View

REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING

Lincoln City Hall, Council Chambers 700 Broadway Street I Lincoln, Illinois

Monday, December 16, 2019

Presiding:

Mayor Seth Goodman

The Regular Meeting of the City Council of Lincoln was called to order by Mayor Seth Goodman at 7:05 p.m.,with proper notice given. City Clerk Peggy Bateman called roll.

Present:

Alderman Tracy Welch,Ward 1

Alderman Steve Parrott, Ward 1

Alderman Kathryn Schmidt, Ward 2

Alderman Sam Downs, Ward 2

Alderman Kevin Bateman,Ward 3                                                          /

Alderman Ron Keller, Ward 3

Alderman Kathy Horn, Ward 4

Alderman Jeff Hoinacki,Ward 4

Staff Present:

City Administrator Elizabeth Kavelman

City Attorney John Hoblit

City Clerk Peggy Bateman

Treasurer Chuck Conzo

Fire Chief Bob Dunovsky

Police Chief Paul Adams

Building and Safety Officer Wes Wooclhall

Streets Superintendent Walt Landers

Veolia Water, Andrew Bowns

Absent: None

Public Comment:

Mayor Goodman called upon citizens registered to speak.There being no public participation, Mayor Goodman moved down to other agenda items.

Consent Agenda by Omnibus Vote:

A. Approval of the payment of bills

B.Approval of the closing of City Hall,the Municipal Services Building and other city offices on the U.S. Christmas Eve Holiday, Tuesday, December 24, 2019

Alderman Welch made a motion to approve, seconded by Alderman Keller. Mayor Goodman called for further discussion, there being none, City Clerk Bateman called roll.

Yeas: (7) Alderman Steve Parrott, Alderman Tracy Welch, Alderman Kathryn Schmidt, Alderman Sam Downs, Alderman Ron Keller,Alderman Jeff Hoinacki,Alderman Kathy Horn

Nays: (0)

Abstain:(1) Alderman Kevin Bateman

Absent: (0)

 

Mayor Goodman moved to other items on the agenda.

Ordinance and Resolution Ordinance Amending Sec.6-4-24 of the City Code pertaining to the proper possession and use of legally acquired cannabis:

Alderman Bateman made a motion to accept it as presented, then Alderman Welch seconded it. City Attorney John Hoblit opened discussion and touched on how the Jaw is changing effective January 2020. He referenced new subsection C - which outlines use of cannabis or use of previously what would be rendered unlawful cannabis. He said he adjusted the penalties section and some of the language In other areas. He said as it stands, this is what they are looking at. He said it reflected what was becoming legal.

He asked if there were any questions.Alderman Steve Parrott asked about the fines -asking if they were reflective of the county or the liquor fines. Mr. Hoblit said they mimic the county, but the council could always amend or increase the fines. He said the fines are there as an avenue of relief for officers.If they do not wish to go that route - he mentioned maybe a criminal charge rather than an ordinance violation.

Yeas: (8) Alderman Steve Parrott,Alderman Tracy Welch, Alderman Kathryn Schmidt, Alderman Sam Downs, Alderman Ron Keller, Alderman Kevin Bateman, Alderman Jeff Hoinacki,Alderman Kathy Horn

Nays: (0)

Abstain: (0)

Absent: (0)

D. Approval of Tax Levy for Tax Year 2019

Mayor Goodman moved this item up. Alderman Hoinacki made a motion to approve, seconded by Alderman Welch. Mayor Goodman called for comment -Treasurer Chuck Conzo weighed in saying there would bean increase in the bond levy G 0 Bond Retirement Fund than what was previously proposed -the numbers were less . ..it would now be down to $177,909 - a difference of $56.He referenced adding this to the firemen's pension fund. He said he knew this was discussed during a Committee of the Whole (COW) meeting.

