COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING

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

Tuesday, June 29, 2021

The Committee of the Whole Meeting of the City Council of Lincoln was called to order by Mayor Tracy Welch at 7:00 p.m., with proper notice given. City Clerk Peggy Bateman called roll.

Present:

Vacant, Ward 1

Alderman Steve Parrott, Ward 1

Alderman Ron Fleshman, Ward 2

Alderman Sam Downs, Ward 2

Alderman Kevin Bateman, Ward 3

Alderwoman Wanda Rohlfs, Ward 3

Alderwoman Kathy Horn, Ward 4

Alderman Rick Hoefle, Ward 4

Present:

Peggy Bateman, City Clerk

Chuck Conzo, City Treasurer

John Hoblit, City Attorney

Ty Johnson, Assistant Fire Chief

Wes Woodhall, Building and Safety Officer

Paul Adams, Police Chief

Walt Landers, Streets Superintendent

Remotely: Absent:

Bob Dunovsky, Fire Chief

Andrew Bowns, Veolia Water, Project Manager

Presiding:

Mayor Tracy Welch

Public Participation:

Lance Conahan spoke regarding item 12 on tonight's agenda, Trash ordinance. He feels the tenants and landlords are being singled out as the only Area accounts that are not being paid. Mr. Conahan asked what the Code Enforcement's recourse was for past due accounts. Mr. Woodhall said his department gets involved when this situation becomes a nuisance i.e. trash piling up. They do not go after the funds for the past due account.  Mr. Conahan is not in agreement with this ordinance. He likes to pay his own bills and he feels the landlords need to be brought in to this discussion.

Mr. Conahan also inquired about the 4th  Street property that was just purchased from Logan County Trustee.  Has asked where the term blighted came in this and why the city would purchase the property if it was generating tax dollars.  Alderman Bateman and Mayor Welch both responded and explained that there were several pictures taken by Code Enforcement of the blighted conditions of the property. People were also throwing parties on the empty lot and leaving it a mess.  There weren't any taxes being paid on the property, the city purchased the property for back taxes, will then sell the property to get it back on the tax roll. There will be a closed bidding process to purchase the property. The Council could choose to waive the liens on the property.

Jackie Campbell asked the Council why they would choose to waive the liens for one person and not another. Mayor Welch said every situation is a case by case decision and the council could potentially waive the liens for anyone.

Steve Hankins was present and read from a prepared document that he created. In general, he would like a 60 day moratorium so that landlords and a representative from Area Disposal sit down together and discuss this matter before a 4th amendment change. Mayor Welch is willing to sit down with the landlords whenever a meeting is requested.  Mr. Hankins doesn't feel landlords should be the

collection agency for Area Disposal especially during an eviction moratorium during a pandemic.

Mayoral appointment to Alderman Ward 1 Seat - Greg Miller This item was addressed after Executive Session 2 (C) 1 Personnel.

Mayoral appointment of Administrative Assistant to the Mayor and Council - Kathryn Andrews. This item will be placed on the regular agenda.

Crawford, Murphy & Tilley invoice for Lincoln Phosphorus Removal Feasibility for the Waste Water Treatment Plant in an amount of $1,612.50.

This is for the MPDS required Phosphorus Study. This study will be reported to the EPA. This item will be placed on the regular agenda.

Crawford, Murphy & Tilley invoice for Professional Services for the CSO Project in an amount of $52,301.26.

This in the monthly invoice for the CSO project and final payment to the sub for asbestos removal work. Also accumulation of the final paperwork.

This item will be placed on the regular agenda.

Crawford, Murphy & Tilley invoice for Professional Services for the Union Street Pump Station in an amount of $16,140.58.

Starting the week of July 12th to do the final tie-ins and then begin asphalt work. This item will be placed on the regular agenda.

Request to Permit: Street closure for Pigs and Swigs August 27 - August 29. A map indicating road closures and insurance will be provided to the council.

This item will be placed on the consent agenda.

Approval of Facade Grant to Guest House in an amount not to exceed $5,500.00. This item will be placed on the regular agenda.

Approval of Structural Improvement Grant to Lincubate.org in an amount not to exceed $7,500.00.

This item will be placed on the regular agenda.

Discussion regarding trash Ordinance 2021-937 passed on February 1, 2021.

Alderman Hoelfe would like to see a 90 day moratorium on this item so that the Council and Landlords can have time to discuss. The deadline that was previously passed will be extended to October 1st.

This item will be placed on the regular agenda.

Discussion regarding Bird Scooters.

Alderman Hoefle feels the scooters are a huge liability and there have been several reports of underage users.

Alderman Bateman says the liability falls on the person that rents the scooter.  Not the City.  There have been conversations with Bird to confirm that.

City Attorney Hoblit will need to review the research that he previously did regarding liability. The scooters are to be ridden on the right side of the road, per the ordinance.

