COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING

Lincoln City Hall, Council Chambers

700 Broadway Street | Lincoln, Illinois

Tuesday, November 26, 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

Wes Woodhall, Building and Safety Officer

Ty Johnson, Fire Chief

Joe Meister, Police Chief

Walt Landers, Streets Superintendent

Absent:

Alderwoman Robin McClallen, Ward 1

Andrew Bowns, Veolia Water, Project Manager

Presiding:

Mayor Tracy Welch

Public Participation

Susan Adams – CO2 Sequestration and the Mahomet Aquifer

Allocation of remaining ARPA funds.

The total remaining in ARPA funds is $136,514.44.  These funds need to be allocated by Dec 31, 2024 or the funds will need to be returned.  Ms. Metelko is suggesting the remaining funds be put towards the pavilion at 8^th St Park. 

This item will be placed on the regular agenda.

City of Lincoln scheduled meetings for Calendar Year 2025.

This item will be placed on the regular agenda.

City of Lincoln 2025 Holidays.

City Clerk Bateman asked that for 2025 only, the day off for President’s Day (Feb 17^th) be moved to December 26^th since it’s a Friday making for a long weekend.  The council agreed.  The holiday sheet will be updated. 

This item will be placed on the regular agenda.

Resolution of the City of Lincoln in support of state action to protect the Mahomet Aquifer.

Other municipalities and counties are passing resolutions to protect the aquifer that provides drinking water to nearly 1 million people in Central Illinois.  With the Mayor’s blessing, City Attorney John Hoblit drafted a resolution to support State Action against CO2 drilling under/through the aquifer. 

This item will be placed on the regular agenda. 

City of Lincoln Tax Levy

Treasurer Conzo went over the timeline for filing requirements. 

He also went over the past comparative tax levies. 

Discussion was had on how the levy works.  By voting to raise the levy, the city is not voting to raise taxes (the county raises the taxes according to the property values) they are voting to raise the portion the city receives.  If the city votes to not raise the levy, those funds will be up for other taxing bodies to receive. 

Funding the fire/police pensions with the funds from the levy was discussed. 

This item will be brought back to another COW.  Mayor Welch urges the council to do their research. 

Mayor Welch moved on to other items on the agenda.

Announcements:

• The LWF will be closed Thursday, November 27, 2024 through Tuesday, December 3^rd, 2024
• Demo has begun on the Sangamon Street building.
• Thank you to the Lincoln Police Department and all assisting Law Enforcement departments for the joint task for getting weapons and drugs off the streets in town.
• Thank you to the Street Department, Ashely Metelko and Charity Hutchison for the work on getting the Woodlawn Christmas Lights hung and operational again.
• Chief Meister asked the members of the public that are organizing Neighborhood Watch programs, to do just that…watch. Do not take matters in your own hands and risk legal issues for yourself. If you see something, contact the Police Department. 

Adjournment:

There being no further discussion to come before the City Council of Lincoln, Alderman Parrott motioned to adjourn, seconded by Alderman Eimer. All were in favor. Mayor Welch adjourned the meeting at 7:19 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted By:

Charity Hutchison, Recording Secretary