REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Lincoln City Hall, Council Chambers
700 Broadway Street | Lincoln, Illinois
Monday, December 19, 2022
The Regular Meeting of the City Council of Lincoln was called to order by Mayor Welch at 7:06pm, 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 Lee Rohlfs, Ward 3
Alderman Rick Hoefle, Ward 4
Alderwoman Kathy Horn, Ward 4
Staff Present:
Peggy Bateman, City Clerk
Chuck Conzo, City Treasurer
John Hoblit, City Attorney
Bob Dunovsky, Fire Chief
Andrew Bowns, Veolia Water, Project Manager
Joe Meister, Deputy Police Chief
Remotely:
Wes Woodhall, Building and Safety Officer
Absent:
Walt Landers, Streets Superintendent
Matt Vlahovich, Police Chief
Presiding:
Tracy Welch, Mayor
Public Comment:
There was no one present or on the phone for public comment.
Consent Agenda by Omnibus Vote:
A. Payment of Bills
B. Approval of minutes November 21, 2022 Regular City Council Meeting, December 5, 2022 Regular City Council Meeting
Alderman Downs made the motion to approve, Alderman Jones seconded. Mayor Welch called for discussion, there being none, City Clerk Bateman called roll.
Yeas: (7) Alderman Rob Jones, Alderman Steve Parrott, Alderman Sam Downs, Alderman Rick Hoefle, Alderwoman Wanda Lee Rohlfs, Alderwoman Kathy Horn, Alderman Tony Zurkammer
Nays: (0)
Abstain: (1) Alderman Kevin Bateman
Absent: (0)
Mayor Welch moved to other items on the agenda.
Ordinances and Resolutions:
A. Tax Levy Ordinance 2022-995 for 2022
Alderman Downs made the motion to approve, Alderman Parrott seconded. Mayor Welch called for discussion.
This item was previously set at a 1% increase.
Alderman Hoefle made the motion to amend the item to change the tax levy from 1% to a flat rate of 0%, Alderman Zurkammer seconded. Mayor Welch called for discussion
Alderman Downs felt the increase was needed or was open to other ways to help fund the fire/police pension funds.
Several alderman felt with inflation already pretty high, this was not the time to increase property taxes and create even more of a burden on homeowners.
Treasurer Conzo needed the amended motion to be worded differently to say exclude the bond issue.
Alderman Hoefle and Alderman Zurkammer rescinded their motion and second.
Alderman Hoefle made the motion to amend the item to change the tax levy from 1% to a 0% flat rate increase and to exclude the bond issue. Alderman Zurkammer seconded. There being no other discussion, City Clerk Bateman called the roll on the amendment.
Yeas: (5) Alderman Rob Jones, Alderman Rick Hoefle, Alderman Kevin Bateman, Alderwoman Kathy Horn, Alderman Tony Zurkammer
Nays: (3) Alderman Sam Downs, Alderman Steve Parrott, Alderwoman Wanda Lee Rohlfs
Abstain: (0)
Absent: (0)
City Clerk Bateman called roll on the item as amended.
Yeas: (5) Alderman Rob Jones, Alderman Rick Hoefle, Alderman Kevin Bateman, Alderwoman Kathy Horn, Alderman Tony Zurkammer
Nays: (3) Alderman Sam Downs, Alderman Steve Parrott, Alderwoman Wanda Lee Rohlfs
Abstain: (0)
Absent: (0)
B. Resolution 2022-467 approving the Content of Certain Executive Session meeting minutes.
Alderman Downs made the motion to approve, Alderman Parrott seconded. Mayor Welch called for discussion, there being none, City Clerk Bateman called the roll.
Yeas: (8) Alderman Rob Jones, Alderman Steve Parrott, Alderman Sam Downs, Alderman Rick Hoefle, Alderwoman Wanda Lee Rohlfs, Alderman Kevin Bateman, Alderwoman Kathy Horn, Alderman Tony Zurkammer
Nays: (0)
Abstain: (0)
Absent: (0)
C. Ordinance 2022-996 amending Section 7-8-1-14 of the Lincoln City Code.
Alderman Bateman made the motion to approve, Alderman Hoefle seconded. Mayor Welch called for discussion.
The only month this savings is offered is the month of February. You also need to call the Clerk’s office and let them know that you plan to utilize the 10% or have questions. Flyers will be in the January and February bills.
There being no other discussion, City Clerk Bateman called the roll.
Yeas: (8) Alderman Rob Jones, Alderman Steve Parrott, Alderman Sam Downs, Alderman Rick Hoefle, Alderwoman Wanda Lee Rohlfs, Alderman Kevin Bateman, Alderwoman Kathy Horn, Alderman Tony Zurkammer
Nays: (0)
Abstain: (0)
Absent: (0)
Mayor Welch moved on to other items on the agenda.
Reports
A. City Treasurer's Report for December, 2022
General Fund balance is very favorable. However, keep the 7% inflation in mind.
