REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING

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

Monday, November 15, 2021

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

Present:

Alderman Greg Miller, Ward 1

Alderman Steve Parrott, Ward 1

Alderman Sam Downs, Ward 2

Alderman Kevin Bateman, Ward 3

Alderwoman Wanda Lee Rohlfs, Ward 3

Alderman Rick Hoefle, Ward 4

Alderwoman Kathy Horn, Ward 4

Staff Present:

Peggy Bateman, City Clerk

Chuck Conzo, City Treasurer

John Hoblit, City Attorney

Matt Vlahovich, Police Chief

Bob Dunovsky, Fire Chief

Remotely:

Walt Landers, Streets Superintendent

Wes Woodhall, Building and Safety Officer

Andrew Bowns, Veolia Water, Project Manager

Absent:

Alderman Tony Zurkammer, Ward 2

Presiding:

Tracy Welch, Mayor

Public Comment:

Brad Hauge, Logan County State's Attorney, was present to show his support for both Matthew Vlahovich and Joseph Meister for their promotions to Chief of Police and Deputy Chief of Police

City Attorney John Hoblit swore in the following individuals

Fire Fighters Kyle Patridge and Damion Larson - Completion of Probationary Fire Fighter. Fire Fighter Chance Torchia - Probationary Fire Fighter.

This item was moved up in the agenda.

A. Advise and consent to the Police Chiefs appointment of Sgt. Joseph Meister as Deputy Chief of Police. (Swearing in following approved vote).

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

Yeas: (7) Alderman Greg Miller, Alderman Steve Parrott, Alderman Sam Downs, Alderman Rick Hoefle, Alderwoman Wanda Lee Rohlfs, Alderman Kevin Bateman, Alderwoman Kathy Horn

Nays: (0)

Abstain: (0)

Absent: (0)

Consent Agenda by Omnibus Vote:

A. Payment of Bills

B. Approval of minutes October 12, 2021 Committee of the Whole Meeting, October 18, 2021 Regular City Council

C. Request from Kathy Williams to close Kickapoo Street between Broadway and Pulaski Street on Friday, November 26, 2021 from 5:00 PM until 6:00 PM for the Annual Winter Wonderland Festival tree lighting

D. Request from the Logan County Tourism Bureau to close various City Streets and intersection for the annual Christmas Parade on Thursday, December 2, 2021 from 5:00 PM until its conclusion.

E. Request from the Salvation Army to permit the placement of two (2) Kettle Stands and Trumpet Players on Kickapoo Street on Monday, November 29, 2021 from 11:30 am until 1:30 pm

Alderwoman Rohlfs made the motion to approve, Alderwoman Horn seconded. Mayor Welch called for discussion.

There was a mileage reimbursement request made by Fire Chief Dunovsky. Alderman Hoefle asked for clarification. Chief Dunovsky said that it is much cheaper for the probationary firefighters to drive the fire department pickup trucks back and forth to the academy than to have them use their personal trucks and be reimbursed mileage.

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

Yeas: (7) Alderman Steve Parrott, Alderman Sam Downs, Alderman Rick Hoefle, Alderwoman Wanda Lee Rohlfs, Alderman Kevin Bateman, Alderwoman Kathy Horn, Alderman Greg Miller

Nays: (0)

Abstain: (0)

Absent: (1) Alderman Tony Zurkammer

Mayor Welch moved to other items on the agenda.

Ordinances and Resolutions.

A. Resolution 2021-440 approving the content of certain Executive Session Meeting Minutes: May 17, 2021, June 21, 2021, June 29, 2021, June 29, 2021.

Alderman Bateman made the motion to approve, Alderwoman Horn.

Yeas: (6) Alderman Steve Parrott, Alderman Sam Downs, Alderman Rick Hoefle, Alderwoman Wanda Lee Rohlfs, Alderman Kevin Bateman, Alderwoman Kathy Horn

Nays: (0)

Abstain: (1) Alderman Greg Miller Absent: (1) Alderman Tony Zurkammer

B.  Resolution 2021-441 approving the content of certain Executive Session Meeting Minutes: August 10, 2021, October 4, 2021, October 12, 2021 arid October 26, 2021.

