REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Lincoln City Hall, Council Chambers
700 Broadway Street | Lincoln, Illinois
Monday, April 6, 2020
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 Colby Leith, Ward 2
Alderman Sam Downs, Ward 2
Alderman Kevin Bateman, Ward 3
Alderman Ron Keller, Ward 3
Alderman Jeff Hoinacki, Ward 4
Staff Present:
City Attorney John Hoblit
City Clerk Peggy Bateman
Treasurer Chuck Conzo
Police Chief Paul Adams
Absent:
Alderman Kathy Horn, Ward 4
Building and Safety Officer Wes Woodhall
Remotely:
City Administrator Elizabeth Kavelman
Fire Chief Bob Dunovsky
Streets Superintendent Walt Landers
Veolia Water, Andrew Bowns
Presiding:
Mayor Seth Goodman
Public Comment:
Gabe Bowden with Illinois American Water gave a presentation remotely regarding a Land Purchase Request from the City. The 3.5 acre piece of land will be were Illinois American Water will build their new plant. The current plant is in a flood plain, the property they are inquiring about is not.
Mr. Bateman asked Mr. Bowden if he had spoken with Street Superintendent, Walt Landers, regarding the access road to the new plant and if it would interfere with the landscape facility. Mr. Bowden turned that question over to Mr. Landers to answer. Mr. Landers said that as long as there was control at the plant, there shouldn’t be an issue. He also said trying to divide the road, between the plant and the landscape waste facility, would cause maintenance problems. Mr. Bowden said that IAW would have their own gate on the plant property.
The Council thanked Mr. Bowden for his presentation and agreed to put it out for bid.
Mayor Goodman moved on to other items on the agenda.
Consent Agenda by Omnibus Vote:
A. Payment of Bills
B. Approval of minutes February 3, 2020 Special Public Meeting, February 3, 2020 Regular City Council Meeting, February 25, 2020 Committee of the Whole Meeting, March 2, 2020 Regular City Council Meeting, March 10, 2020 Committee of the Whole Meeting, March 16, 2020 Regular City Council Meeting.
Alderman Welch made a motion to approve, seconded by Alderman Parrott. Mayor Goodman called for further discussion, there being none, City Clerk Bateman called roll.
Yeas: (7) Alderman Steve Parrott, Alderman Tracy Welch, Alderman Sam Downs, Alderman Ron Keller, Alderman Kevin Bateman, Alderman Jeff Hoinacki, Alderman Colby Leith
Nays: (0)
Abstain: (0)
Absent: (1) Alderman Kathy Horn
Mayor Goodman moved to other items on the agenda.
Ordinance and Resolution:
A. Resolution 2020-409 temporarily suspending Lincoln City Code Rules and Regulations 1-6-4 (D) and 1-6-8
Mr. Hoblit shared that there is an ordinance (1-6-4(D)) within the City Code that if a Council member wishes to attend a meeting remotely, that there needs to be a vote at the beginning of the meeting to grant that. However, since there is state of an emergency issued by the Governor, this resolution would relieve that requirement for the remainder of the emergency. The state of emergency also states that municipalities should eliminate meetings when possible. This resolution will also suspend the Committee of the Whole meetings for the remainder of the emergency to promote social distancing and exposure to the COVID-19 virus.
Alderman Keller made a motion to approve, Alderman Welch seconded. Mayor Goodman called for further discussion, there being none, City Clerk Bateman called roll.
Yeas: (7) Alderman Steve Parrott, Alderman Tracy Welch, Alderman Sam Downs, Alderman Ron Keller, Alderman Kevin Bateman, Alderman Jeff Hoinacki, Alderman Colby Leith
Nays: (0)
Abstain: (0)
Absent: (1) Alderman Kathy Horn
B. Resolution 2020-410 authorizing Chief of Police Paul Adams to sign on behalf of the City for various intergovernmental Agreements, Memorandum of Understanding, and Interagency Agreements with the Illinois State Police.
Mayor Goodman asked if there was a motion to approve. Alderman Parrott made the motion to approve. Alderman Keller seconded. Mayor Goodman asked if Chief Adams would like to speak.
Chief Adams said that the Illinois State Police is looking for a location for a crime scene investigator. The Police Department basically just needs to loan the investigator a desk for free. It would also make response time to crime scenes much quicker and processing can be done locally if need be.
Mayor Goodman asked if there was any further discussion, there being none, City Clerk Bateman called roll.
