COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING

Lincoln City Hall, Council Chambers

700 Broadway Street | Lincoln, Illinois

Tuesday, January 14, 2025

The Committee of the Whole Meeting of the City Council of Lincoln was called to order by Mayor Tracy Welch at 6:08 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

Walt Landers, Streets Superintendent

Wes Woodhall, Building and Safety Officer

Ty Johnson, Fire Chief

Matt Comstock, Deputy Police Chief

Remotely:

Andrew Bowns, Veolia Water, Project Manager

Absent:

Joe Meister, Police Chief

Presiding:

Mayor Tracy Welch

Public Comment:

There is no one present for public comment. 

Request to Permit – Fourth Annual Logan County Pride Festival, Saturday, June 7, 2025 12:00pm – 9:00pm.

This item will be placed on the consent agenda.

Resolution authorizing Execution of a Service Agreement with the lowest responsible bidder for the supply of electricity for residential customers and small commercial retail customers who do not opt out of such a program.

The last resolution for electrical aggregate was in January of 2021.  This agreement is for the best electrical rate for the citizens and gives the Mayor the authorization to sign the agreement when the rate comes in. 

This item will be placed on the regular agenda.

Resolution Section Number 94-00076-01-TL in the amount of $127,163.07 for construction of lighting improvements.

This project has been completed and paid for and the resolution gives IDOT the authorization to close out the section.

This item will be placed on the regular agenda.

Resolution Section Number 98-00083-00-TL in the amount of $140,447.06 for installing traffic signals at the intersection with Zion Lutheran School Road and interconnecting the signals and improving Connelly Road.

This project has been completed and paid for and the resolution gives IDOT the authorization to close out the section.

This item will be placed on the regular agenda.

Resolution Section Number 00-00086-00-TL in the amount of $2,794.05 for Traffic Signal Replacement Resurfacing.

This project has been completed and paid for and the resolution gives IDOT the authorization to close out the section.

This item will be placed on the regular agenda.

Resolution Section Number 02-00090-00-RS in the amount of $196,558.18 for Resurfacing of various city streets in downtown area.

This project has been completed and paid for and the resolution gives IDOT the authorization to close out the section.

This item will be placed on the regular agenda.

Resolution 5^th Street Road project, Section No. 98-00081-00-PV

This resolution is a request by the State of Illinois for the 5^th Street Road project to receive final authorizations and begin. 

This item will be placed on the regular agenda.

Discussion of Longevity pay for non-union employees.

Alderman Bateman brought this item to the council to begin discussions earlier before budget discussions begin. He took the longevity schedule that the unions use in their contracts and cut it in half in his proposal.   He does not feel that the union longevity schedule is sustainable for anyone, including the unions. 

Alderwoman Rohlfs said the reason longevity was brought up in previous meetings, was due to there not being incentives available for the non-union employees.

Alderwoman O’Donoghue feels there should be a base pay and a salary cap.  She was not in agreement for salaries getting to the $90,000 - $100,000 for the type of work being done.   

Several were again in agreement to let the department heads decide what their employees deserve for a wage increase.

This item will be brought back to the next COW.

Announcements:

• The Landscape Waste Facility will be closed tomorrow due cold temps, but open Saturday. Christmas tree pickup is tomorrow.
• Delays from GFL in trash pickup will be posted on the City Facebook page and website.

Adjournment:

There being no further discussion to come before the City Council of Lincoln, Alderman Parrott motioned to adjourn, seconded by Alderman Sanders. All were in favor. Mayor Welch adjourned the meeting at 7:09 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted By:

Charity Hutchison, Recording Secretary