COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING
Lincoln City Hall, Council Chambers
700 Broadway Street | Lincoln, Illinois
Tuesday, December 10, 2024
The Committee of the Whole Meeting of the City Council of Lincoln was called to order by Mayor Tracy Welch at 6:01 p.m., with proper notice given. City Clerk Peggy Bateman called roll.
Present:
Alderwoman Robin McClallen, Ward 1
Alderman Steve Parrott, Ward 1
Alderman Sam Downs, Ward 2
Alderman Kevin Bateman, Ward 3
Alderwoman Wanda Lee Rohlfs, Ward 3
Alderman Craig Eimer, 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 – left after public participation
Walt Landers, Streets Superintendent
Andrew Bowns, Veolia Water, Project Manager
Absent:
Alderman David Sanders, Ward 2
Alderwoman Rhonda O’Donoghue, Ward 4
Presiding:
Mayor Tracy Welch
Public Participation
Kathie Williams – Winter Wonderland theft
Crawford, Murphy & Tilley – Wastewater Treatment Plant Dechlorination Addition
This is a law change that is taking place that requires relatively zero chlorination to enter Salt Creek. Engineering is needed for this project and is work order is #12.
This item will be placed on the regular agenda.
Funding Agreement between City of Lincoln and Logan County Tourism Bureau
This agreement is for FY 2025. Tourism duties/commitments have not changed. Funding is proposed to stay at 95/5. 95% to Tourism, 5% remains with the City.
Prior to the meeting, Alderman Bateman asked the Treasurer to put together some year to date numbers of what the City has taken in for Hotel/Motel Tax and how those numbers would change should the City decided to change the percentage given to Tourism to 90% or 85%.
YTD (over 7 months) the City has taken in $131,761.60.
95% = 125,173.52
5% = $6,588.08
90% = $118,585.44
5% = $13,176.16
85% = $111,997.36
15% = $19,764.24
Alderwoman Rohlfs asked for a list of expenditures from the Hotel/Motel line.
Alderwoman Parrott asked if a list of expenditures from Tourism that are spent here in Lincoln. Alice will gather that information.
Alderman Bateman asked the council to consider the city take back tourism to promote itself and acquire the two ladies as city employees.
Tourism received a $100,000 grant from the State.
This item will be placed on the regular agenda.
Resolution abating Tax heretofore for the year 2024 to pay debt service on $2,285,000.00 General Obligation Bonds (Alternative Revenue Source Series 2014) of the City of Lincoln, Logan County, Illinois
This item will be placed on the regular agenda.
Resolution abating the tax heretofore for the year 2024 to pay debt service on $3,270,000.00 General Obligation Bonds (Alternative Revenue Source Series 2018) of the City of Lincoln, Logan County, Illinois
This item will be placed on the regular agenda.
Tax Levy Ordinance 2024
Details listed in the packet.
3.4% = $55,000 in additional revenue for the city
This item will be placed on the regular agenda.
Demolition of 605 Lincoln Ave
This large dilapidated property has been in this condition for a decade. The city went out for demo bids. The lowest bid was from All Industrial Group out of Springfield. Harold Goodman was the second lowest. According to the City of Lincoln’s Purchasing policy, if under a 2% difference, the bid goes to the local responsible bidder.
This item will go on the regular agenda with Harold Goodman as the bidder
An Ordinance regarding Baseline Building costs
The State of Illinois is encouraging municipalities to adopt new international building codes. Municipalities must operate under a building code within 10 years of the current year. If there is no action by the council then come Jan 1st, the city must adopt the State’s building codes.
Building & Safety Official Wes Woodhall has been working on adopting the 2024 building codes. He plans to have that done within the year.
This item will be placed on the regular agenda.
Mayor Welch moved on to other items on the agenda.
Announcements:
- Mayor Welch thanked all first responders and the community for the assistance at the Idle Hour fire on Broadway St.
- Senator Turner is introducing a bill to demolish the LDC buildings and to turn them over to the city.
- Illinois American Water was granted a rate increase on December 5th from the ICC for the new project that will be beginning. The city has already seen a rate increase for the local water plants. It is not known at this time if this will cause another rate increase.
- Alderman Parrott thanked all involved with the Christmas Parade.
- Huge turnout for the Railer Rumble wrestling tournament this past weekend.
- Painting will begin on Tuesday inside City Hall.
- Tomorrow is the last scheduled leaf pickup.
Adjournment:
There being no further discussion to come before the City Council of Lincoln, Alderman Downs motioned to adjourn, seconded by Alderman Parrott. All were in favor. Mayor Welch adjourned the meeting at 7:37 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted By:
Charity Hutchison, Recording Secretary
City of Lincoln