Macon Reporter

City of Decatur City Council met May 26.

Here is the minutes provided by the council:

The City Council of the City of Decatur, Illinois, met in a Special City Council 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 Lisa Gregory, David Horn, Chuck Kuhle, Pat McDaniel, and Rodney Walker participating through electronic attendance pursuant to Governor Pritzker’s Executive Order 2020-07 suspending the requirements of the Open Meetings Act requiring in-person attendance by members of a public body for the duration of the Gubernatorial Disaster Proclamation. 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.

With no Appearance of Citizens, Mayor Moore Wolfe called for New Business and announced a change in the order of the agenda items; agenda items 1, 2, 3, and 5 will be first followed by agenda items 4 and 6.

2020-91 Ordinance Repealing Ordinance No. 2020-64 Declaring Emergency Pertaining to a Public Health Emergency Caused by the COVID-19 Virus, was presented. Councilman McDaniel moved the Ordinance do pass, seconded by Councilwoman Gregory.

City Manager Wrighton gave a brief overview of the Ordinance.

Corporation Counsel Wendy Morthland answered questions from Council relating to repealing the Ordinance.

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

2020-92 Ordinance Repealing Ordinance No. 2020-65 Regarding Renewal of Liquor Licenses Pursuant to Emergency Public Health Emergency Caused by the COVID-19 Virus, was presented. Councilman McDaniel moved the Ordinance do pass, seconded by Councilwoman Gregory.

City Manager Wrighton gave a brief overview of the Ordinance

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

2020-93 Ordinance Amending City Code Chapter 52-Alcoholic Liquor, was presented. Councilman McDaniel moved the Ordinance do pass, seconded by Councilwoman Gregory.

City Manager Wrighton gave a brief overview of the Ordinance.

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

R2020-84 Resolution Amending Resolution 2008-02 Defining Meeting and Adopting Procedures for Electronic Attendance at Meetings, was presented. Councilman McDaniel moved the Resolution do pass, seconded by Councilwoman Gregory.

City Manager Wrighton gave a brief overview of the Resolution.

Council members questioned when they would be able to resume attending City Council meetings in person.

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

2020-94 Ordinance Authorizing Use of Public Rights of Way and Consumption of Alcoholic Liquor on Public Rights of Way, was presented. Councilman McDaniel moved the Ordinance do pass, seconded by Councilwoman Gregory.

City Manager Wrighton presented a PowerPoint presentation regarding strategies for bars and restaurants re-opening for outdoor dining as outlined in Phase 3 of Governor Pritzker’s “Restore Illinois” plan.

A discussion was held by Council regarding waiving permit fees for use of public rights of way and best practices for re-opening bars and restaurants for outdoor dining.

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

Motion Adopting Restore Illinois Phase 3 Protocols for Decatur, Illinois, was presented. Councilman McDaniel moved the Motion do pass, seconded by Councilman Horn.

City Manager Wrighton gave a brief overview of the Motion.

A majority of Council indicated that it should up to the restaurants and bars on how they decide to re-open.

Councilman Kuhle made a motion to amend the Motion to allow indoor dining at restaurants at 50% capacity and gyms can re-open at 50% capacity in Phase 3; the motion was not seconded by a Council member.

Councilwoman Gregory made a motion to table the Motion Adopting Restore Illinois Phase 3 Protocols, seconded by Councilman Kuhle.

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

In closing remarks, City Manager Wrighton announced that the City Council meeting on June 1st will most likely be canceled due to this evenings Special City Council meeting and he took note that Council wished to meet in person at the next City Council meeting.

With no other New 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 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 Special City Council meeting adjourned at 7:13 p.m.

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