COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING

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

Tuesday, February 15, 2022 

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 Steve Parrott, Ward 1

Alderman Greg Miller, Ward 1

Alderman Tony Zurkammer, Ward 2

Alderman Sam Downs, Ward 2

Alderman Kevin Bateman, Ward 3

Alderwoman Wanda Lee Rohlfs, Ward 3

Alderwoman Kathy Horn, Ward 4

Alderman Rick Hoefle, Ward 4

Staff Present:

Peggy Bateman, City Clerk

Chuck Conzo, City Treasurer

Matt Vlahovich, Police Chief

Walt Landers, Streets Superintendent

Andrew Bowns, Veolia Water, Project Manager

John Hoblit, City Attorney

Darren Coffey, Assistant Fire Chief

Remotely:

Wes Woodhall, Building and Safety Officer

Absent:

Bob Dunovsky, Fire Chief

Presiding:

Mayor Tracy Welch

Public Comment:

There is no one present for public comment.

Joe Adams, Farnsworth Group -Resolution Engineering Cost Heitmann Drive.

Mr. Adams went over the engineering for the Heitmann Drive, between Woodlawn and Olson Dr, construction.  The city will be using Rebuild Illinois funds to complete the project.  Once the resolution passes, it will be sent to IDOT for approval then the project will move into bidding.  The hope is to award the contract in May and the work be done this summer.  Standardized paving for IDOT roads are expected to last 20 years.

This item will be placed on the regular agenda.

Plocher Construction Pay Application #18 for CSO Improvements in the amount of $144,685.00.

Construction is approx. 96% completed.

This item will be placed on the regular agenda.

Veolia Wastewater Contract Extension.

This is a five year contract extension with a 3% cost increase. This item will be placed on the regular agenda.

Revised Request to Permit With Street Closure.

This item will be placed on the regular agenda.

Ordinance Revoking Ordinance 123.

It has come to the attention of the Council that the Park District no longer wishes to maintain City owned parks.  This ordinance was passed December 6, 1965.  The council wishes to revoke the old ordinance instead of creating a new one. It will cost approximately $400/week to mow all four parks. $20,000 will be budgeted for maintenance.  Superintendent Landers said his department would need to hire additional employees, purchase a truck and trailer and mowers costing approx. $100,000/year. The city will go out for bid for mowing of the parks.

Research will also be done into the real estate taxes that the city should obtain if the ordinance is revoked.

A RFP will be created and brought back to a COW when ready. This item will be brought back at the same time.

Mayor Welch moved on to other items of the agenda.

Announcements:

• Alderman Bateman would like to add an item to the next voting A request to go out for RPF for the replacement of the roof at City Hall. Either a shingled roof, like it is now, or a metal roof that is made to look like shingles that will carry a 60-70 year warranty.  The council will have approval from the historic preservation commission in writing to use a metal roof.
• This item will be placed on the regular agenda.

• First week of April, CIVC will begin the 2nd build for the veteran's They will be looking for volunteers and donations.
• A Day at the Library will be Saturday, February 18th that includes a free movie at the theatre.
• On February 28th, from 6-10pm, there will be a discussion panel to celebrate Black History Month.
• Video gaming terminal fee increase update: The Liquor Commission met and is still in favor of the fee increase as long as the fee is split 50/50 between the establishment and the terminal provider. It is proposed that the money generated from the fee increase will go in to Capital Projects to be used for streets and alleys. It is also proposed that 50% of the income from the gaming machine tax (totaling between $450,000-$600,000)  also be earmarked for streets/alleys. Both additions will be on top of the annual budgeted $500,000 for streets and alleys.
• This ordinance will be placed on the regular agenda.
• Alderman Hoefle pointed out that the wording for the 10% discount for annual payment on the sewer billing section of the website is misleading to show that the discount is still in
• Alderman Zurkammer would like the City to look into electronic billing for sewer

Executive Session I2 (C) (11) Litigation:

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

Present:

Alderman Greg Miller, Ward 1

Alderman Steve Parrott, Ward 1

Alderman Tony Zurkammer, 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: (8) Alderman Greg Miller, Alderman Sam Downs, Alderwoman Wanda Rohlfs, Alderman Kevin Bateman, Alderman Rick Hoelfe, Alderwoman  Kathy Horn, Alderman Steve Parrott, Alderman Tony Zurkammer

Nays: (0)

Abstain: (0)

Absent: (0)

The council recessed from the meeting at 8:35 pm 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 8:56 pm 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

Alderman Tony Zurkammer, 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 Hoelfe motioned to adjourn, seconded by Alderman Bateman. All were in favor. Mayor Welch adjourned the meeting at 8:56 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted By:

Charity Hutchison, Recording Secretary