Report

REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING

Lincoln City Hall, Council Chambers

700 Broadway Street | Lincoln, Illinois

Monday, December 21, 2020

 

The Regular Meeting of the City Council of Lincoln was called to order by Acting Mayor Welch at 7:05, 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 Ron Keller, Ward 3

Alderman Kevin Bateman, Ward 3

Alderwoman Kathy Horn, Ward 4

Alderman Jeff Hoinacki, Ward 4

Staff Present:

City Clerk Peggy Bateman

Treasurer Chuck Conzo

Remotely:

City Administrator Elizabeth Kavelman

City Attorney John Hoblit

Police Chief Paul Adams

Building and Safety Officer Wes Woodhall

Streets Superintendent Walt Landers

Veolia Water, Andrew Bowns

Ambra Knox - CMT

Julie Shipp – Hanson Engineering

Morgan Gleason – Logan County Tourism

Absent:

Fire Chief Bob Dunovsky


Presiding:

Acting Mayor Tracy Welch

 

 

Public Participation:

There was no one present for public participation. 

 

Consent Agenda by Omnibus Vote:
A. Payment of Bills

B. Approval of minutes November 6, 2020 Regular City Council Meeting

Alderman Hoinacki made the motion to approve, Alderwoman Horn seconded.  Acting Mayor Welch called for discussion.

Alderman Bateman asked Superintendent Landers where the 18 trees were planted that cost $8000.  9 trees were planted along the fairgrounds on Woodlawn Rd, 2 were planted on Malerich Drive, 2 were planted on Taylor Court behind the hospital, 2 were planted near Northwest School, 2 were planted at Ladue and Pulaski, and 1 was planted in Mayfair on Regent St. 

The City will receive reimbursement from the billboard company for 4 trees that were planted on Woodlawn at the fairgrounds. The billboard company cut them down due to poor visibility of the billboard.  The other 5 trees had been previously removed due to deteriorating condition of the trees. 

There being no further discussion, City Clerk Bateman called roll.

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

Nays: (0)

Abstain: (0)

Absent: (0)

Acting Mayor Welch moved to other items on the agenda.


Ordinance and Resolution:
A. Ordinance 2020-935 for Tax Levy for Tax Year 2020

Alderman Parrot made the motion to approve, Alderman Downs seconded. 

Treasurer Conzo gave the Council comparisons of Tax Levies where The City is now to where the city was since 1999. The City’s tax rates have declined…from 1.26220 down to 1.1509 in 2019. The City’s portion of property taxes have also declined over the years…from 14.6 down to 11.79. The rate proposed tonight is a cost of living tax increase of 2.3%.  Mr. Conzo also wanted to point out that the school districts are asking for much larger increases.  LCHS is asking for 4.6% and WLB is asking for 10.8%. 

30% of the Tax Levy goes to the Police & Fire pension funds.  Of that 30%, 45% goes to the Police Pension and 55% goes to the Fire Pension.  The remaining 70% goes to the General Fund.  The County Treasurer directly deposits the amounts to the Police & Fire Pension accounts. 

Alderman Bateman suggests that the Utility tax be reconfigured so that a bigger percentage goes into the pension and less goes into the General Fund.  This could make up the difference for the pensions instead of increasing the Tax Levy.

Acting Mayor Welch suggested moving to one of the other percentage scenarios (1.5%) that Treasurer Conzo provided the Council.  

Alderman Downs suggested raising the Tax Levy by 2.3% and reconfigure the Utility Tax.

Alderman Welch proposed an amended tax increase rate of 1.5%.  Alderman Keller seconded.  

     

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

 

Yeas: (6) Alderman Steve Parrott, Alderman Tracy Welch, Alderman Sam Downs, Alderman Ron Keller, Alderman Jeff Hoinacki, Alderwoman Kathy Horn, Alderman Ron Fleshman

Nays: (2) Alderman Jeff Hoinacki, Alderman Kevin Bateman

Abstain: (0)

Absent: (0)

B.  Ordinance 2020-936 authorizing the sale of excess personal property

 

Alderman Bateman made the motion to approve (which a change to state City Property rather than Personal Property), Alderman Downs seconded.   Acting Mayor Welch called for discussion. 