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

Yeas: (6) Alderman Steve Parrott, Alderman Sam Downs, Alderman Rick Hoefle, Alderwoman Wanda Lee Rohlfs, Alderman Kevin Bateman, Alderman Greg Miller

Nays: (0)

Abstain: (1) Alderwoman Kathy Horn

Absent: (1) Alderman Tony Zurkammer

C.  Resolution 2021-442 Adopting Amendment #1 to the Budget Resolution for F.Y. 2021-2022.

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

Treasurer Conzo shared that this resolution contains the $919,244. 74 American Rescue Plan Grant the city received that was not included in the original budget. This has been added to the revenue plan.

There is also a need to borrow $95,000 to help pay for a new dump truck for the Street Department.

The resolution also shows the request to move $60,000 of the American Rescue Plan Grant money to the Economic Development Grant line.

Yeas: (7) Alderman Steve Parrott, Alderman Sam Downs, Alderman Rick Hoefle, Alderwoman Wanda Lee Rohlfs, Alderman Kevin Bateman, Alderwoman Kathy Horn, Alderman Greg Miller

Nays: (0)

Abstain: (0)

Absent: (1) Alderman Tony Zurkammer

D. Ordinance 2021-960 Adopting Amendment No. 1 Amending the Appropriation Ordinance for F.Y. 2021-2022

Alderwoman Rohlfs made the motion to approve, Alderman Downs seconded.  Mayor Welch called for discussion.

The information Treasurer Conzo shared in item C also applies to this item. There being no discussion, City Clerk Bateman called the roll.

Yeas: (6) Alderman Steve Parrott, Alderman Sam Downs, Alderman Rick Hoefle, Alderwoman Wanda Lee Rohlfs, Alderwoman Kathy Horn, Alderman Greg Miller

Nays: (1) Alderman Kevin Bateman

Abstain: (0)

Absent: (1) Alderman Tony Zurkammer

Reports

1. City Treasurer's Report for October, 2021

General Fund Balance - Continues to be in good shape. Partly due to greater funds received in sales tax, non-home rule tax and income tax than in previous years.

Non-Home Rule Sales Tax - Up from the previous year. Sales and Use Tax - up from previous years.

State Income Tax - up from last year

B.  City Clerks Report for October, 2021

$240,526 .86 was collected in sewer payments for October.

C.  Department Head Reports for October 2021

These reports are either on file or will be shortly.

New Business/Communications:

Item A moved up in the agenda.

B. Approval of design for the construction and re-alignment of State Street and College Street to accommodate the Department of Juvenile Justice Facility.

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

The type of street and width of the road will be discussed and designed to the City's specifications.

The vote on this item is just to show the support of this project.  A vote to close the portion of State St will come later. The need for a vote of support is to then go ahead and notify the city via public notice to hold a public hearing.

Superintendent Landers would like the DJJ to complete a traffic study of the intersection.  He'd also like the design of the intersection at College and W. Kickapoo and a cross section of the new street.

Building and Safety Official Woodhall did a traffic study himself.  His results found a 60% reduction of traffic along West Kickapoo once State St is closed.

Alderman Bateman and Alderwoman Horn both rescinded their initial motions.

Alderman Bateman made the motion to table this item, Alderman Downs seconded.  There being no further discussion, City Clerk Bateman called the roll.

Yeas: (7) Alderman Greg Miller, Alderman Steve Parrott, Alderman Sam Downs, Alderman Rick Hoefle, Alderwoman Wanda Lee Rohlfs, Alderman Kevin Bateman, Alderwoman Kathy Horn

Nays: (0)

Abstain: (0)

Absent: (1) Alderman Tony Zurkammer

C.  Approval of Invoice No. 0217388 from Crawford, Murphy and Tilley for Professional Services for the Union Street Pump Station from August 28, 2021 to October I, 2021 in an amount not to exceed $1,596.69. 

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

Yeas: (7) Alderman Greg Miller, Alderman Steve Parrott, Alderman Sam Downs, Alderman Rick Hoefle, Alderwoman Wanda Lee Rohlfs, Alderman Kevin Bateman, Alderwoman Kathy Horn

Nays:  (0)

Abstain: (0)

Absent: (1) Alderman Tony Zurkammer

D. Approval of Pay Application 8 from L. Keeley Construction for construction Services for the Union Street Pump Station in an amount not to exceed $496, 725.81.

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

Yeas: (7) Alderman Greg Miller, Alderman Steve Parrott, Alderman Sam Downs, Alderman Rick Hoefle, Alderwoman Wanda Lee Rohlfs, Alderman Kevin Bateman, Alderwoman Kathy Horn

Nays:  (0)

Abstain : (0)

Absent:  (1) Alderman Tony Zurkammer

E. Approval of Pay Application 15 from Plocher Construction Co. for construction services for CSO improvements in an amount not to exceed $661,335.00.

