COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING
Lincoln City Hall, Council Chambers 700 Broadway Street I Lincoln, Illinois
Tuesday, October 26, 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:
Alderman Greg Miller, Ward 1
Alderman Steve Parrott, Ward 1
Vacant, 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
Remotely:
Bob Dunovsky, Fire Chief
Matt Vlahovich, Deputy Police Chief
Wes Woodhall, Building and Safety Officer
Andrew Bowns, Veolia Water, Project Manager
Walt Landers, Streets Superintendent
Christy Crites, CMT
Absent:
Paul Adams, Police Chief
Presiding:
Mayor Tracy Welch
Public Participation:
There was no one present to speak for public participation.
Logan County Tourism Alice Roate - 2021 3rd Quarter Report
Up 110% financially from the 3rd quarter of last year.
$35,519.00 in a grant was received
Route 66 experience booth was at the Illinois State Fair. 567 came through the booth
477 people have stopped in at the Depot, 101 of those people that came through had a Route 66 passport
Interviews on the Railsplitter Festival and Balloons of 66 are online to view
WAND TV filmed 4 segments in Logan County. Segments were on the Mill, the Mt. Pulaski Courthouse, the Covered Wagon and the downtown trifecta which is Guzzardo's, Spirited Republic and Top Hat Creamery. These videos are also online to view.
The Mill Museum, 304 visitors stopped by the Mill with 22 having a Route 66 passport.
Ron Keller - Allen Chapel 902 Broadway Street
Mr. Keller came forward as a historian to give background
This church started in 1868. It was previously a school. Once the congregation grew a new church was built in 1880 in the same location. The church served as more than a place to worship, it was considered a safe place for African Americans that were slaves. In 2003, the church was recognized as a national and city historical landmark.
The roof is starting to sag and there may be some mold that will need remediated. Mr. Keller has agreed to be caretaker of the church. A new Friends of Allen Chapel group is being created. They'd like to partner with tourism. In order to apply and receive grants, there cannot be any outstanding bills or liens. Mr. Keller is asking the city to recognize the church and its importance and to waive current bills with penalties totaling $1,957.33 that the church owes the city.
Clerk Bateman said the majority of the past due amount is penalties that total $850.00. There is a lien on the account due to the past due bill.
Mayor Welch would be in favor of waiving the past due so that the group would be able to apply for grants and get some structural improvements done.
The sewer bill is currently suspended and there are no ongoing charges. There are no plans to reconnect water or sewer or install electricity.
Alderman Bateman suggested using the tourism line to pay for the charges and waiving the lien. Treasurer Conzo was also in agreement of waiving the charges. He felt that compared to the dollar amount spent on the Mill the amount was relatively small.
This item will be put on the regular agenda.
L. Keeley Construction pay application No. 7
The amount due is incorrect on Pay App #7. The correct amount is $430,883 .72.
This project is near finishing at 93%. An additional request was made to the EPA for additional reimbursements in the amount of 858,337.00. If the request is approved, the council will vote on whether to accept it.
This item will be placed on the regular agenda.
Ordinance Amending the Economic Development Grant Commission and Economic Development Program.
There is an Economic Development Grant Commission meeting this Friday regarding the amendment. The Commission's suggestion will be brought to the Council on 11.01.2021 for vote.
This item will be placed on the regular agenda.
Postville Park Pavilion Proposal
Justin Dietrich (LCHS woodshop instructor) contacted Mr. Landers late last year and asked if the city would have a good location for his class to erect a pavilion. Mr. Landers felt Postville Park would be the best location. $5,000 is budgeted for this project.
Alderman Bateman asked for an estimation to run electricity to the pavilion. He also asked that the placement of the pavilion be set back away from 5th St road for safety.
This project will begin in the spring of 2022. This item will be placed on the regular agenda.
Revizions Technology Maintenance Agreement 11/1/2021 - 4/30/2022, 5/1/2022 - 4/30/2023
Chief Adams has been the City's IT person for the past several years. Chief Adams' retirement begins on Nov 1, 2021. His wife has a Technology business and the City would like to hire them to continue the technology maintenance with the City. The work will be strictly maintenance and will mostly be done remotely.
This item will be placed on the regular agenda.
Announcements:
- Haunted Trail at Memorial Park on Friday, October 29 from 6:30-8:30 hosted by the Lincoln Park District and Troy Brown.
- Trick or Treat with the Mayor on Saturday, October 30th
- Alderman Hoelfe shared the LCHS football team came up short for their final home Had they won, they would have went to the playoffs for the first time since 1986. He said the spirit of the City was remarkable during the game.
- Alderman Parrott wanted to congratulate the LCHS boys' soccer team on a successful They lost in the regional final in overtime by 1. Many records were broken this season.
- The fall hours at the LWF begin this The hours will be Wed - Sun 8:00 am - 3:50pm. Leaf pickup will also begin this week.
- Chief Dunovsky reminded the citizens that leaf burning is only permitted on Tues, Thurs, and Sat during the This is only for yard waste only.
- The two grant applications that will be discussed at Friday's meeting will be placed on the regular
Executive Session 2 {C) (3) Appointment of Public Official:
There being no further announcements to come before the council, Alderman Hoelfe made a motion to move into Executive Session, seconded by Alderwoman Horn. City Clerk Bateman called the roll.
Present:
Alderman Greg Miller, Ward 1
Alderman Steve Parrott, Ward 1
Vacant, 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 Greg Miller, Alderman Sam Downs, Alderwoman Wanda Rohlfs, Alderman Kevin Bateman, Alderman Rick Hoelfe, Alderwoman Kathy Horn, Alderman Steve Parrott
Nays: (0)
Abstain: (0)
Absent: (0)
The council recessed from the meeting at 8: 15pm in order to enter into Executive Session. Mayor Welch announced there may be city business conducted upon reconvening.
Return from Executive Session:
The council reconvened from Executive Session at 8:38pm in order to reconvene the Committee of the Whole meeting. Roll call was taken.
Present:
Alderman Greg Miller, Ward 1
Alderman Steve Parrott, Ward 1
Vacant, 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
The Council added the appointment of Tony Zurkammer to the Alderman Ward 2 position to the regular agenda.
Adjournment:
There being no further discussion to come before the City Council of Lincoln, Alderman Hoelfe motioned to adjourn, seconded by Alderman Miller. All were in favor. Mayor Welch adjourned the meeting at 8:39 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted By:
Charity Hutchison, Recording Secretary