APRIL 25, 2023 COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING

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COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING

Lincoln City Hall, Council Chambers

700 Broadway Street | Lincoln, Illinois

Tuesday, April 25, 2023

 

The Committee of the Whole Meeting of the City Council of Lincoln was called to order by Mayor Tracy Welch at 7:18 p.m., with proper notice given. City Clerk Peggy Bateman called roll.

 

Present:

Vacant, Ward 1

Alderman Steve Parrott, Ward 1

Alderman Sam Downs, Ward 2

Alderman Kevin Bateman, Ward 3

Alderwoman Wanda Lee Rohlfs, Ward 3

Alderwoman Kathy Horn, Ward 4


Staff Present:

Peggy Bateman, City Clerk

Chuck Conzo, City Treasurer

John Hoblit, City Attorney

Walt Landers, Streets Superintendent

Wes Woodhall, Building and Safety Officer

Bob Dunovsky, Fire Chief

Joe Meister, Police Chief

Andrew Bowns, Veolia Water, Project Manager

Absent:

Alderman Tony Zurkammer, Ward 2

Alderman Rick Hoefle, Ward 4

Presiding:

Mayor Tracy Welch


 

Public Comment:

Mark Johnson was present to ask the council when the empty lot at 636 6th St., that is owned by the City, will be up for sale.  He owns property next door and he’d like to purchase the lot.  The residents at 640 6th St have “taken over” the lot.  People are parking cars there and sleep in the cars.  The city has begun to clean up the property and have notified the owner at 640 6th St to vacate the premises. Mayor Welch said this property will come before the council soon to sell the property. 

Jeremy Wells was present to inform the council of the Indoor Firing Range in the city at what it offers.    

 

Alice Roate – Logan County Tourism 1st Quarter Report

H/M tax income = $36,639.02 - down 17% from 2022

Approved for the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Grant = $46,287.00

Illinois Tourism Attractions and Festivals Grant = $25,187.00 which will be used for a new parking lot and sidewalks at the Mill Museum. 

Digital marketing continues

121 people had tourism inquiries and 10 people came into the office with Route 66 passports. 

The Mill Museum is back open. 

 

Request to Permit – Lincoln Community High School Senior Parade Saturday, May 6, 2023.

This item will be placed on the Consent agenda.

 

Economic Development Commission Grant Approvals

Façade Grants for…

  • Jamie Harnecke with Sublime Skin, a business above Guest House, signage for their business
  • Spirited Republic and Guzzardos would like new signage on the front and back of the properties.

Advice and Consent to the Mayoral re-appointments, Joe Meister – Chief of Police, Robert Dunovsky – Fire Chief, Walt Landers – Street Superintendent, Wes Woodhall – Building & Safety Inspector. 

This item will be placed on the regular agenda. 

 

Resolutions Establishing Salaried and/or Pay Increases for the City of Lincoln

This item will be placed on the regular agenda. 

 

Building and Safety Department facilitated a Public Planning Commission regarding Indoor Gun Range.

The Planning Commission unanimously approved an indoor gun range as an allowable use in a C-1 district and recommends the council do the same.

This item will be placed on a regular agenda.

Ordinance creating 3-26 of the City Code regarding indoor gun ranges within the City of Lincoln and allowing them as C-1 business. 

There was a report of shots fired, shortly after the gun range went live.  The city code was not specific enough to allow or not allow this type of business in a C-1 district.  City Attorney Hoblit and Chief Meister looked over the code and made the necessary changes. 

This item will be placed on the regular agenda with an annual license fee of $50.   

Announcements:

  • Grand March is this weekend. Scheduled to be at the Courthouse but the weather forecast does not look favorable.
  • Two ribbon cuttings: 1.) 4pm at the American Legion for the Land of Lincoln CEO Trade Show ) Open Arms Fellowship Church.
  • Advice and consent for Mayoral appointment of Jim Davis to be appointed to the Fire and Police Commission. This item will be placed on the regular agenda.
  • The recycling event was a great success.
  • Tree planting ceremony will be this Friday at the LMSB in honor of Arbor Day
  • The council presented Alderwoman Kathy Horn with a plaque in recognition of her many years on the council. Her term has ended.

 

Adjournment:

There being no further discussion to come before the City Council of Lincoln, Alderman Parrott motioned to adjourn, and for the last time seconded by Alderwoman Horn. All were in favor. Mayor Welch adjourned the meeting at 8:14 p.m.

 

Respectfully Submitted By:

Charity Hutchison, Recording Secretary