REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING

Lincoln City Hall, Council Chambers

700 Broadway Street | Lincoln, Illinois

Tuesday, January 21, 2025

The Regular Meeting of the City Council of Lincoln was called to order by Mayor Welch at 6:01pm, with proper notice given. City Clerk Peggy Bateman called roll.

Present:

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

Alderwoman Rhonda O’Donoghue, Ward 4

Staff Present:

Chuck Conzo, City Treasurer

Peggy Bateman, City Clerk

Ty Johnson, Fire Chief

Walt Landers, Streets Superintendent

Joe Meister, Police Chief

Andrew Bowns, Veolia Water, Project Manager

Absent:

Alderwoman Robin McClallen, Ward 1

Alderman David Sanders, Ward 2

Wes Woodhall, Building and Safety Officer

John Hoblit, City Attorney

Presiding:

Tracy Welch, Mayor

Public Comment:

There was no one present or on the phone for public comment. 

Consent Agenda by Omnibus Vote:
A. Payment of Bills

B. Approval of minutes for December 16, 2024 Public Hearing Meeting, December 16, 2024 Regular City Council Meeting.

C. Request from Logan County Pride to close S. Kickapoo Street from Broadway Street to Pulaski Street, Pulaski Street from S. Kickapoo Street to S. McLean Street and S. McLean Street from Pulaski Street north to the US Post Office driveway for the Fourth Annual Logan County Pride Festival on Saturday, June 7, 2025 from 12:00 noon until 9:00pm.

Alderwoman O’Donoghue made the motion to approve, Alderman Bateman seconded.  Mayor Welch called for discussion. 

Referring to Item C, Alderman Parrott stated that he could not be in support of a group that supported gender affirming care and biological males competing in women’s sports. 

Alderman Downs stated that Logan County Pride has never made a stance on those topics, they are simply asking for a road closure.  This event is not a rally or protest. 

There being no other discussion, City Clerk Bateman called roll.

Yeas: (4) Alderman Sam Downs, Alderwoman Rhonda O’Donoghue, Alderwoman Wanda Lee Rohlfs, Alderman Kevin Bateman

Nays: (0)

Abstain: (2) Alderman Steve Parrott, Alderman Craig Eimer

Absent: (2) Alderwoman Robin McClallen, Alderman David Sanders

Mayor Welch moved to other items on the agenda.

Ordinances and Resolutions:

A. Resolution 2025-505 authorizing execution of a Service Agreement with the Lowest Responsible Bidder for the Supply for Residential Customers and Small Commercial Retail Customers who do not opt out of the program.

Alderman Bateman made the motion to approve, Alderman Downs seconded.  Mayor Welch called for discussion. 

This is for Electrical Aggregation to provide a lower rate for citizens that wish to participate.

There being no other discussion, City Clerk Bateman called roll. 

Yeas: (6) Alderman Steve Parrott, Alderman Sam Downs, Alderwoman Wanda Lee Rohlfs, Alderman Craig Eimer, Alderman Kevin Bateman, Alderwoman Rhonda O’Donoghue

Nays: (0)

Abstain: (0)

Absent: (2) Alderman David Sanders, Alderwoman Robin McClallen

B. Resolution 2025-506 Section Number 94-00076-01-TL in the amount of $127,163.07 for Construction of Lighting Improvements.

Alderman Bateman made the motion to approve, Alderwoman O’Donoghue seconded.  Mayor Welch called for discussion, there being none, City Clerk Bateman called roll. 

Yeas: (6) Alderman Steve Parrott, Alderman Sam Downs, Alderwoman Wanda Lee Rohlfs, Alderman Craig Eimer, Alderman Kevin Bateman, Alderwoman Rhonda O’Donoghue

Nays: (0)

Abstain: (0)

Absent: (2) Alderman David Sanders, Alderwoman Robin McClallen

C. Resolution 2025-507 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

Alderwoman O’Donoghue made the motion to approve, Alderman Eimer seconded.  Mayor Welch called for discussion, there being none, City Clerk Bateman called roll. 

Yeas: (6) Alderman Steve Parrott, Alderman Sam Downs, Alderwoman Wanda Lee Rohlfs, Alderman Craig Eimer, Alderman Kevin Bateman, Alderwoman Rhonda O’Donoghue

Nays: (0)

Abstain: (0)

Absent: (2) Alderman David Sanders, Alderwoman Robin McClallen

D. Resolution 2025-508 Section Number 00-00086-00-TL in the amount of $2,794.05 for Traffic Signal Replacement and Resurfacing.

Alderwoman O’Donoghue made the motion to approve, Alderman Downs seconded.  Mayor Welch called for discussion, there being none, City Clerk Bateman called roll. 

Yeas: (6) Alderman Steve Parrott. Alderman Sam Downs, Alderwoman Wanda Lee Rohlfs, Alderman Craig Eimer, Alderman Kevin Bateman, Alderwoman Rhonda O’Donoghue

Nays: (0)

Abstain: (0)

Absent: (2) Alderman David Sanders, Alderwoman Robin McClallen

E. Resolution 2025-509 Section Number 02-00090-00-RS in the amount of $196,558.18 for resurfacing of various city streets in downtown square area.

Alderwoman Rohlfs made the motion to approve, Alderwoman O’Donoghue seconded.  Mayor Welch called for discussion, there being none, City Clerk Bateman called roll. 

Yeas: (6) Alderman Steve Parrott, Alderman Sam Downs, Alderwoman Wanda Lee Rohlfs, Alderman Craig Eimer, Alderman Kevin Bateman, Alderwoman Rhonda O’Donoghue

Nays: (0)

Abstain: (0)

Absent: (2) Alderman David Sanders, Alderwoman Robin McClallen

F. Resolution 2025-510 Section Number 98-00081-00-PV in the amount of $6,000,000.00 for the 5^th Street Road Project.

Alderman Eimer made the motion to approve, Alderman Parrott seconded.  Mayor Welch called for discussion, there being none, City Clerk Bateman called roll. 

Yeas: (6) Alderman Steve Parrott, Alderman Sam Downs, Alderwoman Wanda Lee Rohlfs, Alderman Craig Eimer, Alderman Kevin Bateman, Alderwoman Rhonda O’Donoghue

Nays: (0)

Abstain: (0)

Absent: (2) Alderman David Sanders, Alderwoman Robin McClallen

Reports:

A. City Treasurer’s Report for December 2024

General Fund - same as a year ago

Municipal Sales Tax – about $166,000 up from a year ago

Non Home Rule Sales Tax – up $13,000 from a year ago

State Income Tax – down $5,000 from a year ago

Motor Fuel Tax – up $21,000 from a year ago

Replacement Tax – down as predicted, approx. $40,000

Video Gaming – up $11,000 from last year

B. City Clerk’s Report for December 2024

$237,839.59 was received in the month of December. $22,622.98 was received from both prisons. 

The 10% discount can begin February 1^st and your account must be current to take advantage of the discount.

C. Department Head Reports for December 2024

These reports are on file or will be soon.

Announcements:

·         Ribbon cut – Ink and Imprint books at 125 N Kickapoo St at 4pm on Saturday.

·         Mayor Welch read a letter from Christian Village sharing their change in ownership

Adjournment:

There being no further discussion to come before the City Council of Lincoln, Alderman Downs motioned to adjourn, seconded by Alderman Parrott. Mayor Welch adjourned the meeting at 6:22 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted By:

Charity Hutchison, Recording Secretary