Macon Reporter

City of Decatur City Council met Oct. 6.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

On Monday, October 6, 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.

City Manager Tim Gleason attended the meeting as well.

Mayor Moore Wolfe led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Mr. Robert Weil presented a proclamation recognizing October 16, 2025, as “Imagine a Day without Water” in Decatur.

Ms. Sarah Mixell and Ms. Kathy Sorensen presented a proclamation honoring the 50th anniversary of Decatur’s sister city relationship with Seevetal, Germany. Mayor Moore Wolfe presented 22 guests from Seevetal, Germany with Stephen Decatur medallions.

Mayor Moore Wolfe called for Appearance of Citizens.

The following citizens provided comments to the Council: Jerry Stocks, Jeanelle Keck, Shekilah Smith, Robert Walker and Ayn Owens.

Council members responded to citizens’ comments.

Mayor Moore Wolfe called for approval of the minutes.

The minutes of September 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.

Mayor Moore Wolfe called for Unfinished Business.

Resolution Authorizing Agreement between City of Decatur, Illinois and Love Learning and Laughter Daycare, was presented. Councilwoman Gregory moved to take the item from the table, seconded by Councilman Culp.

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.

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

Ms. Jeanelle Keck discussed the contents of the business plan and noted that a meeting was scheduled with city staff on October 7, 2025, to address any questions or concerns.

City Manager Gleason indicated that there was a mutual request to postpone the Resolution until the City Council meeting on October 20, 2025, to allow officials time to seek clarification and address any questions.

Mr. Ross Munsterman, representative for Ms. Cherri Johnson, confirmed the meeting with city staff on October 7, 2025, to discuss any inquiries and concerns.

Councilman McDaniel made a motion to table the Resolution until the Council meeting on October 20, 2025, seconded by Councilwoman Lisa Gregory.

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 Unfinished Business, Mayor Moore Wolfe called for New Business.

City Manager Gleason kicked off a conversation regarding the proposed 2026 budget addressing the gas tax, grocery tax, property tax rate, salaries and benefits and options to reduce the budget deficit.

Mr. Gregg Zientara, Interim Director of Finance, provided an overview of revenues and expenditures in the General Fund and answered questions from Council members regarding debt service and the city’s cash reserve policy.

Ms. Melissa Hon, Deputy City Manager, highlighted efficiencies within departments and addressed the budgets of the Legislative and Executive Department. She also responded to questions from Council members regarding lobbying services and the ongoing commitment to customer service.

Mrs. French Wilson, Director of Human Resources, spoke about the new position of Human Resources Manager and various training initiatives. She also answered questions from Council members regarding recruiting and tuition reimbursement.

Ms. Wendy Morthland, Corporation Counsel, spoke about the legal budget, noting that there were no significant changes and answered questions from Council members about staffing and the duration contractors have to complete demolitions.

Mr. Jim Edwards, Director of IT, participated through a recorded video, where he spoke about IT operations, the importance of cyber security, the rising costs in software and infrastructure maintenance.

Mr. Aaron Cronkright, Systems Analyst, addressed inquiries from Council members regarding the increases in software costs.

Mr. Edwards continued with a discussion about the fiber fund and PEG fund.

Mrs. Lacie Elzy, Director of Economic and Community Development and Transportation Services, spoke about operating and capital funding sources for transit. She also addressed inquiries from Council members regarding grant funding opportunities.

Councilman Horn exited the Council Chamber at 7:08 p.m. and returned at 7:11 p.m.

Fire Chief Neil Elder discussed the necessity for cardiac monitors, addressed staffing levels and training, and responded to questions from Council members regarding the increase in fires.

Police Chief Brad Allen spoke about staffing levels, training, technology and equipment, overtime pay, building costs and community relations. He also answered questions from Council members about neighborhood cameras.

Mr. Matt Newell, Director of Public Works, provided highlights on the four different divisions in Public Works and answered questions from Council members about the effectiveness of using electronic signs to monitor speeding and the status of streetlights along Park Place and Cobb Avenue. He also answered questions about the status of the state’s proposed street construction project on Route 51 and enhancements to crosswalks throughout Decatur.

Mr. Newell continued his discussion by addressing storm sewer operations, upcoming drainage projects, sanitary sewer operations and the water fund. He also answered questions from Council members about water utility trends, the results of the water rate study and the city’s cost-sharing program for the water service line replacement project. Additionally, he continued with a discussion on fleet operations, the equipment replacement plan and the local and state motor fuel taxes.

Mrs. Lacie Elzy, Director of Economic and Community Development and Transportation Services, highlighted efficiencies in her department, discussed staffing changes and spoke about ongoing projects.

Mayor Moore Wolfe exited the Council Chamber at 7:54 p.m.

Ms. Elzy discussed the special purpose funds, addressing inquiries regarding funding for the OKO basketball courts, as well as potential future initiatives for prefab homes. She also discussed TIF funds.

Mayor Moore Wolfe returned at 7:57 p.m.

The following citizen provided comments regarding the budget: Ayn Owens.

Councilman Cooper suggested exploring alternative options rather than reducing the 90- day cash reserves.

Councilwoman Cruz supported Councilman Cooper’s comments.

With the conclusion of the proposed 2026 budget discussion, City Manager Gleason provided the City Manager Update. New hires: Lauren Henrichsmeyer, Police FOIA Specialist and Brett Hill, Police Support Officer, Jolie Archer, Civil Engineer I. Appointments: Nicholas Shasteen, Fleet Mechanic and Jason Kretsinger, Building Official. Promotions: Jacob Gracey, Engineering Tech II. Retirement: Jason Derbort, Decatur Police Detective. He also highlighted the efforts of city employees who participated in the WSOY Community Food Drive, expressing gratitude to LeAnne Bond and Jessica Taylor for leading the efforts.

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

R2025-278 Item A. Resolution Authorizing Agreements with U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for Community Development Block Grant Funds (CDBG) and Home Investment Partnership (HOME) Funds FY2025 R2025-279 Item B. Resolution Authorizing Termination of Agreement with Community Investment Corporation of Decatur, Inc. R-97-01 for Professional Services 2025-71 Item C. Ordinance Annexing Territory 3037 South Wheatland Road R2025-280 Item D. Resolution Accepting the Bid Price from Homer Tree Care for Tree Removal Various Locations

R2025-281 Item E. Resolution Accepting the Bid Price from Oak Bros Tree Care & Removal LLC for Tree Removal Various Locations

R2025-282 Item F. Resolution Approving Reappointments - Civil Service Commission Item G. Receiving and Filing of Minutes of Boards and Commissions

R2025-283 Item H. Resolution Regarding Halloween Trick or Treat Hours

Councilwoman Gregory moved Items A. through H. be approved by Omnibus Vote; 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.

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

Mayor Moore Wolfe thanked WSOY for organizing the Community Food Drive, which supports food pantries throughout the county.

There being no Other Business, Mayor Moore Wolfe called for Recess to Closed Executive Session at 8:19 p.m. pursuant to Open Meetings Act Section 2(c)(1) the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance or dismissal of specific employees of the public body.

Council returned to the regular City Council meeting following Closed Executive Session at 9:19 p.m.

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 9:19 p.m.

https://www.decaturil.gov/539/Agendas-Video-Archive