REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING

Lincoln City Hall, Council Chambers

700 Broadway Street | Lincoln, Illinois

Monday, November 7, 2022

 

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 Rob Jones, Ward 1

Alderman Steve Parrott, Ward 1

Alderman Sam Downs, Ward 2

Alderman Kevin Bateman, Ward 3

Alderwoman Wanda Rohlfs, Ward 3

Alderman Kathy Horn, Ward 4

Staff Present:

Peggy Bateman, City Clerk

Chuck Conzo, City Treasurer

John Hoblit, City Attorney

Matt Vlahovich, Police Chief

Joe Meister, Deputy Police Chief

Bob Dunovsky, Fire Chief

Walt Landers, Streets Superintendent

Andrew Bowns, Veolia Water, Project Manager

Remotely:

Wes Woodhall, Building and Safety Officer

Absent:


Alderman Tony Zurkammer, Ward 2

Alderman Rick Hoefle, Ward 4

Presiding:

Tracy Welch, Mayor

 

 

Oath of Office: 

City Attorney John Hoblit swore in Chris Reed as Sergeant with the City of Lincoln Police Department.

 

Public Comment:

There was no one present for public participation.

 

Consent Agenda by Omnibus Vote:
A. Payment of Bills

B. Approval of minutes for July 12, 2022 Committee of the Whole Meeting, September 6, 2022 Regular City Council Meeting, September 13, 2022 Committee of the Whole Meeting, September 19, 2022 Regular City Council Meeting, September 27, 2022 Committee of the Whole Meeting

 

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

Yeas: (6), Alderman Steve Parrott, Alderman Sam Downs, Alderwoman Wanda Rohlfs, Alderman Kevin Bateman, Alderwoman Kathy Horn, Alderman Rob Jones

Nays: (0)

Abstain: (0)

Absent: (2) Alderman Tony Zurkammer, Alderman Rick Hoefle

Acting Mayor Welch moved to other items on the agenda.


Ordinance and Resolution:
A.  Ordinance 2022-991 authorizing the sale of real estate

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

 

Yeas: (6), Alderman Steve Parrott, Alderman Sam Downs, Alderwoman Wanda Rohlfs, Alderman Kevin Bateman, Alderwoman Kathy Horn, Alderman Rob Jones

Nays: (0)

Abstain: (0)

Absent: (2) Alderman Tony Zurkammer, Alderman Rick Hoefle

 

Mayor Welch moved to other items on the agenda.

 

Bids:

Approval of bid from Granpa, Inc for property at 227 N Kickapoo St in the amount of $1.00 with conditions described in the bid. 

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

Alderman Bateman made the motion to amend the item to reimburse Grandpa, Inc. in an amount not to exceed $20,000 for city sidewalk installation, Alderman Parrott seconded.   

City Clerk Bateman called roll on the amendment.

 

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

Nays: (1) Alderwoman Wanda Rohlfs

Abstain: (0)

Absent: (2) Alderman Tony Zurkammer, Alderman Rick Hoefle

City Clerk Bateman called roll on the item as amended. 

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

Nays: (1) Alderwoman Wanda Rohlfs

Abstain: (0)

Absent: (2) Alderman Tony Zurkammer, Alderman Rick Hoefle

New Business/Communications:
A.  Approval of the addition of the revised Smoking Policy to the City of Employee Handbook and the deletion of the current Smoking Policy.

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

Alderman Downs made the motion to amend the policy to be named Tobacco Use Policy so that it covers both tobacco and nontobacco types of smoking, Alderman Jones seconded.

City Clerk Bateman called roll on the amendment.

Yeas: (6), Alderman Steve Parrott, Alderman Sam Downs, Alderwoman Wanda Rohlfs, Alderman Kevin Bateman, Alderwoman Kathy Horn, Alderman Rob Jones

Nays: (0)

Abstain: (0)

Absent: (2) Alderman Tony Zurkammer, Alderman Rick Hoefle

City Clerk Bateman called roll on the item as amended. 

