Macon Reporter

City of Decatur City Council met Dec. 2.

Here is the minutes provided by the council:

On Monday, December 2, 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 Bill Faber, Lisa Gregory, David Horn, Chuck Kuhle, Pat McDaniel and Rodney Walker. 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 presented the St. Teresa High School volleyball team with Stephen Decatur medallions for winning the Class 2A State Volleyball Championship.

Mayor Moore Wolfe called for Appearance of Citizens and the following individuals provided comments to the council: John Phillips, Jr., Bret Robertson, Drew Laney, Sandra Lindberg, Marc Girdler, Nanette Ruffin, Marla Henington, Lavone Bolyard, Jasmine Coronel, and Justin Weaver.

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

The minutes of the November 18th, 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 Lisa Gregory, David Horn, Chuck Kuhle, Pat McDaniel, Rodney Walker and Mayor Moore Wolfe voted aye. Councilman Bill Faber abstained from the vote. 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.

Mayor Moore Wolfe called for a Public Hearing on the Preliminary 2020 City Budget. Councilman McDaniel made a motion to open the Public Hearing, seconded by Councilwoman Lisa Gregory.

Council held a brief discussion on the Preliminary 2020 City Budget.

Mayor Moore Wolfe declared the Public Hearing closed after the following citizens provided input on the budget: Mr. John Phillips, Jr., Ms. Sandra Lindberg and Mr. Cameron Williams.

2019-225 Ordinance Levying Property Taxes for the City of Decatur, Illinois for the Purpose of Raising Revenue to Meet Certain Necessary Expenses of the City for the Fiscal Year Beginning January 1, 2020 and Ending December 31, 2020, 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 answered questions from Council concerning the general fund and equalized assessed value.

Mr. Marc Girdler commented on the utility tax.

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

2019-226 Ordinance Abating the Property Tax Levy for the City of Decatur, Illinois for General Obligation 2010 Series A Bonds, 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, Rodney Walker and Mayor Moore Wolfe voted aye. Mayor Moore Wolfe declared the motion carried.

2019-227 Ordinance Abating the Property Tax Levy for the City of Decatur, Illinois for General Obligation 2010 Series B Bonds, 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, Rodney Walker and Mayor Moore Wolfe voted aye. Mayor Moore Wolfe declared the motion carried.

2019-228 Ordinance Abating the Property Tax Levy for the City of Decatur, Illinois for General Obligation 2010 Series C Bonds, 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, Rodney Walker and Mayor Moore Wolfe voted aye. Mayor Moore Wolfe declared the motion carried.

2019-229 Ordinance Abating the Property Tax Levy for the City of Decatur, Illinois for General Obligation 2013 Series Bonds, 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, Rodney Walker and Mayor Moore Wolfe voted aye. Mayor Moore Wolfe declared the motion carried.

2019-230 Ordinance Abating the Property Tax Levy for the City of Decatur, Illinois for General Obligation 2014 Series Bonds, 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, Rodney Walker and Mayor Moore Wolfe voted aye. Mayor Moore Wolfe declared the motion carried.

2019-231 Ordinance Abating the Property Tax Levy for the City of Decatur, Illinois for General Obligation 2015 Series Bonds, 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, Rodney Walker and Mayor Moore Wolfe voted aye. Mayor Moore Wolfe declared the motion carried.

2019-232 Ordinance Abating the Property Tax Levy for the City of Decatur, Illinois for General Obligation 2016 Series Bonds, 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, Rodney Walker and Mayor Moore Wolfe voted aye. Mayor Moore Wolfe declared the motion carried.

2019-233 Ordinance Abating the Property Tax Levy for the City of Decatur, Illinois for General Obligation 2017 Series Bonds, 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, Rodney Walker and Mayor Moore Wolfe voted aye. Mayor Moore Wolfe declared the motion carried.

2019-234 Ordinance Abating the Property Tax Levy for the City of Decatur, Illinois for General Obligation 2018 Series Bonds, 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, Rodney Walker and Mayor Moore Wolfe voted aye. Mayor Moore Wolfe declared the motion carried.

