COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING
Lincoln City Hall, Council Chambers
700 Broadway Street | Lincoln, Illinois
Tuesday, May 9, 2023
The Committee of the Whole Meeting of the City Council of Lincoln was called to order by Mayor Tracy Welch at 7:02 p.m., with proper notice given. City Clerk Peggy Bateman called roll.
Present:
Alderwoman Robin McClallen, Ward 1
Alderman Steve Parrott, Ward 1
Vacant, Ward 2
Alderman Sam Downs, Ward 2
Alderman Kevin Bateman, Ward 3
Alderwoman Wanda Lee Rohlfs, Ward 3
Alderman Craig Eimer, Ward 4
Vacant, 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
Presiding:
Mayor Tracy Welch
Public Comment:
There is no one present for public comment.
Request to permit with Street Closure – Logan County Tourism Saturday, June 24, 2023 738 S. Washington St from 2pm – 5pm for Mill Museum fundraiser
This item will be placed on the consent agenda.
Request to permit with Street Closure – 3rd Friday downtown May 19th, June 16th, and July 21st with streets closing at 4:00pm.
This item will be placed on the consent agenda.
Mayoral appointment of Robin McClallen to Economic Development Commission.
This item will be placed on the regular agenda.
Final Payment for Half Moon/Eaton Curb Project.
Superintendent Landers shared that this project was mostly completed last year. There were final restorations that needed to be completed in the spring. These are now finished. Final payment for the project is $17,309.30.
This item will be placed on the regular agenda.
2023/2024 Draft Motor Fuel Tax Maintenance Program Resolution
This covers equipment rental, labor, cost of materials for MFT projects and the engineering for the sidewalk project.
This item will be placed on the regular agenda.
New Wheel Loader and Backhoe Lease
This item will be removed from the agenda. The cost was not available to Mr. Landers. This item will be brought back to a future COW.
Veolia CPI Increase
This year’s CPI increase is 4.593%.
This item will be placed on the regular agenda.
Change to City Code 8-10 regarding signs.
At the direction of the council, City Attorney Hoblit made changes to City Code 8-10 signs.
Superintendent Landers will notify the sign owner of their violation and give them time to move/remove the sign. If it is not removed or moved, the sign will be confiscated and held at the Street Department for 30 days for pickup by the owner. If there isn’t a way to contact the owner, the sign will be removed immediately and also held at the Street Department for 30 days. After 30 days, the signs will be disposed of.
This item will be placed on the regular.
Mayor Welch moved on to other items on the agenda.
Announcements:
- Alderman Eimer thanked the Sewer Plant and Street Department staff for the drainage work done on Harrison.
- Alderman Bateman asked that a motion to reconsider be added to the regular agenda regarding the wage increases for the non-union clerical employees. No one objected. Police Chief Joe Meister provided the council with a packet outlining the duties that his civilian employees do on a daily basis. This item will be added to the regular agenda with an increase of $4,000 for Ashley Metelko and an increase of $4,183.00 for the other full-time non-union clerical employees. Discussion on this topic is further down.
- Request to permit road Closure for the Cars and Coffee will be placed on the consent agenda.
- Chief Meister has posted 3 extra officers for 3rd
- It was asked if it was permitted to go into executive session to discuss personnel wages. Discussion was had.
- Dog Park Grand Opening is Wednesday, May 10th at 5pm. Hot dogs, chips, and drinks will be provided.
- Alderman Zurkammer and Alderman Hoefle submitted their resignations. Mayor Welch thanked them for their service and time to the City of Lincoln. Mayor Welch is taking recommendations to fill their seats.
- In regard to heated discussions in last week’s council meeting, Mayor Welch encourages the council to enter into a civility pact. If the council is interested, he will bring to a later COW.
Alderman Parrott made the motion to go into Executive Session under 2c1 Personnel, Alderwoman Rohlfs seconded. City Clerk Bateman called the roll.
Yeas: (3) Alderman Steve Parrott, Alderwoman Robin McClallen, Alderwoman Wanda Lee Rohlfs
Nays: (3) Alderman Craig Eimer, Alderman Kevin Bateman, Alderman Sam Downs
Abstain: (0)
Absent: (0)
Mayor Welch voted not to break the tie. He stated that the topic started in a public discussion and should end in a public discussion for transparency.
Alderman Parrott suggested that the city contact GOV HR to complete a pay scale study to compare wages to other communities.
Alderwoman Rohlfs would like more time to study the budget to be able to make a more informed decision.
Alderman Bateman would like the council to pass the wage increase that was approved in the FY 23/24 budget.
The council was in agreement that the process for these wage increases needs to be discussed further and changed prior to next year. Performance reviews need to be completed.
According to Mayor Welch, the amount of the wage increase was determined after the city was found to be fiscally stable and was discussed within the budget committee meetings.
- As part of Logan County Pride, there will be a pet costume contest and a beard and mustache contest.
Adjournment:
There being no further discussion to come before the City Council of Lincoln, Alderman Parrott motioned to adjourn, seconded by Alderman Downs. All were in favor. Mayor Welch adjourned the meeting at 8:55 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted By:
Charity Hutchison, Recording Secretary
City of Lincoln