Macon Reporter

City of Decatur City Council met March 17.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

On Monday, March 17, 2025, 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, Pat McDaniel, David Horn, Ed Culp and Chuck Kuhle. Mayor Moore Wolfe declared a quorum present.

City Manager Tim Gleason attended the meeting as well.

Mayor Moore Wolfe led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Ms. Teagan Shull with Heritage Behavioral Health Center presented a Proclamation proclaiming March 2025 “Problem Gambling Awareness Month” in the City of Decatur.

Mayor Moore Wolfe called for Appearance of Citizens.

The following citizens provided comments to the Council: Chris Hennebery, Teagan Shull, Amy Brown, Micah Ray, Bret Robertson, Poetress Browley, Anthony Chapple, Ayn Owens, Alyssa Swengel and Joel Blair.

Council members addressed comments made by citizens.

Mayor Moore Wolfe called for approval of the minutes.

The minutes of March 3, 2025, 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, Pat McDaniel, David Horn, Chuck Kuhle and Mayor Moore Wolfe voted aye. Mayor Moore Wolfe declared the motion carried.

Mayor Moore Wolfe called for Unfinished Business.

2025-27 Ordinance Amending City Code Chapter 52.4 Massage Establishments, was presented. Councilwoman Gregory moved to take the item from the table, seconded by Councilman Kuhle.

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

Councilwoman Gregory moved the Ordinance do pass, seconded by Councilman Culp.

Ms. Amy Waks, Assistant Corporation Counsel, gave a brief overview of the Ordinance and answered questions from Council members concerning the hours of operation.

Councilman Culp made a motion to amend the hours of operation to begin at 7:00 a.m. rather than 8:00 a.m., seconded by Councilman Kuhle.

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

Ms. Waks, Assistant Corporation Counsel, answered questions from Council members concerning fees and inspections.

Council members engaged in a conversation concerning the communication of proposed ordinances to the public.

Ms. Chris Henneberry provided comments to the Council concerning the proposed Ordinance.

Ms. Wendy Morthland, Corporation Counsel, discussed what prompted the proposed Ordinance.

Upon call of the roll, Council members Ed Culp, Dennis Cooper, Lisa Gregory, Pat McDaniel, 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. Ms. Ruby James, Director of Finance, presented the Treasurer’s Financial Report.

R2025-148 Resolution Authorizing City Manager to Terminate Agreements with Central Illinois Land Bank Authority, was presented. Councilwoman Gregory moved the Resolution do pass, seconded by Councilman Kuhle.

City Manager Gleason gave a brief overview of the Resolution and answered questions from Council members regarding staff availability and potential cost savings.

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

2025-28 Ordinance Amending City Code Chapter 44 – Fire Prevention and Hazardous Materials Control, was presented. Councilman Culp moved the Ordinance do pass, seconded by Councilman Kuhle.

Fire Chief Neil Elder gave an overview of the Ordinance and answered questions from Council members regarding how the amendment to the Ordinance regarding lift assists achieved its intended goal.

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

Mr. Matt Newell, Director of Public Works, presented an online water records map prepared by staff enabling residents to enter their addresses to view the locations of galvanized service lines. He also answered questions from Council members about the inspection process and cost-sharing policy.

City Manager Gleason provided the City Manager Update, extending congratulations to Neil Elder for his promotion from Deputy Fire Chief of Operations to Fire Chief as of March 16, 2025. He also shared that Chief of Police Shane Brandel intends to retire on May 9, 2025, after 28 years of service with the Decatur Police Department. City Manager Gleason added that March 18, 2025, is Transit Driver Appreciation Day and expressed gratitude to all drivers for their hard work and dedication.

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

R2025-150 Item A. Resolution Authorizing Execution and Amendment of Section 5311 Grant Agreement

R2025-151 Item B. Resolution Authorizing Execution and Agreement of FY2026 Downstate Operating Grant Agreement

2025-29 Item C. Ordinance Authorizing the Providing of Public Transportation to Macon County

R2025-152 Item D. Resolution Accepting Special Warranty Relating to the Protection of Interests of Employees for Transit Financial Assistance Grant

2025-30 Item E. Ordinance Annexing Territory 3140 Turpin Road

2025-31 Item F. Ordinance Annexing Territory Property East of 3849 Cundiff Court

2025-32 Item G. Ordinance Annexing Territory Property East of 5030 Cundiff Court

2025-33 Item H. Ordinance Annexing Territory 3197 Kathy Court

R2025-153 Item I. Resolution Authorizing a 2025 Cash Rent Farm Lease with Peter Pistorius for Farm #5 in Harristown

R2025-154 Item J. Resolution Authorizing an Agreement Between the City of Decatur and Evan Burgett/Burgett Watering for Watering and Maintenance of Flowers and Plantings for the City of Decatur

R2025-155 Item K. Resolution Rejecting the Bids for Weed Abatement 2025 City/MCT, and Weed Abatement 2025 Privately Owned

2025-34 Item L. An Ordinance Authorizing the Ceding of Private Activity Bonding Authority for 2025

R2025-156 Item M. Resolution Approving Appointment - Decatur Metropolitan Exposition Auditorium & Office Building Authority (DBA: Civic Center Board Authority)

Councilwoman Gregory moved Items A. through M. be approved by Omnibus Vote; seconded by Councilman Kuhle, and on call of the roll, Council members Ed Culp, Dennis Cooper, Lisa Gregory, Pat McDaniel, 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 extended their congratulations to Shane Brandel on his plans to retire, and the Decatur Police Department and Decatur Fire Department for their collaborative efforts and teamwork.

There being no Other Business, Mayor Moore Wolfe called for Adjournment.

Councilwoman Gregory moved the regular City Council meeting be adjourned, seconded by Councilman Kuhle and upon call of the roll, Council members Ed Culp, Dennis Cooper, Lisa Gregory, Pat McDaniel, David Horn, Chuck Kuhle and Mayor Moore Wolfe voted aye. Mayor Moore Wolfe declared the motion carried.

Mayor Moore Wolfe declared the regular Council meeting adjourned at 6:55 p.m.

https://www.decaturil.gov/389/Agendas-Minutes