Macon Reporter

City of Decatur City Council met July 21.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

On Monday, July 21, 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 David Horn, Ed Culp, Dennis Cooper, Lisa Gregory, Consuelo Cruz and Pat McDaniel. 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, Jerry Stocks, Bret Robertson, James Taylor, Abeer Motan, Chris Brodnicki and Jamarion Marshall.

Council members responded to citizens’ comments.

Mayor Moore Wolfe called for approval of the minutes.

The minutes of June 30, 2025, City Council Study Session were presented. Councilwoman Gregory moved the minutes be approved as written; seconded by Councilman Culp and on call of the roll, Council members David Horn, Ed Culp, Dennis Cooper, Lisa Gregory, Consuelo Cruz, Pat McDaniel and Mayor Moore Wolfe voted aye. Mayor Moore Wolfe declared the motion carried.

The minutes of July 2 & 3, 2025 City Council Planning Retreat/Strategic Planning Session, were presented. Councilwoman Gregory moved the minutes be approved as written; seconded by Councilman Culp and on call of the roll, Council members David Horn, Dennis Cooper, Lisa Gregory, Consuelo Cruz, Pat McDaniel and Mayor Moore Wolfe voted aye. Councilman Ed Culp abstained from the vote. Mayor Moore Wolfe declared the motion carried.

The minutes of July 7, 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 David Horn, Ed Culp, Dennis Cooper, Lisa Gregory, Consuelo Cruz, Pat McDaniel 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.

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

R2025-218 Resolution Authorizing an Agreement between the City of Decatur and Starlight Creative Studios for Video Marketing Services, was presented. Councilwoman Gregory moved the Resolution do pass, seconded by Councilman Culp.

Ms. Hon, Deputy City Manager, provided an overview of the Resolution.

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

Resolution Authorizing Amendment to City Council Policy A.3.a.., was presented. Councilwoman Gregory moved the Resolution do pass, seconded by Councilman Culp.

Council members shared their thoughts on the proposed amendment to reduce the number of members required to place an item on the agenda from four to three.

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

R2025-231 Resolution Authorizing Amendment to City Council Policy A.5.b., was presented. Councilwoman Gregory moved the Resolution do pass, seconded by Councilman Culp.

Council members shared their thoughts on the proposed amendment to increase the number of Council members required to schedule specific items for review of the City Council Policies from two to four.

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

Ms. Hon, Deputy City Manager, provided the City Manager update, expressing appreciation to the Public Works staff for their efforts in cleaning up after the recent rainstorm. She also acknowledged Officer Kane for addressing a clogged storm drain and commended the Decatur Fire Department for their contributions. She announced that the city was awarded a $9.9 million RAISE grant for the Jasper Street project and highlighted the installation of a solar

powered bench at the Brettwood Village bus stop and added that the Decatur Public Library will celebrate its 150th anniversary on August 2nd. Additionally, she reminded everyone that National Night Out is scheduled for August 5th at Johns Hill Park.

Mayor Moore Wolfe expressed gratitude to the Public Works Department, Decatur Police Department and Decatur Fire Department for their efforts during the cleanup following the rainstorm.

Mayor Moore Wolfe called for Consent Agenda Calendar Items A. through Q. and asked if any Council member wished to remove an item from the Consent Agenda Calendar. No Council member requested to remove an item from the Consent Agenda Calendar. The Clerk read Items A. through Q.:

2025-56 Item A. Ordinance Annexing Territory Property East of 3826 Cundiff Road

2025-57 Item B. Ordinance Annexing Territory 3025 South Wheatland Road

2025-58 Item C. Ordinance Annexing Territory 4191 Greenswitch Road

R2025-219 Item D. Resolution Accepting the Bid of Homer Tree Service, Inc. for Lake Embankment Tree and Shrub Removal

R2025-220 Item E. Resolution Authorizing Five Year Extension of Agreement with Izaak Walton League of America, Decatur, Illinois Chapter

R2025-221 Item F. Resolution Approving Reappointments - Police Pension Fund Board of Trustees

R2025-222 Item G. Resolution Approving Reappointments - Library Board of Trustees

R2025-223 Item H. Resolution Approving Reappointments - Electrical Commission

R2025-224 Item I. Resolution Approving Reappointment - City Plan Commission

R2025-225 Item J. Resolution Regarding Temporary Closing of Street Rights-of-Way Community Events - Shoreline Classic

R2025-226 Item K. Resolution Authorizing an Agreement with M&O Environmental for Asbestos Surveying and Remediation

R2025-227 Item L. Resolution Authorizing Action Regarding Unsafe Structures

R2025-228 Item M. Resolution Authorizing the Execution of an Agreement with Fowler Enterprises for the Demolition of 720 N. Edward

R2025-229 Item N. Resolution Authorizing the Execution of an Agreement with Hutchins Excavating for the Demolition of 242 W. Packard

R2025-230 Item O. Resolution Authorizing the Execution of an Agreement with Parkland Environmental for the Demolition of 347 W. North St.

2025-59 Item P. Ordinance Rezoning Property from B-2 Commercial District to R-6 Multiple Dwelling District - 136 South Dipper Lane

2025-60 Item Q. Ordinance Rezoning Property from R-1 Single Family Residence District to M-1 Intense Commercial/Light Industrial District - Property East of 3826 Cundiff Road

Councilwoman Gregory moved Items A., through Q. be approved by Omnibus Vote; seconded by Councilman Culp, and on call of the roll, Council members David Horn, Ed Culp, Dennis Cooper, Lisa Gregory, Consuelo Cruz, Pat McDaniel 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.

Councilman Ed Culp extended his condolences to the family of Gene Garver, the owner of Garver Feeds, who recently passed away.

There being no Other Business, Mayor Moore Wolfe called for Recess to Closed Executive Session pursuant to Open Meetings Act Section 2(c)(1), the Appointment, Employment, Compensation, Discipline, Performance or Dismissal of Specific Employees of the Public Body.

Councilwoman Gregory moved to Recess to Closed Executive Session at 6:17 p.m., seconded by Councilman Culp and on call of the roll, Council members David Horn, Ed Culp, Dennis Cooper, Lisa Gregory, Consuelo Cruz, Pat McDaniel 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 7:03 p.m.

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

Mayor Moore Wolfe declared the regular Council meeting adjourned at 7:03 p.m.

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