REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING

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

Monday, October 19, 2020 

The Regular Meeting of the City Council of Lincoln was called to order by Acting Mayor Welch at 7:00pm, with proper notice given. City Clerk Peggy Bateman called roll.

Present:

Alderman Tracy Welch, Ward 1

Alderman Steve Parrott, Ward 1

Alderman Ron Fleshman, Ward 2

Alderman Sam Downs, Ward 2

Alderman Kevin Bateman, Ward 3

Alderman Ron Keller, Ward 3

Alderwoman Kathy Horn, Ward 4

Alderman Jeff Hoinacki, Ward 4

Staff Present:

City Administrator Elizabeth Kavelman

City Clerk Peggy Bateman

City Attorney John Hoblit

Treasurer Chuck Conzo

Police Chief Paul Adams

Remotely:

Fire Chief Bob Dunovsky

Building and Safety Officer Wes Woodhall

Streets Superintendent Walt Landers

Veolia Water, Andrew Bowns

Absent: Presiding:

Acting Mayor Tracy Welch

Public Comment:

Shawn Taylor spoke about a program that he started 4 years ago that provides small, solar homes to homeless people.  He also sets up education options for the homeless people as well.  In return for housing and education, they will sustain urban farms, and provide produce for their neighborhood.

Acting Mayor Welch instructed Mr. Taylor to touch base with City Administrator Kavelman to discuss further and bring more information back to the Council.

Consent Agenda by Omnibus Vote:

  • Payment of Bills
  • Approval of Trick or Treat Hours on Saturday, October 31, 2020 from 5:00 pm until 8:00 pm in the City of

 

C.  Approval of City of Lincoln Holiday Schedule for calendar year 2021.

  • Approval of City of Lincoln Regular City Council Meeting and Committee of the Whole Meeting Schedule for calendar year

Alderman Keller made the motion to approve, Alderman Fleshman seconded. Acting Mayor Welch 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 Jeff Hoinacki, Alderman Kathy Horn, Alderman Ron Fleshman

Nays: (0)

Abstain: (1) Alderman Kevin Bateman Absent:  (0)

Acting Mayor Welch moved to other items on the agenda. Reports

A. City Treasurer's  Report for September, 2020 General Fund Balance has improved from a month ago. Sewer Bond Payment is due Nov 2020

Sewer O&M down due to Sewer upgrades Sales Tax is up since last year

Non Home Rule Sales Tax has gone down some

State Income Tax- increase due to late filing deadlines MFT - small increase from a year ago

Video gaming Tax - up stronger than a year ago.

8. City Clerks Report for September, 2020

$381,722.76 was received for Sewer payments. One payment from the prison in the amount of

$12,022.60

C. Department Head Reports for September, 2020 Reports are either on file or will be soon.

Acting Mayor Welch moved to other items on the agenda. New  Business/Communications:

  • Approval of Payment Application 2 for Plocher Construction Company for CSO

Improvements in an amount not to exceed $701,004.40.

Alderman Hoinacki made the motion to approve, Alderman Bateman seconded. Acting Mayor Welch called for discussion, there being none, City Clerk Bateman called roll.

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

Nays: (0)

Abstain: (0)

Absent: (0)

 

  • Approval of change order 1from Plocher Construction Company for the CSO Upgrade Projects in an amount not to exceed $1,312.50.

Alderman Bateman made the motion to approve, Alderwoman Horn seconded. Acting Mayor Welch called for discussion, there being none, City Clerk Bateman called roll.

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

Nays: (0)

Abstain: (0)

Absent: (0)

  • Approval of Pay Application 4 (Final) from Stark Engineering for Union Street Pump Station Construction in an amount not to exceed $70,000.00

Alderman Parrott made the motion to approve, Alderman Bateman seconded. This is the final payout for Stark. Acting Mayor Welch called for discussion, there being none, City Clerk Bateman called roll.

