Minutes of the City of Lincoln City Council Committee of the Whole Meeting held in the Council Chambers on Tuesday, April 15, 2014.
Those present were Alderman Anderson, Alderman Bauer, Alderman Cooper, Alderman Hoinacki, Alderman Horn, Alderman Neitzel, and Alderman Tibbs. Also present were Street Superintendent Mr. Landers (he left at 8:36 p.m.), Safety and Building Officer Mr. Lebegue, Fire Chief Miller, American Water/EMC Mgr. Mr. Ferguson, and Police Chief Greenslate. Also present were City Clerk Mrs. Gehlbach, Mayor Snyder, City Attorney Mr. Blinn Bates, City Treasurer Mr. Conzo, City Administrator Ms. McLaughlin, and Recording Secretary Mrs. Riggs.
Mayor Snyder called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. City Clerk Mrs. Gehlbach called the roll call. There were seven Aldermen present (Alderman Anderson, Alderman Bauer, Alderman Cooper, Alderman Hoinacki, Alderman Horn, Alderman Neitzel, and Alderman Tibbs), and one absent (Alderman O’Donohue).
Retail Strategies Presentation:
Chip Roberts was in attendance to present the services of Retail Strategies. They do market analysis and research, prepare a strategic plan and then begin retail recruitment. On May 3, 2014, the trade show will be going on in Las Vegas, Nevada. There will be retail recruitment prospects, aerial photographs and are asking for a three year commitment.
Alderman Tibbs asked what the businesses find the most attractive. Mr. Roberts said the retailers want to come where they can make money. Mayor Snyder asked if they are assigned a lead person. Mr. Roberts said he would remain the lead but the City of Lincoln would get a real estate lead and a researcher.
Mr. Roberts said the downtown will be very different from the West side of Lincoln.
Mayor Snyder said this year’s budget has $25,000.00 and the total cost is $100,000.00. They can pay $25,000.00 this year and it is in the budget for $25,000.00 for FY 15. The City of Lincoln could then pay $25,000.00 in FY 16 and FY 17.
Alderman Hoinacki said this is the right way to go. Mayor Snyder said the City does not have the expertise to do this job. Alderman Hoinacki said to place it on the agenda. Alderman Neitzel thought it was a good idea. Mr. Roberts said this is the size of community they typically work with. It was agreed to put on the agenda for Monday, April 21, 2014.
Petition to revise 2-hour limit on Broadway between the alley & Hamilton St:
Roger Bakken was present asking to remove the 2-hour parking on the 8 parking spots across from Apollo Mart. The postal workers park there during the day while they travel their postal routes and have received parking tickets.
Alderman Tibbs said she would be in favor to change. Alderman Horn asked if there could be signs put up for the postal workers. City Attorney Mr. Bates said it would take an ordinance change. Alderman Tibbs thought it would be good. Mayor Snyder said they would put it on the agenda for Monday, April 21, 2014.
Presentation and Discussion of revised FY 15 Budget:
City Administrator Ms. McLaughlin went over the recommended budget cuts that she handed out.
City Clerk Mrs. Gehlbach said she was requesting raises for Mrs. Fulk and Mrs. Crowell in her office. Alderman Anderson was against the raise for anyone with the Union (Mrs. Crowell). Ms. McLaughlin said she had suggested that they wait until the contract runs out in a year. Alderman Anderson said this was not a statement about Mrs. Crowell.
Mr. Lebegue said that Cori Ingram would go to the code hearings and her job responsibilities will be increasing. He also said the code hearings will be revenue for the City. His main focus is having personnel to do the work in his department.
Fire Chief Miller said the truck used to do medical runs will need to be addressed next year. He had people off due to off duty injuries and the overtime costs hurt his budget.
Police Chief Greenslate said the reduction for police radios was due to the recent replacement through a grant.
Mr. Ferguson said he felt comfortable with the reductions that were made to his budget. Mr. Landers said he was new and was still trying to understand the budget.
