Macon Reporter

City of Decatur City Council met Jan. 18.

Here are 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 Civic Center Theater, One Gary K. Anderson Plaza, Decatur, Illinois.

Mayor Julie Moore Wolfe presided, together with her being Council members Bill Faber, Ed Culp, David Horn and Chuck Kuhle. Council members Dennis Cooper and Lisa Gregory 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 Ms. Laura Dean to the podium to read a proclamation on Human Trafficking. Ms. Dean’s student, Ngabo Aimable read the proclamation proclaiming the month of January 2022 “Human Trafficking Awareness Month”.

Mayor Moore Wolfe called for Appearance of Citizens and the following citizens provided comments to the Council: Allan Max Axelrod, Emma Link, Eva Savage, Sandra Lindberg, Arzena Pettus and Abeer Motan.

With no other Appearance of Citizens, Council members responded to citizens’ comments.

Mayor Moore Wolfe called for Approval of the Minutes.

The minutes of the January 3, 2022, City Council meeting were presented. Councilwoman Gregory moved the minutes be approved as written; seconded by Councilman Kuhle and on call of the roll, Council members Bill Faber, Ed Culp, Dennis Cooper, Lisa Gregory, David Horn, Chuck Kuhle and Mayor Moore Wolfe voted aye. Mayor Moore Wolfe declared the motion carried.

This being the time set aside for Unfinished Business, Councilwoman Gregory moved to take the Ordinance Amending City Code Chapter 54.1, Video Gaming License, Section 4, Video Gaming License Fees from the table, seconded by Councilman Kuhle.

Upon call of the roll, Council members Bill Faber, Ed Culp, Dennis Cooper, Lisa Gregory, David Horn, Chuck Kuhle and Mayor Moore Wolfe voted aye. Mayor Moore Wolfe declared the motion carried.

2022-01 Ordinance Amending City Code Chapter 54.1, Video Gaming License, Section 4, Video Gaming License Fees, was presented. Councilwoman Gregory moved the Ordinance do pass, seconded by Councilman Kuhle.

City Manager Wrighton gave an overview of the Ordinance.

Council members held a discussion on video gaming fees.

Councilwoman Gregory made a motion to amend the Ordinance by reducing total fees due for video gaming terminals from $750.00 to $500.00 to be split evenly between the establishment owner and the terminal operator, seconded by Councilman Cooper.

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

Councilwoman Gregory moved the Ordinance, as amended, do pass, seconded by Councilman Kuhle.

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

With no other Unfinished Business, Mayor Moore Wolfe called for New Business. City Manager Wrighton presented the Treasurer’s Financial Report.

R2022-10 Resolution Authorizing Local Public Agency Agreement for Federal Participation with the State of Illinois for the Brush College/Faries Parkway Grade Separation City Project 2009-33 Section 09-00933-01-BR, was presented. Councilwoman Gregory moved the Resolution do pass, seconded by Councilman Kuhle.

City Manager Wrighton gave an overview of the Resolution.

Upon call of the roll, Council members Bill Faber, Ed Culp, Dennis Cooper, Lisa Gregory, David Horn, Chuck Kuhle and Mayor Moore Wolfe voted aye. Mayor Moore Wolfe declared the motion carried.

Councilman Faber exited the Civic Center Theater at 6:30 p.m.

R2022-11 Resolution Authorizing the Grant of Ownership and Permanent Easement with Park Decatur Limited Partner, was presented. Councilwoman Gregory moved the Resolution do pass, seconded by Councilman Kuhle.

City Manager Wrighton gave an overview of the Resolution.

Upon call of the roll, Council members Ed Culp, Dennis Cooper, Lisa Gregory, David Horn, Chuck Kuhle and Mayor Moore Wolfe voted aye. Councilman Bill Faber was absent. Mayor Moore Wolfe declared the motion carried.

R2022-12 Resolution to Approve a Preliminary Engineering Services Agreement with WHKS and Co. and Appropriate Motor Fuel Tax Funds for the Garfield Avenue Bridge over 22nd Street, SN 058-6001, City Project 2020-22, was presented. Councilwoman Gregory moved the Resolution do pass, seconded by Councilman Kuhle.

