Macon Reporter

City of Decatur City Council met July 15.

Here is the minutes provided by the council:

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

City Manager Scot Wrighton attended the meeting as well.

Mayor Julie Moore Wolfe led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Mayor Julie Moore Wolfe called for Appearance of Citizens.

Ms. Sandra Lindberg and Mr. Jacob Jenkins both spoke in favor of a temporary moratorium on City Code, Chapter 48, Section 8, weeds.

Mr. Mark Girdler spoke about a personnel issue involving the library.

Ms. Dianna Pace is concerned with crime in the west end.

Mr. Tom Hanks asked for better enforcement of the speed limit along East Lake Shore Drive as a result of heavy semi traffic.

Ms. Verlyn Rosenberger and Mr. Don Carmichael spoke in favor of a temporary moratorium on Chapter 48, Section 8, weeds.

Mr. Richard Robinson received a letter from the city in regard to his property being annexed into the city, and he would like more information on the annexation process.

With no other Appearance of Citizens, Mayor Moore Wolfe called for Approval of Minutes.

The minutes of the June 21, June 24 and July 1, 2019 City Council meetings 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 Lisa Gregory, David Horn, Chuck Kuhle, Pat McDaniel, Rodney Walker, Bill Faber, and Mayor Moore Wolfe voted aye. Mayor Moore Wolfe declared the motion carried.

Mayor Moore Wolfe called for Unfinished Business. With no Unfinished Business, Mayor Moore Wolfe called for New Business.

City Manager Wrighton summarized the Treasurer’s Financial Report and answered questions from council.

2019-76 Ordinance Approving a Temporary Moratorium on the Enforcement of Chapter 48 Section 8 Weeds, was presented. Councilman Pat McDaniel moved the Ordinance do pass; seconded by Councilman Horn.

City Manager Wrighton explained that the motion on the floor does not repeal any of the city’s existing ordinances but rather the motion places a hold on the enforcement of weeds on selective sites.

Mr. Jim Spaniol stated that SONA supports the temporary moratorium on the Enforcement of Chapter 48, Section 8, weeds and offered SONA’s services to assist in research.

Ms. Renee Ferre, Mr. Reed Sutman and Ms. Dianna Spaniol spoke in favor of the temporary moratorium on Chapter 48, Section 8, weeds.

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

R2019-99 Resolution Authorizing a Memorandum of Understanding with Triloma Financial Group for Opportunity Zone Investment Advisory Services, was presented. Councilman Pat McDaniel moved the Resolution do pass; seconded by Councilwoman Lisa Gregory.

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

R2019-100 Resolution Accepting a Grant from the Illinois Housing Development Authority's Abandoned Residential Property Municipality Relief Program, was presented. Councilman Pat McDaniel moved the Resolution do pass; seconded by Councilwoman Lisa Gregory.

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

R2019-101 Resolution Authorizing a Memorandum of Understanding Agreement and Associated Sales Order with Crossing Healthcare to Obtain Internet Access through the City of Decatur Fiber Network, was presented. Councilman Pat McDaniel moved the Resolution do pass; seconded by Councilwoman Lisa Gregory.

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

R2019-102 Resolution Accepting a Bid for Construction of a New Parking Lot Adjacent to the Decatur Public Library, was presented. Councilman Pat McDaniel moved the Resolution do pass; seconded by Councilwoman Lisa Gregory.

Mr. Robert Edwards, Assistant Librarian, reported that there are roughly 50 library employees who utilize the library parking lot. Discussion was held that there is available parking for library employees in Parking Garage C on Franklin Street.

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

Councilman Faber exited the Council Chamber at 7:02pm.

Mayor Moore Wolfe called for Consent Calendar Items A. through I. asked if any Council member wished to have an item removed from the Consent Calendar. No Council member wished to remove any item from the Consent Calendar. The Clerk read Items A. through I.

Item A. 2019-77 Ordinance Authorizing Consumption of Alcoholic Liquor on Public Rights-of-Way and in Central Park - Decatur Celebration

Item B. 2019-78 Ordinance Annexing Territory 3304 Fite Drive

Item C. 2019-79 Ordinance Annexing Territory 2406 Thunderbird Drive

Item D. 2019-80 Ordinance Annexing Territory 4124 North Woodlawn Avenue Item E. 2019-81 Ordinance Annexing Territory 2821 Forest Crest Road

Item F. 2019-82 Ordinance Annexing Territory 3070 Danny Drive

Item G. 2019-83 Ordinance Annexing Territory 2771 Forest Crest Road

Item H. 2019-84 Ordinance Annexing Territory 2430 Baker Lane

Item I. 2019-85 Ordinance Annexing Territory 3836 West Division Street

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

Councilman Faber entered the Council Chamber at 7:05pm.

Mayor Moore Wolfe called for Unfinished Business.

City Manager Wrighton announced that the second neighborhood cleanup event will be held on Thursday, July 25 in the Civic Center parking lot from 2-6pm; no electronics will be allowed. The 2045 Long Range Transportation Plan and community survey is located on the City of Decatur’s website; public input is encouraged. The next study session has been tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, August 6th at 6:30pm.

With no other business, Mayor Moore Wolfe called for Recess to Study Session on Applying Smart City Technologies.

City Council recessed to a three-minute break at 7:08pm.

Mayor Moore Wolfe called the meeting back in session at 7:11pm.

Jim Edwards, IT Director presented a PowerPoint Presentation. A discussion was held by council on the following six key focus areas: 1) Commercial and non-commercial use of the city’s fiber network 2) Find development partner to develop a City of Decatur Citizen Web App/Portal 3) Sale of municipal data 4) IT & GIS resource collaboration and sharing 5) Slowly adopt Smart City innovations to enhance neighborhood development and public safety as budget allows 6) Build fiber network to support downtown and target areas.

Focus areas #3 and #4 were put on hold.

Police Chief Jim Getz spoke about the benefits of video surveillance cameras and body- worn cameras. Chief Getz stated that many African American pastors in the community and Janelle Norman, President of the NAACP are big supporters of body cameras.

Mr. Reed Sutman spoke in favor of body cameras but told council it is important to think about people’s privacy.

Mr. Jim Spaniol asked council to be careful to ensure that there is directed action that solves the problems that need to be solved.

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

Mayor Moore Wolfe declared the Council meeting adjourned at 8:35 p.m.

https://decatur.novusagenda.com/agendapublic/DisplayAgendaPDF.ashx?MinutesMeetingID=187