City of Decatur City Council met Nov. 18.
Here is the minutes provided by the council:
On Monday, November 18, 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 Rodney Walker, Lisa Gregory, David Horn, Chuck Kuhle, and Pat McDaniel. Councilman Bill Faber was absent. 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 and the following individuals provided comments to the council: Marc Girdler, Sandra Lindberg, Drew Laney, Jacob Jenkins, Jim Spaniol, Dianne Spaniol, Nick Woodruff, Mary Wikoff-Moore, Reed Sutman, Cameron Williams, Sandra Medina, Kathy Minott, and Tim Raycraft.
With no other Appearance of Citizens, Mayor Moore Wolfe called for Approval of Minutes.
The minutes of the November 4, 2019 City 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 Rodney Walker, Lisa Gregory, David Horn, Chuck Kuhle, Pat McDaniel 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 asked Council if they had any questions concerning the Treasurer’s Financial Report that was included in the Council packet; Council indicated that they did not have any questions for staff.
2019-200 Ordinance Amending an Ordinance Adopted by the Council of the City of Decatur, Illinois, Macon County, Illinois, on the 17th Day of June, 2019, Providing for the Issuance of not to Exceed $2,300,000 General Obligation Bonds of said City for Certain Capital Improvements Described in said Ordinance, and Making other Related Changes, was presented. Councilman Pat McDaniel moved the Ordinance do pass, seconded by Councilwoman Lisa Gregory.
City Manager Wrighton gave a brief overview of the Ordinance.
Mr. Gregg Zientara, Finance Director responded to questions from Council regarding general obligation bonds.
Upon call of the roll, Council members Rodney Walker, Lisa Gregory, David Horn, Chuck Kuhle, Pat McDaniel and Mayor Moore Wolfe voted aye. Mayor Moore Wolfe declared the motion carried.
R2019-180 Resolution Authorizing Agreement with BlueCross BlueShield of Illinois for Administration of the City Group Health Benefit Plan for Calendar Year 2020, was presented. Councilman Pat McDaniel moved the Resolution do pass, seconded by Councilwoman Lisa Gregory.
City Manager Wrighton gave a brief overview of the Resolution.
Upon call of the roll, Council members Rodney Walker, Lisa Gregory, David Horn, Chuck Kuhle, Pat McDaniel and Mayor Moore Wolfe voted aye. Mayor Moore Wolfe declared the motion carried.
R2019-181 Resolution Approving and Adopting the 2019-2021 Strategic Priorities, was presented. Councilman Pat McDaniel moved the Resolution do pass, seconded by Councilwoman Lisa Gregory.
City Manager Wrighton gave a brief overview of the Resolution and responded to questions from Council.
Mr. Mark Peterson, Gov HR was present to answer questions from Council.
Mr. Mark Girdler, Mr. Reed Sutman and Ms. Sandra Lindberg provided input regarding the Strategic Priorities document.
Upon call of the roll, Council members Rodney Walker, Lisa Gregory, David Horn, Chuck Kuhle, Pat McDaniel and Mayor Moore Wolfe voted aye. Mayor Moore Wolfe declared the motion carried.
R2019-182 Resolution Authorizing Agreement Between the City of Decatur and Michael D. Deatherage - Portion of Library Parking Lot, was presented. Councilman Pat McDaniel moved the Resolution do pass, seconded by Councilwoman Lisa Gregory.
City Manager Wrighton gave a brief overview of the Resolution.
A motion was made by unanimous consent to amend the Resolution to include waiving the appraisal.
A discussion was held by Council regarding the future use of the property and buffer yard requirements.
Upon call of the roll, Council members Rodney Walker, Lisa Gregory, Chuck Kuhle, Pat McDaniel and Mayor Moore Wolfe voted aye. Councilman David Horn voted nay. Mayor Moore Wolfe declared the motion carried.
R2019-183 Resolution Authorizing an Agreement between the City of Decatur and Retail Strategies, LLC, was presented. Councilman Pat McDaniel moved the Resolution do pass, seconded by Councilwoman Lisa Gregory.
City Manager Wrighton gave a brief overview of the Resolution and answered questions from council.
Deputy City Manager Jon Kindseth discussed sales tax and use tax.
Upon call of the roll, Council members Rodney Walker, Lisa Gregory, David Horn, Chuck Kuhle, Pat McDaniel and Mayor Moore Wolfe voted aye. Mayor Moore Wolfe declared the motion carried.
R2019-184 Resolution Authorizing Agreement with Robert Oleson, Project Manager, was presented. Councilman Pat McDaniel moved the Resolution do pass, seconded by Councilwoman Lisa Gregory.
Mr. Ray Lai, Director of Economic and Community Development gave background history on the agreement with Robert Oleson.
