REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Lincoln City Hall, Council Chambers
700 Broadway Street | Lincoln, Illinois
Monday, February 6, 2023
The Regular Meeting of the City Council of Lincoln was called to order by Mayor Welch at 7:01pm, 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
John Hoblit, City Attorney
Bob Dunovsky, Fire Chief
Walt Landers, Streets Superintendent
Joe Meister, Police Chief
Remotely:
Chuck Conzo, City Treasurer
Wes Woodhall, Building and Safety Officer
Andrew Bowns, Veolia Water, Project Manager
Absent:
Presiding:
Tracy Welch, Mayor
Lori Milosevich-Lahr, CPA of Estes, Bridgewater & Ogden – presentation of audit for FY 21/22.
Lori presented the council with a 103 page report of the audit along with a 5 page executive summary report.
The 5 page report shows that city revenue in the general fund went up $1.4 million from the prior year. Motor Fuel tax - revenue was up due to the Rebuild Illinois payments.
ARPA - funds will be shown as income until the funds are expended.
Non-major funds – taxes are up. From $436,000 to $522,000. A decrease in fund balance of $153,000 with the prior year being $135,000.
Pension Liability – prior year was $58 million, it decreased to $46 million.
The city has 8 loans and leases out.
Sewer Fund – capital assets went up due to construction ending. Two EPA loans plus another loan total approx. $17 million. Operating income totaled $2 million.
Police/Fire Pension - $16.6 million at the end of April.
There were no recommendations from the audit. Lori thanked Chuck, Peggy and their team do a great job of keeping track of everything.
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 for December 19, 2022 Public Hearing Meeting, January 3, 2023 Regular City Council Meeting, January 17, 2023 Regular City Council Meeting.
Alderman Jones made the motion to approve, Alderwoman Horn seconded. Mayor Welch called for discussion.
There was a revised payment of bills report sent out to the council prior to the meeting. The report had an additional invoice/charge for two additional City Hall windows that was accidentally omitted from the original bid. This added invoice covers the materials and labor costs for those two windows.
An additional topic was discussed regarding the vinyl that has been added to the top of each 1st floor window. From the street, you can see above the drop ceiling through these windows. The previous windows were painted in that area. The contractor added white vinyl to the inside of these windows however the window is turning a yellow color. The council agreed to add white vinyl to the outside of the windows.
There being no other discussion, 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.
Ordinances and Resolutions:
A. Ordinance 2023-998 authorizing entering into a Lease in exchange for installation of a mural contingent upon the approval of the property owner.
Alderman Parrott made the motion to approve, Alderman Jones seconded. Mayor Welch called for discussion.
Alderwoman Rohlfs would raise the annual lease of the property to more than $1. She felt a $1 annual fee would set precedence for other businesses. City Treasurer Conzo agreed and said he recommended charging the same annual fee of $50 for a parklet. Alderman Zurkammer did not agree with raising the cost because the City would gain tourism from the mural and removing the parklet from the street will rid the city of a liability.
Alderwoman Rohlfs made an amendment to the ordinance to raise the rental fee to $50/year that will be payable May 1st each year for the term of the lease. Alderman Downs seconded.
City Clerk Bateman called roll.
Yeas: (4), Alderman Steve Parrott Alderman Sam Downs, Alderwoman Wanda Lee Rohlfs, Alderman Kevin Bateman
Nays: (4) Alderman Rob Jones, Alderman Tony Zurkammer, Alderwoman Kathy Horn, Alderman Rick Hoefle
Abstain: (0)
Absent: (0)
With a tie vote, the motion was turned over to Mayor Welch for his tiebreaker vote. He voted no. The motion did not pass.
City Clerk Bateman called roll on the original agenda item as read.
Yeas: (7) Alderman Rob Jones, Alderman Steve Parrott, Alderman Sam Downs, Alderman Rick Hoefle, Alderman Kevin Bateman, Alderwoman Kathy Horn, Alderman Tony Zurkammer
Nays: (1) Alderwoman Wanda Lee Rohlfs
Abstain: (0)
Absent: (0)
Mayor Welch moved to other items on the agenda.
New Business/Communications:
A. Approval of economic development grant to Eileen Mullins, d/b/a Sir Renna Tea, for replacement of rear door in an amount not to exceed $7,500.00.
Alderman Zurkammer 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. Approval of façade grant to Eileen Mullins, d/b/a Sir Renna Tea, for replacement three (3) shop windows and entry double doors in an amount not to exceed $10,000.00.
Alderman Zurkammer 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)
Announcements:
· House blessing for Habitat for Humanity’s 26th house on February 11th, at 2:30pm, at 1017 Tremont St.
· 185 accounts have taken part in the 10% discount total in $9,296.00 in the first three days of the offered discount. The discount is only available through 2/20/23.
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 8:10 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted By:
Charity Hutchison, Recording Secretary