COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING

Lincoln City Hall, Council Chambers

700 Broadway Street | Lincoln, Illinois

Tuesday, May 28, 2024

The Committee of the Whole Meeting of the City Council of Lincoln was called to order by Mayor Tracy Welch at 6:00 p.m., with proper notice given. City Clerk Peggy Bateman called roll.

Present:

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

Alderman Craig Eimer, Ward 4

Alderwoman Rhonda O’Donoghue, Ward 4

Staff Present:

Peggy Bateman, City Clerk

Chuck Conzo, City Treasurer

John Hoblit, City Attorney

Walt Landers, Streets Superintendent

Ty Johnson, Fire Chief

Matt Comstock, Deputy Police Chief

Andrew Bowns, Veolia Water, Project Manager

Absent:

Alderwoman Robin McClallen, Ward 1

Joe Meister, Police Chief

Wes Woodhall, Building and Safety Officer

Presiding:

Mayor Tracy Welch

Public Comment:

There is no one present for public comment. 

Oath of Office – Aaron Johnson Fire Chief

Lincoln Police Department and Lincoln Elementary School District #27 School Resource Officer Contractual Agreement

This item will be placed on the regular agenda.

Economic Development Commission Grant Approvals – McEntire Home Appliance 403 Broadway St. Roof Replacement $7,500.00. McEntire Home Appliance 413 Broadway St Roof Replacement $7,500.00.

These items will be placed on the regular agenda.

Approval of Body Camera/Personal Tracking Devices

This is more of a tracking device than a body cam.  It has 3D point mapping capabilities to recreate a fire for investigations.  It can also be used for a mayday situation to track the firefighter.  The Fire Dept is requesting 2 devices that have a 2 year contract.   

This item will be placed on the regular agenda. 

Hiring of Code Enforcement Officer and Compensation Jason Lucas will be hired as the Code Enforcement Officer.  He has recently retired from the Lincoln Police Department so he is already aware of the City Code. 

This item will be placed on the regular agenda.

Ordinance Amending 3-10-5 of the Lincoln City Code

The new suggested times for Soliciting 11am-7pm.

After discussion, the council decided to amend the times to 9am – 7pm. 

This item will be placed on the regular agenda.

Sewer Rebate Program – Individual Resident Benefit

Due to the city’s aging infrastructure and the drastic cost of sewer repairs, the city would like to implement a sewer rebate program.  This is a proposal for a program that will be funded from the Sewer Enterprise Fund.  Monthly sewer payments go directly to the Sewer Enterprise Fund from residents.   

The cap for each rebate is $5000 per request. This is for a complete replacement, not small repairs.  There will be $250,000 budgeted each year for this program.  Once those funds are expensed for the year, requests will have to wait for the following year. 3 quotes will need to be obtained. The homeowner can have zero debts with the city to be eligible.  All expenses will be made by the homeowner, receipts will be turned in with the grant request, then a reimbursement will be made to the homeowner.

This item will be placed on the regular agenda.

Mayor Welch moved on to other items on the agenda.

Announcements:

• Elm St, between 8^th & 9^th at the alley, will be closed for a sewer repair
• The mural will be ready in a couple weeks. The artist will meet with Wes for the building prep work

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 7:04 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted By:

Charity Hutchison, Recording Secretary