Macon Reporter

City of Decatur City Council met July 6.

Here is the minutes provided by the council:

The City Council of the City of Decatur, Illinois, met in a Regular Meeting at 5:30 p.m., in the Decatur Civic Center Theater, One Gary K. Anderson Plaza, Decatur, Illinois.

Mayor Julie Moore Wolfe presided, together with her being Council members Chuck Kuhle, Pat McDaniel, Rodney Walker, Lisa Gregory and David Horn. Councilman Bill Faber participated through electronic attendance pursuant to the Open Meetings Act, 5 ILCS 120/7(e)(2) and a determination made by Mayor Moore Wolfe that an in-person meeting of all members of the City Council is not practical or prudent because of the COVID-19 pandemic. 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 citizens provided comments to the Council: Dianne Spaniol, Jim Spaniol, John Phillips Sr., Don Carmichael, Mike Evans, and Tim Jones.

With no other Appearance of Citizens, Mayor Moore Wolfe called for Approval of Minutes. The minutes of the June 15, 2020 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 Chuck Kuhle, Pat McDaniel, Rodney Walker, Bill Faber, Lisa Gregory, David Horn and Mayor Moore Wolfe voted aye. Mayor Moore Wolfe declared the motion carried.

With no Unfinished Business, Mayor Moore Wolfe called for New Business.

Ordinance Amending City Code Chapter 48, Section 9 - Natural Areas and Native Prairie Landscape Areas, was presented. Councilman McDaniel moved the Ordinance do pass, seconded by Councilwoman Gregory.

City Manager Wrighton gave a brief overview of the Ordinance.

Councilman Kuhle made a motion to amend the Ordinance by adding a sunset clause to the Ordinance that would expire on December 31, 2021. Councilwoman Gregory seconded the motion. Council expressed concerns over the revised language in the proposed Ordinance.

Councilman Horn made a motion to table the Ordinance. City Manager Wrighton added that the motion to table the Ordinance supersedes Councilman Kuhle’s motion to add a sunset clause to the Ordinance. Councilwoman Gregory seconded the motion.

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

R2020-91 Resolution Authorizing a Professional Engineering Services Agreement with Lochmueller Group. Inc. for Decatur Bicycle Plan, was presented. Councilman McDaniel moved the Resolution do pass, seconded by Councilwoman Gregory.

City Manager Wrighton gave a brief overview of the Resolution.

Council expressed the importance of having bike routes as an alternative means of transportation.

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

R2020-92 Resolution Authorizing Real Estate Purchase Agreement between Northeast Community Fund and City of Decatur, Illinois, was presented. Councilman McDaniel moved the Resolution do pass, seconded by Councilwoman Gregory.

City Manager Wrighton gave a brief overview of the Resolution and answered questions from Council regarding the future use of the site.

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

R2020-93 Resolution Authorizing Agreement between the City of Decatur, Illinois and From the Farm L.L.C. D/B/A The Gin Mill-Rights of Way Improvements, was presented. Councilman McDaniel moved the Resolution do pass, seconded by Councilwoman Gregory.

City Manager Wrighton gave a brief overview of the Resolution and addressed concerns over using local Motor Fuel Tax funds for the project.

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

R2020-94 Resolution Accepting the Bid and Authorizing the Execution of a Contract with Insituform Technologies USA, LLC for 2020 Trenchless Long Lining Repairs Project, City Project 2020-28, was presented. Councilman McDaniel moved the Resolution do pass, seconded by Councilwoman Gregory.

City Manager Wrighton gave a brief overview of the Resolution.

Public Works Director Matt Newell added that 1.6 miles of the city’s sanitary sewer will be repaired throughout various locations in the city.

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

R2020-95 Resolution Authorizing Legal Proceedings for Condemnation of the Property Located at 1880 N. Brush College Road, Decatur, Illinois, was presented. Councilman McDaniel moved the Resolution do pass, seconded by Councilwoman Gregory.

City Manager Wrighton gave a brief overview of the Resolution and answered questions from Council regarding the condemnation of the property.

Corporation Counsel Wendy Morthland explained the steps necessary for the condemnation.

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

2020-101 Ordinance Establishing Parking Restrictions on the West Side of Green Meadow Drive Between Cantrell Street and 450 Feet South of Cantrell Street, 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 Chuck Kuhle, Pat McDaniel, Rodney Walker, Bill Faber, Lisa Gregory, David Horn and Mayor Moore Wolfe voted aye. Mayor Moore Wolfe declared the motion carried.

R2020-96 Resolution Authorizing Approval to Renew Existing Equipment Rental Agreement and Managed Print Services Contract for Three Years with Watts Copy Systems. Inc., was presented. Councilman McDaniel moved the Resolution do pass, seconded by Councilwoman Gregory.

City Manager Wrighton gave a brief overview of the Resolution.

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

R2020-97 Resolution Approving Appointment - Decatur Public Library Board of Trustees, was presented. Councilman McDaniel moved the Resolution do pass, seconded by Councilwoman Gregory.

City Manager Wrighton gave a brief overview of the Resolution.

Upon call of the roll, Council members Chuck Kuhle, Pat McDaniel, Rodney Walker, Bill Faber, Lisa Gregory, David Horn 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.

Mayor Moore Wolfe thanked the IT Department for their efforts in organizing Council meetings in light of COVID-19.

Councilwoman Gregory thanked city staff for participating in America in Bloom and thanked First Responders. Councilwoman Gregory added that several restaurants downtown would like to continue with their dedicated lanes for drive through/pick-up.

Councilman Walker announced that an annual bike ride to help build relationships with the inner-city youth has been started and the date of the first ride will be announced at a later date.

City Manager Wrighton recognized Herald and Review Reporter Analisa Trofimuk who will be moving on to a new job and announced that there will be a future Study Session on downtown parking.

Councilman Kuhle thanked city staff for their efforts in organizing Council meetings in light of COVID-19 and thanked First Responders.

Councilman Horn asked Council to consider health and safety guidelines for restaurants as a condition for liquor and gambling permits as it pertains to COVID-19, consider looking at drive though liquor stores and adding fostering equitable relationships to the strategic goals that are currently in place.

Councilman Faber reported an increase in speeding and cell phone usage while driving and acknowledged grocery store clerks, letter carriers, and truck drivers.

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

Mayor Moore Wolfe declared the City Council meeting adjourned at 7:32 p.m.

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