REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Lincoln City Hall, Council Chambers
700 Broadway Street | Lincoln, Illinois
Tuesday, January 16, 2024
The Regular Meeting of the City Council of Lincoln was called to order by Mayor Welch at 7:05pm, 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 Rhonda O’Donoghue, Ward 4
Staff Present:
Peggy Bateman, City Clerk
Chuck Conzo, City Treasurer
Chris Harding, Assistant Fire Chief
Wes Woodhall, Building and Safety Officer
Walt Landers, Streets Superintendent
Joe Meister, Police Chief
Remotely:
Alderwoman Wanda Lee Rohlfs, Ward 3
Andrew Bowns, Veolia Water, Project Manager
Absent:
Alderman Craig Eimer, Ward 4
Ty Johnson, Fire Chief
John Hoblit, City Attorney
Presiding:
Tracy Welch, Mayor
Alderwoman Rohlfs was present via remote. The council needed to vote in order to allow Alderwoman Rohlfs to participate in the meeting and vote. All were in favor.
The Council had a moment of silence for Patrolman Josh Durbin who passed over the weekend.
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 18, 2023 Regular City Council Meeting, December 18, 2023 Public Hearing-Tax Levy Meeting, January 2, 2024 Regular City Council Meeting.
Alderwoman O’Donoghue made the motion to approve, Alderwoman McClallen seconded. Mayor Welch called for discussion.
There being no other discussion, City Clerk Bateman called roll.
Yeas: (7) Alderman Steve Parrott, Alderman Sam Downs, Alderwoman Rhonda O’Donoghue, Alderwoman Wanda Lee Rohlfs, Alderman Kevin Bateman, Alderwoman Robin McClallen, Alderman David Sanders
Nays: (0)
Abstain: (0)
Absent: (1) Alderman Craig Eimer
Mayor Welch moved to other items on the agenda.
Ordinances and Resolutions:
A. Resolution #2024-485 authorizing and approving non-exclusive franchise agreement for cable service with Comcast.
After conferring with the City Attorney, this item can be combined with item 9B for the same vote.
Alderwoman O’Donoghue made the motion to approve, Alderman Downs seconded. Mayor Welch called for discussion, there being none, City Clerk Bateman called roll.
Yeas: (7) Alderman Steve Parrott, Alderman Sam Downs, Alderwoman Wanda Lee Rohlfs, , Alderman Kevin Bateman, Alderwoman Robin McClallen, Alderwoman Rhonda O’Donoghue, Alderman David Sanders
Nays: (0)
Abstain: (0)
Absent: (1) Alderman Craig Eimer
Mayor Welch moved to other items on the agenda.
Reports
A. City Treasurer’s Report for December, 2023
Fund balance is down from last year. Has to do with when loan payments are due.
Police & Fire pension funds are up.
Sales tax is up from a year ago.
Non-Home Rule sales tax is up from a year ago.
State income tax is down from a year ago.
Replacement is down a little as expected.
Motor Fuel Tax is down as well.
Video Gaming is up approx. $4000 from a year ago.
B. City Clerk’s Report for December, 2023
$254,557.20 was received in sewer receipts for the month of December. $22,761.36 was received from both prisons. Letters for the 10% discount will go out next week.
C. Department Head Reports for December, 2023
These reports are either on file or will be soon.
Mayor Welch moved to other items on the agenda.
New Business/Communications:
A. Approval of annual audit by Estes, Bridgewater & Ogden for FY 2022-2023.
Alderman Bateman made the motion to approve, Alderwoman O’Donoghue seconded. Mayor Welch called for discussion, there being none, City Clerk Bateman called the roll.
Yeas: (7) Alderman Steve Parrott, Alderman Sam Downs, Alderwoman Rhonda O’Donoghue, Alderwoman Wanda Lee Rohlfs, Alderman Kevin Bateman, Alderwoman Robin McClallen, Alderman David Sanders
Nays: (0)
Abstain: (0)
Absent: (1) Alderman Craig Eimer
B. Approval of cable television franchise agreement between the City of Lincoln and Comcast of Illinois, Indiana and Ohio, LLC for a period of seven (7) years.
A vote was taken and shows above.
C. Approval of a three-year (3) agreement with GPS Insight Fleet Solutions and the City of Lincoln in an amount not to exceed $32,020.50.
Alderman Downs made the motion to approve, Alderwoman O’Donoghue seconded. Mayor Welch called for discussion, there being none, City Clerk Bateman called the roll.
Yeas: (7) Alderman Steve Parrott, Alderman Sam Downs, Alderwoman Wanda Lee Rohlfs, Alderman Kevin Bateman, Alderwoman Rhonda O’Donoghue, Alderwoman Robin McClallen, Alderman David Sanders
Nays: (0)
Abstain: (0)
Absent: (1) Alderman Craig Eimer
Announcements:
· It’s time to start discussion for Electrical Aggregation. Mayor Welch asked for a volunteer from the council to be a representative.
Adjournment:
There being no further discussion to come before the City Council of Lincoln, Alderman Downs motioned to adjourn, seconded by Alderman Parrott. Mayor Welch adjourned the meeting at 7:22 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted By:
Charity Hutchison, Recording Secretary