Macon Reporter

City of Decatur City Council met March 4.

Here is the minutes provided by the council:

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

Interim City Manager Wendy Morthland attended the meeting as well. Mayor Julie Moore Wolfe led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Mayor Julie Moore Wolfe called for Appearance of Citizens.

Millikin Heights President Allen Duesterhaus asked the City Council to allow regions of the city to be designated as neighborhood planning districts. The concept is to allow citizens a greater role in determining the future of their neighborhoods. Mr. Duesterhaus requested that the City Council hold a public forum or planning session to see how the concept could be implemented.

The minutes of the February 4, 2019 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 David Horn, Chuck Kuhle, Pat McDaniel, Dana Ray, Bill Faber, Lisa Gregory and Mayor Julie Moore Wolfe voted aye. Mayor Julie Moore Wolfe declared the motion carried.

With there being no unfinished business; Mayor Julie Moore Wolfe called for New Business.

R2019-26 Resolution Authorizing Action Regarding Unsafe Structures, was presented. Councilman Pat McDaniel moved the Resolution do pass; seconded by Councilwoman Dana Ray.

Susan Kretsinger, Neighborhood Inspections Administrator gave a brief overview of the demolition process and answered questions from council.

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

Mayor Julie Moore Wolfe declared the Public Hearing on the Annual Appropriations Ordinance for Fiscal Year 2019 open.

Interim City Manager Wendy Manager told the council that the Annual Appropriations Ordinance will be placed on the March 18th City Council agenda.

Mayor Julie Moore Wolfe declared the public hearing closed.

R2019-27 Resolution Accepting the Bids and Authorizing the Execution of Purchase Orders for Furnishing Ammunition to the Decatur Police Department, was presented. Councilman Pat McDaniel moved the Resolution do pass; seconded by Councilwoman Dana Ray.

As a possible cost savings measure on ammunition, Police Chief Jim Getz will look at the possibility of a joint purchasing agreement with the Macon County Sherriff’s Department.

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

R2019-28 Resolution Accepting the Bid and Authorizing the Execution of a Contract with Burdick Plumbing & Heating Co. Inc. for 2019 Annual Water Main Replacement Project, Fairlawn Neighborhood, City Project 2019-10, was presented. Councilman Pat McDaniel moved the Resolution do pass; seconded by Councilwoman Dana Ray.

Public Works Director Matt Newell answered questions from council.

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

R2019-29 Resolution Accepting the Bid and Authorizing the Execution of a Contract with Kinney Contractors Inc. for 2019 Annual Valve & Hydrant Replacement Project, Various Locations, City Project 2019-23, was presented. Councilman Pat McDaniel moved the Resolution do pass; seconded by Councilwoman Dana Ray.

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

R2019-30 Resolution Authorizing Amendment #1 to Local Public Agency Agreement for Federal Participation with the State of Illinois to Improve the Mound Road West and Middle Bridges over Spring Creek, Structures 058-3035 and 058-3036, Section No. 17-00706-00-BR, City Project 2017-06, was presented. Councilman Pat McDaniel moved the Resolution do pass; seconded by Councilwoman Dana Ray.

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

2019-04 Ordinance Donating Permanent Easement to the County of Macon for Reas Bridge Road (County Highway 24) Crossing at Lake Decatur for Highway Purposes, was presented. Councilman Pat McDaniel moved the Ordinance do pass; seconded by Councilwoman Dana Ray.

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

R2019-31 Resolution Authorizing Agreements Regarding Permanent Easement for Macon County, Illinois, Reas Bridge Road (County Highway 24) Project for Highway Purposes, was presented. Councilman Pat McDaniel moved the Ordinance do pass; seconded by Councilwoman Dana Ray.

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

2019-05 Repeal of Ordinance 2019-01 Rezoning Property from B-2 Commercial District to M-1 Intense Commercial-Light Industrial District 3373 North Woodford Street, was presented. Councilman Pat McDaniel moved the Repeal of Ordinance do pass; seconded by Councilwoman Dana Ray.

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

2019-06 Ordinance Rezoning Property from B-2 Commercial District to M-1 Intense Commercial-Light Industrial District 3373 North Woodford Street, was presented. Councilman Pat McDaniel moved the Ordinance do pass; seconded by Councilwoman Dana Ray.

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

2019-07 Ordinance Amending PD Planned Development District Generally Bounded by East Marietta Street, North Water Street, East Wabash Avenue and Martin Luther King Jr. Drive Community Care Campus, was presented. Councilman Pat McDaniel moved the Ordinance do pass; seconded by Councilwoman Dana Ray.

Mayor Julie Moore Wolfe reported that the costs associated with the project will be covered by the developer and the Howard G. Buffet foundation.

