Macon Reporter

City of Decatur City Council met July 7.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

On Monday, July 7, 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, Consuelo Cruz, Pat McDaniel and David Horn. Mayor Moore Wolfe declared a quorum present.

Deputy City Manager Melissa Hon attended the meeting as well.

Mayor Moore Wolfe led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Mayor Moore Wolfe called for Appearance of Citizens.

The following citizens provided comments to the Council: Ayn Owens, Abeer Motan and Kathy Williams.

Mayor Moore Wolfe called for approval of the minutes.

The minutes of June 16, 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 Ed Culp, Dennis Cooper, Lisa Gregory, Consuelo Cruz, Pat McDaniel, David Horn 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.

R2025-212 Resolution Accepting the Bid and Authorizing the Execution of a Contract with Cothren’s Custom Hardscapes for the Country Club Road Boat Ramp Improvements, City Project 2024-33, was presented. Councilwoman Gregory moved the Resolution do pass, seconded by Councilman Culp.

Mr. Paul Caswell, City Engineer, provided a brief overview of the Resolution.

Council members expressed their appreciation to the Staley Family Foundation and held a discussion about the proposed renovations, project costs and efforts to meet minority participation goals.

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

R2025-213 Resolution Authorizing a Professional Engineering Services Agreement with Burns & McDonnell Engineering Company, Inc. to Provide Design Engineering Services for the Broadway and Jasper Street Sewer Rehabilitation Project, City Project 2022-01, was presented. Councilwoman Gregory moved the Resolution do pass, seconded by Councilman Culp.

Mr. Paul Caswell, City Engineer, provided a brief overview of the Resolution

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

R2025-214 Resolution Authorizing Execution of an Interagency Agreement with the Illinois State Police and the McLean County Sheriff's Office to Establish the Illinois Trafficking Enforcement Group Task Force, was presented. Councilwoman Gregory moved the Resolution do pass, seconded by Councilman Culp.

Mr. Brad Allen, Chief of Police, provided an overview of the Resolution.

Lt. Phil Trompeter with the Illinois State Police addressed inquiries from Council members regarding human trafficking cases.

Council members expressed their gratitude to everyone who contributed to efforts aimed at combating human trafficking.

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

Deputy City Manager Hon provided an update on recent personnel changes within the city. New hires include Jonathan Rodriguez, Equipment Operator, Adam Hermann, IT Systems Administrator, Libby Pressley, Legal Secretary, Trish Swartz, Utility Customer Service Representative and Nicholas Boleman, Police Patrol Officer. Appointments include Todd Koester and Ben Massey, Police Lieutenants, Chad Shull, Police FOIA Specialist, Kirsten Born, Grants Manager and Montario Hawkins, Neighborhood Services Officer. Promotions were also announced, Greg Clark, Phil Ganley and Chris Skalon, Police Sergeants, and John Plotner, Lead Fleet Mechanic. Retirements include Brian Earles, Police Sergeant and Richard Webster, Transit Lead Fleet Mechanic. Lastly, Deputy City Manager Hon announced that National Night Out will take place on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, at Johns Hill Park from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Mayor Moore Wolfe called for Consent Agenda Calendar Items A. through F. and asked if any Council member wished to remove an item from the Consent Agenda Calendar. Councilman Horn requested to remove Items C. and E. from the Consent Agenda Calendar. The Clerk read Items A., B., D., and F.:

Item A. 2025-53 Ordinance Annexing Territory 2992 South Wheatland Road

Item B. 2025-54 Ordinance Annexing Territory 3157 Kathy Court

Item D. R2025-215 Resolution Accepting the Bid and Authorizing the Execution of a Contract with Kinney Contractors, Inc. for the Transit Center Parking Lot Improvements Project, City Project 2024-13

Item F. 2025-55 Ordinance Authorizing Consumption of Alcoholic Liquor in Central Park - United Way of Decatur and Mid Illinois

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

R2025-216 Resolution Accepting the Bid and Authorizing the Execution of a Contract with Ezell Excavating Inc. for 2024 Annual Water Main Project, City Project 2024-10, was presented. Councilwoman Gregory moved the Resolution do pass, seconded by Councilman Culp.

Mr. Caswell, City Engineer, responded to Councilman Horn’s questions about project costs and looping to dead-end feeds.

Council members spoke about the importance of water quality.

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

R2025-217 Resolution Authorizing the Execution of an Agreement for the Park Place Brick Entryway Improvement Project City Project 2025-26, was presented. Councilwoman Gregory moved the Resolution do pass, seconded by Councilman Culp.

Mr. Caswell, City Engineer, addressed Councilman Horn's inquiry regarding whether alternative options for improving the entryway had been considered.

Upon call of the roll, Council members Ed Culp, Dennis Cooper, Lisa Gregory, Consuelo Cruz, Pat McDaniel, 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.

Councilwoman Cruz proposed the idea of creating an educational commission be considered.

Council members Dennis Cooper, David Horn, and Consuelo Cruz expressed their support for establishing an educational commission.

Council members Ed Culp, Lisa Gregory, Pat McDaniel and Mayor Moore Wolfe were not in favor of establishing an educational commission.

Councilman Horn requested a review of City Council Policy A.3.a. at the July 21, 2025, City Council meeting, which pertains to the number of Council members required to propose agenda items for consideration.

Councilman Cooper expressed his support for the request made by Councilman Horn.

Councilman Horn brought up the topic of the City Manager's employment contract concerning residency requirements.

Corporation Counsel Wendy Morthland addressed inquiries regarding the process for discussing employment contracts.

Councilman Horn encouraged the review of the Minority Business Enterprise ordinance relating to the requirement to demonstrate a good faith effort.

Council members engaged in a conversation regarding those guidelines.

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

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

Mayor Moore Wolfe declared the regular Council meeting adjourned at 6:22 p.m.

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