Macon Reporter

City of Decatur City Council met Aug. 7.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

On Monday, August 7, 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 Pro Tem Lisa Gregory presided, together with her being Council members David Horn, Chuck Kuhle, Ed Culp, Dennis Cooper and Pat McDaniel. Mayor Julie Moore Wolfe was absent. Mayor Pro Tem Gregory declared a quorum present.

City Manager Scot Wrighton attended the meeting as well.

Mayor Pro Tem Gregory led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Mayor Pro Tem Gregory presented Stephen Decatur medallions to the following Sister Cities exchange students from Tokorozawa, Japan: Daiki Akiyama, Hikari Deguchi, Tatsuki Kondo, Yui Kusanagi, Miki Sato and Mikoto Shiga.

Mayor Pro Tem Gregory called for Appearance of Citizens and the following citizens provided comments to the Council: George Burns, Gary Morse, Randy Morrison, Jennie Smith, Cyrus Bailey, Tamara Burns, Shemuel Sanders and Abeer Motan.

Council members responded to citizens’ comments.

Mayor Pro Tem Gregory called for Approval of the Minutes.

The minutes of the July 17, 2023, City Council meeting were presented. Councilman Kuhle moved the minutes be approved as written; seconded by Councilman Horn and on call of the roll, Council members David Horn, Chuck Kuhle, Ed Culp, Dennis Cooper, Pat McDaniel and Mayor Pro Tem Gregory voted aye. Mayor Pro Tem Gregory declared the motion carried.

This being the time set aside for Unfinished Business and there being none, Mayor Pro Tem Gregory called for New Business.

R2023-151 Resolution Authorizing Approval of Proposal from LeaderGov for Leadership Development, was presented. Councilman Kuhle moved the Resolution do pass, seconded by Councilman Horn.

City Manager Wrighton gave an overview of the Resolution.

Upon call of the roll, Council members David Horn, Chuck Kuhle, Ed Culp, Dennis Cooper, Pat McDaniel and Mayor Pro Tem Gregory voted aye. Mayor Pro Tem Gregory declared the motion carried.

R2023-152 Resolution Authorizing Approval of Proposal from Old King's Orchard Community Center for Violence Intervention Services, was presented. Councilman Kuhle moved the Resolution do pass, seconded by Councilman Horn.

Mr. Chris Ellis, Board Chairman of Old King’s Orchard Community Center gave a brief overview of the program.

Mr. Devon Joyner, Executive Director of Old King’s Orchard Community Center, provided additional details on the program.

Council members asked for updates as the program moves forward.

Upon call of the roll, Council members David Horn, Chuck Kuhle, Ed Culp, Dennis Cooper, Pat McDaniel and Mayor Pro Tem Gregory voted aye. Mayor Pro Tem Gregory declared the motion carried.

R2023-153 Resolution Providing for a Feasibility Study on the Designation of a Portion of the City of Decatur, Illinois as a Redevelopment Project Area and To Induce Development Interest within Such Area, was presented. Councilman Kuhle moved the Resolution do pass, seconded by Councilman Horn.

City Manager Wrighton gave an overview of the following two Resolutions as they both related to the same issue and answered questions from Council members regarding the proposed TIF district.

Upon call of the roll, Council members David Horn, Chuck Kuhle, Ed Culp, Dennis Cooper, Pat McDaniel and Mayor Pro Tem Gregory voted aye. Mayor Pro Tem Gregory declared the motion carried.

R2023-154 Resolution Authorizing a Professional Services Agreement between the City of Decatur and PGAV Planners, LLC for Conducting Eligibility Studies and Preparing TIF Development Plans, was presented. Councilman Kuhle moved the Resolution do pass, seconded by Councilman Horn.

Upon call of the roll, Council members David Horn, Chuck Kuhle, Ed Culp, Dennis Cooper, Pat McDaniel and Mayor Pro Tem Gregory voted aye. Mayor Pro Tem Gregory declared the motion carried.

R2023-155 Resolution Authorizing Agreements with U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Funds and HOME Investment Partnership (HOME) FY2023 Grant Funds, was presented. Councilman Kuhle moved the Resolution do pass, seconded by Councilman Horn.

Ms. Richelle Dunbar, Assistant Director of Economic and Community Development, gave an overview of the Resolution.

Upon call of the roll, Council members David Horn, Chuck Kuhle, Ed Culp, Dennis Cooper, Pat McDaniel and Mayor Pro Tem Gregory voted aye. Mayor Pro Tem Gregory declared the motion carried.

R2023-156 Resolution Authorizing Amendment to Agreement with Shemilah Outreach Center For Clean-Up Green-up Initiative, was presented. Councilman Kuhle moved the Resolution do pass, seconded by Councilman Horn.

City Manager Wrighton gave an overview of the Resolution.

Council members thanked Mr. Shemuel Sanders for his efforts with the Clean-Up Gren up initiative.

Upon call of the roll, Council members David Horn, Chuck Kuhle, Ed Culp, Dennis Cooper, Pat McDaniel and Mayor Pro Tem Gregory voted aye. Mayor Pro Tem Gregory declared the motion carried.

R2023-157 Resolution Authorizing Sub-Recipient Agreement Between City of Decatur and Inherited Services for Clean-Up Green-Up Initiative, was presented. Councilman Kuhle moved the Resolution do pass, seconded by Councilman Horn.

Ms. Richelle Dunbar, Assistant Director of Economic and Community Development, gave an overview of the Resolution and answered questions from Council members concerning the timeframe of the Johns Hill project.

