Macon Reporter

City of Decatur City Council met March 20.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

On Monday, March 20, 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 Ed Culp, Dennis Cooper, Lisa Gregory, Dana Ray, David Horn and Chuck Kuhle. 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: Jim Taylor, Ayn Owens, Bret Robertson, Abeer Motan and Dr. Charles Stone.

Mayor Moore Wolfe called for Approval of the Minutes.

The minutes of the March 6, 2023, 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, Dana Ray, David Horn, Chuck Kuhle and Mayor Moore Wolfe voted aye. Mayor Moore Wolfe declared the motion carried.

Mayor Moore Wolfe called for Unfinished Business.

2023-14 Ordinance Rezoning Property from O-1 Office District to PD Planned Development District - 888 South 16th Street, was presented. Councilwoman Gregory moved the Ordinance do pass, seconded by Councilman Kuhle.

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

R2023-47 Resolution Authorizing a Redevelopment Agreement Concerning Property at Martin Luther King Drive and Sangamon Streets to Facilitate Investment and New Job Creation, was presented. Councilwoman Gregory moved the Resolution do pass, seconded by Councilman Kuhle.

City Manager Wrighton gave a brief overview of the Resolution and introduced Mr. Mike Bever, Executive Vice President of Operations for Tillamook.

Mr. Bever gave a brief presentation and provided background information on Tillamook.

Council members thanked Tillamook for their plans to open an ice cream manufacturing facility in Decatur.

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

2023-15 Ordinance Amending City Code Chapter 9 Transportation Services Department, was presented. Councilwoman Gregory moved the Ordinance do pass, seconded by Councilman Kuhle.

City Manager Wrighton gave an overview of the Ordinance.

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

R2023-48 Resolution Authorizing Execution of a Professional Services Agreement for the Transit Comprehensive Operations Analysis Between Alfred Benesch & Company 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.

Ms. Lacie Elzy, Mass Transit Administrator, answered questions from Council members concerning project funding.

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

Ordinance Amending City Code Chapter 64 Water Service, 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 the proposed water rate increase, inflation rates, water deposit requirements for tenants and other updates to the water and sewer codes.

Councilwoman Gregory moved to table the item until additional information concerning the code amendment was provided, seconded by Councilman Kuhle.

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

2023-16 Ordinance Amending City Code Chapter 74 Sanitary Sewer System, 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 sewer rates.

Mr. Jon Kindseth, Deputy City Manager, explained the timeframe for adopting new rates.

Councilwoman Gregory made a motion to amend the sewer rate from 6.0 percent to 5.0 percent, seconded by Councilman Kuhle.

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

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

R2023-49 Resolution Authorizing Cash Rent Farm Lease with Tiger Fiber Inc. for Oakley Sediment Basin Interior, 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, Dana Ray, David Horn, Chuck Kuhle and Mayor Moore Wolfe voted aye. Mayor Moore Wolfe declared the motion carried.

2023-17 Ordinance Authorizing Negotiation and Execution of Negotiated Easement with Archer-Daniels-Midland Company for the Underground Injection and Sequestration of CO2, was presented. Councilwoman Gregory moved the Resolution do pass, seconded by Councilman Kuhle.

City Manager Wrighton gave an overview of the Resolution.

Mr. Greg Florian, Vice-President at Richland Community College, spoke about the partnership between Richland Community College and Archers Daniel Midland Company.

Ms. Sally Greenberg, Illinois Geological Survey at the University of Illinois, highlighted the global contribution made by the City of Decatur for the study of carbon capture and storage and explained the process of carbon capture sequestration.

Mr. Chris Cutty, Senior Vice President of Archers Daniel Midland Company, spoke about the expansion of ADM’s current CCS well capacity and economic growth resulting from the proposed project.

The following citizens provided comments to the Council regarding the sequestration project: Judith Parrish, Verlyn Rosenberger, Nicole Bateman and Tom Brinkoetter.

Ms. Greenberg answered questions concerning the project’s safety risks.

Council members held a discussion concerning the proposed easement, terms and conditions, and future proposals for interstate piping projects.

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

R2023-50 Resolution Authorizing a Real Estate Purchase Agreement for Properties Between Una Mae Eldridge and Una Mae Eldridge Living Trust 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.

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

R2023-51 Resolution Authorizing Agreement with Love Learning and Laughter Daycare (LLLD), 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.

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

R2023-52 Resolution Authorizing the Execution of an Agreement with Steve's Trucking for the Demolition of Transit Buildings at 300 E. Macon (Former Tommy House Tire), 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, Dana Ray, David Horn, Chuck Kuhle and Mayor Moore Wolfe voted aye. Mayor Moore Wolfe declared the motion carried.

R2023-53 Resolution Accepting the State of Illinois Joint Purchasing Contract Holder Bid Price of Sutton Ford Inc. for the Purchase of Four (4) 2023 Ford Interceptor Utility Vehicles and Two (2) 2023 Ford F-150 Police Responders, was presented. Councilwoman Gregory moved the Resolution do pass, seconded by Councilman Kuhle.

City Manager Wrighton gave an overview of the Resolution.

Police Lieutenant Ed Hurst answered questions from Council members about using electric vehicles.

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

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

Item A. 2023-18 Ordinance Annexing Territory 2375 Mesa Drive

Item B. R2023-54 Resolution Authorizing Action Regarding Unsafe Structures Item C. 2023-19 An Ordinance Reserving 2023 Volume Cap for Private Activity Bond Issues, and Related Matters

Item D. R2023-55 Resolution Authorizing the Execution of an Agreement with Steve's Trucking for the Demolition of 1004 W. Wood

Item E. R2023-56 Resolution Authorizing the Execution of an Agreement with Steve's Trucking for the Demolition of 445 W. King

Item. F. R2023-57 Resolution Accepting the State of Illinois Joint Purchasing Holder Bid Price of Morrow Brothers Ford Inc. for the Purchase of One (1) 2023 Ford F-150 Crew Cab Pick-up Truck

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

Council members held a discussion concerning the City Council policy that requires four members of the City Council to bring an item before Council for consideration.

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, Dana Ray, 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 8:30 p.m.

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