Macon Reporter

City of Decatur City Council met Oct. 16.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

On Monday, October 16, 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 Dennis Cooper, Pat McDaniel, Lisa Gregory, David Horn, Chuck Kuhle and Ed Culp. 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: Jeffrey & Sherri Perkins, Verlyn Rosenberger, Ray Spates, Abeer Motan, Austin Yutzy and Satwinder Singh.

Council members responded to citizens’ comments.

Mayor Moore Wolfe called for Approval of the Minutes.

The minutes of the September 25, 2023, City Council Study Session were presented. Councilwoman Gregory moved the minutes be approved as written; seconded by Councilman Kuhle and on call of the roll, Council members Dennis Cooper, Pat McDaniel, Lisa Gregory, David Horn, Chuck Kuhle, Ed Culp and Mayor Moore Wolfe voted aye. Mayor Moore Wolfe declared the motion carried.

The minutes of the October 2, 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 Dennis Cooper, Pat McDaniel, Lisa Gregory, David Horn, Chuck Kuhle, Ed Culp and Mayor Moore Wolfe voted aye. Mayor Moore Wolfe declared the motion carried.

This being the time set aside for Unfinished Business and there being none, Mayor Moore Wolfe called for New Business.

Mayor Moore Wolfe called for a discussion on City Code, Chapter 52, Alcoholic Liquor.

Council members held a discussion on proposed changes to slow the growth of video gaming. Council members discussed capping the number of video gaming licenses, requiring revenue from non-gaming sources on certain classes of licenses and the impact of gaming in the community.

Ms. Amy Waks, Assistant Corporation Counsel, answered questions from Council members regarding restroom requirements.

The following citizens provided comments to the Council: Ray Spates and Carl Muench. Council members continued their discussion on the proposed changes.

With no further discussion, Mayor Moore Wolfe called for a discussion on the 2024 Property Tax Levy & Aggregate Expenditure/Revenue Analysis.

City Manager Wrighton spoke about the increase in the city’s equalized assessed value and explained how the property tax levy is set. City Manager Wrighton provided options for the Council to consider for the levy. City Manager Wrighton discussed several short-term and long term revenue and expenditure options.

Councilman Culp exited the Council Chamber at 6:56 pm and returned at 6:58 pm.

Ms. Ruby James, Director of Finance, spoke about the quadrennial reassessment process and the General Fund balance.

Council members held a discussion on property tax adjustment options and new revenue streams.

The consensus of the Council was in favor of options for keeping property taxes lower.

R2023-213 Resolution Authorizing the Purchase of a Crime Prevention Surveillance Trailer for the Decatur Police Department, was presented. Councilwoman Gregory moved the Resolution do pass, seconded by Councilman Kuhle.

Acting Police Chief Ed Hurst gave an overview of the Resolution.

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

2023-70 Ordinance Amending Zoning Ordinance - Section XXX Zoning Board of Appeals, 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 Dennis Cooper, Pat McDaniel, Lisa Gregory, David Horn, Chuck Kuhle, Ed Culp and Mayor Moore Wolfe voted aye. Mayor Moore Wolfe declared the motion carried.

R2023-214 Resolution Accepting Grant from the Illinois Housing Development Authority's Strong Communities Program Round 2, was presented. Councilwoman Gregory moved the Resolution do pass, seconded by Councilman Kuhle.

City Manager Wrighton gave an overview of the Resolution.

Mr. Cordaryl Patrick, Economic and Community Development Department, explained the use of the grant.

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

R2023-215 Resolution Authorizing Agreement between City of Decatur, IL and Central Illinois Land Bank Authority to Operate Strong Communities Program Round 2, was presented. Councilwoman Gregory moved the Resolution do pass, seconded by Councilman Kuhle.

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

R2023-216 Resolution Authorizing an Agreement with Jimmie Soules Bird Repelent Company for Downtown Bird Control, 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 Dennis Cooper, Pat McDaniel, Lisa Gregory, Chuck Kuhle, Ed Culp and Mayor Moore Wolfe voted aye. Councilman David Horn voted nay. Mayor Moore Wolfe declared the motion carried.

R2023-217 Resolution Authorizing Acceptance of the Bid for the Purchase of a Pavement Breaker from Midwest Equipment MFG., was presented. Councilwoman Gregory moved the Resolution do pass, seconded by Councilman Kuhle.

