Macon Reporter

City of Decatur City Council met Sept. 6.

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 Council Chamber, One Gary K. Anderson Plaza, Decatur, Illinois.

Mayor Julie Moore Wolfe presided, together with her being Council members Bill Faber, Ed Culp, Lisa Gregory, David Horn and Chuck Kuhle. Councilman Dennis Cooper 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 announced that the Resolution Authorizing an Amendment to the Grand Avenue TIF Redevelopment Agreement with Niemann Holdings, LLC was pulled from the agenda.

Mr. Mark Schleeter read a proclamation proclaiming September 17, 2022, as official “Pride Day” and “Pride Fest” in Decatur, Illinois.

Councilwoman Gregory presented the Mayor and City of Decatur with a painting and book from Seevetal, Germany government.

Mayor Moore Wolfe called for Appearance of Citizens and the following citizens provided comments to the Council: Sarah VanKirkley, John Dunn, Bishop James Wills, Reverend Larry Turpin, Abeer Motan, Aldophis Cooper, Wayne Dunning, Susan Renee Ferre, Jim Taylor and Bill Oliver.

With no other Appearance of Citizens, Council Members responded to citizens’ comments concerning residency requirements for police officers. There was a discussion about decisions being made without all elected officials being in attendance.

Mayor Moore Wolfe called for Approval of the Minutes.

The minutes of the August 15, 2022, Regular 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, Lisa Gregory, David Horn, Chuck Kuhle and Mayor Moore Wolfe voted aye. Mayor Moore Wolfe declared the motion carried.

R2022-132 Resolution Authorizing ARPA Expenditures for the Small Housing Improvement Program with Northeast Community Fund, was presented. Councilwoman Gregory moved the Resolution do pass, seconded by Councilman Kuhle.

Mr. Cordaryl “Pat” Patrick, Director of Economic and Community Development gave an overview of the Resolution and answered questions from Council members regarding the program.

Councilman Bill Faber exited the Council Chamber at 6:30 p.m. and returned at 6:32 p.m.

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

R2022-133 Resolution Authorizing Payment to CDS Office Technologies for the Purchase of Upgraded Body Worn Cameras and Equipment for the Decatur Police Department, and for Upgrading the Police Department's Digital Evidence System to a New Unified Digital Evidence Platform, was presented. Councilwoman Gregory moved the Resolution do pass, seconded by Councilman Kuhle.

Police Chief Shane Brandel gave an overview of the Resolution.

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

R2022-134 Resolution Authorizing the Execution of an Intergovernmental Agreement Between the County of Macon and the City of Decatur for a Multi-Jurisdictional Street Crimes Task Force, was presented. Councilwoman Gregory moved the Resolution do pass, seconded by Councilman Kuhle.

Police Chief Brandel gave an overview of the Resolution.

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

R2022-135 Resolution Authorizing Accepting the STEP Grant Award to the Decatur Police Department by the Illinois Department Of Transportation, was presented. Councilwoman Gregory moved the Resolution do pass, seconded by Councilman Kuhle.

Police Chief Brandel gave an overview of the Resolution.

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

R2022-136 Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Execute Modifications to the Collective Bargaining Agreement Regarding Pay, Benefits, and Work Conditions between the Decatur Police Benevolent and Protective Association Labor Committee and the City of Decatur, was presented. Councilwoman Gregory moved the Resolution do pass, seconded by Councilman Kuhle.

City Manager Wrighton gave an overview of the Resolution.

Police Chief Brandel and Council Members spoke about residency requirements and the recruitment of new police officers.

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

Mayor Moore Wolfe called for Consent Agenda Calendar Items A. through I. and asked if any Council member wished to remove an item from the Consent Agenda Calendar. No Council member wished to remove an item from the Consent Agenda Calendar. The Clerk read items A. through I.:

Item A. R2022-137 Resolution Approving the Transfer of 1421 East Orchard Street, Decatur from Woodford Homes, Inc. to Dove, Inc.

Item B. Ordinance Annexing Territory Decatur & Eastern Illinois Railroad Item C. 2022-39 Ordinance Annexing Territory Multiple Properties Decatur Park District Item D. 2022-40 Ordinance Closing Portion of Alley between North Main and North Church Streets, and between West Prairie and West Main Streets

Item E. R2022-138 Resolution Authorizing the Certifications and Acceptance of the 2022 Byrne Justice Assistance Grant

Item F. R2022-139 Resolution Authorizing the Execution of an Intergovernmental Agreement Between the County of Macon and the City of Decatur for Distribution of 2022 Byrne Justice Assistance Grant

Item G. R2022-140 Resolution Authorizing the Execution of an Agreement with Parkland Environmental for the Demolition of Vacant Building at 1440 N. Church Item H. R2022-141 Resolution Authorizing the Execution of an Agreement with Parkland Environmental for the Demolition of Vacant Building at 1927 N. Church Item I. Receiving and Filing of Minutes of Boards and Commissions

Councilwoman Gregory moved Items A. through I. be approved by Omnibus Vote; seconded by Councilman Kuhle, and on call of the roll, Council members Bill Faber, Ed Culp, Lisa Gregory, David Horn, Chuck Kuhle 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.

Councilwoman Gregory asked about the use of cameras to assist with speeding and asked for a breakdown of categories that were identified for ARP funds and other federal stimulus funding.

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, 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 7:18 p.m.

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