Macon Reporter

City of Decatur City Council met April 11.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The City Council of the City of Decatur, Illinois, met in Special Meeting at 5:30 p.m., in the Council Chambers, One Gary K. Anderson Plaza, Decatur, Illinois.

Mayor Julie Moore Wolfe presided, together with her being Council members David Horn, Chuck Kuhle, Bill Faber, Ed Culp, Dennis Cooper and Lisa Gregory. 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: Abeer Motan and Justin Phillips.

With no other Appearance of Citizens, Mayor Moore Wolfe called for a Study Session on an Overview of Neighborhood Revitalization Strategies and Initiatives.

City Manager Wrighton gave an overview of the Study Session.

Mr. Scot Goldstein, consultant with Teska Associates, Inc. gave a presentation on housing data, strategies, placemaking ideas and defining targeted areas.

Mr. Cordaryl “Pat” Patrick, Director of Economic and Community Development, Greg Crowe and Richelle Dunbar, Assistant Directors of Economic and Community Development, presented eight recommendations to Council members based on the housing analysis completed by Teska to address some of the housing challenges in Decatur utilizing American Rescue Plan Act funds (ARPA). The recommendations are as follow: Recommendation #1, Launch an owner occupied rehab program. Councilman Faber exited the Council Chambers at 6:10 p.m. and returned at 6:13 p.m. Recommendation #2, Investment in personal capital by partnering with Land of Lincoln Credit Union. Recommendation #3, Partner with Community Investment Corporation of Decatur and Justine Peterson. Councilwoman Gregory exited the Council Chambers at 6:27 p.m. and returned at 6:30 p.m. Recommendation #4, Launch a small housing repair program in partnership with Northeast Community Fund. Councilman Horn exited the Council Chambers at 6:50 p.m. and returned at 6:52 p.m. Recommendation #5. Partner with the Decatur Building and Construction Trades and Workforce Investment Solutions by providing abandoned properties through the current partnership with the Central Illinois Land Bank Authority. Councilman Faber exited the Council Chambers at 6:53 p.m. and returned at 6:55 p.m. Recommendation #6. Conduct a Brownfields-funded assessment of contaminated sites in Decatur. Recommendation #7. Enter into a redevelopment agreement to repurpose Garfield School, if approved by Illinois Housing Development Authority Recommendation #8. Deploy the principles of “Great Streets” to incentivize catalyst projects and improve placemaking on selected corridors in the urban core.

Council members held a discussion on the recommendations. A consensus of Council members was in favor of moving forward with the recommendations.

The following citizens provided comments to the Council: Jeff Bennett, Justin Phillips, Kathy Williams and Karl Coleman.

With the conclusion of the Study Session, Mayor Moore Wolfe called for New Business.

R2022-69 Resolution Authorizing City Manager to Purchase Property Located at 805 East Johns Avenue, Decatur, Illinois, 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 David Horn, Chuck Kuhle, Bill Faber, Ed Culp, Dennis Cooper, Lisa Gregory and Mayor Moore Wolfe voted aye. Mayor Moore Wolfe declared the motion carried.

With no other New Business, Mayor Moore Wolfe called Adjournment.

Councilwoman Gregory moved the Special City Council meeting be adjourned, seconded by Councilman Kuhle and upon call of the roll, Council members David Horn, Chuck Kuhle, Bill Faber, Ed Culp, Dennis Cooper, Lisa Gregory and Mayor Moore Wolfe voted aye. Mayor Moore Wolfe declared the motion carried.

Mayor Moore Wolfe declared the Special City Council meeting adjourned at 7:38 p.m.

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