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

R2023-218 Resolution Accepting the Bid and Authorizing the Execution of a Contract with Entler Excavation Company Inc. for the Old King's Orchard Garden, City Project 2023-05, was presented. Councilwoman Gregory moved the Resolution do pass, seconded by Councilman Kuhle.

City Manager Wrighton gave an overview of the Resolution.

Public Works Director Matt Newell responded to questions from Council members regarding tree replacement and minority business goals.

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

R2023-219 Resolution Accepting the Bid and Authorizing the Execution of a Contract with Burdick Plumbing & Heating Co., Inc. for the William Street Pump Station Improvements Project, City Project 2022-17, was presented. Councilwoman Gregory moved the Resolution do pass, seconded by Councilman Kuhle.

Public Works Director Matt Newell gave an overview of the Resolution and answered questions from Council members regarding the contractor bid for roofing.

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

R2023-220 Resolution Authorizing a Professional Engineering Services Agreement with Crawford, Murphy and Tilly, Inc. to Provide Construction Support Services for the William Street Pump Station Improvement Project, City Project 2022-17, was presented. Councilwoman Gregory moved the Resolution do pass, seconded by Councilman Kuhle.

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

Mayor Moore Wolfe called for Consent Agenda Calendar Items A. through I. and asked if any Council member wished to remove an item from the Consent Agenda Calendar. Mayor Moore Wolfe removed Item G. from the Consent Agenda Calendar. The Clerk read items A. through F. and H. and I.:

Item A. R2023-221 Resolution Authorizing Accepting the STEP Grant Awarded to the Decatur Police Department by the Illinois Department of Transportation

Item B. 2023-71 Ordinance Annexing Territory 2574 & 2570 South Shores Drive Item C. R2023-222 Resolution Authorizing Action Regarding Unsafe Structures Item D. Receiving and Filing of Minutes of Boards and Commissions

Item E. R2023-223 Resolution Approving Appointment - Decatur Metropolitan Exposition Auditorium and Office Building Authority (Civic Center Board) Item F. R2023-224 Resolution Approving Reappointment - Decatur Metropolitan Exposition Auditorium and Office Building Authority (Civic Center Board) Item H. R2023-225 Resolution Approving and Determining the Need for Confidentiality of Minutes of Closed Meetings

Item I. R2023-226 Resolution Regarding Halloween Trick or Treat Hours

Councilwoman Gregory moved A. through F. and H. and I. be approved by Omnibus Vote; seconded by Councilman Kuhle, and on call of the roll, Council members Dennis Cooper, Pat McDaniel, Lisa Gregory, David Horn, Chuck Kuhle, Ed Culp and Mayor Moore Wolfe. Mayor Moore Wolfe declared the motion carried.

With no other New Business, Mayor Moore Wolfe called for Other Business.

Councilman McDaniel commended the Decatur Police Department for increasing traffic enforcement.

There being no Other Business, Mayor Moore Wolfe called for Recess to Closed Executive Session at 7:55 p.m. pursuant to Section 2(c)(5), the purchase or lease of real property for the use of the public body. Councilwoman Gregory moved to Recess to Closed Executive Session, seconded by Councilman Kuhle and upon call of the roll, Council members Dennis Cooper, Pat McDaniel, Lisa Gregory, David Horn, Chuck Kuhle, Ed Culp and Mayor Moore Wolfe. Mayor Moore Wolfe declared the motion carried.

Councilwoman Gregory moved to return to the Regular City Council meeting at 8:09 p.m., seconded my Councilman Kuhle.

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

Mayor Moore Wolfe called for New Business.

R2023-227 Resolution Authorizing Farmland Real Estate Purchase Pursuant to the Water Consultant's Recommendations, 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 Dennis Cooper, Pat McDaniel, Lisa Gregory, David Horn, Chuck Kuhle, Ed Culp and Mayor Moore Wolfe voted aye. Mayor Moore Wolfe declared the motion carried.

With no further business, Councilwoman Gregory moved the Regular City Council meeting be adjourned; seconded by Councilman Kuhle and upon call of the roll, Council members Dennis Cooper, Pat McDaniel, Lisa Gregory, David Horn, Chuck Kuhle, Ed Culp and Mayor Moore Wolfe voted aye. Mayor Moore Wolfe declared the motion carried.

Mayor Moore Wolfe declared the City Council meeting adjourned at 8:13 p.m.

https://decatur.novusagenda.com/agendapublic/DisplayAgendaPDF.ashx?MinutesMeetingID=351