R2019-192 Resolution Approving an Agreement with CDM Smith for Professional Engineering Services for the Water Utility Long-Term Sustainability Plan, City Project 2018-34, 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.

Mr. Paul Caswell, City Engineer, responded to questions from Council concerning global climate change and the life expectancy of the dam and water treatment plant.

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

R2019-193 Resolution Amending Agreement with MV Transportation Inc., for Mass Transit Management, 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.

Deputy City Manager Jon Kindseth gave highlights of the agreement and explained that the fourth amendment, if approved, brings the City closer to a full turn-key contract for Mass Transit operations.

Mr. Drew Laney, Ms. Nanette Ruffin, Mr. Marc Girdler and Mr. Jerry Potts voiced their concerns regarding the agreement with MV Transportation.

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

2019-235 Ordinance Amending City Code Chapter 07 - Officers and Employees Generally, as it relates to specific positions, was presented. Councilman Pat McDaniel moved the Ordinance do pass, seconded by Councilwoman Lisa Gregory.

City Manager Wrighton gave a brief overview of the Resolution and answered questions from Council concerning language in the City Code granting the City Manager the authority to appoint and remove certain employees.

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

2019-236 Ordinance Amending City Code Chapter 73-Offenses, Section 24- Possession/Consumption Cannabis, Section 25-Possession Drug Paraphernalia, 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.

Corporation Counsel Wendy Morthland answered questions from Council and explained that the proposed amendments to City Code Chapter 73 reflect the language in state statute.

A motion was made by Councilman Horn to table the item until additional information was provided, seconded by Councilman Faber.

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

Mr. John Phillips, Jr., Mr. Cameron Williams, Ms. Ruth Aufrecht and Mr. Marc Girdler provided input on the Ordinance.

Upon call of the roll of the Ordinance to amend City Code Chapter 73, Council members Lisa Gregory, Chuck Kuhle, Pat McDaniel and Mayor Moore Wolfe voted aye. Council members Bill Faber, David Horn, and Rodney Walker voted nay. Mayor Moore Wolfe declared the motion carried.

2019-237 Ordinance Amending City Code Chapter 34-Traffic and Parking, Section 37- Removal of Vehicles, was presented. Councilman Pat McDaniel moved the Ordinance do pass, seconded by Councilwoman Lisa Gregory.

Corporation Counsel Wendy Morthland gave a brief overview of the Ordinance.

Assistant Corporation Counsel Amy Waks answered questions from Council regarding towing of vehicles when used in the possession or delivery of a controlled substance.

Police Chief Jim Getz clarified that cannabis located in vehicles has to be in a sealed container and inaccessible to the driver.

Mr. Mark Girdler, Mr. John Phillips, Jr., and Mr. Cameron Williams provided input on the Ordinance.

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

R2019-194 Resolution Authorizing the Purchase of Body Worn Camera System Equipment, Software and Services for the Decatur Police Department, was presented. Councilman Pat McDaniel moved the Resolution do pass, seconded by Councilwoman Lisa Gregory.

Police Chief Getz gave a brief overview of the Resolution and explained that in March, 2019 the Decatur Police Department began testing and evaluating the cameras and were extremely satisfied with the results.

Mr. John Phillips, Jr. provided input on the Resolution.

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

R2019-195 Resolution Accepting the Bid Price of CDS Office Technologies for the Purchase of Seven New Toughbook Computers and Associated Technology for Recently Purchased Six 2020 Ford Interceptor Utility Vehicles and One 2020 Ford Interceptor Hybrid Utility Vehicle, was presented. Councilman Pat McDaniel moved the Resolution do pass, seconded by Councilwoman Lisa Gregory.

IT Director Jim Edwards gave a brief overview of the Resolution and answered questions from Council regarding the possibility of adding a disabling system to the computers to prevent distracted driving.