Police Chief Greenslate said he is also understaffed. The police department just went to 12 hour shifts.
The Budget will be on the Agenda for Monday, April 21, 2014. Ms. McLaughlin will put together books for the Aldermen after the budget is approved.
Endorsement of Recommendation of United Organization Committee:
Mayor Snyder said the County and City of Lincoln are putting together Chamber of Commerce, Economic Development Partnership, Tourism and Main Street Lincoln. There are many things that are redundant with the four individual organizations. They are suggesting a new organization which will include a small competent board and will hire a CEO for the organization and would be the leader of the staff which will include full time administrative assistants.
Alderman Anderson was fully in favor of this.
Mayor Snyder said the budget has a new line item called New Community Organization. He would like an endorsement from the City Council for the progression of this process.
Historic Preservation Amendment Ordinance:
Mr. Lebegue said he had some minor changes and amendments to the Historic Preservation Ordinance. The Historic Preservation Commission agreed with the changes. He will bring it back to the City of Lincoln City Council at the next Committee of the Whole Meeting.
Recreation Fire Pit Ordinance Amendment:
Fire Chief Miller said he made the changes to the Recreation Fire Pit Ordinance as requested by the City Council at the previous meeting. It will be on the Agenda for Monday, April 21, 2014.
Lincoln Area Music Society Petition:
Mayor Snyder said the Lincoln Area Music Society had a Petition asking to place a sign for the concerts in the park during the summer. It will be placed on the Consent Agenda for April 21, 2014.
Request for membership with the Pension Fairness for Illinois Communities’ Coalition:
Mayor Snyder received a letter from the Illinois Communities’ Coalition. The cost is between $1,000.00 to $4,999.00.
Other Discussion:
There was no discussion.
Upcoming Meetings:
Council: Monday, April 21, 2014 – 7:00 p.m.
Committee of Whole: Tuesday, April 29, 2014 – 7:00 p.m.
Alderman Anderson moved to go into Executive Session pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1) personnel and 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(6) sale of real estate and Alderman Horn seconded it. City Clerk Mrs. Gehlbach called the roll call. There were seven yeas (Alderman Anderson, Alderman Bauer, Alderman Cooper, Alderman Hoinacki, Alderman Horn, Alderman Neitzel, and Alderman Tibbs) zero nays, and one absent (Alderman O’Donohue); motion carried. The meeting adjourned to Executive Session at 8:42 p.m.
The meeting returned to regular Session at 9:35 p.m. City Clerk Mrs. Gehlbach called the roll. There were seven Aldermen present (Alderman Anderson, Alderman Bauer, Alderman Cooper, Alderman Hoinacki, Alderman Horn, Alderman Neitzel, Alderman O’Donohue, and Alderman Tibbs) and one absent (Alderman O’Donohue). Also present were Mayor Snyder, City Treasurer Mr. Conzo, City Attorney Mr. Blinn Bates, City Clerk Mrs. Gehlbach, City Administrator Ms. McLaughlin, and Recording Secretary Mrs. Riggs.
Alderman Anderson brought up about the City Clerk’s office raises.
Mrs. Gehlbach said her office is understaffed. She had contacted other cities and the range for Deputy City Clerk’s was $37,000.00 to $38,000.00.
The following raises were agreed to be given:
Employee Amount
Joy Fulk 5%;
Candy Buche $.50;
Ann Davis $.50;
Kathy Vinyard $.50; and
Amanda Lucas $.50 beginning 11/1/14.
It was agreed to raise Zoning Officer Mr. Lebegue to $63,000.00
Alderman Neitzel made a motion to adjourn the meeting and Alderman Tibbs seconded it. There were seven yeas (Alderman Anderson, Alderman Bauer, Alderman Cooper, Alderman Hoinacki, Alderman Horn, Alderman Neitzel, and Alderman Tibbs) zero nays, and one absent(Alderman O’Donohue); motion carried.
The City of Lincoln Committee of the Whole Meeting adjourned at 10:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Risa Riggs, Recording Secretary
City of Lincoln