Macon Reporter

City of Decatur City Council met Oct. 7.

Here is the minutes provided by the council:

On Monday, October 7, 2019, 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 David Horn, Lisa Gregory, Chuck Kuhle, Pat McDaniel, Rodney Walker, Bill Faber and Mayor Moore Wolfe. Mayor Moore Wolfe declared a quorum present.

City Manager Scot Wrighton attended the meeting as well. Mayor Moore Wolfe led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Mayor Moore Wolfe called for Appearance of Citizens.

Mr. John Phillips, Jr. voiced his opinion on why cases regarding open consumption/use of marijuana should not be sent to administrative court and encouraged council to consider allowing binding ordinances.

Mr. Christopher McCleod voiced disappointment over the City of Decatur opting out of marijuana sales.

Ms. Sandra Lindberg asked council to develop a climate mitigation plan.

Mr. Drew Laney voiced disappointment over the City of Decatur opting out of marijuana sales.

Mr. Mark Girdler made reference to a movie called Hard Ticket to Hawaii.

Ms. Mirinda Rothrock, President of the Greater Chamber of Commerce spoke in support of the City of Decatur opting out of marijuana sales.

Mr. Jeffrey Perkins voiced opposition over voter suppression.

Mr. Ty Hildum spoke in support of the City of Decatur opting out of marijuana sales.

Mr. Ron White voiced concerns about the city’s property enforcement.

Ms. Ruth Aufrecht voiced disappointment over the City of Decatur opting out of marijuana sales.

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

The minutes of the September 16, 2019 City Council meeting and September 23, 2019 Special City Council meeting were presented. Councilwoman Pat McDaniel moved the minutes be approved as written; seconded by Councilwoman Lisa Gregory and on call of the roll, Council members David Horn, Lisa Gregory, 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 Proclamations and Recognitions.

Mr. Rick Meyer, City Librarian, read a proclamation proclaiming Tuesday, October 8, 2019, as James William Loewen Day in the City of Decatur. Dr. Loewen is an American sociologist, historian, educator, author, and ‘model public intellectual’ best known for his 1995 book, Lies My Teacher Told Me: Everything Your American History Textbook Got Wrong.

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

R2019-147 Resolution Authorizing Agreement between the City of Decatur, Illinois, and Airport Plaza Joint Venture, LLC, was presented. Councilman Pat McDaniel moved the Resolution do pass, seconded by Councilwoman Lisa Gregory.

City Manager Wrighton answered questions from council regarding eligible project costs.

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

2019-161 Ordinance Granting a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) in the B-2 Commercial District to Allow for an Automated Car Wash with Vacuum Bays 275 and 303 East Pershing Road, was presented. Councilman Pat McDaniel moved the Ordinance do pass, seconded by Councilwoman Lisa Gregory.

Mr. Ray Lai, Director of Economic and Community Development explained that the request will allow for the construction of a new car wash.

Mr. Rod Fleming inquired as to the fate of the burrito truck.

Mr. Eric Kirchner with Cochran responded that he is uncertain what will happen to the burrito truck.

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

2019-162 Ordinance Rezoning Property From M-2 Heavy Industrial District to M-1 Intense Commercial-Light Industrial District 2504 North Water Street, was presented.

Councilman Pat McDaniel moved the Ordinance do pass, seconded by Councilwoman Lisa Gregory.

Mr. Ray Lai, Director of Economic and Community Development explained that down- zoning to M-1 would permit less intensive uses.

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

R2019-148 Resolution Authorizing Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and Home Investment Partnership Fund (HOME) Expenditures and Adoption of the FY 2019-20 Annual Action Plan, was presented. Councilman Pat McDaniel moved the Resolution do pass, seconded by Councilwoman Lisa Gregory.

Mr. Ray Lai, Director of Economic and Community Development announced that meetings for the Annual Action Plan will be held on October 30th, 2019 at noon and 5:30pm for public input.

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

R2019-149 Resolution Authorizing an Indefeasible Right of Use Agreement and Associated Sales Order with Decatur Public School District #61 to Obtain Dark Fiber from 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 David Horn, Lisa Gregory, Chuck Kuhle, Pat McDaniel, Rodney Walker, Bill Faber and Mayor Moore Wolfe voted aye. Mayor Moore Wolfe declared the motion carried.

2019-163 Ordinance Amending City Code Chapter 51.3 Utility Taxes, was presented. Councilman Pat McDaniel moved the Ordinance do pass, seconded by Councilwoman Lisa Gregory.

Mr. Gregg Zientara, Finance Director answered questions from council regarding the sunset provision and tax rates.

Councilman Horn asked for council support in reducing the utility tax from 4.25% to 4.0% and entertained a motion to postpone the vote. No council member wished to second the motion to postpone the vote.

Mr. John Phillips thanked Councilman Horn for his efforts in reducing the tax.

Mr. Drew Laney questioned whether council had the authority to make the utility tax a graduated tax.

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

Councilman Faber exited the Council Chamber at 6:38pm.

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

Item A. 2019-164 Ordinance Annexing Territory 2363 West Ash Avenue Item B. 2019-165 Ordinance Annexing Territory 2305 Baker Lane

Item C. 2019-166 Ordinance Annexing Territory 2441 Baker Lane

Item D. 2019-167 Ordinance Annexing Territory 10 Cloyds Drive

Item E. 2019-168 Ordinance Annexing Territory 3251 Fite Drive

Item F. 2019-169 Ordinance Annexing Territory 2210 Frontier Road

Item G. 2019-170 Ordinance Annexing Territory 4220 Needle Road

Item H. 2019-171 Ordinance Annexing Territory 3321 Ferris Drive

Item I. 2019-172 Ordinance Annexing Territory 2040 Mars Court

Item J. 2019-173 Ordinance Annexing Territory 2030 Mars Court

Item K. R2019-150 Resolution Indicating Intent to Annex an Unincorporated Territory, Setting a Hearing to Consider Such Annexation, and Directing Publication of Hearing Notice

Item L. R2019-151 Resolution Approving Reappointments - Decatur Metropolitan Exposition Auditorium and Office Building Authority (Civic Center Board Authority) Item M. Receiving and Filing of Minutes of Boards and Commissions

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

Councilman Faber returned to the Council Chamber at 6:41pm. Mayor Moore Wolfe called for Other Business.

With no Other Business, Mayor Moore Wolfe called for Recess to Closed Executive Session Under Open Meetings Act Section 2 (c)(5) for the purpose of discussing 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.

Councilman McDaniel moved to Recess to Closed Executive session, seconded by Councilwoman Lisa Gregory.

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

Council returned to the regular City Council meeting following Closed Executive Session. Councilwoman Lisa Gregory moved the regular meeting be adjourned; seconded by Councilman Bill Faber. All were in favor by voicing no objections.

Mayor Julie Moore Wolfe declared the regular Council meeting adjourned at 7:30 pm.

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