Macon Reporter

City of Decatur City Council met July 20.

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.

Councilman McDaniel, serving as Mayor Pro Tem presided, together with him being Council members Rodney Walker, Lisa Gregory, David Horn and Chuck Kuhle. 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 Julie 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 Julie Moore Wolfe was absent. Councilman McDaniel declared a quorum present.

City Manager Scot Wrighton attended the meeting as well.

Councilman McDaniel led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Councilman McDaniel called for Appearance of Citizens and the following citizens provided comments to the Council: Tony Wilkins, Darrell Reynolds, Al Green, Cameron Williams, and Reed Sutman.

With no other Appearance of Citizens, Councilman McDaniel called for Approval of Minutes.

The minutes of the July 6, 2020 City Council meeting were presented. Councilwoman Gregory moved the minutes be approved as written; seconded by Councilman Horn and on call of the roll, Council members Pat McDaniel, Rodney Walker, Bill Faber, Lisa Gregory, David Horn, and Chuck Kuhle voted aye. Councilman McDaniel declared the motion carried.

With no Unfinished Business, Councilman McDaniel called for New Business.

City Manager Wrighton gave a brief overview of the Treasurer’s Financial Report.

Finance Director Gregg Zientara answered questions from Council regarding the Treasurer’s Financial Report.

R2020-98 Resolution Authorizing Execution and Agreement of FY 2021 Transit Operating Assistance Grant Agreement with Illinois Department of Transportation, was presented. Councilwoman Gregory moved the Resolution do pass, seconded by Councilman Kuhle.

City Manager Wrighton gave a brief overview of the Resolution.

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

R2020-99 Resolution Authorizing a Professional Engineering Services Agreement with Crawford, Murphy and Tilly Inc. For Raw Water Intakes and Pump Station Study, City Project 2020-37, was presented. Councilwoman Gregory moved the Resolution do pass, seconded by Councilman Kuhle.

City Manager Wrighton gave a brief overview of the Resolution.

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

R2020-100 Resolution Authorizing the Execution of an Agreement with Steve's Trucking Inc. for the Demolition of Vacant Residential Dwellings at 1209 N Church, 1704 N Edward, 761 E Lincoln, 655 W Marietta and 1136 S 44th, was presented. Councilwoman Gregory moved the Resolution do pass, seconded by Councilman Kuhle.

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

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

R2020-101 Resolution Authorizing the Execution of an Agreement with Steve's Trucking Inc. for the Demolition of a Vacant Residential Dwelling at 123 E Marietta, was presented. Councilwoman Gregory moved the Resolution do pass, seconded by Councilman Kuhle.

City Manager Wrighton gave a brief overview of the Resolution.

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

Ordinance Rezoning Property from R-3 Single Family Residence and R-6 Multiple Dwelling District to B-1 Neighborhood Shopping District - 1326-1336 West Eldorado Street, was presented. Councilwoman Gregory moved the Ordinance do pass, seconded by Councilman Horn.

City Manager Wrighton gave a brief overview of the Ordinance.

Planning and Development Manager Greg Crowe explained that the rezoning would result in a change in use and the site plan submitted would need to meet the parameters of the Zoning Ordinance including landscaping, exterior lighting and setback requirements.

Council addressed concerns regarding the rezoning.

Councilman Walker made a motion to table the Ordinance for 30 days to provide additional time for public comment, seconded by Councilwoman Gregory.

Mr. Gary Geisler, member of the Temple, explained that selling the property is the only option left due to declining membership and rezoning the property could open opportunities that are still conducive to the location at the entrance of Fairview Park.

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

Ordinance Rezoning Property from R-6 Multiple Dwelling District to B-1 Neighborhood Shopping District – 1308 West Eldorado Street, was presented. Councilwoman Gregory moved the Ordinance do pass, seconded by Councilman Horn.

Councilman Walker made a motion to table the Ordinance for 30 days to provide additional time for public comment, seconded by Councilwoman Gregory.

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

2020-102 Ordinance Rezoning Property from R-3 Single Family Residence District to B- 2 Commercial District - 5 Southland Drive and 11 Isabella Drive, was presented. Councilwoman Gregory moved the Ordinance do pass, seconded by Councilman Kuhle.

Planning and Development Manager Greg Crowe explained that any improvements to the lot, after zoned to B-2, shall be required to provide a landscape buffer yard in any side and rear yard that abuts a residential district.

Mr. Al Green voiced his concerns regarding the traffic flow at the intersection of Southland and Isabella Drive.