 

Yeas: (6), Alderman Steve Parrott, Alderman Sam Downs, Alderwoman Wanda Rohlfs, Alderman Kevin Bateman, Alderwoman Kathy Horn, Alderman Rob Jones

Nays (0)

Abstain: (0)

Absent: (2) Alderman Tony Zurkammer, Alderman Rick Hoefle

 

B.  Approval of Sludge/Grit/Waste removed from Sewer Plant Lift Station collection systems in an amount not to exceed $110,000.00.

 

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

Yeas: (6), Alderman Steve Parrott, Alderman Sam Downs, Alderwoman Wanda Rohlfs, Alderman Kevin Bateman, Alderwoman Kathy Horn, Alderman Rob Jones

Nays: (0)

Abstain: (0)

Absent: (2) Alderman Tony Zurkammer, Alderman Rick Hoefle

C. Approval of Sewer Flow and Loadings Reconciliation for FY 2020-2021 in an amount not to exceed $22,830.34.

 

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

Yeas: (6), Alderman Steve Parrott, Alderman Sam Downs, Alderwoman Wanda Rohlfs, Alderman Kevin Bateman, Alderwoman Kathy Horn, Alderman Rob Jones

Nays: (0)

Abstain: (0)

Absent: (2) Alderman Tony Zurkammer, Alderman Rick Hoefle

D.  Approval of Sewer M&R Reconciliation for operation of the Wastewater Plant for FY 2021-2022 in an amount not to exceed $41,306.75.

 

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

Yeas: (6), Alderman Steve Parrott, Alderman Sam Downs, Alderwoman Wanda Rohlfs, Alderman Kevin Bateman, Alderwoman Kathy Horn, Alderman Rob Jones

Nays: (0)

Abstain: (0)

Absent: (2) Alderman Tony Zurkammer, Alderman Rick Hoefle

E. Approval of the grinding and hauling operations at the City Landscape Facility by R&R Services of Illinois, Inc. at an additional cost not to exceed $40,000.00.

 

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

Yeas: (6), Alderman Steve Parrott, Alderman Sam Downs, Alderwoman Wanda Rohlfs, Alderman Kevin Bateman, Alderwoman Kathy Horn, Alderman Rob Jones

Nays: (0)

Abstain: (0)

Absent: (2) Alderman Tony Zurkammer, Alderman Rick Hoefle

 

F. Approval of Letter of Intent to permit the Keystone Holdings, LLC to install a solar energy project on city owned property.

 

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

Alderman Bateman explained the details of the nonbinding contract.  There is an end date to this contract of June 1, 2025.

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

Yeas: (6), Alderman Steve Parrott, Alderman Sam Downs, Alderwoman Wanda Rohlfs, Alderman Kevin Bateman, Alderwoman Kathy Horn, Alderman Rob Jones

Nays: (0)

Abstain: (0)

Absent: (2) Alderman Tony Zurkammer, Alderman Rick Hoefle

 

G.  Approval of hiring of three (3) replacement officers.

 

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

 

Yeas: (6), Alderman Steve Parrott, Alderman Sam Downs, Alderwoman Wanda Rohlfs, Alderman Kevin Bateman, Alderwoman Kathy Horn, Alderman Rob Jones

Nays: (0)

Abstain: (0)

Absent: (2) Alderman Tony Zurkammer, Alderman Rick Hoefle

H. Approval of Economic Development Grant to Mario Taylor dba Almighty Investments for property at 110 N. Kickapoo Street in an amount not to exceed $7,500.00 for roof replacement.

 

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

Yeas: (6), Alderman Steve Parrott, Alderman Sam Downs, Alderwoman Wanda Rohlfs, Alderman Kevin Bateman, Alderwoman Kathy Horn, Alderman Rob Jones

Nays: (0)

Abstain: (0)

Absent: (2) Alderman Tony Zurkammer, Alderman Rick Hoefle

 

I. Approval of Economic Development Grant to Nick Cummings dba Almighty Investments for property at 604 Broadway Street in an amount not to exceed $7,500.00 for roof replacement.