Each department head submitted a list of items, to the City Clerk, that no longer work, no longer use, are obsolete, or would cost a fortune to repair. 

Superintendent Landers suggested doing sealed bids.  The items that are worth significant amounts of money should have a reserve set.  Pictures can be taken of each item and posted online.  Appointments could be set up if individuals want to view an item prior to bidding. 

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

 

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

Nays: (0)

Abstain: (0)

Absent: (0)

 

Acting Mayor Welch moved to other items on the agenda.

 

Reports:

A.  City Treasurer’s Report for December 2020

 

General Fund – lower than last month due to bond payments

Police & Fire Pensions – increased due to stock market investments

Municipal Sales Tax and State Sales Tax – up approx. $57,000 from a year ago

State Income Tax – up $18,000 from a year ago

Non Home Rule Sales Tax – down $22,930 from a year ago. 

Video Gaming Tax – down $73,000 from a year ago due to COVID-19

Utility Tax – down $12,447 from a year ago

 

B.  City Treasurer’s Annual Report for FY 2019-2020

 

The annual audit is done on an accrued basis and the Treasurer’s Report is done on a cash basis, so numbers may not match up. 

The report shows the Revenue Summary. 

The report also shows the Expenditure Summary and shows each vendor the City has paid.  By law, the City is required to show anything paid out at $1500 and higher, however the Treasurer likes to show anything paid out at $250 or more to show a greater level of transparency.  

 

C.  City Clerk’s Report for December 2020

 

$409,592.15 was received in sewer payments in November 2020.

There weren’t any payments received from either prison.

 

D.  Department Head Reports for December 2020

 

These reports are on file or will be shortly. 

 

Acting Mayor Welch moved to other items on the agenda.



New Business/Communications:
A. City if Lincoln and Logan County Tourism Bureau 2021 Funding Agreement

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

Morgan Gleason was present via Zoom to speak on this item.  The only change was the percentage from 90% to 95%. 

Ms. Gleason listed Tourism’s accomplishments over the past year…

A new visitor brochure, a new website, took possession of The Mill, put up info signs at the North and South Interstate exits leading to Tourism, and The Christmas Cruise.  

The State grant that they received annually was cut in half due to COVID-19.  Tourism received The Business Interruption Grant in the amount of $15,000. 

The siding on The Mill will be completed by the end of January.  Next will be HVAC and gutters.  Opening date is still slated for April 2021. 

Alderman Keller would like to keep the percentage at 90% and revisit in a few months during budget discussions. 

Alderman Bateman would also like to keep the percentage at 90% and use the difference to focus on the City parks. 

Treasurer Conzo shared that there is a $61,000 balance in the hotel/motel line and he suggests keeping it at 95% for at least the next year, not permanently, due to Tourism’s revenue being down considerably.    

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

Yeas: (6) Alderman Steve Parrott, Alderman Tracy Welch, Alderman Sam Downs, Alderman Jeff Hoinacki, Alderwoman Kathy Horn, Alderman Ron Fleshman

Nays: (2) Alderman Ron Keller, Alderman Kevin Bateman

Abstain: (0)

Absent: (0)

B.  Approval of City of Lincoln Financial Audit prepared by Estes, Bridgewater & Ogden for FY 2019-2020.

 

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

 

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

Nays: (0)

Abstain: (0)

Absent: (0)

 

C. Consideration of placing the Abolishment of the Civil Service on the ballot for the April 6, 2021 Consolidated Election. 

 

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

City Attorney Hoblit will be creating an ordinance on this item for the Council to review and vote on at the next meeting on Jan 4th.  He stated this will be the last meeting the Council will have to discuss this item.  Efforts are to be made to inform the public as to what they are voting on at the next election. 

There was no other discussion and nothing to vote on as this was just a consideration.

 

D. Authorization for Mayor to send letter to U.P.R.R. to pause work on project until further notice.

Alderman Hoinacki made the motion to approve, Alderwoman Horn seconded.  Acting Mayor Welch called for discussion. 

