Macon Reporter

City of Decatur City Council met October 15.

Here is the minutes provided by the council:

Mayor Julie Moore Wolfe presided, together with her being Council members Pat McDaniel, Bill Faber, Lisa Gregory, David Horn and Chuck Kuhle were present. Councilwoman Dana Ray was absent. Six members present and one member absent. 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.

Mayor Julie Moore Wolfe called for Appearance of Citizens.

Jim Taylor thanked U-Haul for not leaving Decatur after the rezoning did not get approved on Water Street.

Mayor Julie Moore Wolfe called for approval of the minutes.

The minutes of the October 1, 2018 Council meeting were presented. Councilman Pat McDaniel moved the minutes be approved as written; seconded by Councilwoman Lisa Gregory, and on call of the roll, Council members Bill Faber, Lisa Gregory, David Horn, Chuck Kuhle, Pat McDaniel and Mayor Julie Moore Wolfe voted aye. Mayor Julie Moore Wolfe declared the motion carried.

Finance Director Gregg Zientara provided an update on the City’s budget and responded to Council members’ comments and questions.

Mayor Julie Moore Wolfe presented Stephen Decatur medallions to Ellen Hearn, Jill Davis, Marvin Sowers and Nicole Bateman for their America in Bloom efforts. Ellen Hearn accepted the medallion on behalf of Susan Avery who was unable to attend the meeting. Decatur won the People’s Choice Award, Outstanding YouTube Video Award, Landscape Award and the Best Use of Social Media Award.

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

R2018-134 Resolution Authorizing a Professional Engineering Services Agreement with Intera Inc. for an additional Water Supply Plan, was presented. Councilman Pat McDaniel moved the Resolution do pass; seconded by Councilwoman Lisa Gregory.

Public Works Director Matt Newell responded to questions from Council regarding the agreement with Intera Inc.

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

R2018-135 Resolution Authorizing Execution and Amendment of FY 2019 Downstate Operating Assistance Grant Agreement with Illinois Department of Transportation, was presented. Councilman Pat McDaniel moved the Resolution do pass; seconded by Councilwoman Lisa Gregory.

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

2018-57 Ordinance Amending City Code Chapter 16 - Public Works, was presented. Councilman Pat McDaniel moved the Ordinance do pass; seconded by Councilwoman Lisa Gregory.

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

2018-58 Ordinance Amending PD Planned Development District Located at 1800 E. Lake Shore Drive - St. Mary's Hospital, was presented. Councilman Pat McDaniel moved the Ordinance do pass; seconded by Councilwoman Lisa Gregory.

Economic and Community Development Director Ray Lai answered Council’s questions regarding electronic messaging units.

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

2018-59 Ordinance Amending I-OL Institutional Overlay District over the underlying O- 1 Office District by incorporating the property at 301 West Hay Street, was presented. Councilman Pat McDaniel moved the Ordinance do pass; seconded by Councilwoman Lisa Gregory.

Councilman Chuck Kuhle questioned whether he should abstain from the vote since his wife is employed by DMH.

Assistant Corporation Counsel John Robinson responded that Councilman Kuhle did not have to abstain from the vote.

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

R2018-136 Resolution Regarding Halloween Trick or Treat Hours, was presented. Councilman Pat McDaniel moved the Resolution do pass; seconded by Councilwoman Lisa Gregory.

Councilman David Horn made a motion to remove item three on page two which states “The activity should be confined to the neighborhood of the residence of the participants” due to concerns with neighborhood safety. Councilman Bill Faber seconded the motion.

Upon call of the roll to amend the Resolution, Council members Bill Faber, Lisa Gregory, David Horn, Chuck Kuhle, Pat McDaniel and Mayor Julie Moore Wolfe voted in favor of the motion. Mayor Julie Moore Wolfe declared the motion carried.

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

Receiving and Filing of Minutes of Boards and Commissions, was presented. Councilman Pat McDaniel moved the item do pass; seconded by Councilwoman Lisa Gregory.

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

Mayor Julie Moore Wolfe called for other business. Councilwoman Lisa Gregory gave a brief update on the meeting of the working group that involves the City of Decatur, Decatur Park District and Decatur Public Schools District #61 and also the recruitment efforts of the City Manager. The working group met to continue to build on the mission statement and will meet in the near future to develop a strategic plan that will identify quick wins and long-term goals. The position of the City Manager has been posted and Council will interview candidates in the near future.

Councilman Bill Faber mentioned that the U-Haul facility on Mound Road has a very nice appearance, adds value to the community and fills a vacant retail space.

Councilman David Horn congratulated the America in Bloom organization and partners and believes that there could be a strong collaboration with the Decatur Audubon Society and Community Environmental Council in relation to improvements in urban forestry.

With no other business, Mayor Julie Moore Wolfe called for adjournment. Councilman Pat McDaniel moved the regular Council meeting be adjourned; seconded by Councilwoman Lisa Gregory, and on call of the roll, Bill Faber, Lisa Gregory, David Horn, Charles Kuhle, Pat McDaniel and Mayor Julie Moore Wolfe voted aye. Mayor Julie Moore Wolfe declared the motion carried.

Mayor Julie Moore Wolfe declared the regular Council meeting adjourned at 6:15 pm.

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