COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING
Lincoln City Hall, Council Chambers
700 Broadway Street | Lincoln, Illinois
Tuesday, September 24, 2024
The Committee of the Whole Meeting of the City Council of Lincoln was called to order by Mayor Tracy Welch at 6:03 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
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
Wes Woodhall, Building and Safety Officer
Ty Johnson, Fire Chief
Joe Meister, Police Chief
Andrew Bowns, Veolia Water, Project Manager
Absent:
Walt Landers, Streets Superintendent
Presiding:
Mayor Tracy Welch
Public Comment:
There is no one present for public comment.
Website Design for City of Lincoln – PRYNT Digital/Cale West
The City is looking to get the City Website redesigned. Members of the Council previously met with Mr. West for a presentation of his design. Mr. West showed the Council what he had created. The new site will be more user friendly for desktop and phones. There will be employee training on the new website to keep it updated. There will also be live chat support to help staff.
This item will be placed on the regular agenda.
Request for Design for a Community Pavilion – 8th Street Park
Ashley Metelko presented her request for engineering funds for a pavilion at the 8th St Park. The request is for $32,000.00.
Alderman Parrott was concerned about the sound for the area residents if the pavilion was used for bands.
Alderman Bateman would rather purchase a portable stage rather than a permanent structure. The stage could also be rented out for revenue. He will research more information on a portable stage.
This item will be brought back to the next COW.
Economic Development Commission Grant Approval – Community Action Partnership of Central Illinois, amount requested $7,500.00 for roof replacement.
Alderwoman Rohlfs and Alderman Bateman are both concerned with CAPCIL receiving taxpayer dollars when they are a non-profit charitable organization and run on taxpayer dollars. They feel this Grant program is for economic development for private profitable businesses.
Alderwoman O’Donoghue feels that this is a structural grant and the business is in Lincoln and helps many people of the community.
Mayor Welch asked the Commission to discuss this matter further.
This item will be placed on the regular agenda.
Request from Land of Lincoln CEO for pledge donation.
The council would like to receive updates from the CEO sponsor.
This item will be placed on the regular agenda with a 3-year renewal.
Rebuild Illinois MFT Resurfacing project.
The lowest bid came from PH Broughton at $411,614. CMT estimated the project to cost just under $542,000. CMT recommends awarding the bid to PH Broughton. As stated in the memo, CMT is asking the council to approve $430,000 to cover in unforeseen issues without having to come back to the Council for approval. The outstanding balance of Rebuild Illinois is approx. $111,000.00. CMT recommends putting together another bid package with additional targets to be able to spend the remaining funds before the deadline. Whatever targets cannot be completed in 2024 will be completed in the spring of 2025.
This item will be placed on the regular agenda.
Capital Project Fund Resurfacing project.
PH Broughton was the lowest bid. These two bids were grouped together to get more competitive bids.
The bid amount was not said in the meeting. A request for additional funding to allow for unforeseen expenses.
This item will be placed on the regular agenda.
Discussion regarding Ethics for Elected Officials, possibly an Ethics Committee.
Alderman Sanders and Alderwoman O’Donoghue have been working on creating an Ethics Committee. The individuals being held accountable by this Committee are the elected officials. City employees already have an ethics clause in the employee handbook. Any situations that may arise, there is a pending situation, will be investigated by the Committee then brought before the Council to be voted on.
Mr. Hoblit asked for any questions and changes be directed to him before the voting meeting. At the request of the council, he will bring back a new draft stating all elected officials.
This item will be placed on the regular agenda.
Mayor Welch moved on to other items on the agenda.
Announcements:
- Mayor Welch thanked all involved with the Movie in the Park. Ashley Metelko, Lincoln Park District, Street Department, Fire Department, Lincoln Police and DARE. 60 people attended.
- The Frame for the mural should be completed this week.
Adjournment:
There being no further discussion to come before the City Council of Lincoln, Alderwoman O’Donoghue motioned to adjourn, seconded by Alderman Parrott. All were in favor. Mayor Welch adjourned the meeting at 8:11 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted By:
Charity Hutchison, Recording Secretary
City of Lincoln