COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING
Lincoln City Hall, Council Chambers
700 Broadway Street | Lincoln, Illinois
Tuesday, November 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 Rob Jones, 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 Hoefle, Ward 4
Present:
Peggy Bateman, City Clerk
Chuck Conzo, City Treasurer
John Hoblit, City Attorney
Bob Dunovsky, Fire Chief
Matt Vlahovich, Police Chief
Andrew Bowns, Veolia Water, Project Manager
Walt Landers, Streets Superintendent
Remotely:
Wes Woodhall, Building and Safety Officer
Absent:
Presiding:
Mayor Tracy Welch
Public Participation:
There was no one present for public participation.
Kurtis Bozarth/i3Broadband – Police Department to switch over to i3Broadband preparing for Bodycams.
Bodycams were budgeted in the FY. The equipment has been ordered and received. A server will also need installed. The current download/upload speeds will the current provider do not meet the demands for the cameras. With i3Broadband already installed around the station, they were the first option to go with for the upgrade. Three packages were provided to the council and will be for 3 years.
This item will be placed on the regular agenda.
Sara Schwantz/RW Garrett Agency – City Health Insurance Renewal 2023.
Benefit renewal for 2023. Currently the city just finished a 2 year plan with BCBS. After meeting with the Insurance Committee that included representation from each department and nonunion employees, the committee asked RW Garrett to look at Health Alliance again. Part of the reason is due to BCBS not being in network with Springfield Clinic.
Sara went over the options for the Health Alliance Insurance lined out in the comparison sheet provided.
The council would like to go with Committee’s recommendation of Health Alliance and will be placed on the regular agenda.
City of Lincoln 2023 Holiday Schedule
This item will be placed on the regular agenda.
City of Lincoln 2023 Meeting Dates Schedule
This item will be placed on the regular agenda.
Ordinance providing for the issue of an amount not to exceed $500,000.00 General Obligation (Limited Tax) Bonds, Series 2022, of the City of Lincoln, Logan County, Illinois and for the levy of a direct annual tax to pay the principal and interest on said bonds.
This item will be placed on the regular agenda.
Potential Ordinance change regarding signs along roads/highways considered to be “In the right of Way”
Police Chief Vlahovich stated the portion of the Illinois vehicle code section 625-ILCS5-11-310 that pertains to unauthorized signs or signals or markings. It states that anyone that fails to abide by this code section, could be punishable with a Class A misdemeanor. Chief Vlahovich felt that was too extensive of a punishment. More research needs to be done. The council would like the City Attorney to review this. Alderman Parrott will work with Mr. Hoblit.
This item will be brought back to a later COW.
Ordinance Amending 9-5-10
Chief Vlahovich requests the words “for use or cause” be added to this ordinance to alleviate the cat and mouse game of the police stickering a vehicle parked on street that hasn’t moved in 72 hours and the owner moving it 3 inches and resetting the clock.
This item will be added to the regular agenda.
Announcements
- Alderman Hoefle and Alderman Zurkammer would like to invite all veterans to Flossie and Delzina’s for a free cup of coffee on Friday, November 18th.
- Coffee with the Mayor was last Saturday. Smaller group this time, but there were flurries. Alderman Zurkammer also attended.
- Veteran’s Celebration was a great turnout. 55 veterans with their family and friends. The elementary schools did mail call bags for the veterans.
- Alderwoman Rohlfs, Alderman Downs, City Clerk Bateman and the Mayor recently toured Sysco.
- Ribbon cut this Friday at 3:45pm at Skully Park for the new ice skating rink.
- Chief Vlahovich announced his retirement as Chief of Police effective December 31, 2022 at 4pm. Congratulations Chief. Mayor Welch asked that the appointment of Deputy Chief Joe Meister to assume the duties of Chief of Police effective January 1st, 2023. Deputy Chief Meister will chose his replacement.
Adjournment:
There being no further discussion to come before the City Council of Lincoln, Alderman Hoefle motioned to adjourn, seconded by Alderman Jones. All were in favor. Mayor Welch adjourned the meeting at 8:36 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted By:
Charity Hutchison, Recording Secretary