Alderman Keller said in checking it out - he was curious about how the new Illinois Pension Consolidation Bill would impact this. He said the governor is due to sign this probably this week. He said it would pool the pension funds together to get a greater rate of return. He said the aim was to eliminate some pressure on municipalities. He said the goal was to make this similar to the Illinois Municipal Retirement Pension Fund (IMRF) -to get a higher rate of return and limit some of the pressure on city's such as Lincoln. He said there was a no funds sweep- so the money could not be used for any other purpose.

Alderman Bateman said he would vote no for this - he did not want to use pensions as a reason to raise taxes.

He did not want to add any more burden on the citizens. He said if we really want to get serious about pensions than we should start tightening our belts and move some of the utility tax to the pension fund. He said at one point it has this change - and we are just chasing snow balls down a hill here. Treasurer Chuck Conzo weighed in- thanking Mr. Keller about bringing up the pension consolidation bill. He said this will take place over several years so the city will still need to come up with money to fund it. He said they'd still be required to put in a certain  amount of money such as it is with IMRF. He said it is all governed by state statute.

He said he would point out that when the Utility Tax sold - it was for downtown development and only 30 percent with toward pensions and 70 percent went into utilities. He continued on, giving his opinion on what should have been done. He said he believed this was a very small increase. There being no further discussion - City Clerk Bateman called roll.

Yeas: (7)Alderman Steve Parrott, Alderman Tracy Welch,Alderman Kathryn Schmidt, Alderman Sam Downs, Alderman Ron Keller, Alderman Jeff Hoinacki,Alderman Kathy Hom

Nays: (1) Alderman Kevin Bateman

Abstain:(0)

Absent: (0)

Mayor Goodman moved to other items on the agenda. Reports:

A.City Treasurer's Report for November, 2019

Treasurer Chuck Conzo shared information about accounts that came up for payment this month. He said the amount went down considerably in some of these accounts - he said there were a number of bond payments due December 1 and June 1 and they came up for payment this month (December). He said the Sewer Bond payment is around $600,000. He said we're in a lot better position with that than we were a few years ago. He said having it invested as-is has helped earn interest.

He said if you look at the State Income Tax receipts for the October month of liability - they are up some and doing better than last year. He said the Municipal Sales Tax has an increase over last year as well.

He said the Non-Home Rule Sales Tax -will generally be up in proportion to the Municipal Sales Tax, he said though -that the last few months it has been down by a fraction - he said there's no reason for alarm - but that the rates are applied differently. He mentioned food that was not consumed on the premises - such as groceries and how that impacted taxes. He said so - maybe this was an indication that people are returning to buying groceries in town rather than out of town.

Mr. Conzo then wanted to give a summary of deaths - he said you see the four bonds that we have there - he said the first one if the existing Sewer Bond - it was in the $5 million range when it was taken out in 2014.

He said the other one is the TIF Bond, he said we have that obligation until 2024. He said the other one -the $3,270,000 Alternate Revenue Bond (police station) - the city has made a good start at paying this off. He said finally the bond that was just issued - he said $494,000 bond issue -there's $532,000 principal and interest.

He said the others are loans which are much shorter terms. He said the 2008 firetruck is under a no interest loan through the State of Illinois. He said we don't pay any interest on that. He said it has a longer term and it will be paid off in 2028. He said it was a good deal and unfortunately it is not available anymore. He said it was a 20 year loan.

He said the others are all shorter term. He cited an error that should be "2025" not "2015." He briefly mentioned the Police Vehicles Loan. He asked if there were any questions (non).

B.City Clerks Report for November, 2019

City Clerk Peggy Bateman shared that in the month of November they received $368,195.08 in sewer collections. She said there weren't any payment from either prison.

Mayor Goodman moved to other items on the agenda.

C.Department Head Reports for November, 2019

Mayor Seth Goodman said the Department Head Reports for November are either on file or will be shortly.