 

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

Yeas: (6), Alderman Steve Parrott, Alderman Sam Downs, Alderwoman Wanda Rohlfs, Alderman Kevin Bateman, Alderwoman Kathy Horn, Alderman Rob Jones

Nays: (0)

Abstain: (0)

Absent: (2) Alderman Tony Zurkammer, Alderman Rick Hoefle

 

J. Approval of Façade Grant to Ethan Hoinacki dba Guesthouse for property at 111 S. Kickapoo St in an amount not to exceed $900.00 contingent upon approval from the Historic Preservation Committee.

 

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

Yeas: (6), Alderman Steve Parrott, Alderman Sam Downs, Alderwoman Wanda Rohlfs, Alderman Kevin Bateman, Alderwoman Kathy Horn, Alderman Rob Jones

Nays: (0)

Abstain: (0)

Absent: (2) Alderman Tony Zurkammer, Alderman Rick Hoefle

K. Approval of Façade Grant to Jenny Abbott dba American family Insurance for property at 407 Pulaski Street in an amount not to exceed $5,515.00, contingent upon approval from the Historic Preservation Committee.

 

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

Yeas: (6), Alderman Steve Parrott, Alderman Sam Downs, Alderwoman Wanda Rohlfs, Alderman Kevin Bateman, Alderwoman Kathy Horn, Alderman Rob Jones

Nays: (0)

Abstain: (0)

Absent: (2) Alderman Tony Zurkammer, Alderman Rick Hoefle

 

Announcements:

·         Trick or Treat with the Mayor was a huge success, approximately 250 kids. 

·         A constituent asked Alderman Parrott to suggest to the council that Trick or Treat hours be the Saturday before Halloween rather than on Halloween night due to parents working and school.

·         Alderman Parrott asked how a constituent could go about getting a street light installed.  Superintendent Landers said that most street lights that the city pays for are at the intersections.  If a homeowner would like a light, say in the middle of the block, they would contact Ameren to make the request.  Ameren would then add that light to the constituent’s monthly Ameren bill. 

·         Alderman Parrott had someone ask him what would prevent someone running for office.  He asked City Attorney Hoblit in an email.  The answer was if the person had a felony.

·         Alderman Bateman has had at least 20 people ask him over a couple years if the City of Lincoln could get a leaf vac truck similar to the one In Mt. Pulaski.  The raking part was not the issue for some of the older individuals, it was the bending over and putting them in the paper bags for the leaf pickup.  Superintendent Landers said a machine to do that would cost upwards of $100,000.  He said he doesn’t have the staff to run it and he wasn’t sure how much difference one machine would make in the size of Lincoln.  Mayor Welch said they could have future conversations about it. 

·         The Sewer Plant lab tour was over the weekend.  Alderwoman Rohlfs stated that she was very impressed with the plant and the knowledge that Andrew Bowns had regarding the facility. She hopes there is another tour. 

·         Congratulations to the Civic organizations on being runner up for the Governor’s Hometown Award.  A sign dedication will be on Nov 10th at the Farm Bureau building. 

 

 

Executive Session | 2C1 Personnel and 2C5 Purchase or lease of Real Estate:

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

 

Present:

Alderman Rob Jones, Ward 1

Alderman Steve Parrott, Ward 1

Alderman Sam Downs, Ward 2

Alderman Kevin Bateman, Ward 3

Alderman Wanda Rohlfs, Ward 3

Alderman Kathy Horn, Ward 4

 

Yeas: (6), Alderman Steve Parrott, Alderman Sam Downs, Alderwoman Wanda Rohlfs, Alderman Kevin Bateman, , Alderwoman Kathy Horn, Alderman Rob Jones

Nays: (0)

Abstain: (0)

Absent: (2) Alderman Tony Zurkammer, Alderman Rick Hoefle

 

The council recessed from the meeting at 8:03pm 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 10:03pm in order to reconvene the Committee of the Whole meeting.  Roll call was taken. 

 

Present:

Alderman Rob 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

 

Adjournment:

There being no further discussion to come before the City Council of Lincoln, Alderman Bateman motioned to adjourn, seconded by Alderman Jones. Mayor Welch adjourned the meeting at 10:03 p.m.

 

Respectfully Submitted By:

Charity Hutchison, Recording Secretary