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

Yeas: (7) Alderman Greg Miller, Alderman Steve Parrott, Alderman Sam Downs, Alderman Rick Hoefle, Alderwoman Wanda Lee Rohlfs, Alderman Kevin Bateman, Alderwoman Kathy Horn

Nays:  (0)

Abstain: (0)

Absent: (1) Alderman Tony Zurkammer

F. Approval of financing agreement in the amount of $95,092.00 plus interest for the purchase of a 2022 Dump Truck and Snow

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

Treasurer Conzo explained that he acquired loan quotes from various institutions and the best rate was 2.39% from UCB Bank.  This loan will have annual payments over 3 years.  The amount paid for interest over the period of the loan is $3,658 .28.

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

Yeas: (7) Alderman Steve Parrott, Alderman Sam Downs, Alderman Rick Hoefle, Alderwoman Wanda Lee Rohlfs, Alderman Kevin Bateman, Alderwoman Kathy Horn, Alderman Greg Miller

Nays: (0)

Abstain: (0)

Absent: (1) Alderman Tony Zurkammer

G .Approval of PC2021-03, Request for Special Use Permit at 708/718 Woodlawn Road.

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

This is the new Tremont Bank branch on Woodlawn.  This special use permit applies to the drive thru. The Planning Commission approved the permit.

There being no other discussion, City Clerk Bateman called the roll.

Yeas: (7) Alderman Steve Parrott, Alderman Sam Downs, Alderman Rick Hoefle, Alderwoman Wanda Lee Rohlfs, Alderman Kevin Bateman, Alderwoman Kathy Horn, Alderman Greg Miller

Nays: (0)

Abstain: (0)

Absent: (1) Alderman Tony Zurkammer

H.  Approval of Waiver of Sewer lien and unpaid sewer bills for Allen Chapel AME Church in the amount of $1,957.33 (Tabled November 1, 2021).

Alderman Bateman made the motion to remove the item from the table, Alderman Downs seconded. City Clerk Bateman called the roll.

Yeas: (4) Alderman Steve Parrott, Alderman Sam Downs, Alderman Kevin Bateman, Alderwoman Kathy Horn,

Nays: (0) Alderman Rick Hoefle, Alderwoman Wanda Lee Rohlfs, Alderman Greg Miller

Abstain: (0)

Absent: (1) Alderman Tony Zurkammer

Alderman Hoefle is concerned that if this item is approved, account holders of the other 65 delinquent sewer accounts would want the same.

The balance that is past due is $292.20, the total due with late fees is $1957.33.

Alderman Parrott made an amendment to waive the late fees and lower the amount due to $292.20, Alderman Bateman seconded.  City Clerk Bateman called roll.

Yeas: (5) Alderman Steve Parrott, Alderman Sam Downs, Alderman Kevin Bateman, Alderwoman Kathy Horn, Alderman Greg Miller

Nays: (1) Alderman Rick Hoefle

Abstain: (1) Alderwoman Wanda Lee Rohlfs

Absent: (1) Alderman Tony Zurkammer

Alderman Bateman made the motion to approve item H as amended, Alderman Downs seconded. City Clerk Bateman called the roll.

Yeas: (5) Alderman Steve Parrott, Alderman Sam Downs, Alderman Kevin Bateman, Alderwoman Kathy Horn, Alderman Greg Miller

Nays: (2) Alderman Rick Hoefle, Alderwoman Wanda Lee Rohlfs

Abstain: (0)

Absent: (1) Alderman Tony Zurkammer

Mayor Welch moved on to other items on the agenda.

Announcements:

• A request to park two mobile businesses/food trucks in front Guest House on Nov 20 from 10am - 1 Roughly 3 parking spaces will be taken. If approved, barricades or cones will be put out.
• Treasurer Conzo shared that the Veteran's Day event at the VFW was a good turnout, he'd like to see more people come including elected
• Lincoln native Kurt Courtwright competed in the World's Toughest Mudder in Arizona and he won the entire This was a 24 hour event.

Adjournment:

There being no further discussion to come before the City Council of Lincoln, Alderman Hoefle motioned to adjourn, seconded by Alderwoman Horn. Mayor Welch adjourned the meeting at 8:57 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted By:

Charity Hutchison, Recording Secretary