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

2020-103 Ordinance Rezoning Property from M-1 Light Industrial District to R-1 Single Family Residence District - property Southwest and Adjacent to 2410 West Mound Road, was presented. Councilwoman Gregory moved the Ordinance do pass, seconded by Councilman Kuhle.

City Manager Wrighton gave a brief overview of the Ordinance.

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

2020-104 Ordinance Amending Zoning Ordinance Creating New Section V AG Agriculture District, Amending Accessory Structure Requirements, and Related Amendments, was presented. Councilwoman Gregory moved the Ordinance do pass, seconded by Councilman Kuhle.

City Manager Wrighton gave a brief overview of the Ordinance.

Planning and Development Manager Greg Crowe explained that the proposed amendments are necessary to make the Zoning Ordinance more comprehensive and applicable to the changing built urban environment. Mr. Crowe discussed the additions and modifications to the Zoning Ordinance.

Ms. Adrienne Lynch voiced her concerns over the proposed language in the Ordinance.

Council provided feedback in response to the concerns of Ms. Lynch regarding the storage of outdoor equipment, limitations of accessory structures, archery hunting, and animal husbandry.

Upon the request of Council, City Manager Wrighton will provide a six-month update on the performance of the Ordinance

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

2020-105 Ordinance Amending City Code Chapter 47-Control of Animals, Fowl and Dogs, Sections 3, 4, 6, was presented. Councilwoman Gregory moved the Ordinance do pass, seconded by Councilman Kuhle.

Deputy City Manager Jon Kindseth explained that the proposed amendment would allow property owners recently annexed to keep their farm animals unless or until the property is no longer owned by them.

Council held a discussion regarding the Ordinance.

Councilman Horn made a motion to amend the Ordinance by adding the following language in Section 3, Farm Animals Prohibited “except property zoned Agricultural District”, seconded by Councilman Faber.

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

On the original motion, upon call of the roll, Council members Pat McDaniel, Rodney Walker, Bill Faber, Lisa Gregory, David Horn, and Chuck Kuhle voted aye. Councilman McDaniel declared the motion carried.

With no other New Business, Councilman McDaniel called for Consent Calendar Items A. through P. 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 P.

Item A. 2020-106 Ordinance Granting an Expansion to Permanent Easement to Ameren Illinois Company

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

Item C. 2020-107 Ordinance Annexing Territory 2333 West Ash Avenue

Item D. 2020-108 Ordinance Annexing Territory 2343 West Ash Avenue 

Item E. 2020-109 Ordinance Annexing Territory 3697 Catherine Street 

Item F. 2020-110 Ordinance Annexing Territory 3704 Catherine Street 

Item G. 2020-111 Ordinance Annexing Territory 3851 West Center Street 

Item H. 2020-112 Ordinance Annexing Territory 4145 Dean Drive

Item I. 2020-113 Ordinance Annexing Territory 3315 Ferris Drive

Item J. 2020-114 Ordinance Annexing Territory 3450 Greenview Drive

Item K. 2020-115 Ordinance Annexing Territory 2290 Hulett Drive

Item L. 2020-116 Ordinance Annexing Territory 3221 Las Vegas Drive

Item M. 2020-117 Ordinance Annexing Territory 2011 North Sunnyside Road 

Item N. 2020-118 Ordinance Annexing Territory 2102 North Sunnyside Road 

Item O. 2020-119 Ordinance Annexing Territory 2420 South Taylorville Road 

Item P. 2020-120 Ordinance Annexing Territory 67 Tennison Court

Councilwoman Gregory moved Items A. through P. be approved by Omnibus Vote; seconded by Councilman Horn, and on call of the roll, Council members Pat McDaniel, Rodney Walker, Bill Faber, Lisa Gregory, David Horn and Chuck Kuhle voted aye. Councilman McDaniel declared the motion carried.

Councilman McDaniel called for Other Business.

Councilwoman Gregory encouraged citizens to stay involved by corresponding with Council.

City Manager Wrighton gave an update on police officer body cameras.

With no Other Business, Councilman McDaniel called for Recess to Closed Executive Session under Open Meetings Act Section 2 (c)(2) for the purpose of a discussion on collective negotiating matters between the public body and its employees or their representatives, or deliberations concerning salary schedules for one or more classes of employees and (c)(5) the purchase or lease of real property for the use of the public body.

Councilwoman Gregory moved to Recess to Closed Executive Session; seconded by Councilman Horn and on call of the roll, Council members Pat McDaniel, Rodney Walker, Bill Faber, Lisa Gregory, David Horn and Chuck Kuhle voted aye. Councilman McDaniel declared the motion carried.

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

Councilman McDaniel declared the regular Council meeting adjourned at 9:35 p.m.

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