Upon call of the roll, Council members Rodney Walker, Lisa Gregory, David Horn, Chuck Kuhle, Pat McDaniel and Mayor Moore Wolfe voted aye. Mayor Moore Wolfe declared the motion carried.
2019-201 Ordinance Amending B-3 Planned Shopping Center District 1401 West King Street, was presented. Councilman Pat McDaniel moved the Ordinance do pass, seconded by Councilwoman Lisa Gregory.
City Manager Wrighton gave a brief overview of the Ordinance and responded to questions from Mr. Reed Sutman.
Upon call of the roll, Council members Rodney Walker, Lisa Gregory, David Horn, Chuck Kuhle, Pat McDaniel and Mayor Moore Wolfe voted aye. Mayor Moore Wolfe declared the motion carried.
R2019-185 Resolution Authorizing the Execution of an Agreement with Hutchins Excavating for the Demolition of Vacant Residential Dwellings at 661 W. Center and 1545 N. Taylor, was presented. Councilman Pat McDaniel moved the Resolution do pass, seconded by Councilwoman Lisa Gregory.
Mr. Ray Lai, Director of Economic and Community Development explained that the way in which the properties were bid saved the city over $33,000.
Upon call of the roll, Council members Rodney Walker, Lisa Gregory, David Horn, Chuck Kuhle, Pat McDaniel and Mayor Moore Wolfe voted aye. Mayor Moore Wolfe declared the motion carried.
R2019-186 Resolution Authorizing the Execution of an Agreement with Anderson Backhoe Service Inc. for the Demolition of Vacant Residential Dwellings at 1004 N. College, 1324 N. College and 822 W. Decatur, was presented. Councilman Pat McDaniel moved the Resolution do pass, seconded by Councilwoman Lisa Gregory.
Upon call of the roll, Council members Rodney Walker, Lisa Gregory, David Horn, Chuck Kuhle, Pat McDaniel and Mayor Moore Wolfe voted aye. Mayor Moore Wolfe declared the motion carried.
R2019-187 Resolution Authorizing the Execution of an Agreement with AJ'S Custom Contracting Inc. for the Demolition of Vacant Residential Dwellings at 305 Burtschi, 1544 N. College, 2050 N. Union, 421 S. Maffit and 890 W. Marietta, was presented. Councilman Pat McDaniel moved the Resolution do pass, seconded by Councilwoman Lisa Gregory.
Upon call of the roll, Council members Rodney Walker, Lisa Gregory, David Horn, Chuck Kuhle, Pat McDaniel and Mayor Moore Wolfe voted aye. Mayor Moore Wolfe declared the motion carried.
R2019-188 Resolution Authorizing the Execution of an Agreement with Dary Burnett Concrete Contractor Inc. for the Demolition of Vacant Residential Dwellings at 1384 N. Union, 1025 N. Edward, 1290 E. Condit and 1335 N. Church, was presented. Councilman Pat McDaniel moved the Resolution do pass, seconded by Councilwoman Lisa Gregory.
City Manager Wrighton responded to questions from Mr. Drew Laney concerning the future use of the demolished sites.
Upon call of the roll, Council members Rodney Walker, Lisa Gregory, David Horn, Chuck Kuhle, Pat McDaniel and Mayor Moore Wolfe voted aye. Mayor Moore Wolfe declared the motion carried.
Ordinance Annexing Territory Entirely Surrounded by the City Limits – E. Mound Rd., N. Greenswitch Rd., Cleta St., Carolyn Ave., was presented. Councilman Pat McDaniel moved the Ordinance do pass, seconded by Councilwoman Lisa Gregory.
City Manager Wrighton gave an overview of the Ordinance.
Mr. Nick Woodruff and Ms. Mary Wikoff-Moore urged council to reconsider annexing the properties.
After a discussion was held by Council, Councilman McDaniel made a motion to table the Ordinance until the December 16th City Council meeting, seconded by Councilman Kuhle.
Upon call of the roll, Council members Rodney Walker, Lisa Gregory, Chuck Kuhle, Pat McDaniel and Mayor Moore Wolfe voted aye. Councilman David Horn voted nay. Mayor Moore Wolfe declared the motion carried.
The Ordinance will be placed on the December 16th City Council agenda for consideration, and residents were advised to submit their concerns in writing to the City Manager.
With no other New Business, Mayor Moore Wolfe called for Consent Calendar Items A. through AA. and asked if any Council member wished to have an item removed from the Consent Calendar. Councilman Kuhle wished to have Item O. removed from the Consent Calendar. The Clerk read items A. through AA, with the exception of O.