New  Business/Communications:

A. Approval of motion to rescind previously approved Alternate Employee Health Insurance Plans that was to be effective as of January 1,2020 Alderman Welch made a motion to approve, seconded by Alderman Hoinacki. Mayor Goodman called for further discussion, there being none, City Clerk Bateman called roll.

Yeas: (7) Alderman Steve Parrott, Alderman Tracy Welch, Alderman Kathryn Schmidt, Alderman Sam Downs, Alderman Ron Keller, Alderman Jeff Hoinacki,Alderman Kathy Horn

Nays: (0)

Abstain: (1) Alderman Kevin Bateman

Absent: (0)

Mayor Goodman moved to other items on the agenda.

B. Approval of Alternate Employee Health Insurance Plans, effective March 1, 2020 Alderman Keller made a motion to approve, seconded by Alderman Horn. Mayor Goodman called for further discussion,there being none, City Clerk Bateman called roll.

Yeas: (7) Alderman Steve Parrott, Alderman Tracy Welch, Alderman Kathryn Schmidt, Alderman Sam Downs, Alderman Ron Keller, Alderman Jeff Hoinacki,Alderman Kathy Horn

Nays: (0)

Abstain: (1) Alderman Kevin Bateman

Absent: (0)

Mayor Goodman moved to other items on the agenda.

C. Approval of agreement between the Logan County Tourism Bureau and the City of Lincoln, effective January 1, 2020 and continuing through December 31, 2020

Alderman Parrott made a motion to approve, seconded by Alderman Schmidt. Mayor Goodman called for further discussion, there being none, City Clerk Bateman called roll.

Yeas: (8) Alderman Steve Parrott, Alderman Tracy Welch, Alderman Kathryn Schmidt, Alderman Sam Downs, Alderman Ron Keller, Alderman Kevin Bateman, Alderman Jeff Hoinacki, Alderman Kathy Horn

Nays: (0)

Abstain: (0)

Absent: (0)

Mayor Goodman moved to other items on the agenda.

D. Approval of the purchase of eight (8) new cameras for the Police Department squad vehicles for an estimated cost of $41,560

Alderman Welch made a motion to approve, seconded by Alderman Schmidt Mayor Goodman called for further discussion, there being none, City Clerk Bateman called roll.

Yeas: (8) Alderman Steve Parrott, Alderman Tracy Welch, Alderman Kathryn Schmidt, Alderman Sam Downs, Alderman Ron Keller, Alderman Kevin Bateman,Alderman Jeff Hoinacki, Alderman Kathy Horn

Nays: (0)

Abstain: (0)

Absent: (0)

Mayor Goodman moved to other items on the agenda

. Announcements:

Mayor Goodman asked if anyone had any announcements.

  • Comcast is changing channel
  • Keller talked about scams - and wanted to alert the public about fraudulent activity, this particular message was about Comcast.
  • Alderman Parrott mentioned a coyote was still running around
  • The next meeting will be January 6, 2020

Adjournment:

There being no further discussion to come before the City Council of Lincoln, Alderman Welch motioned to adjourn, seconded by Alderman Keller. The meeting was adjourned at 7:32 p.m.

 

Respectfully Submitted By:

Alex Williams, Recording Secretary

CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)

Information is available on the following sites:
Logan County Current Statistics

Memorial Health System  - Includes daily statistics for MHS and a COVID-19 Risk Screening

Local Business Resources
Logan County Department of Public Health
Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH)
Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

 

 211

Contact Information

 

cityhall smallCity of Lincoln

City Hall
700 Broadway Street
Lincoln, Illinois 62656

(217)735-2815

 

Legal Disclaimer

Mayor
(217)735-1612
 
Administrative Assistant
(217)732-2122
 
City Clerk
(217)735-2815
 
Building and Safety
(217)732-6318
 
Street and Alley
(217)732-4655
 
Waste Water Treatment
(217)732-4030
 
Fire Department
(217)735-4020
 
Police Department
(217)732-2151