Macon Reporter

City of Decatur City Council met Nov. 21.

Here is the agenda provided by the council:

On Monday, November 21, 2022, 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 Lisa Gregory, Chuck Kuhle, Bill Faber, Ed Culp and Dennis Cooper. Councilman David Horn participated through electronic attendance pursuant to Resolution R2020-84, Resolution Amending Resolution 2008-02 Defining Meeting and Adopting Procedures for Electronic Attendance in Meetings. 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 citizen provided comments to the Council: Abeer Motan.

Mayor Moore Wolfe called for Approval of the Minutes.

The minutes of the November 7, 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 Ed Culp, Dennis Cooper, Lisa Gregory, David Horn, Chuck Kuhle, Bill Faber and Mayor Moore Wolfe voted aye. Mayor Moore Wolfe declared the motion carried.

City Manager Wrighton presented the Treasurer’s Financial Report.

Ordinance Rezoning Property from O-1 Office District to B-1 Neighborhood Shopping District at 888 South 16th Street, was presented. Councilwoman Gregory moved the Ordinance do pass, seconded by Councilman Kuhle.

City Manager Wrighton gave a brief overview of the Ordinance.

Mr. Cordaryl (Pat) Patrick, Director of Economic and Urban Development, explained to Council members that they would be voting on a zoning change and not a specific type of business and answered questions from Council members.

Mr. John Lewis, petitioner, spoke about his plans for the site.

Council members discussed tabling the item until further discussion could be held regarding the rezoning.

Mr. Darrell Dawson spoke in support of Mr. Lewis’s plans for the site.

Councilwoman Gregory moved to postpone the Ordinance, seconded by Councilman Kuhle.

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

R2022-199 Resolution Accepting the Bid and Authorizing the Execution of a Contract with A&R Mechanical Services, Inc. for the 2022 Annual Water Main Extension Project, City Project 2022-10, was presented. Councilwoman Gregory moved the Resolution do pass, seconded by Councilman Kuhle.

City Manager Wrighton gave a brief overview of the Resolution.

Mr. Paul Caswell, City Engineer, answered questions from Council members about the installation of new water mains and the bidding process.

Council members discussed the scope of the project.

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

R2022-200 Resolution Accepting the Proposal and Authorizing the Execution of an Agreement for Professional Services for the Transit Campus Master Plan with Richard L. Bowen & Associates, Inc., was presented. Councilwoman Gregory moved the Resolution do pass, seconded by Councilman Kuhle.

Ms. Lacie Elzy, Mass Transit Administrator, gave a brief overview of the Resolution and answered questions from Council members regarding project costs and funding source.

Upon call of the roll, Council members Ed Culp, Dennis Cooper, 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 C. and asked if any Council member wished to remove an item from the Consent Agenda Calendar. No Council member requested to remove an item from the Consent Agenda Calendar. The Clerk read items A. through C.:

Item A. R2022-201 Resolution Approving Reappointment - Public Building Commission Item B. 2022-43 Ordinance Authorizing Consumption of Alcoholic Liquor on Public Rights-of-Way 100 Block of Merchant Street & 100 Block of East Prairie Street Downtown Decatur Christmas Walk

Item C. R2022-202 Resolution Authorizing Action Regarding Unsafe Structures

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

Councilman Culp spoke about staffing levels at the Fire Department and the increase for calls in service. Councilwoman Gregory thanked the Decatur Garden Club and those who participated in decorating the downtown for the Christmas holiday. Councilman Horn raised concerns about staffing levels at the Fire Department and the increase for calls in service. Councilman Kuhle talked about lift assist issues.

With no Other Business, 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 Ed Culp, Dennis Cooper, Lisa Gregory, David Horn, Chuck Kuhle, Bill Faber and Mayor Moore Wolfe voted aye. Mayor Moore Wolfe declared the motion carried.

Mayor Moore Wolfe declared the City Council meeting adjourned at 6:28 p.m.

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