City Engineer Paul Caswell gave an overview of the Resolution.

Councilman Faber returned to the Civic Center Theater at 6:34 p.m.

Upon call of the roll, Council members Bill Faber, Ed Culp, Dennis Cooper, Lisa Gregory, David Horn, Chuck Kuhle and Mayor Moore Wolfe voted aye. Mayor Moore Wolfe declared the motion carried.

R2022-13 Resolution Authorizing an Engineering Services Agreement with WHKS and Co. and Appropriating Rebuild Illinois (RBI) Funds for the Grove Road Bridge over Sand Creek Arm of Lake Decatur, SN 058-6010, City Project 2019-34, was presented. Councilwoman Gregory moved the Resolution do pass, seconded by Councilman Kuhle.

City Engineer Paul Caswell gave an overview of the Resolution.

Upon call of the roll, Council members Bill Faber, Ed Culp, Dennis Cooper, Lisa Gregory, David Horn, Chuck Kuhle and Mayor Moore Wolfe voted aye. Mayor Moore Wolfe declared the motion carried.

R2022-14 Resolution Authorizing a Memorandum of Understanding Agreement and Associated Sales Order with Everside Health to Obtain Internet Access through the City of Decatur Fiber Network, was presented. Councilwoman Gregory moved the Resolution do pass, seconded by Councilman Kuhle.

City Manager Wrighton gave an overview of the Resolution.

IT Director Jim Edwards answered questions from Council members regarding contract terms.

Upon call of the roll, Council members Bill Faber, Ed Culp, Dennis Cooper, Lisa Gregory, David Horn, Chuck Kuhle and Mayor Moore Wolfe voted aye. Mayor Moore Wolfe declared the motion carried.

R2022-15 Resolution Amending Transit Management and Operations Agreement with MV Transportation, Inc., was presented. Councilwoman Gregory moved the Resolution do pass, seconded by Councilman Kuhle.

City Manager Wrighton gave an overview of the Resolution.

Deputy City Manager Jon Kindseth answered questions from Council members regarding the maintenance and upkeep of Mass Transit.

Upon call of the roll, Council members Bill Faber, Ed Culp, Dennis Cooper, Lisa Gregory, David Horn, Chuck Kuhle and Mayor Moore Wolfe voted aye. Mayor Moore Wolfe declared the motion carried.

R2022-16 Resolution Approving and Adopting the 2021-2023 Council Strategic Plan, was presented. Councilwoman Gregory moved the Resolution do pass, seconded by Councilman Kuhle.

City Manager Wrighton gave an overview of the Resolution.

Council members held a discussion regarding the Council Strategic Plan. Ms. Sandra Lindberg provided input on the Council Strategic Plan.

Councilman Horn made a motion to table the Resolution until the first meeting in February, seconded by Councilman Faber.

Upon call of the roll, Council members Bill Faber, Dennis Cooper and David Horn voted aye. Councilmembers Ed Culp, Lisa Gregory, Chuck Kuhle and Mayor Moore Wolfe voted nay. Mayor Moore Wolfe declared the motion failed.

Upon call of the original motion, Council members Bill Faber, Ed Culp, Dennis Cooper, Lisa Gregory, Chuck Kuhle and Mayor Moore Wolfe voted aye. Councilman David Horn voted nay. Mayor Moore Wolfe declared the motion carried.

With no other New Business, Mayor Moore Wolfe called for Other Business.

Council members commended Police Officer Vail who was shot in the line of duty and discussed COVID numbers and enforcement.

With no other discussion, Mayor Moore Wolfe called for adjournment. Councilwoman Gregory moved the City Council meeting be adjourned, seconded by Councilman Kuhle and upon call of the roll, Council members Bill Faber, Ed Culp, Dennis Cooper, Lisa Gregory, David Horn, Chuck Kuhle and Mayor Moore Wolfe voted aye. Mayor Moore Wolfe declared the motion carried.

Mayor Moore Wolfe declared the City Council meeting adjourned at 7:22 p.m.

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