Council Minutes

PUBLIC HEARING

Lincoln City Hall, Council Chambers

700 Broadway Street | Lincoln, Illinois

Monday, November 7, 2022

 

The Public Hearing with the City Council of Lincoln was called to order by Mayor Welch at 7:06 p.m., with proper notice given. City Clerk Bateman called roll. 

Present:

Alderman Rick Jones, Ward 1

Alderman Steve Parrott, Ward 1

Alderman Sam Downs, Ward 2

Alderman Kevin Bateman, Ward 3

Alderwoman Wanda Rohlfs, Ward 3

Alderwoman Kathy Horn, Ward 4

Staff Present:

City Clerk Peggy Bateman

Treasurer Chuck Conzo

City Attorney John Hoblit

Fire Chief Bob Dunovsky

Police Chief Matt Vlahovich

Deputy Police Chief Joe Meister

Streets Superintendent Walt Landers

Veolia Water, Andrew Bowns

Absent:

Alderman Tony Zurkammer, Ward 2

Alderman Rick Hoefle, Ward 4

Remote:

Building and Safety Officer Wes Woodhall

Presiding:

Mayor Tracy Welch

 

 

Public Comment:

There was no one present for public comment.

Opening statement – Mayor Welch

Mayor Welch gave a brief opening statement explaining the purpose and requirements by the State of Illinois for tonight’s public hearing. 

Public Hearing pursuant to the requirements of Sections 10 and 20 of the Bond Issue Notification Act of the State of Illinois, as amended on the plans to issue General Obligation Limited Tax bonds, Series 2022 in the amount not to exceed $500,000.00. 

 

There was a letter received today from Fonda Robbins regarding tonight’s request to add G.O. Bonds. 

As required, Mayor Welch read the letter aloud.  Ms. Robbin’s letter was copied and pasted and reads as followed….

FONDA ROBBINS

P.O. Box 374

Lincoln, Illinois 62656

217/314-1238

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

November 7, 2022 Mayor Tracy Welch Lincoln City Council

Re: Request to Add Bonds Hearing Due to my work schedule, I am providing this written objection to new bonds being discussed tonight possibly totally up to $500,000.00 for the following reasons, and in the interest of Lincoln, Illinois Residents. 4 According to Data, USA in 2020, Lincoln had a poverty rate of 14.3 residents. This appears to have amounted to 1.8 out of 12.8 residents. Fast forward to the colleges closing added another long term perceived financial hit of 53 million to the community.

So here is the complication the way my Research Group sees this notwithstanding the prior mentioned issues on this new bond requests because the City has never addressed the following issues:

1.) The TIF Loan has never been cleaned up resulting in an approximate 30 year repayment plan by the Citizens. 2.) There is a large bond issue out for the new St. Clara’s Manor which adjusts the City’s Bond Rating and Financial Obligation.

3.) There are current questions about the Motor Fuel Tax Funding.

4.) There is a large million dollar bill submitted by Farnsworth Engineer that appears to remain unpaid.

5.) The Citizens have not been informed where the multi-million funds are going from the ARPA Fund with the trickle down funding specifically regarding COVID Funds.

6.) Undressed serious building decay that ultimately may require physical City action.

7.) Millions of dollars being released to redo The Depot, which is has become a stopover site where travelers cannot use the bathroom facilities because they are locked, and regrettably the homeless that need help in our community are sleeping in and around the building.

8.) Large funds are being released to special interest groups that Citizens are unaware of.

9.) The five percent tax on Utility Bills for gas and electric that the Citizens are paying for.

10.) The Bump Out Snow Remover Machine that cost around $55,000.00 that would not have been necessary had the Street Scapes Plan not been enacted, and the New over a quarter of a million dollar Street Sweeper Machine.

11.) The actual if any value that came out of the $100,000.00 Retail Strategy Contract.

12.) The money spent on The Alliance, and any value that came from that. I currently am questioning the transparency coming out of the City, not only for these monies coming in, but for the new requests the City is making. The Wish List needs to stop, and we need to get some serious attention on these financial issues that should not include taking more and more money out of the Lincoln Households.

Sincerely, Fonda Robbins

Mayor Welch asked if there was anyone else present to address the public hearing.  No one came forward to speak. 

Adjournment:

Aldermen Parrott made the motion to adjourn, Alderwoman Rohlfs seconded.  All were in favor.  Mayor Welch adjourned the meeting at 7:12pm. 

 

Respectfully Submitted By:

Charity Hutchison, Recording Secretary

CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)

Information is available on the following sites:
Logan County Current Statistics

Memorial Health System  - Includes daily statistics for MHS and a COVID-19 Risk Screening

Local Business Resources
Logan County Department of Public Health
Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH)
Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

 

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Contact Information

 

cityhall smallCity of Lincoln

City Hall
700 Broadway Street
Lincoln, Illinois 62656

(217)735-2815

 

Legal Disclaimer

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