniel, Dana Ray, Bill Faber and Mayor Julie Moore Wolfe voted aye. Mayor Julie Moore Wolfe declared the motion carried.

This being the time set aside for Unfinished Business, and there being none Mayor Julie Moore Wolfe called for New Business.

Interim City Manager provided an update on the City’s budget and responded to Council member’s questions and comments.

Mayor Julie Moore Wolfe called for Proclamations and Recognitions. Karen Halicki read the Proclamation in celebration of the 100th Anniversary of the Macon County Association for Home and Community Education.

Public Hearing - Petition of the City of Decatur, Illinois, to Vacate Streets, Alleyways and other Rights of Way in the 400-599 Blocks of East Central Avenue and the 900-999 Blocks of North Warren Street Right-of-Way and to vacate the Alley Right-of-Way located between the 200-599 Blocks of East Wabash Avenue and East Central Avenue, between the 400 Blocks of East Central Avenue and East King Street, between the 200 Blocks of East Central Avenue and East King Street, between the 800 Blocks of North Warren Street and North Water Street, between the 900 Blocks of North Warren Street and North Water Street, and between the 200- 599 Blocks of East King Street and East Marietta Street.

Mayor Julie Moore Wolfe shared that the policies of the Council state public hearings to vacate streets, alleys and other rights-of-way are to be held before Plan Commission except in unusual circumstances. The unusual circumstances in this case justifying the public hearing held before Council would include the factors that overdose deaths are on a significant increase in the community, significant resources in the community are being utilized and directed in response and there is a significant limited in time opportunity for redevelopment of an underutilized and unused area of the City to address these community goals.

Mayor Julie Moore Wolfe asked if there was a consensus among Council to proceed with the public hearing finding the unusual circumstances in the matter. There was a consensus from council.

Mayor Julie Moore Wolfe declared the public hearing open and asked anyone wishing to speak to approach the podium.

Jerry Pelz, Director of Northeast Community Fund expressed his concern with traffic patterns around the site.

Mayor Julie Moore Wolfe declared the public hearing closed.

2018-39 Ordinance Vacating Public Rights-of-Way in the 400-599 Blocks of East Central Avenue and the 900-999 Blocks of North Warren Street Rights-of-Way and to Vacate the Alley Rights-of-Way Located Between the 200-599 Blocks of East Wabash Avenue and East Central Avenue, Between the 400 Blocks of East Central Avenue and East King Street, Between the 200 Blocks of East Central Avenue and East King Street, Between the 800 Blocks of North Warren Street and North Water Street, Between the 900 Blocks of North Warren Street and North Water Street, and Between the 200-599 Blocks of East King Street and East Marietta Street Vacating Public Rights-of-Way in the 400-599 Blocks of East Central Avenue and the 900-999 Blocks of North Warren Street Rights-of-Way and to Vacate the Alley Rights-of-Way Located Between the 200-599 Blocks of East Wabash Avenue and East Central Avenue, Between the 400 Blocks of East Central Avenue and East King Street, Between the 200 Blocks of East Central Avenue and East King Street, Between the 800 Blocks of North Warren Street and North Water Street, Between the 900 Blocks of North Warren Street and North Water Street, and Between the 200-599 Blocks of East King Street and East Marietta Street, was presented. Councilman Pat McDaniel moved the Ordinance do pass; seconded by Councilwoman Lisa Gregory.

Interim City Manager responded to questions from Councilman David Horn and Jerry Pelz, Director of Northeast Community Fund concerning traffic patterns.

Upon call of the roll, Council members Lisa Gregory, David Horn, Charles Kuhle, Pat McDaniel, Bill Faber and Mayor Julie Moore Wolfe voted aye. Councilwoman Dana Ray abstained from the vote. Six ayes and one abstention. Mayor Julie Moore Wolfe declared the motion carried.

R2018-114 Resolution Authorizing Real Estate Contract for Property Generally Located in the 200-500 Blocks of East Marietta Street, the 200-500 Blocks of East King Street, the 200- 500 Blocks of East Central Avenue, the 200-500 Block of East Wabash Avenue and the 800-900 Blocks of North Warren Street and North Water Street in the Wabash Crossing Redevelopment Area, was presented. Councilman Pat McDaniel moved the Resolution do pass; seconded by Councilwoman Lisa Gregory.

Interim City Manager Billy Tyus responded to questions from Councilman Horn.

2018-40 Ordinance Amending Zoning Ordinance Section II. Definitions Section XXVII. Wireless Facilities Section XXX Zoning Board of Appeals, was presented. Councilman Pat McDaniel moved the Ordinance do pass; seconded by Councilwoman Dana Ray.

Upon call of the roll, Council members David Horn, Charles Kuhle, Pat McDaniel, Dana Ray, Bill Faber and Mayor Julie Moore Wolfe voted aye. Councilwoman Lisa Gregory voted nay. Six ayes, one nay. Mayor Julie Moore Wolfe declared the motion carried.

R2018-115 Resolution Accepting the Bid and Authorizing the Execution of a Contract with Christy-Foltz Inc. for Fire Station 5 Construction Project, was presented. Councilman Pat McDaniel moved the Resolution do pass; seconded by Councilwoman Lisa Gregory.

