REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Lincoln City Hall, Council Chambers
700 Broadway Street | Lincoln, Illinois
Tuesday, December 19, 2021
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 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
Treasurer Chuck Conzo
City Attorney John Hoblit
Police Chief Paul Adams
Remotely:
Alderman Ron Fleshman, Ward 2
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 Participation:
Chuck Duncan from Advanced Disposal called in to the meeting to address the Council. Mr. Duncan asked if there were intentions to send the Trash agreement out for RFP and if so, when the RFP packet would be available. Acting Mayor Welch said that this topic was on tonight’s agenda as a discussion topic and these questions should be answered then. Mr. Duncan will be listening and available for questions from the Council if needed.
Presentation:
Patti Becker, 2 presentations - United Way 2-1-1 & the Equity Challenge Program
United Way 2-1-1:
This is a program much like 911 but for social services. It has been around for 20 years. 80% of Illinois have 2-1-1 programs and is sponsored by United Way. United Way has partnered with PATH to bring 2-1-1 to Logan County. It costs $150/month, price is based on County size. People can call in a receive information for Rental assistance, Health questions, anyone suicidal or with mental health concerns. Trained volunteers are available 24/7 with the most current database to get the caller help or assistance. So far 2-1-1 (Logan County) has received 109 calls, 85 of those calls have been inquiring about housing and shelter.
Equity Challenge Program
$2500 grant was received by United Way to be used to get the word out for this Program. This is a 21 week challenge that began 1/18/2021. You may enter the challenge by signing up on their website. You’ll then receive weekly emails and videos on the topic of the week. These emails/videos are to teach us about our relationships with people that are different from ourselves. You can join the challenge at any time.
The United Way received $10,000 from the Healing Illinois grant. $2500 was used for the promotion of the Equity Challenge Program, the other $7500 will be used to for other activities within Logan County.
Acting Mayor Welch moved to other items on the agenda.
Consent Agenda by Omnibus Vote:
A. Payment of Bills
Alderman Downs made the motion to approve, seconded by Steve Parrott. Acting Mayor Welch called for 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 in Dec 2017, 2018, and 2019. November 2020 had substantial Bond payments
Municipal Sales Tax & State Use Tax – up $64,000
Non Home Rule Sales Tax – down $27,000
Video Gaming – down $150,000
Utility Tax – down $12,000
Overall the City is down $276,400 for the year.
B. City Clerks Report for December, 2020
$386,230.30 was received in sewer payments. Total payments of $108,706.63 was received from both prisons.
There were 1700 changes to sewer bills after the Oct, Nov, Dec water reads. Constituents need to be sure to open their bill and make any necessary changes to automated payments that they have set up through their banks.
C. Department Head Reports for December, 2020
These reports are either on file or will be soon.
Acting Mayor Welch moved to other items on the agenda.
New Business/Communications:
A. Approval of Pay Application No. 5 for Plocher Construction Company, Inc. for Lincoln CSO Improvement in the amount not to exceed $829,990.14.
Alderman Kevin Bateman made the motion to approve, Alderman Fleshman seconded. Acting Mayor Welch called for 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)
B. Approval of City of Lincoln, IL's Economic Support Business Sustainability Grant in the amount of $2,500.00 to each of the following applicants pending approval of the Cures Grant applications by the State of Illinois: Athletic Position and El Mazatlan.
Alderman Ron Keller made the motion to approve, Alderwoman Kathy Horn seconded. Acting Mayor Welch called for 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. Approval to hire two (2) replacement Police Officers.
Acting Mayor Welch called upon Chief Adams to speak on this item.
Chief Adams informed the council that Aaron Pickett left the force in Nov 2020. He was unable to find a replacement due to availability. Mr. Christopher Phillips becomes available in February 2021 and may be hired pending background checks. Chief Adams just received a resignation from Chase Fox, he is moving to Missouri. Mr. Fox will also need a replacement.
Alderwoman Horn made the motion to approve, Alderman Hoinacki seconded. Acting Mayor Welch called for 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)
D. Approval of Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway Membership.
Alderman Bateman made the motion to approve, Alderman Parrott seconded.
The membership benefits are listed in the agenda packet along with the annual dues. This membership fee is $250/year. This fee will come out of the hotel/motel line.
Acting Mayor Welch called for 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 quote from Bodine Electric not to exceed $5,982.94 to repair Motor Control Center Air Conditioning Unit #2
Alderman Bateman made the motion to approve, seconded by Alderman Downs.
One A/C unit has already been repaired. The 2nd unit is in need of a blower, which will take the repair line over its budget. Mr. Bowns brought this item to the council for approval.
Acting Mayor Welch called for 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)
F. Approval for Request for Special Use Permit at 3103 Woodlawn Road.
Alderman Downs made the motion to approve, seconded by Alderman Keller.
A new project requesting a Special Use Permit for a Drive thru window. The Planning Commission unanimously approved the request and is now before the Council. This restaurant is a Starbucks. Construction is expected to begin in March.
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)
G. Approval of quote from Anderson Electric not to exceed $1,985.00 to terminate and test fiber optic cabling.
Alderman Downs made the motion to approve, seconded by Alderman Parrott. Acting Mayor Welch called on Chief Adams (also The City’s IT dept) to speak on this item.
