Macon Reporter

City of Decatur City Council met April 3.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

On Monday, April 3, 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 Chuck Kuhle, Ed Culp, Dennis Cooper, Lisa Gregory, Dana Ray and David Horn. 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 following items were pulled from the Council agenda: Resolution Authorizing an Intergovernmental Agreement Between the City of Decatur, Illinois and Richland Community College regarding Student Use and Transit Fares and Resolution Approving an Agreement with Strand Associates, Inc. for Professional Services for the Northwest Quadrant Water System Modeling Study, City Project 2023-04.

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 March 20, 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 Chuck Kuhle, Ed Culp, Dennis Cooper, Lisa Gregory, Dana Ray, David Horn and Mayor Moore Wolfe voted aye. Mayor Moore Wolfe declared the motion carried.

Mayor Moore Wolfe called for Unfinished Business.

2023-20 Ordinance Amending City Code Chapter 64, Water Service, was presented. Councilwoman Gregory moved to take the item from the table, seconded by Councilman Kuhle.

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

Councilwoman Gregory moved the Ordinance do pass, seconded by Councilman Kuhle. City Manager Wrighton gave an overview of the Ordinance.

Councilman Horn made a motion to amend the Ordinance by increasing water rates by 5.0 percent in 2023, instead of the proposed water rate increase of 6.0 percent, seconded by Councilman Culp.

City Manager Wrighton provided information on the average residential customer’s bill if water and sewer rates were 5.0 percent versus 6.0 percent.

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

Council members held a discussion on water rates and the proposed $100 water deposit requirement for new water customers that are renting, and for all water customers that have had two or more delinquencies leading to water shut-offs in the last 12-month period.

Mr. Gregg Zientara, Finance Director and Ms. Teara Floyd, Utility Billing Customer Service Manager answered questions from Council members regarding water deposits.

Ms. Heather Weigand, President of the Decatur Landlord Association, spoke about water deposits, updating the process for recovering delinquent balances left unpaid by former tenants and information sharing with the city so that landlords can make more informed decisions about renting to prospective tenants.

Councilman Kuhle made a motion to amend the Ordinance by removing Section 6(A): Effective October 1, 2023, each application for residential water service for properties where the customer is the owner(s) and owner authorized occupant(s) or person(s) in possession or control of such premises shall be accompanied by a deposit in the amount of One Hundred Dollars ($100.00). Failure to provide this deposit shall be cause for the City to deny water service and disconnect same, seconded by Councilman Horn.

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

Upon call of the roll on the original motion, as amended, Council members Chuck Kuhle, Ed Culp, Dennis Cooper, Lisa Gregory, Dana Ray, David Horn 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.

R2023-58 Resolution Authorizing an Agreement with Architectural Expressions, LLP, for Municipal Services Center Improvements City Project 2023-07, 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 Chuck Kuhle, Ed Culp, Dennis Cooper, Lisa Gregory, Dana Ray, David Horn and Mayor Moore Wolfe voted aye. Mayor Moore Wolfe declared the motion carried.

R2023-59 Resolution Authorizing an Agreement with Architectural Expressions, LLP, for Decatur Public Library Improvements, 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 Chuck Kuhle, Ed Culp, Dennis Cooper, Lisa Gregory, Dana Ray, David Horn and Mayor Moore Wolfe voted aye. Mayor Moore Wolfe declared the motion carried.

R2023-60 Resolution Authorizing an Agreement with Architectural Expressions, LLP, for Decatur Civic Center Improvements, was presented. Councilwoman Gregory moved the Resolution do pass, seconded by Councilman Kuhle.

City Manager Wrighton gave an overview of the Resolution and answered questions from Council members concerning security enhancements to the Decatur Civic Center.

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

2023-21 Ordinance Amending City Code Chapter 53 Ambulance Service, was presented. Councilwoman Gregory moved the Ordinance do pass, seconded by Councilman Kuhle.

City Manager Wrighton gave an overview of the Ordinance.

Fire Chief Jeff Abbott answered questions from Council members regarding the number of Emergency Medical Technicians required to be on duty and the number of licenses.

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

R2023-61 Resolution Approving an Amended Agreement Between the City of Decatur and the Public Safety Training Foundation for the Use of the VIRTRA V-300 Training Simulator and Grain Safety Facility, was presented. Councilwoman Gregory moved the Resolution do pass, seconded by Councilman Kuhle.

Police Chief Shane Brandel gave an overview of the Resolution and answered questions from Council members regarding scheduling.

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

R2023-62 Resolution Authorizing Payment to Central Square for Annual Software Maintenance Fees, 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 Chuck Kuhle, Ed Culp, Dennis Cooper, Lisa Gregory, Dana Ray, David Horn and Mayor Moore Wolfe voted aye. Mayor Moore Wolfe declared the motion carried.

R2023-63 Resolution Accepting the State of Illinois Joint Purchasing Contract Holder Bid Price of Morrow Brothers Ford, Inc. for the Purchase of Ten (10) Ford F250 Trucks and Two (2) Ford F150 Trucks, was presented. Councilwoman Gregory moved the Resolution do pass, seconded by Councilman Kuhle.

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

R2023-64 Resolution Accepting Sloan's Implement Sourcewell Contract #110719-JDC for One (1) John Deere 6135E Cab Tractor, was presented. Councilwoman Gregory moved the Resolution do pass, seconded by Councilman Kuhle.

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

R2023-65 Resolution Accepting the Bid Price of S&R Marine and Equipment for the Purchase of One (1) 2023 SeaArk VFX 2072 Deluxe Patrol Boat, Trailer and Accessories, was presented. Councilwoman Gregory moved the Resolution do pass, seconded by Councilman Kuhle.

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

R2023-66 Resolution Approving the Expenditure of City Funds for the Purchase of Traffic Signal Video Vehicle Detection Systems, was presented. Councilwoman Gregory moved the Resolution do pass, seconded by Councilman Kuhle.

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

R2023-67 Resolution Authorizing Execution of Programmatic Partnership Agreement with U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service for the Regional Conservation Partnership Program, 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 Chuck Kuhle, Ed Culp, Dennis Cooper, Lisa Gregory, Dana Ray, David Horn and Mayor Moore Wolfe voted aye. Mayor Moore Wolfe declared the motion carried.

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

Item A. 2023-22 Ordinance Annexing Territory 2344 Mesa Drive

Item B. 2023-23 Ordinance Annexing Property South of 2225 South Taylor Road

Item C. R2023-68 Resolution Accepting the Bid and Awarding a Contract to Waste Management of Illinois, Inc. for Garbage Service at City Facilities

Item D. Receiving and Filing of Minutes of Boards and Commissions

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

Mayor Moore Wolfe recognized Chief Brandel for his attendance at the FBI academy. Councilwoman Gregory encouraged the Mayor or City Manager to speak to Decatur Housing Authority concerning safety concerns at the apartment complex near the Garfield redevelopment site. Councilman Cooper spoke about customer service issues with Waste Management.

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

Mayor Moore Wolfe declared the City Council meeting adjourned at 6:57 p.m.

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