Fire Chief Jeff Abbott responded to questions from Council members.

Upon call of the roll, Council members Lisa Gregory, David Horn, Charles Kuhle, Pat McDaniel, Dana Ray, Bill Faber and Mayor Julie Moore Wolfe voted aye. Mayor Julie Moore Wolfe declared the motion carried.

2018-41 Ordinance Granting Conditional Use Permit to Allow for an Ambulance Service 417, 447, 453, and 461 West Wood Street, was presented. Councilman Pat McDaniel moved the Ordinance do pass; seconded by Councilwoman Lisa Gregory.

Upon call of the roll, Council members Lisa Gregory, David Horn, Charles Kuhle, Pat McDaniel, Dana Ray, Bill Faber voted aye. Mayor Julie Moore Wolfe abstained from the vote. Six ayes, one abstention. Mayor Julie Moore Wolfe declared the motion carried.

2018-42 Ordinance Granting Conditional Use Permit to Allow for an Ambulance Service 1102 West Ravina Park Road, was presented. Councilman Pat McDaniel moved the Ordinance do pass; seconded by Councilwoman Lisa Gregory.

R2018-116 Resolution Authorizing Agreement with BlueCross BlueShield of Illinois for Administration of the City Group Health Benefit Plan for the Calendar Year 2019, was presented. Councilman Pat McDaniel moved the Resolution do pass; seconded by Councilwoman Lisa Gregory.

R2018-117 Resolution Authorizing Property and Liability Insurance Coverage for the City of Decatur, Illinois for the Policy Period October 1, 2018 to October 1, 2019, was presented. Councilman Pat McDaniel moved the Resolution do pass; seconded by Councilwoman Dana Ray.

Finance Director Gregg Zientara responded to questions from council members.

R2018-118 Resolution Authorizing Excess Workers Compensation Insurance Coverage for the City of Decatur, Illinois for the Policy Period October 1, 2018 to October 1, 2019, was presented. Councilman Pat McDaniel moved the Resolution do pass; seconded by Councilwoman Lisa Gregory.

R2018-119 Resolution Authorizing Excess Property Insurance Coverage for the City of Decatur, Illinois for the Policy Period October 1, 2018 to October 1, 2019, was presented. Councilman Pat McDaniel moved the Resolution do pass; seconded by Councilwoman Dana Ray.

2018-43 Ordinance Authorizing Consumption of Alcoholic Liquor on Public Rights-of- Way 100 Block of Merchant Street - Northeast Community Fund - Feed the Fund - September 29, 2018, was presented. Councilman Pat McDaniel moved the Ordinance do pass; seconded by Councilwoman Lisa Gregory.

Finance Director Gregg Zientara responded to questions from council members.

Councilman Chuck Kuhle would like to build cash reserves to 45 days, implement a timeline calendar of events, hire a City Manager in a timely but thorough fashion, have a balanced budget in 2019, see if customer service is being affected by holding positions, work with the State of Illinois and Decatur Park District to build running/bike paths around basin two of Lake Decatur and do a study in 2019 for running/bike paths.

Councilman David Horn would like to create a mission statement that would serve as the guidance for the creation of yearly goals. Councilman David Horn would like for Council to focus on stabilization decline and create yearly goals with certain deliverables and benchmarks that are connected to the budget; goals must be well defined. Councilman Horn feels that there is another opportunity for categories of goals which is environmental sustainability and increased wellness. Councilman Horn would like to see a comprehensive plan for natural resources including forested areas which could include an opportunity for hiking paths. Neighborhood revitalization should include housing, demolitions, remediation of housing code violations, fill 4,500 unoccupied housing units, encourage building of new homes, reuse of Macon County Trustee lots, changes to ordinances and enhance landlord/tenant relations. Councilman Horn would like to set a goal to have only 80 houses left on the demolition list by 2018, 40 by 2019 and 0 by 2020. Councilman Horn would like to see Macon County Trustee lots purchased by the end of 2019 and implement a program to repurpose the houses/lots. Councilman Horn would like to implement a residence improvement incentive by 2019 and offer tax rebates for new construction and property improvements and also focus more on the retail environment.

Councilman McDaniel added that he would like to see by January, 2019, a defined comprehensive marketing manual on revitalization.

Mayor Julie Moore Wolfe called for Recess to Closed Executive Session under Section 2. Open Meetings Act (c) (5) for the Purchase or Lease of Real Property for the Use of the Public Body and (c) (6) the Setting of a Price for Sale or Lease of Property Owned by the Public Body and (c) (11) Litigation, when action an against, affecting or on behalf of the particular public body has been filed and is pending before a court or administrative tribunal, or when the public body finds that an action is probable or imminent, in which case the basis for the finding shall be recorded and entered into the minutes of the closed meeting. Councilman Pat McDaniel motioned to Recess to Closed Executive Session; seconded by Councilwoman Lisa Gregory.

Councilwoman Lisa Gregory moved the regular Council meeting be adjourned; seconded by Councilman Pat McDaniel. All were in favor by voicing no objections.

Mayor Julie Moore Wolfe declared the regular Council meeting adjourned at 8:10 p.m.

https://www.decaturil.gov/mayor-and-council/council-meetings/

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