Item A. 2019-202 Ordinance Annexing Territory 2463 Baker Lane
Item B. 2019-203 Ordinance Annexing Territory 2490 Baker Lane
Item C. 2019-204 Ordinance Annexing Territory 3098 North Carsons Trace
Item D. 2019-205 Ordinance Annexing Territory 3160 North Carsons Trace
Item E. 2019-206 Ordinance Annexing Territory 3831 West Center Street
Item F. 2019-207 Ordinance Annexing Territory 4118 Dean Drive
Item G. 2019-208 Ordinance Annexing Territory 3312 South Greenview Drive A/K/A 3312 Greenview Drive
Item H. 2019-209 Ordinance Annexing Territory 3331 Greenview Drive
Item I. 2019-210 Ordinance Annexing Territory 3334 Greenview Drive
Item J. 2019-211 Ordinance Annexing Territory 3185 Las Vegas Drive
Item K. 2019-212 Ordinance Annexing Territory 3191 Las Vegas Drive
Item L. 2019-213 Ordinance Annexing Territory 3325 Las Vegas Drive
Item M. 2019-214 Ordinance Annexing Territory 3328 Las Vegas Drive
Item N. 2019-215 Ordinance Annexing Territory 3348 Las Vegas Drive
Item P. 2019-217 Ordinance Annexing Territory 1513 Plainview Street
Item Q. 2019-218 Ordinance Annexing Territory 5440 Rea's Bridge Road
Item R. 2019-219 Ordinance Annexing Territory 2255 Sands Drive
Item S. 2019-220 Ordinance Annexing Territory 4123 North Taylor Avenue
Item T. 2019-221 Ordinance Annexing Territory 3032 North Westlawn Avenue
Item U.2019-222 Ordinance Annexing Territory 3306 North Westlawn Avenue
Item V.2019-223 Ordinance Annexing Territory 4154 North Woodlawn Avenue
Item W. 2019-224 Ordinance Annexing Territory 4155 North Woodlawn Avenue
Item X. R2019-189 Resolution Approving Appointment - Plan Commission
Item Y. R2019-190 Resolution Approving Appointment - Human Relations Commission Item Z. Receiving of Minutes of Boards and Commissions
Item AA. R2019-191 Resolution Authorizing Action Regarding Unsafe Structures
Councilman McDaniel moved Items A. through AA., with the exception of O. be approved by Omnibus Vote; seconded by Councilwoman Gregory, and on call of the roll,
Council members Rodney Walker, Lisa Gregory, David Horn, Chuck Kuhle, Pat McDaniel and Mayor Moore Wolfe voted aye. Mayor Moore Wolfe declared the motion carried.
2019-216 Item O. Ordinance Annexing Territory 2110 West Pershing Road, was presented. Councilman McDaniel moved the Ordinance do pass, seconded by Councilwoman Gregory.
Mr. Tim Raycraft, representative for David Binder, asked Council to consider tabling the Ordinance due to the owners being unavailable to attend the meeting.
Council held a brief discussion concerning Mr. Raycraft’s request.
Upon call of the roll, Council members Rodney Walker, Lisa Gregory, David Horn, Chuck Kuhle, Pat McDaniel and Mayor Moore Wolfe voted aye. Mayor Moore Wolfe declared the motion carried.
With no other New Business, Mayor Moore Wolfe called for Other Business.
With no Other Business, Mayor Moore Wolfe called for a five-minute recess.
Following a five-minute recess, Mayor Moore Wolfe called for Recess to Study Session for a review of the 2020 proposed budget.
City Manager Wrighton gave a brief overview of the following budgets: Human Resources, Legal and Finance and answered questions from council.
Mr. Jim Edwards, Director of IT gave an overview of the IT Department’s budget and answered questions from council.
Fire Chief Abbott, along with Deputy Chief Pruitt and Deputy Chief Kline gave an overview of the Fire Department’s budget and answered questions from council.
Mr. Ray Lai, Director of Economic and Community Development gave a brief overview of the Economic and Community Development’s budget and answered questions from council.
Councilman Walker exited the Council Chamber at 9:20pm and returned at 9:22pm.
City Manager Wrighton and Mr. Gregg Zientara, Director of Finance gave a brief overview of Internal Services.
Councilman Horn exited the Council Chamber at 9:35pm and returned at 9:37pm.
Deputy City Manager Kindseth and Mr. John Williams, Mass Transit Administrator gave a brief overview of the Mass Transit budget and answered questions from council.
Mayor Moore Wolfe asked if any member of the public wished to provide comment.
Mr. Mark Girdler provided input concerning security cameras at the Decatur Public Library and utilizing inmates for trash removal throughout the city.
Mayor Moore Wolfe called for adjournment. Councilman McDaniel moved the Council meeting be adjourned; seconded by Councilwoman Gregory and on call of the roll, Council members Rodney Walker, Lisa Gregory, David Horn, Pat McDaniel and Mayor Moore Wolfe voted aye. Mayor Moore Wolfe declared the motion carried.
Mayor Moore Wolfe declared the Council meeting adjourned at 9:58 p.m.