Macon Reporter

City of Decatur City Council met Nov. 4.

Here is the minutes provided by the council:

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 Pat McDaniel, Rodney Walker, Bill Faber, Lisa Gregory, David Horn and Chuck Kuhle. 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, Bret Robertson, Jacob Jenkins, Marc Voskoboynikov, John Phillips, Jr., Reed Sutman, and Bradd Stewart.

With no other Appearance of Citizens, Mayor Moore Wolfe recognized the City of Decatur and Decatur Park District for receiving the 2019 Intergovernmental Cooperation Award.

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

The minutes of the October 21, 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 Pat McDaniel, Rodney Walker, Bill Faber, Lisa Gregory, David Horn, Chuck Kuhle 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.

R2019-169 Resolution Estimating Amounts to be Raised by the 2019 Tax Levy, 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 regarding equalized assessed value.

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

R2019-170 Resolution Authorizing City Manager to Purchase Property Located at 855 N. Fairview Ave., Decatur, Illinois, 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.

Fire Chief Jeff Abbott responded to questions from council concerning remediation of environmental issues on the site.

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

R2019-171 Resolution Accepting the Bid by Prairieland Towing Incorporated for Towing Services for the Decatur Police Department, 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.

Police Chief Jim Getz responded to questions from council and explained that the Police Department recommended approval of the contract with Prairieland Towing because of their longstanding history with the company.

Mr. Monroe McWard, representative for Shaner’s Towing and Mr. Shane McDermith, owner of Shaner’s Towing shared background history of the company and shared that they heard no compelling reasons why Shaner’s Towing should not be awarded the contract.

Mr. Chad Richards, owner of Prairieland Towing, provided background information on

Prairieland Towing and shared with council that Prairieland Towing has held the contract with the city since 1995.

A discussion was held by council and a majority of the council was in favor of awarding the contract to Shaner’s Towing since they were the low bidder.

The motion on the floor was changed to accept the bid with Shaner’s Towing instead of the bid with Prairieland Towing. Councilman Pat McDaniel moved the Resolution do pass, seconded by Councilwoman Lisa Gregory.

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

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

Item A. 2019-189 Ordinance Annexing Territory 2371 Captain Lane

Item B. 2019-190 Ordinance Annexing Territory 3315 Desert Inn Road

Item C. 2019-191 Ordinance Annexing Territory 3329 Ferris Drive

Item D. 2019-192 Ordinance Annexing Territory 3257 Fite Drive

Item E. 2019-193 Ordinance Annexing Territory 4677 East Rea's Bridge Road

Item F. 2019-194 Ordinance Annexing Territory 4104 North Taylor Avenue

Item G. 2019-195 Ordinance Annexing Territory 2235 South Taylorville Road A/K/A 2210-70 South Taylorville Road

Item H. 2019-196 Ordinance Annexing Territory 2445 Thunderbird Drive

Item I. 2019-197 Ordinance Prohibiting Truck Traffic on East Hickory Street between North 22nd Street and North 23rd Street

Item J. 2019-198 Ordinance Authorizing the Installation of a Stop Sign at the Intersection of North Graceland Avenue and West Taft Street Facing West Taft Street

Item K. 2019-199 Ordinance Establishing an All Way Stop Intersection at East Walnut Street and North Lowber Street

Item L. R2019-172 Resolution Indicating Intent to Annex an Unincorporated Territory, Setting Hearing to Consider Such Annexation, and Directing Publication of Hearing Notice2275, 2235, 2202 Baker Ln.; 3213 Sullivan Dr.

Item M. R2019-173 Resolution Indicating Intent to Annex an Unincorporated Territory, Setting Hearing to Consider Such Annexation, and Directing Publication of Hearing Notice-2620 Forest Crest Rd. (AKA S. Forest Crest Rd.)

Item N. R2019-174 Resolution Indicating Intent to Annex an Unincorporated Territory, Setting Hearing to Consider Such Annexation, and Directing Publication of Hearing Notice-2636 Forest Crest Rd. (AKA S. Forest Crest Rd.)

Item O. R2019-175 Resolution Indicating Intent to Annex an Unincorporated Territory, Setting Hearing to Consider Such Annexation, and Directing Publication of Hearing Notice2660, 2676, 2690, 2722, 2772 Forest Crest Rd. (AKA S. Forest Crest Rd.)

Item P. R2019-176 Resolution Indicating Intent to Annex an Unincorporated Territory, Setting Hearing to Consider Such Annexation, and Directing Publication of Hearing Notice-55 Tennison Ct.

Item Q. R2019-177 Resolution Indicating Intent to Annex an Unincorporated Territory, Setting Hearing to Consider Such Annexation, and Directing Publication of Hearing Notice-13 Cloyds Dr.

Item R. R2019-178 Resolution Indicating Intent to Annex an Unincorporated Territory, Setting Hearing to Consider Such Annexation, and Directing Publication of Hearing Notice-840 N. Sunup Ct.

Item S. R2019-179 Resolution Indicating Intent to Annex an Unincorporated Territory, Setting Hearing to Consider Such Annexation, and Directing Publication of Hearing Notice-Lot East of 1339 W. Rock Springs Rd.

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

Councilman McDaniel moved Items A. through T. be approved by Omnibus Vote; seconded by Councilwoman Gregory, and on call of the roll, Council members Pat McDaniel, Rodney Walker, Bill Faber, Lisa Gregory, David Horn, Chuck Kuhle 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. A discussion was held by council on the health impact of nitrates, cannabis dispensaries, and the native plant ordinance.

Councilman Faber exited the Council Chamber at 6:35pm and returned at 6:39pm.

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. Councilman Pat McDaniel moved to Recess to Study Session, seconded by Councilwoman Lisa Gregory.

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

The Study Session to review the 2020 proposed budget started at 7:00pm.

City Manager Wrighton gave an overview of the use and purpose of city council policies, general fund cash reserve policy options and the proposed general fund cash reserve policy.

A majority of the council was in favor of increasing the General Fund cash reserves to equal 60 days of normal operations.

Councilman Walker exited the Council Chamber at 7:30pm.

City Manager Wrighton gave an overview of the 2019 Strategic Planning Retreat and discussed goals that were developed during the retreat.

Councilman Walker returned to the Council Chamber at 7:33pm.

A majority of the council was in favor of adopting a Decatur Strategic Plan document at a future council meeting.

Deputy City Manager Jon Kindseth discussed the following steps to impact General Fund revenue: increasing fees for lake use/permits, increasing building permit fees, offering an amnesty period for parking tickets and the implementation of a registration program for vacant and foreclosed properties.

A majority of the council was in favor of bonding requirements for the registration program of vacant and foreclosed properties.

City Manager Wrighton gave an overview of the Police Department’s budget.

Police Chief Jim Getz and Deputy Chief Shane Brandel discussed police staffing, school resource officers, body cameras, training, recruiting and responded to questions from council.

Councilwoman Gregory exited the Council Chamber at 8:08 pm and returned at 8:11pm.

Councilman Horn exited the Council Chamber at 8:47pm and returned at 8:50pm.

Public Works Director Matt Newell gave an overview of the Public Works budget and discussed street maintenance, storm sewer operations, sanitary sewer operations, water operations, and fleet operations. Public Works Director Matt Newell and Municipal Services

Manager Dan Mendenall answered questions from council.

Councilman Walker exited the Council Chamber at 8:48pm and returned at 8:51pm.

Finance Director Gregg Zientara gave an overview of Debt Service and Capital Project Plans and responded to questions from council.

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 Pat McDaniel, Rodney Walker, Bill Faber, 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 9:44 p.m.