This refers to the force account. 

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

 

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

Nays: (0)

Abstain: (0)

Absent: (0)

 

E.  Approval of extension of Preliminary Engineering Agreement with U.P.R.R. for an increase of $8,000.00, with a total amount not to exceed $15,000.00.

 

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 Steve Parrott, Alderman Tracy Welch, Alderman Sam Downs, Alderman Ron Keller,  Alderman Jeff Hoinacki, Alderwoman Kathy Horn, Alderman Ron Fleshman

Nays: (1) Alderman Kevin Bateman

Abstain: (0)

Absent: (0)

 

F.  Approval of U.P.R.R. invoice for 5th Street Road Project not to exceed $593.33.

 

Alderwoman Horn made the motion to approve, Alderman Downs 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, Alderwoman Kathy Horn, Alderman Ron Fleshman

Nays: (1) Alderman Kevin Bateman

Abstain: (0)

Absent: (0)

 

G.  Authorization of payment of City of Lincoln Economic Development Grant Application reimbursement funds to Julie Tarter, owner of Mary Todd’s Hallmark, for $6,250.00.

 

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

Alderman Hoinacki has joined this Commission to replace Alderman Keller.  The work for this grant is completed and Mr. Woodhall has completed his final inspection.  Receipts were also submitted to the Commission.      

There was concern with the approval process for this grant.  Alderman Bateman wants the Council to have the final say in the grant approval.  Recommendations regarding the matter will be drawn up and brought to the Council at a later meeting.  

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

 

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

Nays: (0)

Abstain: (0)

Absent: (0)

H.  Authorization for Acting Mayor Welch to submit a letter on behalf of the Lincoln City Council and sign the required documents to IDOT requesting $200,000.00 be transferred from Right-of-Way (ROW) Land Acquisition Funding to the Preliminary Engineering line for pre-construction engineering services.

 

Alderman Downs made the motion to approve, Alderman Bateman seconded for discussion.

There was $900,000 in the ROW line, which will not be used in its entirety, and the Preliminary Engineering Line only had $419,775, which has already been exceeded.   

Acting Mayor Welch 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 Jeff Hoinacki, Alderwoman Kathy Horn, Alderman Ron Fleshman

Nays: (1) Alderman Kevin Bateman

Abstain: (0)

Absent: (0)

 

I.  Closing of various City offices on December 24, 2020. 

 

Superintendent Landers made a recommendation that employees report for work and then department heads could possibly let employees go home early if the day allows.

Dec 24th is a deadline to file for election purposes.  If the City closes, that filing date will be extended through the 28th

There is also the option to forego another holiday in favor of taking Christmas Eve off annually.  

The Lincoln Municipal Services Building and City Hall will close at noon on Christmas Eve.

Alderman Parrott made the amended motion to close at noon on Christmas Eve, Alderman Downs seconded.  Acting Mayor Welch called for further discussion, there being none, City Clerk Bateman called roll.

 

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

Nays: (0)

Abstain: (0)

Absent: (0)

Acting Mayor Welch moved to other items on the agenda.

Discussion:

A.  Extension of payment plans for delinquent sewer bills

 

This item has been removed from the agenda and will be revisited at a later date.

 

B.  Discussion on status of CSO Union Street Improvements. 

 

This item has been removed from the agenda and will be revisited at a later date.

 

 

Acting Mayor Welch moved to other items on the agenda.

 

Announcements:

·         Alderman Bateman wanted to clarify that the City Council does not have the authority to close or reopen any business regarding COVID-19. 

·         Reminder to businesses to get in contact with City Administrator Kavelman to apply for their $2500 grant.  The deadline is Dec 31st

·         Comcast will be reimbursing fees for Regional Sports Channel that some customers were not receiving and should have.

 

 

Adjournment:

There being no further discussion to come before the City Council of Lincoln, Alderman Keller motioned to adjourn, seconded by Alderman Parrott. Acting Mayor Welch adjourned the meeting at 9:04 p.m.

 

Respectfully Submitted By:

Charity Hutchison, 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)

 

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