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

Nays: (0)

Abstain: (0)

Absent: (0)

  • Advise and Consent to the Mayoral appointment of Blake Shelton, Jan Gleason, Jeanette Harris, Sherese Johnson, Zach Landers, Joe Schaler, Laurie Hill, Stacey Freeze, Michele Bauer, Elijah Hewitt, Marty Neitzel, and Ron Keller as members of the Diversity and Inclusion

Alderman Hoinacki made the motion to approve, Alderwoman Horn seconded. Acting Mayor Welch called for discussion, there being none, City Clerk Bateman called roll.

Yeas: (7) Alderman Tracy Welch, Alderman Sam Downs ,Alderman Kevin Bateman, Alderman Jeff Hoinacki, Alderman Kathy Horn, Alderman Steve Parrott, Alderman Ron Fleshman

Nays: (0)

Abstain: (0) Alderman Ron Keller Absent:  (0)

  • Approval of Rules and Guidelines for the Employee-Management Insurance Advisory Committee {EMIAC}.

Alderman Fleshman made the motion to approve, Alderman Keller seconded. Acting Mayor Welch called for discussion, there being none, City Clerk Bateman called roll.

 

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

Nays: (0)

Abstain: (1) Alderman Kevin Bateman

Absent: (0)

  

  • Approval of payment policy sent by Certified S. Mail for Sewer Customers with accounts with delinquent balances as of March 31, 2020.

 

Alderman Bateman made a motion to discuss this item, seconded by Alderman Downs.

Alderman Bateman changed his mind and would rather past due account holders reach out to the Clerk's office.

Alderman Hoinacki made the motion to remove item 9F from the agenda. Alderman Bateman seconded.

Acting Mayor Welch called for discussion, there being none, City Clerk Bateman called roll.

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

Nays: (0)

Abstain: (0)

Absent: (0) 

 

  • Approval of payment policy for Sewer Customers with accounts with delinquent balances Incurred since March 31, 

Alderman Bateman made the motion to approve, Alderman Fleshman seconded. Acting Mayor Welch called for discussion.

Alderman Bateman rescinded his motion and Alderman Fleshman rescinded his second.

The following language will be added to the letter being sent out with any delinquent sewer bill, on 10/30/2020... If  you would like to set up a payment plan . the City will stop all additional late fees as long  as vou adhere to the payment plan which must be approved by November  16. 2020

 

Alderman Bateman made the motion to approve the new language, Alderman Fleshman seconded. Acting Mayor Welch called for discussion.

Alderman Bateman asked The City Clerk to include all payment plans in her monthly report.

Acting Mayor Welch called for further discussion, there being none, City Clerk Bateman called roll.

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

Nays: (0)

Abstain: (0)

Absent: (0)

 

  • Approval of Professional Services Agreement between Azavar Audit Solutions, and the City of Lincoln.

 

Alderman Parrott made the motion to discuss, Alderman Downs seconded.

Alderman Bateman did find out that there are hidden fees. He did not care for the lack of professionalism shown from the gentleman addressing the council via phone, when he put the council on hold to take another call.

Alderman Keller did not care for the extra labor if would/could put on the Clerk's office without any guarantee return.

City Administrator Kavelman will be looking into other agencies that offer similar results with less cost being paid to the agency and with minimal labor to the City.

Acting Mayor Welch called for discussion, there being none, City Clerk Bateman called roll.

Yeas: (0)

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

Abstain: (0)

Absent: (0) 

 

Announcements:

  • Job Fair at Hampton Inn on 10/21 from 1pm-6pm. Looking for a Swine Production Assistant at a local
  • Trick or Treat with the Mayor will be on 10/31 from 1Oam-12pm at Latham

Adjournment:

There being no further discussion to come before the City Council of Lincoln, Alderman Keller motioned to adjourn, seconded by Alderman Hoinacki. All were in favor. Acting Mayor Welch adjourned the meeting at 8:20 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted By:

Charity Hutchison, Recording Secretary