Macon Reporter

City of Decatur City Council met May 19.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

On Monday, May 19, 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 Consuelo Cruz, Pat McDaniel, David Horn, Ed Culp, Dennis Cooper and Lisa Gregory. Mayor Moore Wolfe declared a quorum present.

Mayor Moore Wolfe called for a motion to allow Councilman McDaniel to participate remotely through electronic attendance pursuant to Open Meetings Act, 5 ILCS 120/7(a).

Councilwoman Gregory moved to allow Councilman McDaniel to participate remotely through electronic attendance pursuant to Open Meetings Act, 5 ILCS 120/7(a), seconded by Councilman Culp.

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

City Manager Tim Gleason attended the meeting as well.

Mayor Moore Wolfe led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Jaya Lawary read a proclamation proclaiming May 12th to May 16th, 2025, as Decatur Charter School Week.

Todd Farthing II and Jim Adams read a proclamation proclaiming the month of May as Motorcycle Awareness Month.

Mayor Moore Wolfe called for Appearance of Citizens.

The following citizens provided comments to the Council: Lisa Garner Smith, Marcia Lawson, Kathy Bush Graves, Bret Robertson, Ayn Owens and Jake Oros.

Mayor Moore Wolfe called for approval of the minutes.

The minutes of May 5, 2025, City Council Meeting were presented. Councilwoman Gregory moved the minutes be approved as written; seconded by Councilman Culp and on call of the roll, Council members Consuelo Cruz, David Horn, Ed Culp, Dennis Cooper, Lisa Gregory and Mayor Moore Wolfe voted aye. Councilman McDaniel abstained from the vote. 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.

Ms. Ruby James, Director of Finance, presented the Treasurer’s Financial Report.

Mr. Chad Lucas, Principal at Sikich, presented the 2023 Audit Reports and answered questions from Council members regarding pension funding and internal controls related to overspending.

Ms. Ruby James, Director of Finance, provided clarification regarding the Treasurer’s Financial Report and journal entries.

2025-43 An Ordinance Providing for the Issue and Sale of not to Exceed $59,000,000 of General Obligation Refunding Bonds of the City and for the Levy and Collection of a Direct Annual Tax Sufficient for the Payment of the Principal of and Interest on Such Bonds, was presented. Councilwoman Gregory moved the Ordinance do pass, seconded by Councilman Culp.

City Manager Gleason gave an overview of the Ordinance.

Ms. Ruby James, Director of Finance, spoke about the benefits of redeeming bonds at lower interest rates.

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

City Manager Gleason presented the City Manager Update. City Manager Gleason announced the arrival of eight microtransit fleet vehicles for Decatur Transit, fully funded by IDOT grants. He also announced the upcoming retirement of Deputy Police Chief Brian Cleary who will retire with the Decatur Police Department on May 23, 2025, after 30 years of service. Additionally, City Manager Gleason announced the promotion of Lacie Elzy to the position of Economic & Community Development Director. Ms. Elzy briefly discussed her recent promotion. City Manager Gleason wished the Public Works Department a happy National Public Works Week, and reminded residents that they can reach out to the Public Works Department at 217-875-4820 to report or request a pickup of tree debris following recent storm damage.

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. Councilman Cooper requested to remove Item D. from the Consent Agenda Calendar. The Clerk read Items A. through C. and E. through M.:

R2025-188 Item A. Resolution Accepting the Bid and Authorizing the Execution of a Contract with Burdick Plumbing and Heating Co., Inc. for the Allen Bend Pump Station Improvement Project, City Project 2023-01

R2025-189 Item B. Resolution Accepting the Bid and Authorizing the Execution of a Purchase Order with CDW-G for Cradlepoint Devices to Communicate with Remote Water Utility Sites

R2025-190 Item C. Resolution Authorizing Assignment of the Professional Services Agreement with Northwater Consulting to Spheros Environmental

2025-44 Item E. Ordinance Annexing Territory 3035 Lakeland Road

2025-45 Item F. Ordinance Annexing Territory 2964 South Wheatland Road

2025-46 Item G. Ordinance Annexing Territory 2976 South Wheatland Road

2025-47 Item H. Ordinance Annexing Territory 3049 South Wheatland Road

R2025-192 Item I. Resolution Approving Appointment - Electrical Commission

R2025-193 Item J. Resolution Accepting a Proposal for Health Insurance Brokerage Services from First Mid Insurance Group

R2025-194 Item K. Resolution Authorizing Action Regarding Unsafe Structures

2025-48 Item L. Ordinance Rezoning Property from R-3 Single Family Residence District to PD Planned Development District - 1077 West Grand Avenue

R2025-195 Item M. Resolution Authorizing Accepting the Bid and Authorizing the Work of Door Replacement for Transit Facilities with B&B Glass

Councilwoman Gregory moved Items A. through C. and E. through M. be approved by Omnibus Vote; seconded by Councilman Culp, and on call of the roll, Council members Pat McDaniel, David Horn, Ed Culp, Dennis Cooper, Lisa Gregory, Consuelo Cruz and Mayor Moore Wolfe voted aye. Mayor Moore Wolfe declared the motion carried.

R2025-191 Resolution Accepting the Bid and Authorizing the Execution of Purchase Orders for Lime Residual Removal with Metro-Ag, Inc. for the Years 2025 – 2030, Purchase #PUR2025-02, was presented. Councilwoman Gregory moved the Resolution do pass, seconded by Councilman Culp.

Councilman Cooper requested additional input from staff.

Mr. Matt Newell, Director of Public Works, spoke about the proposed purchase order with Metro-Ag and answered questions from Council members regarding any potential concerns related to land application.

City Manager Gleason highlighted the cost savings by selecting the lowest bidder.

Upon call of the roll, Council members Consuelo Cruz, Pat McDaniel, David Horn, Ed Culp, Dennis Cooper, Lisa Gregory 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 discussed the collaboration among government agencies and held a discussion about illegal dumping and challenges with garbage collection.

There being no Other Business, Mayor Moore Wolfe called for Recess to Closed Executive Session at 6:45 p.m. pursuant to Open Meetings Act Section 2(c)(1), litigation, when an action against, affecting or on behalf of the particular public body has been filed and is pending before a court or administrative tribunal, or when the public body finds that an action is probable or imminent.

Councilwoman Gregory moved to Recess to Closed Executive Session at 6:45 p.m., seconded by Councilman Culp and on call of the roll, Council members Consuelo Cruz, Pat McDaniel, David Horn, Ed Culp, Dennis Cooper, Lisa Gregory and Mayor Moore Wolfe voted aye. Mayor Moore Wolfe declared the motion carried.

Council returned to the regular City Council meeting following Closed Executive Session at 7:22 p.m.

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

Mayor Moore Wolfe declared the regular Council meeting adjourned at 7:22 p.m.

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