COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING
Lincoln City Hall, Council Chambers
700 Broadway Street | Lincoln, Illinois
Tuesday, August 29, 2023
The Committee of the Whole Meeting of the City Council of Lincoln was called to order by Mayor Tracy Welch at 7:01 p.m., with proper notice given. City Clerk Peggy Bateman called roll.
Present:
Alderwoman Robin McClallen, Ward 1
Alderman Steve Parrott, Ward 1
Alderman David Sanders, Ward 2
Alderman Sam Downs, Ward 2
Alderman Kevin Bateman, Ward 3
Alderwoman Wanda Lee Rohlfs, Ward 3
Alderwoman Rhonda O’Donoghue, 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
Joe Meister, Police Chief
Andrew Bowns, Veolia Water, Project Manager
Ben Roland, Assist Fire Chief
Absent:
Alderman Craig Eimer, Ward 4
Bob Dunovsky, Fire Chief
Presiding:
Mayor Tracy Welch
Mayor Welch moved the agenda around a bit to allow for guests to speak sooner that had longer drives home.
Samantha Webb – Oath of Office for Police Officer
Ms. Webb was sworn in by City Attorney Hoblit.
Brit Miller and Hunter York with Beck Tech – Proposal for Downtown Safety Initiative Camera Project.
Brit was not able to be present this evening; Eric Smith was present in his place.
There has been discussion for a downtown initiative to make things safer for residents to walk at night.
Chief Meister introduced the gentleman and shared how the cameras would work.
The technology will help solve crimes quicker.
Public Comment:
Victor Martinek – spoke regarding the Be the Match program
Darin Schepp – spoke regarding the CO2 pipeline proposed for Logan County
Libby Anderson – spoke regarding the CO2 pipeline proposed for Logan County
Emily Blankenship – spoke regarding the CO2 pipeline proposed for Logan County
Proclamation 2023-479 Childhood Cancer Awareness September 1, 2023.
Destine Richert spoke and shared her personal story of the diagnosis, journey and loss of her 2-year-old son, Clay, to cancer. She asked for the City’s support for Childhood Cancer Awareness month.
Mayor Welch read the Proclamation for the Council.
This item will be placed on the regular agenda.
Request to permit - National Railsplitting Association Festival September 16th & 17th 2023
This item will be placed on the consent agenda.
Local Boy Scout Troop for potential Eagle Scout Project to repaint the underpass on South Kickapoo Street
The troop will be asked to join the council at a later COW to explain more and their design plan.
RAS 1 & 2 Replacement Pumps
RAS 1 & 2 pumps are shot.
This item will be placed on the regular agenda.
Crawford, Murphy & Tilley Engineering Work Order No 6
This work order is for the sidewalk project. Engineering costs total $33,000.00
This item will be placed on the regular agenda.
Funding for Sidewalk Engineering
Funds for the Sidewalk engineering will be coming out of Capital Projects, rather than MFT funds. This is due to not receiving concrete bids to allow the use of MFT funds.
This item will be placed on the regular agenda.
Economic Development Commission Grant Approval – Mystic Grenz/Ind Capital LLC, 120 Woodlawn Rd, Exterior Door & Window Replacement.
This item will be placed on the regular agenda.
Elevator Modernization Proposal
Initially the Council approved $175,000 from ARPA funds for this project. The estimate came in higher so a request is being made to use an additional $25,000 of ARPA funds to cover the increase in material cost. These additional funds include a 10% contingency.
This item will be placed on the regular agenda.
Ordinances regarding Truck & Trailer Parking
Alderwoman Rohlfs shared that she sees more businesses operating in residential districts that are needing several vehicles to operate. She wasn’t sure if these residents were aware of the ordinances.
She’d like the ordinances undated and enforced.
There was discussion to hire an additional employee in Code Enforcement however an additional salary is not in this year’s budget. The Police Department is short staffed as well. There was also discussion in deputizing either Cori or Wes, or both, in the Code Enforcement office.
This item will be discussed with department heads and brought back to a future COW.
Mayor Welch moved on to other items on the agenda.
Announcements:
- Superintendent Landers would like to have the bid approval for the sidewalk project added to the regular agenda. The bid opening is tomorrow.
- The oil & chip project will begin next week.
- Huge thank you to the Balloons Over 66 committee.
- There is an upcoming bike riding event at the Oasis on September 16. See their website for more information
- Employee Appreciation Cheesed Out Food Truck is September 7th from 11-2, and it open to the public
Executive Session 2C11 Pending or Imminent Litigation:
There being no further announcements to come before the council, Alderman Parrott made the motion to move into Executive Session, seconded by Alderman Downs. All were in favor.
The Council recessed from the Committee of the Whole meeting at 9:18pm in order to enter Executive Session. Mayor Welch announced there would be no further city business conducted upon reconvening.
Return from Executive Session:
The council reconvened from Executive Session at 10:39pm in order to reconvene the Committee of the Whole meeting. Roll call was taken.
Present:
Alderwoman Robin McClallen, Ward 1
Alderman Steve Parrott, Ward 1
Alderman David Sanders, Ward 2
Alderman Sam Downs, Ward 2
Alderman Kevin Bateman, Ward 3
Alderwoman Wanda Lee Rohlfs, Ward 3
Alderwoman Rhonda O’Donoghue, Ward 4
Absent:
Alderman Craig Eimer, Ward 4
The executive session discussion item will be placed on the regular agenda.
Adjournment:
There being no further discussion to come before the City Council of Lincoln, Alderman Parrott motioned to adjourn, seconded by Alderwoman O’Donoghue. All were in favor. Mayor Welch adjourned the meeting at 10:40 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted By:
Charity Hutchison, Recording Secretary
City of Lincoln