Upon call of the roll, Council members David Horn, Chuck Kuhle, Ed Culp, Dennis Cooper, Pat McDaniel and Mayor Pro Tem Gregory voted aye. Mayor Pro Tem Gregory declared the motion carried.

R2023-158 Resolution Authorizing Acceptance of Recruitment and Retention Grant Awarded to the Decatur Police Department by the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board, was presented. Councilman Kuhle moved the Resolution do pass, seconded by Councilman Horn.

Mr. Shane Brandel, Chief of Police, gave an overview of the Resolution and answered questions from Council members regarding recruiting techniques.

Upon call of the roll, Council members David Horn, Chuck Kuhle, Ed Culp, Dennis Cooper, Pat McDaniel and Mayor Pro Tem Gregory voted aye. Mayor Pro Tem Gregory declared the motion carried.

R2023-159 Resolution Accepting the Proposal and Authorizing the Execution of an Agreement for Professional Services for the Electric Vehicle Readiness Plan with CDM Smith, was presented. Councilman Kuhle moved the Resolution do pass, seconded by Councilman Horn.

City Manager Wrighton gave an overview of the Resolution.

Ms. Lacie Elzy, Director of Transportation Services, answered questions from Council members regarding contract terms.

Upon call of the roll, Council members David Horn, Chuck Kuhle, Ed Culp, Dennis Cooper, Pat McDaniel and Mayor Pro Tem Gregory voted aye. Mayor Pro Tem Gregory declared the motion carried.

R2023-160 Resolution Accepting Customer Truck One Source for the Sourcewell Contract Purchase of One (1) 2024 Freightliner Bucket Truck, was presented. Councilman Kuhle moved the Resolution do pass, seconded by Councilman Horn.

Mr. Matt Newell, Public Works Director, gave an overview of the Resolution.

Upon call of the roll, Council members David Horn, Chuck Kuhle, Ed Culp, Dennis Cooper, Pat McDaniel and Mayor Pro Tem Gregory voted aye. Mayor Pro Tem Gregory declared the motion carried.

R2023-161 Resolution Accepting the Bid of Homer Tree Care, Inc. for Lake Embankment Tree and Shrub Removal, was presented. Councilman Kuhle moved the Resolution do pass, seconded by Councilman Horn.

Mr. Matt Newell, Public Works Director, gave an overview of the Resolution.

Upon call of the roll, Council members David Horn, Chuck Kuhle, Ed Culp, Dennis Cooper, Pat McDaniel and Mayor Pro Tem Gregory voted aye. Mayor Pro Tem Gregory declared the motion carried.

R2023-162 Resolution Approving Expenditure of City Funds for Implementation of Office 365 Exchange Online with Presidio Networked Solutions Group, LLC, was presented. Councilman Kuhle moved the Resolution do pass, seconded by Councilman Horn.

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

Upon call of the roll, Council members David Horn, Chuck Kuhle, Ed Culp, Dennis Cooper, Pat McDaniel and Mayor Pro Tem Gregory voted aye. Mayor Pro Tem Gregory declared the motion carried.

R2023-163 Resolution Authorizing Renewal of Tyler Technologies, Inc. Maintenance and Support for Court Case Management Suite, was presented. Councilman Kuhle moved the Resolution do pass, seconded by Councilman Horn.

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

Upon call of the roll, Council members David Horn, Chuck Kuhle, Ed Culp, Dennis Cooper, Pat McDaniel and Mayor Pro Tem Gregory voted aye. Mayor Pro Tem Gregory declared the motion carried.

Mayor Pro Tem Gregory 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 wished to remove an item from the Consent Agenda Calendar. The Clerk read items A through G.:

2023-52 Item A. Ordinance Annexing Territory 4117 Dean Drive

2023-53 Item B. Ordinance Annexing Territory 3080 E Mound Road

2023-54 Item C. Ordinance Annexing Territory 2705 Southland Road

R2023-164 Item D. Resolution Authorizing the Purchase of Property Located at 1570 W. Forest Avenue, in Decatur, Illinois

R2023-165 Item E. Resolution Authorizing Contribution to Decatur-Macon County Area Crimestoppers

R2023-166 Item F. Resolution Authorizing City of Decatur to Enter into Purchase Agreement for Purchase of Three (3) Fire Apparatus from MacQueen Emergency, St. Paul, Minnesota and Agreement for Debt Financing of Apparatus

R2023-167 Item G. Resolution Approving Appointments - Zoning Board of Appeals

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, Pat McDaniel and Mayor Pro Tem Gregory voted aye. Mayor Pro Tem Gregory declared the motion carried.

With no other New Business, Mayor Pro Tem Gregory called for Other Business.

Council members commended Councilman Kuhle for his work with the Ursula Beck Pro Tennis Classic over the last 25 years.

City Manager Wrighton announced that a proposed Strategic Planning Session would take place on August 18, 2023, and a proposed Study Session on September 11, 2023.

Council members spoke about improving delivery of city services and commended Chief Brandel for speed enforcement efforts.

With no Other Business, Mayor Pro Tem Gregory called for adjournment.

There being no further business, Mayor Pro Tem Gregory called for adjournment. Councilman Kuhle moved the City Council meeting be adjourned, seconded by Councilman Horn and upon call of the roll, Council members David Horn, Chuck Kuhle, Ed Culp, Dennis Cooper, Pat McDaniel and Mayor Pro Tem Gregory voted aye. Mayor Pro Tem Gregory declared the motion carried.

Mayor Pro Tem Gregory declared the regular Council meeting adjourned at 7:05 p.m.

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