Yeas: (7) Alderman Steve Parrott, Alderman Tracy Welch, Alderman Sam Downs, Alderman Ron Keller, Alderman Kevin Bateman, Alderman Jeff Hoinacki, Alderman Colby Leith
Nays: (0)
Abstain: (0)
Absent: (1) Alderman Kathy Horn
C. Resolution 2020-411 Authorizing Executive of a Service Agreement with the lowest responsible bidder for the Supply of Electricity for Residential Customers and Small Commercial Retail Customers who do not opt out of such a program.
Mayor Goodman asked if there was a motion to approve. Alderman Welch made the motion to approve. Alderman Hoinacki seconded.
Mr. Welch spoke and shared that this agreement is a two year term. From June 2020 to June 2022. Referring to an email from Mr. Cheger, The City of Lincoln will get the whole group rate of .0424 per kwh. That is a 12% drop from the current rate we have. This is an opt out program. Everyone is automatically enrolled but has the option to opt out. If you do choose to opt out, you will need to wait a year before you can get back in to the program. Mr. Welch said the council would be voting on giving Mayor Goodman the authority to sign the document accepting the rate.
Mrs. Bateman asked if anyone that opted out before, would need to opt out again under the new agreement. Mr. Welch said yes.
Mayor Goodman called for discussion, there being none, City Clerk Bateman called roll.
Yeas: (7) Alderman Steve Parrott, Alderman Tracy Welch, Alderman Sam Downs, Alderman Ron Keller, Alderman Kevin Bateman, Alderman Jeff Hoinacki, Alderman Colby Leith
Nays: (0)
Abstain: (0)
Absent: (1) Alderman Kathy Horn
Mayor Goodman moved on to other items on the agenda.
New Business/Communications:
A. Approval of Side Letter Agreement between the City of Lincoln and the Illinois Fraternal Order Of Police regarding 2020 Health Insurance Plan Changes.
Alderman Keller made the motion to approve. Alderman Welch seconded. Mayor Goodman called for discussion.
Mr. Keller stated that the language has been changed in the contract that both the FOP Union and City agreed on.
There being no further discussion, City Clerk Bateman called the roll.
Yeas: (7) Alderman Steve Parrott, Alderman Tracy Welch, Alderman Sam Downs, Alderman Ron Keller, Alderman Kevin Bateman, Alderman Jeff Hoinacki, Alderman Colby Leith
Nays: (0)
Abstain: (0)
Absent: (1) Alderman Kathy Horn
B. Principal renewal for dental and life insurance coverage effective May 1, 2020. Premium remains the same with no increase to premiums for FY 2020/2021.
Alderman Hoinacki made the motion to approve. Alderman Welch seconded. Mayor Goodman called for discussion.
City Clerk Bateman shared that she received notice that the dental would have a 5.3% increase and a 13% increase for the life insurance. However, due to the Coronavirus, anyone with a renewal date between May 1 and August 1, will not have an increase. So costs will be the same at last year.
Alderman Bateman stated that since this was a benefit that is offered to the City Clerk’s office, he will abstain from voting.
There being no further discussion, City Clerk Bateman called the roll.
Yeas: (6) Alderman Steve Parrott, Alderman Tracy Welch, Alderman Sam Downs, Alderman Ron Keller, Alderman Jeff Hoinacki, Alderman Colby Leith
Nays: (0)
Abstain: (1) Alderman Kevin Bateman
Absent: (1) Alderman Kathy Horn
C. Approval of Welcome to Lincoln Signs at the entrances to the city for Option #2 and foundation installation from Manley Monument Works with a cost not to exceed the amount of$15,340.00.
Alderman Welch made the motion to approve. Alderman Keller seconded.
Mayor Goodman asked Walt to speak regarding this item.
Mr. Landers stated that this has been a project that has been budgeted for a couple years now. The signs are made of granite so they will be low maintenance and long lasting. There are 4 signs that will be placed at the entrances to the city. Once they are in place, landscaping will be added around the signs.
Mr. Keller asked if there was a way to add the year 1853 somewhere to the design for the year the city was founded. Mr. Landers said he would check with Manley Monuments.
There being no further discussion, City Clerk Bateman called the roll.
Yeas: (7) Alderman Steve Parrott, Alderman Tracy Welch, Alderman Sam Downs, Alderman Ron Keller, Alderman Kevin Bateman, Alderman Jeff Hoinacki, Alderman Colby Leith
Nays: (0)
Abstain: (0)
Absent: (1) Alderman Kathy Horn
D. City of Lincoln Audit Proposal from Estes, Bridgewater & Ogden for fiscal years ending April 30, 2020 and 2021 in the amount of $23,500.00 per year.
