COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING

Lincoln City Hall, Council Chambers

700 Broadway Street | Lincoln, Illinois

Wednesday, June 29, 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 Rob Jones, Ward 1

Alderman Steve Parrott, Ward 1

Alderman Sam Downs, Ward 2

Alderman Kevin Bateman, Ward 3

Alderwoman Kathy Horn, Ward 4

Alderman Rick Hoefle, Ward 4

Staff Present:

Peggy Bateman, City Clerk

Chuck Conzo, City Treasurer

John Hoblit, City Attorney

Bob Dunovsky, Fire Chief

Joe Meister, Deputy Police Chief

Walt Landers, Streets Superintendent

Andrew Bowns, Veolia Water, Project Manager

Remotely:

Wes Woodhall, Building and Safety Officer

Absent:

Alderman Tony Zurkammer, Ward 2

Alderwoman Wanda Lee Rohlfs, Ward 3

Matt Vlahovich, Police Chief

Presiding:

Mayor Tracy Welch

Public Comment:

There is no one present for public comment. 

Phosphorus Control Plan Act

Christy Crites with Crawford, Murphy & Tilly was present for this item. 

This is a $15,000 amendment to the phosphorus study.  $75,000 was budgeted.  $60,000 was quoted for the costs, however there was quite a bit of maintenance that needed done before the Phosphorus study was able to begin. They are asking for the full $75,000 to complete the project. 

This item will be placed on the regular agenda.   

Curb & Sidewalk Improvement Initial Targets

Targets were outlined in the Agenda packet.  In years past, $125,000 was spent on curb & sidewalk improvements.  This year $300,000 is being spent. 

This item will be placed on the regular agenda. 

Economic Development Commission Approvals – 121 S Kickapoo St Roof, 123 S. Kickapoo St Roof, 1211 5^th St Wall replacement and ceiling repair.

This item will be placed on the regular agenda. 

Appointment of Mayor Pro Tem

This item will be moved to the next COW.  This item was added to the agenda by Alderwoman Rohlfs and she was unable to log in to the Zoom call. 

Tourism Budget

The council discussed how they wanted to proceed with pass through Hotel/Motel funds to the Tourism Bureau.  There was a suggestion to change the percentage ratio from 95/5 to 70/30.  A few council members feared that change would bankrupt Tourism.  Currently, hotels are full when there are games and graduations.  With losing two colleges, that will impact Hotel/Motel dollars. 

City Attorney Hoblit shared a State statute that stated hotel/motel tax dollars must be spent in the city in which it was collected.  He will research this further. 

This item will be brought back to the next COW. 

Announcements:

• The referendum to abolish the Civil Service Commission passed with a 1064 to 690 vote.
• Pride event was a huge event with an estimated attendance of 800-900 people.
• Open Arms held their annual Family Fun day this past Saturday with a great turnout despite the rain.

Adjournment:

There being no further discussion to come before the City Council of Lincoln, Alderman Bateman motioned to adjourn, seconded by Alderman Hoefle. All were in favor. Mayor Welch adjourned the meeting at 8:06 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted By:

Charity Hutchison, Recording Secretary