Macon Reporter

City of Decatur City Council met Jan. 17.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

On Tuesday, January 17, 2023, 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 David Horn, Chuck Kuhle, Ed Culp, Dennis Cooper, Lisa Gregory and Mayor Moore Wolfe. Mayor Moore Wolfe declared a quorum present.

City Manager Scot Wrighton attended the meeting as well.

Mayor Moore Wolfe led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Ms. Gabby Watson, Millikin University student, presented a proclamation proclaiming January 2023 as Human Trafficking Awareness Month in Decatur.

Mayor Moore Wolfe called for Appearance of Citizens and the following citizens provided comments to the Council: Abeer Motan and Bret Robertson.

Mayor Moore Wolfe called for Approval of the Minutes.

The minutes of the December 19, 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 David Horn, Chuck Kuhle, Ed Culp, Dennis Cooper, Lisa Gregory and Mayor Moore Wolfe voted aye. Mayor Moore Wolfe declared the motion carried.

R2023-01 Resolution Approving Appointment – City Councilmember, was presented. Councilwoman Gregory moved the Resolution do pass, seconded by Councilman Kuhle.

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

Dr. Dana Ray was sworn into the office of City Councilwoman.

City Manager Wrighton presented the Financial Treasurer’s Report.

Motion Approving City Council Policy on Replacing Privately Owned Lead Water Services, was presented. Councilwoman Gregory moved the motion do pass, seconded by Councilman Kuhle.

City Manager Wrighton gave a brief overview of the motion.

Public Works Director Matt Newell answered questions from Council members concerning citizen outreach initiatives and costs.

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

2023-01 Ordinance Amending City Code Chapter 52 Alcoholic Liquor, was presented. Councilwoman Gregory moved the Ordinance do pass, seconded by Councilman Kuhle.

City Manager Wrighton gave a brief overview of the Ordinance.

Council members held a discussion on amendments to the Class L liquor license, new BYOB language and an increase in the number of Class A liquor licenses by one.

City Manager Wrighton added that the increase in the number of Class A liquor licenses was required due to a settlement agreement for the acquisition of land and buildings needed for the Brush College project that granted Niemann Foods a Class A liquor license and video gaming.

Council members raised concerns about Niemann Foods proposed laundromat with liquor and gaming.

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

2023-02 Ordinance Amending City Code Chapter 54.1 Video Gaming License, was presented. Councilwoman Gregory moved the Ordinance do pass, seconded by Councilman Kuhle.

City Manager Wrighton gave a brief overview of the Ordinance.

Council members expressed their support for a six-month moratorium on the issuance of new video gaming licenses.

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

2023-03 Ordinance Amending City Code Chapter 55.1 Mobile Food Units, Temporary Vendor Stands, and Food and Beverage Carts, was presented.

Mayor Moore Wolfe opened a discussion on revisions to the Ordinance.

Following a discussion by Council members, Councilwoman Gregory moved to amend the Ordinance by deleting Section Three (3)(e), proof of access to restroom facilities; amending Section Four (4) by reducing license fees to $50.00 per year for mobile food units, temporary vendor stands and food and beverage carts; removing language regarding fees for existing restaurants and reducing the fee to $25.00 should the license be issued after August 15 of any year, seconded by Councilman Kuhle.

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

R2023-02 Resolution Authorizing Intergovernmental Agreement between the City of Decatur and Decatur Public School District #61 regarding 1140 West Sunset Avenue, was presented. Councilwoman Gregory moved the Resolution do pass, seconded by Councilman Kuhle.

City Manager Wrighton gave a brief overview of the Resolution.

Mr. Bret Robertson spoke in favor of rehabilitation versus demolition.

Council members talked about the deteriorating condition of Woodrow Wilson School.

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

R2023-03 Resolution Accepting the Proposal from M&O Environmental for the Abatement of Asbestos from Vacant Building at 1140 W. Sunset (former Woodrow Wilson School), 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 David Horn, Chuck Kuhle, Ed Culp, Dennis Cooper, Lisa Gregory, Dana Ray and Mayor Moore Wolfe voted aye. Mayor Moore Wolfe declared the motion carried.

R2023-04 Resolution Accepting the Bid and Authorizing the Execution of a Contract with Traffic Control Corporation for the Purchase of Traffic Signal Controllers and Cabinets, City Project 2022-07, was presented. Councilwoman Gregory moved the Resolution do pass, seconded by Councilman Kuhle.

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

R2023-05 Resolution Authorizing an Intergovernmental Indefeasible Right of Use Agreement and Associated Sales Order with the Illinois Department of Innovation and Technology to Obtain Unused Fiber from the City of Decatur Fiber Network, was presented. Councilwoman Gregory moved the Resolution do pass, seconded by Councilman Kuhle.

Mr. Jim Edwards, Director of IT, gave a brief overview of the Resolution.

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

Mayor Moore Wolfe called for Consent Agenda Calendar Items A. through G. 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 G.:

Item A. 2023-04 Ordinance Annexing Territory Danceland Addition

Item B. 2023-05 Ordinance Annexing Territory 2383 Wilcox Lane

Item C. R2023-06 Resolution Approving Appointments - Oakley Township Silt Retention Basin Site Maintenance Advisory Committee

Item D. R2023-07 Resolution Authorizing a Stipulated Agreement Concerning Safety Improvements at the At-Grade Crossing with Illinois Central Railroad Company at Clinton Street

Item E. R2023-08 Resolution Authorizing Cash Rent Farm Lease with Craig Hill for DeWitt County Wellfield

Item F. R2023-09 Resolution Authorizing Crop Share Farm Lease with Steve Bell for Oakley Sediment Basin Exterior

Item G. R2023-10 Resolution Authorizing Action Regarding Unsafe Structures

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

With no Other Business, Mayor Moore Wolfe called for Closed Executive Session at 7:15 p.m. under Open Meetings Act Section (2)(c)(2) Collective Negotiating Matters between the Public Body and its Employees or their Representatives.

Councilwoman Gregory moved to Recess to Closed Executive Session, seconded by Councilman Kuhle and upon call of the roll, Council members David Horn, Chuck Kuhle, Ed Culp, Dennis Cooper, Lisa Gregory, Dana Ray and Mayor Moore Wolfe voted aye. Mayor Moore Wolfe declared the motion carried.

Council returned to the regular City Council meeting following Closed Executive Session at 8:20 p.m. Councilwoman Gregory moved the regular meeting be adjourned; seconded by Councilman Kuhle. All were in favor by voicing no objections.

Mayor Moore Wolfe declared the regular Council meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m.

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