Macon Reporter

City of Decatur City Council met Feb. 10.

Here is the minutes provided by the council:

T City Council of the City of Decatur, Illinois, met in Study Session 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 called for a Study Session for the purpose of discussing the Annexation Program and an update on Neighborhood Revitalization and Policy Initiatives.

City Manager Wrighton gave an update on the Annexation Program and answered questions from Council.

A discussion was held on the types of city services being provided to newly annexed areas.

The creation of an agricultural zone was discussed, and a policy will need to be created and brought forth to Council for consideration.

Council would like to see a cost benefit analysis.

City Manager Wrighton gave an update on Neighborhood Revitalization and Policy Initiatives.

Six different revitalization elements were discussed.

Jim Edwards, IT Director, discussed a multi-year broadband plan. Council indicated they were comfortable with moving forward with the plan. At the direction of Council, Mr. Edwards will explore ways to extend broadband to residents.

Councilman Horn exited the Council Chamber at 6:24pm and returned at 6:27pm.

Council held a discussion on voluntary demolitions.

A consensus of the Council indicated that they were comfortable with moving forward with voluntary demolitions.

Council was in favor of amending the City Code to give the local government more authority to recover insurance proceeds to defray the costs of abating and removing burned out buildings.

Deputy City Manager Kindseth held a discussion on policies for disposing of surplus properties.

Council was in favor of receiving regular updates on transactions and sales of surplus properties.

Deputy City Manager Kindseth discussed issues and concerns with bonding requirements connected to vacant and foreclosed property registrations, and Council indicated that they were comfortable with moving forward without bonding requirements.

Deputy City Manager Kindseth discussed side-lot program requirements and rights.

City Manager Wrighton gave an overview of the city’s seven existing TIF Districts and proposed the creation of an additional TIF District.

Mayor Julie Moore Wolfe exited the Council Chamber at 7:45pm and returned at 7:48pm.

Deputy City Manager Kindseth discussed the disadvantages and advantages of TIF Districts.

A consensus of the Council indicated that they were comfortable with moving forward with the creation of another TIF District.

Richelle Irons, Interim Director of Community Development discussed how the city has not been able to take advantage of funding for Community Development Housing Organizations (CHDO’s). It is the intent of the city to work with existing neighborhood entities to create multineighborhood community development corporations (CHD’s).

Mayor Moore Wolfe called for Citizen Participation and the following individuals provided comments to the Council: John Phillips Jr., Alan Duesterhaus, Bruce Bullamore and John Phillips Sr.

Mayor Moore Wolfe called for Direction to Staff. City Manager Wrighton explained that no final action will be taken at Study Sessions and certain items will go back to Council for consideration.

With no Other Business, 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 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.

Mayor Moore Wolfe declared the Council meeting adjourned at 8:17 p.m.