Alderman Hoinacki made the motion to approve. Alderman Welch seconded. Mayor Goodman called for discussion.
Mr. Conzo shared that the City has used this firm for the past several years and their cost has been $22,000.00 so this is a modest increase.
There being no further discussion, City Clerk Bateman called the roll.
Yeas: (7) Alderman Steve Parrott, Alderman Tracy Welch, Alderman Sam Downs, Alderman Ron Keller, Alderman Kevin Bateman, Alderman Jeff Hoinacki, Alderman Colby Leith
Nays: (0)
Abstain: (0)
Absent: (1) Alderman Kathy Horn
E. Approval of Crawford, Murphy & Tilley invoice #0208314 in the amount of$10,686.25 for Professional Services from February l, 2020 to February 28, 2020 regarding Lincoln Union Street Pump Station Construction.
Alderman Bateman made the motion to approve. Alderman Parrott seconded. Mayor Goodman called for discussion.
Mr. Bateman stated that there will be more invoices coming before the council due to the project beginning. This project is part of the mandated upgrade.
There being no further discussion, City Clerk Bateman called the roll.
Yeas: (7) Alderman Steve Parrott, Alderman Tracy Welch, Alderman Sam Downs, Alderman Ron Keller, Alderman Kevin Bateman, Alderman Jeff Hoinacki, Alderman Colby Leith
Nays: (0)
Abstain: (0)
Absent: (1) Alderman Kathy Horn
F. Approval of Invoice No. 73 from Hanson Professional Services in the amount of $2,390.96 for 5th Street Road Project.
Alderman Welch made the motion to approve. Alderman Hoinacki seconded. Mayor Goodman call for discussion, there being none, City Clerk Bateman called the roll.
Yeas: (6) Alderman Steve Parrott, Alderman Tracy Welch, Alderman Sam Downs, Alderman Ron Keller, Alderman Jeff Hoinacki, Alderman Colby Leith
Nays: (1) Alderman Kevin Bateman
Abstain: (0)
Absent: (1) Alderman Kathy Horn
G. Illinois Downstate Small Business Stabilization Program
Alderman Welch made the motion to approve. Alderman Hoinacki seconded. Mayor Goodman called for discussion.
Mr. Welch shared that this is a program offered by the State of Illinois to offer financial assistance to small businesses. What is unique about it is that it needs to be initiated by the City rather than the business. It will offer up to $25,000 in assistance. Mr. Welch suggests having Chuck Ruben work with City Administrator Beth Kavelman to get applications submitted for any small businesses that needs the help.
There being no further discussion, City Clerk Bateman called the roll.
Yeas: (7) Alderman Steve Parrott, Alderman Tracy Welch, Alderman Sam Downs, Alderman Ron Keller, Alderman Kevin Bateman, Alderman Jeff Hoinacki, Alderman Colby Leith
Nays: (0)
Abstain: (0)
Absent: (1) Alderman Kathy Horn
Mayor Goodman moved on to other items on the agenda.
Discussion:
Budget 2020/2021
Mr. Conzo spoke regarding the budget. He said this was the 1st year that there was a committee that worked on the budget. That committee consisted of Alderman Jeff Hoinacki, Alderman Kathy Horn, City Administrator Beth Kavelman, and himself. They worked on the requests made by the department heads and elected officials. He also shared that revenue projections are going to be difficult due to the Coronavirus. Mr. Conzo spoke with the Municipal League and the City Attorney and he made projections based on the revenue trends year to date during the current fiscal year, then scaled it back. Mr. Conzo will attach a memorandum to the final copy of the budget stating this. If the City finds they will not meet those projections, there is a $2.8 Million Fund Balance in the General Fund. That amount will carry the City for four months.
The Council will have a budget workshop on Tuesday, April 14, 2020 at 5:30 pm.
Alderman Welch spoke to another matter. He would like the council to consider giving the Mayor temporary authority when the city is in a state of emergency so that he/she does not have to wait for council approval to respond to emergency situations.
Announcements:
· Alderman Keller said the Census is still going forward even during a pandemic. The national average response is 45% and Logan County is at 50%.
Adjournment:
There being no further discussion to come before the City Council of Lincoln, Alderman Welch motioned to adjourn, seconded by Alderman Keller. Mayor Goodman adjourned the meeting at 8:15 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted By:
Charity Hutchison, Recording Secretary
City of Lincoln