Chief Adam’s said there has been dark fiber connected to the Courthouse for years. Termination has already been done on the City side. There are 6 different fibers that will been to be terminated and tested. Once that has been done, the connection can be made to City Hall. This will allow the Fire Department to run more efficiently with their records and connect directly to Sangamon County.
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. Approval of reduction in Liquor License Renewal for F.Y. 2021/2022
Alderman Bateman made the motion to approve, seconded by Alderman Fleshman.
As requested, this item was brought before the liquor commission. There was no official vote, however the Commission gave their blessing. The memo in the agenda packet reads…
Packaged liquor– no reduction
Restaurant/Tavern - $1200 down to $625
Restaurant/Tavern w/gaming - $2250 down to $1125
Wine Cellar – $700 down to $350
Micro Brewery & Catering – no reduction
Club license w/out gaming - $350 down to $175
Club license w/ gaming - $1350 down to $650
Reductions will be for FY 21/22 only and will not include any new businesses. The application process is still the same and the deadline is April 9th. These reductions will total $38,250 is revenue loss.
Acting Mayor Welch called for further discussion, there being none, City Clerk Bateman called roll.
Yeas: (6) Alderman Steve Parrott, Alderman Tracy Welch, Alderman Ron Keller, Alderman Kevin Bateman, Alderman Jeff Hoinacki, Alderman Ron Fleshman
Nays: (0)
Abstain: (2) Alderwoman Kathy Horn, Alderman Sam Downs
Absent: (0)
Discussion:
Mandated Trash Agreement
The current Trash Agreement with Area Disposal will end in Feb 2021. Area Disposal gave 2 extension quotes to The City...
1. One year extension
$16.33/month for regular trash service
$14.55/month for seniors
2. Two year extension
$16.74/month for regular trash service
$14.91/month for seniors
Alderman Bateman feels the continued issue with the trash mandate is rental properties. He’d like to see all trash accounts for rental properties be in the Landlords name. The landlord can pass the fee on to their tenants and eliminate bills not being paid or trash service not allowed to be turned on due to nonpayment of the last tenant. This change needs to be written into City code.
The trash mandate first started because the large dumpster on Kickapoo St that was used for recycling, cost the City $60,000/year. The City entered an agreement with Area to offer free curb side recycling and lowered rates for the majority of the constituents.
This will be placed on the next agenda to vote on a one year extension. Alderman Bateman will work with City Attorney Hoblit to write language into the code to mandate that trash service be in the landlord’s name, not the tenants.
Acting Mayor Welch moved to other items on the agenda.
Announcements:
· The CURE grant was submitted on January 15th. With payroll for Police and Fire included, the City was able to request reimbursement for approx. $2.3 million. $598,000 is the amount that has been earmarked for the City of Lincoln.
· Union Street Construction Update: Pay waivers that were required to close out the contract with the initial Construction Company and been received. Work should resume soon, hopefully by mid-February. Alderman Fleshman will check with Mr. Bowns and Christy Crites to see if the barricaded area on Union could be cleaned up and reopened for the residents along that road to park until construction resumes.
· Municipal Aggregation: Has been uploaded to the City website and is ready to go out for RFP. The release for RFP is today 1/19/2021, proposals are due 1/29/2021, proposal openings will be 2/1/2021 at 9am at City Hall, Council will review the proposals at the Regular City Council Meeting on 2/16/2021, contact signing will be 2/19/2021.
· Our area has returned to Phase 4. Information for what Phase 4 entails will be on the City website. Acting Mayor Welch would like all City buildings and the Depot wait station to reopen on January 25, 2021. The Tourism Bureau will also reopen on the 25th. There will be a resolution on the 2/1/2021 agenda to vote on to reinstate Committee of the Whole meetings. The next COW will be 2/9/2021.
Executive Session | 2 (C) (2) Collective Bargaining:
There being no further announcements to come before the council, Alderman Keller made a motion to move into Executive Session, seconded by Alderman Parrott. City Clerk Bateman called the roll.
Present:
Alderman Tracy Welch, Ward 1
Alderman Steve Parrott, Ward 1
Alderman Sam Downs, Ward 2
Alderman Ron Fleshman, Ward 2
Alderman Kevin Bateman, Ward 3
Alderman Ron Keller, Ward 3
Alderwoman Kathy Horn, Ward 4
Alderman Jeff Hoinacki, Ward 4
Yeas: (8) Alderman Tracy Welch, Alderman Sam Downs, Alderman Ron Keller, Alderman Kevin Bateman, Alderman Jeff Hoinacki, Alderwoman Kathy Horn, Alderman Steve Parrott, Alderman Ron Fleshman
Nays: (0)
Abstain: (0)
Absent: (0)
The council recessed from the meeting at 8:56pm in order to enter into Executive Session. Acting Mayor Welch announced there would be no further city business conducted upon reconvening.
Return from Executive Session:
The council reconvened from Executive Session at 9:41pm in order to reconvene the Committee of the Whole meeting. Roll call was taken.
Present:
Alderman Tracy Welch, Ward 1
Alderman Steve Parrott, Ward 1
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
Absent:
Alderman Ron Fleshman, Ward 2
Adjournment:
There being no further discussion to come before the City Council of Lincoln, Alderman Bateman motioned to adjourn, seconded by Alderman Parrott. Acting Mayor Welch adjourned the meeting at 9:41 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted By:
Charity Hutchison, Recording Secretary
City of Lincoln