Police/Fire Pensions have been consolidated. Reports may be delayed
Sales tax – close to the amount from a month ago.
Motor Fuel tax – same as a year ago
Video gaming – has been steady at about $37,000 -$38,000
B. City Clerks Report for December, 2022
$344,720.38 was received in sewer payments for the month of September. $6,704.32 was received from one of the prisons.
C. Department Head Reports for December, 2022
These reports are either on file or will be soon.
Mayor Welch moved to other items on the agenda.
New Business/Communications:
A. Approval of Contractor’s Payment Application No. 22 for CSO Improvements through December 9, 2022 from Plocher Construction Co. in an amount not to exceed $74,383.39.
Alderwoman Bateman made the motion to approve, Alderman Downs seconded. Mayor Welch called for discussion, there being none, City Clerk Bateman called the roll.
Yeas: (8) Alderman Rob Jones, Alderman Steve Parrott, Alderman Sam Downs, Alderman Rick Hoefle, Alderwoman Wanda Lee Rohlfs, Alderman Kevin Bateman, Alderwoman Kathy Horn, Alderman Tony Zurkammer
Nays: (0)
Abstain: (0)
Absent: (0)
B. Advise and Consent to Mayoral Appointments of Peter Ahart and Mario Taylor to the Diversity and Inclusion Commission.
Alderman Downs made the motion to approve, Alderwoman Rohlfs seconded. Mayor Welch called for discussion, there being none, City Clerk Bateman called the roll.
Yeas: (8) Alderman Rob Jones, Alderman Steve Parrott, Alderman Sam Downs, Alderman Rick Hoefle, Alderwoman Wanda Lee Rohlfs, Alderman Kevin Bateman, Alderwoman Kathy Horn, Alderman Tony Zurkammer
Nays: (0)
Abstain: (0)
Absent: (0)
C. Advise and consent to the appointment of Detective Sergeant Matthew Comstock to Deputy Chief of Police effective January 1, 2023.
Alderwoman Rohlfs made the motion to approve, Alderwoman Horn seconded. Mayor Welch called for discussion, there being none, City Clerk Bateman called the roll.
Yeas: (8) Alderman Rob Jones, Alderman Steve Parrott, Alderman Sam Downs, Alderman Rick Hoefle, Alderwoman Wanda Lee Rohlfs, Alderman Kevin Bateman, Alderwoman Kathy Horn, Alderman Tony Zurkammer
Nays: (0)
Abstain: (0)
Absent: (0)
D. Approval of the replacement of RAS Pumps #3 and #4 for the Sewer System in an amount not to exceed $51,964.00.
Alderman Zurkammer made the motion to approve, Alderman Bateman seconded. Mayor Welch called for discussion, there being none, City Clerk Bateman called the roll.
Yeas: (8) Alderman Rob Jones, Alderman Steve Parrott, Alderman Sam Downs, Alderman Rick Hoefle, Alderwoman Wanda Lee Rohlfs, Alderman Kevin Bateman, Alderwoman Kathy Horn, Alderman Tony Zurkammer
Nays: (0)
Abstain: (0)
Absent: (0)
Announcements:
· Mayor Welch turned the floor over to Alderman Downs who has a time sensitive item. The city was approached by an agency called The Coalition, That agency consists of the Salvation Army, Unity Point Healthcare, Central Illinois Veterans Commission, and SIU School of Medicine. The Coalition has the opportunity to apply for a grant (deadline is 12/30/22) but need a location purchased or leased in their name to meet grant requirements. They plan to apply for their 501c3. They’d like the City to purchase the property from Lincoln College and lease it to The Coalition.
Each affiliation will offer their surfaces for various individuals. Mental Health assistance, veterans housing, shelter options and detox.
As The Coalition get on their feet, they ask that the city pay for the insurance and utilities for the first year. That cost is estimated at $100,000 a year.
The council is very concerned about the asbestos in the building. The council would like a mold and asbestos inspections done before they make a decision.
There was concern from department heads for who would be responsible for the upkeep. Deputy Chief Meister suggested that the coalition have their own security. In his experience, facilities like this have fighting and problems between the residents.
There will be a special voting meeting on Dec 27th prior to the Committee of the Whole meeting for this item.
· The solar farm that has already been built will need an agreement extension. They are waiting on certain work from Ameren. This item will be placed on the agenda for the Special Voting Meeting on Dec 27th.
· With Police Chief Vlahovich retiring, the city is needing to remove him from the State Bank credit card and add Joe Meister, the new Police Chief effective January 1st, 2023, to the account as a card user. The bank is requiring meeting minutes to document this change. The change does not require a council vote. The council was in favor.
· Installation of the new windows at City Hall has begun.
Adjournment:
There being no further discussion to come before the City Council of Lincoln, Alderman Hoefle motioned to adjourn, seconded by Alderman Zurkammer. Mayor Welch adjourned the meeting at 9:09 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted By:
Charity Hutchison, Recording Secretary