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

With no other New Business, Mayor Moore Wolfe called for Consent Calendar Items A. through W. and asked if any Council member wished to have an item removed from the Consent Calendar. No Council member wished to have an item removed from the Consent Calendar. The Clerk read items A. through W.

Councilman Faber exited the Council Chamber at 8:11pm.

Item A. 2019-238 Ordinance Annexing Territory 2360 West Ash Avenue Councilwoman Gregory exited the Council Chamber at 8:12pm.

Item B. 2019-239 Ordinance Annexing Territory 3232 Burt Drive

Item C. 2019-240 Ordinance Annexing Territory 2443 Captain Lane

Item D. 2019-241 Ordinance Annexing Territory 3600 West Catherine Street

Item E. 2019-242 Ordinance Annexing Territory 4128 Dean Drive

Item F. 2019-243 Ordinance Annexing Territory 3200 Desert Inn Road

Item G. 2019-244 Ordinance Annexing Territory 3320 Desert Inn Road

Item H. 2019-245 Ordinance Annexing Territory 4125 Doneta Avenue

Item I. 2019-246 Ordinance Annexing Territory 3323 Las Vegas Drive

Item J. 2019-247 Ordinance Annexing Territory 1982 Solar Avenue

Item K. 2019-248 Ordinance Annexing Territory 2233 Thunderbird Drive

Item L. 2019-249 Ordinance Annexing Territory 2245 Thunderbird Drive

Item M. 2019-250 Ordinance Annexing Territory 2401 Thunderbird Drive

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

Item O. R2019-196 Resolution Accepting the Bid and Authorizing the Execution of a

Purchase Order Furnishing Water Treatment Chemicals - Alum City Project - PUR2019-11

Item P. R2019-197 Resolution Accepting the Bid and Authorizing the Execution of a Purchase Order Furnishing Water Treatment Chemicals - Carbon, City Project - PUR2019-11

Item Q. R2019-198 Resolution Accepting the Bid and Authorizing the Execution of a Purchase Order Furnishing Water Treatment Chemicals - Carbon Dioxide, City Project - PUR2019-11

Item R. R2019-199 Resolution Accepting the Bid and Authorizing the Execution of a Purchase Order Furnishing Water Treatment Chemicals - Chlorine, City Project - PUR2019-11

Item S. R2019-200 Resolution Accepting the Bid and Authorizing the Execution of a Purchase Order Furnishing Water Treatment Chemicals - Hydrofluorosilicic Acid, City Project - PUR2019-11 

Councilman Faber returned to the Council Chamber at 8:13pm.

Item T. R2019-201 Resolution Accepting the Bid and Authorizing the Execution of a Purchase Order Furnishing Water Treatment Chemicals - Lime, City Project - PUR2019-11

Item U. R2019-202 Resolution Accepting the Bid and Authorizing the Execution of a Purchase Order Furnishing Water Treatment Chemicals - Sodium Chloride, City Project - PUR2019-11

Councilwoman Gregory returned to the Council Chamber at 8:14pm.

Item V. R2019-203 Resolution Accepting the Bid and Authorizing the Execution of a Purchase Order Furnishing Water Treatment Chemicals - Sodium Chlorite, City Project - PUR2019-11

Item W. R2019-204 Resolution Accepting the Bid and Authorizing the Execution of a Purchase Order Furnishing Water Treatment Chemicals - Sodium Hexametaphosphate, City Project - PUR2019-11

Councilman McDaniel moved Items A. through W., be approved by Omnibus Vote; seconded by Councilwoman Gregory, and on call of the roll, Council members Bill Faber, Lisa Gregory, David Horn, Chuck Kuhle, Pat McDaniel, Rodney Walker 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 Closed Executive Session under Section 2, Open Meetings Act (c) (11) for the purpose of discussing litigation, when an action against, affecting or on behalf of the particular public body has been filed and is pending before a court or administrative tribunal, or when the public body finds that an action is probable or imminent and (c) (5) the purchase or lease of real property for the use of the public body.

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

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