REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING

Lincoln City Hall, Council Chambers

700 Broadway Street | Lincoln, Illinois

Monday, February 3, 2025

The Regular Meeting of the City Council of Lincoln was called to order by Mayor Welch at 6:00pm, with proper notice given. Deputy City Clerk Julie Landers 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:

John Hoblit, City Attorney

Ty Johnson, Fire Chief

Walt Landers, Streets Superintendent

Chuck Conzo, City Treasurer

Wes Woodhall, Building and Safety Officer

Andrew Bowns, Veolia Water, Project Manager

Julie Landers, Deputy City Clerk

Absent:

Peggy Bateman, City Clerk

Joe Meister, Police Chief

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. Request from the Lincoln Park District to permit the partial closing of various city streets for the 5K run from Lincoln Park District to Scully Park on Saturday, August 23, 2025 from 5am to 9:30am. 

Alderman Sanders made the motion to approve, Alderman Downs seconded.  Mayor Welch called for discussion, there being none, Deputy City Clerk Landers called roll.

Yeas: (8) Alderman Steve Parrott, Alderman Sam Downs, Alderwoman Rhonda O’Donoghue, Alderwoman Wanda Lee Rohlfs, Alderman Kevin Bateman, Alderman Craig Eimer, Alderwoman Robin McClallen, Alderman David Sanders

Nays: (0)

Abstain: (0)

Absent: (0)

Mayor Welch moved to other items on the agenda.

Bids:

A. Approval of bid from Jaren Industries for flowable-fill wall shoring and rehabilitation of exposed wall for the building at 129 S Sangamon Street in an amount not to exceed $60,000.00.

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

Alderman Eimer does not feel that flowable-fill is needed and painting the wall is a free service to the owner.  He has a similar situation with a building he owns in Mt Pulaski and dirt was used instead of flowable fill which was cheaper.

Alderman Bateman feels that this building is an eyesore in his ward and he wants it done right.

Flowable fill was recommended by Mr. Woodhall and the Structural Engineer agreed.  Mr. Landers said, if dirt was used, there could be concern with damaging the building when compacting the dirt down.

City Attorney suggest getting a release of liability from the owner before work.

Alderman Eimer made the motion to amend the item to replace the flowable fill with clay dirt and exclude the painting, Alderman Parrott seconded.     

Deputy City Clerk Landers called the roll on the amendment.

Yeas: (3) Alderman Steve Parrott, Alderman Craig Eimer, Alderwoman Wanda Lee Rohlfs

Nays: (5) Alderman Sam Downs, Alderman Kevin Bateman, Alderwoman Rhonda O’Donoghue, Alderwoman Robin McClallen, Alderman David Sanders

Abstain: (0)

Absent: (0)

Motion fails.

Alderman Sanders and Alderman Parrott rescinded their motions.

Alderman Parrott made the motion to amend the original item cost to $53,570.00 (which is 10% contingency), Alderman Sanders seconded. 

Deputy City Clerk Landers called roll on the amendment.

Yeas: (8) Alderman Steve Parrott, Alderman Sam Downs, Alderwoman Rhonda O’Donoghue, Alderwoman Wanda Lee Rohlfs, Alderman Kevin Bateman, Alderman Craig Eimer, Alderwoman Robin McClallen, Alderman David Sanders

Nays: (0)

Abstain: (0)

Absent: (0)

At the recommendation of the City Attorney, Alderwoman O’Donoghue made the motion to amend the item to say contingent on release of liability from the building owner, Alderman Sanders seconded. 

Deputy City Clerk Landers called roll on the amendment.

Yeas: (7) Alderman Steve Parrott, Alderman Sam Downs, Alderwoman Rhonda O’Donoghue, Alderwoman Wanda Lee Rohlfs, Alderman Kevin Bateman, Alderwoman Robin McClallen, Alderman David Sanders

Nays: (1) Alderman Craig Eimer

Abstain: (0)

Absent: (0)

Deputy City Clerk Landers called roll on the item as amended.

Yeas: (6) Alderman Sam Downs, Alderwoman Rhonda O’Donoghue, Alderwoman Wanda Lee Rohlfs, Alderman Kevin Bateman, Alderwoman Robin McClallen, Alderman David Sanders

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

Abstain: (0)

Absent: (0)

New Business/Communication:

A. Approval of Annual Audit for FY 2023-2024

Alderwoman Rohlfs made the motion to approve, Alderman Downs seconded.  Mayor Welch called for discussion, there being none, Deputy City Clerk Landers called roll.

Yeas: (8) Alderman Steve Parrott, Alderman Sam Downs, Alderwoman Rhonda O’Donoghue, Alderwoman Wanda Lee Rohlfs, Alderman Kevin Bateman, Alderman Craig Eimer, Alderwoman Robin McClallen, Alderman David Sanders

Nays: (0)

Abstain: (0)

Absent: (0)

Announcements:

·         Treasurer Conzo reminded everyone of the 10% discount going on for sewer bills from now until Feb 20^th.

Adjournment:

There being no further discussion to come before the City Council of Lincoln, Alderwoman O’Donoghue motioned to adjourn, seconded by Alderman Bateman. Mayor Welch adjourned the meeting at 7:00 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted By:

Charity Hutchison, Recording Secretary