REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING

Lincoln City Hall, Council Chambers

700 Broadway Street | Lincoln, Illinois

Tuesday, January 3, 2023

 

The Regular Meeting of the City Council of Lincoln was called to order by Mayor Welch at 7:02pm, 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

Walt Landers, Streets Superintendent

Bob Dunovsky, Fire Chief

Joseph Meister, Police Chief

Andrew Bowns, Veolia Water, Project Manager

 

Remotely:

Wes Woodhall, Building and Safety Officer

 

Presiding:

Tracy Welch, Mayor

 

 

Public Comment:

There was no one present or on the phone for public comment. 

 

Official Oath of Office

Joseph Meister Chief of Police

Matt Comstock Deputy Police Chief

Tim Butterfield Sergeant

 

Consent Agenda by Omnibus Vote:
A. Payment of Bills

B. Approval of minutes for November 29, 2022 Committee of the Whole Meeting, December 13, 2022 Committee of the Whole Meeting, December 19, 2022 Regular City Council Meeting

Alderman Zurkammer made the motion to approve, Alderwoman Rohlfs seconded.  Mayor Welch called for discussion, there being none, City Clerk Bateman called 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 to other items on the agenda.

 

Ordinance and Resolutions:

A. Ordinance 2023-997 Amending Section 6-4-24 of the Lincoln City Code.

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

City Attorney Hoblit has been working with Police Chief Meister on the ordinance pertaining to cannabis. Currently the ordinance is unlawful in accordance to State law that was passed in 2020. There are three main changes to the ordinance. Those changes are that possession is illegal under 21 years of age, that transportation is illegal if it is not in its vacuumed sealed container, and an added provision for anyone, whether over 21 or not, that carries more than 30 grams of cannabis. Also non Illinois residents may only carry a max of 15 grams of cannabis. The changes had also moved the numbering/lettering around within the ordinance. 

Mayor Welch asked if any offenses made since 2020 would need to be reviewed.  Chief Meister and City Attorney Hoblit didn’t think there had been any possession charges filed in the City since then.  Chief Meister will look and bring that information back to the council. 

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 to other items on the agenda.

 

New Business/Communications:
A. Approval of Funding Agreement between the Logan County Tourism Bureau and the City of Lincoln for the period beginning January 1, 2023 and ending December 31, 2023.

Alderman Jones made the motion to approve, Alderman Hoefle 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.  Approval of Structural Improvement Grant to Rio Grande in an amount not to exceed $7,500.00. (Contingent upon a City Lease Agreement issued to Rio Grande).

Alderwoman Rohlfs made the motion to approve, Alderman Zurkammer 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. Approval of issuing a R.F.P. for professional engineering services for the City of Lincoln

Alderman Hoefle made the motion to approve, Alderman Jones 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 installation of a new drain line along Harrison Street from Kankakee Street to Ottawa Street at a cost not to exceed $22,648.00.

Alderman Hoefle 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)

 

Announcements:

·         Residents need to check their sewer bills within the next couple months as the new water readings are in and may reflect a change on sewer rates.

·         On New Year’s Eve, there was significant vandalism to the Covered Wagon.  Police Chief Meister will have an update on leads at the meeting.

·         Trash rate will increase to $16.74/month in March.

·         Due to holidays in January, all meeting will be on Tuesdays.

Adjournment:

There being no further discussion to come before the City Council of Lincoln, Alderman Hoefle motioned to adjourn, seconded by Alderwoman Horn. Mayor Welch adjourned the meeting at 7:25 p.m.

 

Respectfully Submitted By:

Charity Hutchison, Recording Secretary