When reports were coming in about seeing underage users, Bird was contacted and now it is required to scan a photo ID every time they rent a scooter.

The ordinance will be reviewed and brought back to the Council on the July 13th Committee of the Whole.

Appropriation Ordinance for F.Y. 2021/2022

A copy was given to the council.

One item included is the grant for the Veteran's Housing that the Council approved.

Other items are Police and Fire equipment, Streets & Alleys equipment, Sewer construction on the List station and long term control plan.

On noticeable increase is the liability insurance and workers compensation. The cost is not yet determined and continues to increase.

The sirens are included in the appropriations.

TIF bond may be refinanced and will save around $80,000 in interest

Announcements:

• Alderman Bateman asked where the Council was with the golf cart He has a friend that lives in another city that is comparable to Lincoln and they have no issue. City Attorney Hoblit reached out to the City Attorney in Clinton, they also have the ordinance, and is waiting to hear back. Alderman Hoefle would like ATV's and UTV's discussed with the golf carts.
• Alderman Downs had some complaints of fireworks being set He feels the ordinance is confusing because the fines are listed down under firearms. The fines for the excessive noise ordinance are $150, $250, $500 that would also cover the setting off fireworks.

Executive Session 1 2 (C) (1) Personnel:

There being no further announcements to come before the council, Alderman Hoefle made a motion to move into Executive Session, seconded by Alderwoman Rohlfs.  City Clerk Bateman called the roll.

Present:

Vacant, Ward 1

Alderman Steve Parrott, Ward 1

Alderman Ron Fleshman, Ward 2

Alderman Sam Downs, Ward 2

Alderman Kevin Bateman, Ward 3

Alderwoman Wanda Rohlfs, Ward 3

Alderwoman Kathy Horn, Ward 4

Alderman Rick Hoelfe, Ward 4

Yeas: (7) Alderman Sam Downs, Alderwoman Wanda Rohlfs, Alderman Kevin Bateman, Alderman Rick Hoelfe, Alderwoman  Kathy Horn, Alderman Steve Parrott, Alderman Ron Fleshman

Nays: (0)

Abstain: (0)

Absent: (0)

The council recessed from the meeting at 9:12 pm in order to enter into Executive Session. Mayor Welch announced that item #4 will be addressed when the Council reconvenes.

Return from Executive Session:

The council reconvened from Executive Session at 9:19 pm in order to reconvene the Committee of the Whole meeting. Roll call was taken.

Present:

Vacant, Ward 1

Alderman Steve Parrott, Ward 1 Alderman Ron Fleshman, Ward 2 Alderman Sam Downs, Ward 2 Alderman Kevin Bateman, Ward 3 Alderwoman Wanda Rohlfs, Ward 3 Alderwoman Kathy Horn, Ward 4 Alderman Rick Hoelfe, Ward 4

Mayor Welch stated that item #4 will be placed on the regular agenda for next week.

City Attorney Hoblit wanted clarification if the setting off fireworks ordinance needed to be on next week's agenda.  The Council was in agreement.

Executive Session I 2 (C) (3):

Alderwoman Rohlfs made a motion to move into Executive Session, seconded by Alderman Hoefle. City Clerk Bateman called the roll.

Present:

Vacant, Ward 1

Alderman Steve Parrott, Ward 1

Alderman Ron Fleshman, Ward 2

Alderman Sam Downs, Ward 2

Alderman Kevin Bateman, Ward 3

Alderwoman Wanda Rohlfs, Ward 3

Alderwoman Kathy Horn, Ward 4

Alderman Rick Hoelfe, Ward 4

Yeas: (7) Alderman Sam Downs, Alderwoman Wanda Rohlfs, Alderman Kevin Bateman, Alderman Rick Hoelfe, Alderwoman Kathy Horn, Alderman Steve Parrott, Alderman Ron Fleshman

Nays: (0)

Abstain: (0)

Absent: (0)

The council recessed from the meeting at 9:20pm in order to enter into Executive Session. Mayor Welch announced there would be no further city business conducted upon reconvening.

Return from Executive Session:

The council reconvened from Executive Session at 9:30 pm in order to reconvene the Committee of the Whole meeting. Roll call was taken.

Present:

Vacant, Ward 1

Alderman Steve Parrott, Ward 1

Alderman Ron Fleshman, Ward 2

Alderman Sam Downs, Ward 2

Alderman Kevin Bateman, Ward 3

Alderwoman Wanda Rohlfs, Ward 3

Alderwoman Kathy Horn, Ward 4

Alderman Rick Hoelfe, Ward 4

Adjournment:

There being no further discussion to come before the City Council of Lincoln, Alderman Hoefle motioned to adjourn, seconded by Alderman Parrott. All were in favor. Mayor Welch adjourned the meeting at 9:39 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted By:

Charity Hutchison, Recording Secretary