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

2019-08 Ordinance Granting a Non-Conforming Use Permit to Re-Establish Transitional Housing Use Within the M-2 Heavy Industrial District at 2175 East Pershing Road Decatur Transitional Housing Complex (DTHC), was presented. Councilman Pat McDaniel moved the Ordinance do pass; seconded by Councilwoman Dana Ray.

Reverend Jesse Bates responded to Councilman Horn’s concerns regarding the close proximity of a liquor store and tavern near the transitional housing complex. Reverend Bates stated that the transitional housing complex will be equipped with security cameras and that no alcohol will be allowed on the premises. GED classes, job fairs, long term housing seminars and financial empowerment classes will be held at the complex.

Councilman David Horn would like additional information on how the Decatur Transitional Housing Complex could work together with the Macon County Continuum of Care, an organization that focuses on homelessness and transitional housing.

Councilman David Horn made a motion to table the item, seconded by Councilman Bill Faber. Upon call of the roll, Council members David Horn and Bill Faber voted aye. Council members Chuck Kuhle, Pat McDaniel, Dana Ray, Lisa Gregory and Mayor Julie Moore Wolfe voted nay. Mayor Julie Moore Wolfe declared the motion failed.

Mr. Marty Watkins spoke in favor of the Decatur Transitional Housing Complex.

Upon call of the roll to approve the Ordinance Granting a Non-Conforming Use Permit to Re-Establish Transitional Housing Use Within the M-2 Heavy Industrial District at 2175 East Pershing Road Decatur Transitional Housing Complex (DTHC), as presented, Council members David Horn, Chuck Kuhle, Pat McDaniel, Dana Ray, Bill Faber, Lisa Gregory and Mayor Julie Moore Wolfe voted aye. Mayor Julie Moore Wolfe declared the motion carried.

Mayor Julie Moore Wolfe called for Consent Calendar Items A through D and asked if any Council member wished to have an item removed from the Consent Calendar. Council did not request to have any items removed. The Clerk read Items A through D:

Item A. R2019-32 Resolution Approving Reappointments - Zoning Board of Appeals 

Item B. R2019-33 Resolution Approving Reappointments - Plan Commission

Item C. R2019-34 Resolution Approving Reappointment - Firemen's Pension Fund Board of Trustees

Item D. Receiving and Filing of Minutes of Boards and Commissions

Councilman Pat McDaniel moved Items A through D be approved by Omnibus Vote; seconded by Councilwoman Dana Ray, and on call of the roll, Councilmembers David Horn, Chuck Kuhle, Pat McDaniel, Dana Ray, Bill Faber, Lisa Gregory and Mayor Julie Moore Wolfe voted aye. Mayor Julie Moore Wolfe declared the motion carried.

Mayor Julie Moore Wolfe called for Other Business.

Councilwoman Dana Ray reported a large number of potholes on Wood Street near Jasper Street. It was suggested that the phone number for pothole complaints should be added to the homepage on the City of Decatur’s website. Councilman Bill Faber raised concerns with the lack of grocery stores on the west end.

With no other business, Mayor Julie Moore Wolfe called for Recess to Study Session for Procurement of New Buses for Decatur Public Transit System and Decatur Public Library Parking Lot Improvements.

Councilman Pat McDaniel moved to recess to Study Session; seconded by Councilwoman Dana Ray.

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

Mass Transit Administrator John Williams presented a PowerPoint presentation on the procurement of new buses for Decatur Public Transit System. After a lengthy discussion, Council indicated that they were comfortable on moving forward with the replacement of the buses. The authorization and participation in the Master Purchasing Agreement will be brought forward for consideration at the March 18th City Council meeting.

Gregg Zientara, Director of Finance and Neil Brumleve, Massie, Massie & Associates presented a PowerPoint presentation on the Decatur Public Library parking lot improvements. City Council was presented with three options to consider that could cost anywhere between $400,000 to $1.3 million.

City Librarian Rick Meyer stated that green space would open up possibilities for outdoor activities and programs.

Library Board of Trustees Mark Sorensen voiced his frustration over the condition of the parking lot and felt that the issues could have been solved years ago if the sale of the library building to the county would have been approved.

Council indicated the desire to move forward as soon as possible with the Johnson Controls study of the library’s HVAC system. Council would like to see more design options from Massie, Massie & Associates. Massie, Massie & Associates will revise the plans based on the feedback.

With no other business, Mayor Julie Moore Wolfe called for Recess to Closed Executive Session Under Open Meetings Act Section 2 (c) (2) for the Purpose of Discussing Collective Negotiating Matters Between the Public Body and Its Employees or their Representatives and (c) (6) the Setting of a Price for Sale or Lease of Property Owned by the Public Body.

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

Council returned to the regular Council meeting following Closed Executive Session. Councilman Pat McDaniel moved the regular Council meeting be adjourned; seconded by Councilwoman Dana Ray. All were in favor by voicing no objections.

Mayor Julie Moore Wolfe declared the regular Council meeting adjourned at 9:00 pm.

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