REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Lincoln City Hall, Council Chambers
700 Broadway Street | Lincoln, Illinois
Monday, February 17, 2025
The Regular Meeting of the City Council of Lincoln was called to order by Mayor Welch at 6:00pm, 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
Alderwoman Rhonda O’Donoghue, Ward 4
Staff Present:
Peggy Bateman, City Clerk
Chuck Conzo, City Treasurer
John Hoblit, City Attorney
Joe Meister, Police Chief
Walt Landers, Streets Superintendent
Ashley Williams – FD Captain
Absent:
Alderman David Sanders, Ward 2
Wes Woodhall, Building and Safety Officer
Andrew Bowns, Veolia Water, Project Manager
Ty Johnson, Fire Chief
Presiding:
Tracy Welch, Mayor
Public Comment:
There was no one present for public comment.
Consent Agenda by Omnibus Vote:
A. Payment of Bills
B. Approval of minutes January 14, 2025 Committee of the Whole Meeting
C. Approval of request from Lincoln Railsplitter Antique Auto Club to permit the closing of S. Kickapoo St between Broadway St and Pulaski St for the Cars & Coffee Meeting on Saturday, April 26, 2025, Saturday, May 24, 2025, Saturday, June 28, 2025, Saturday, July 26, 2025 and Saturday, September 27, 2025 from 8am – 11am.
Alderwoman Rohlfs made the motion to approve, Alderman Eimer seconded. Mayor Welch called for discussion.
Ethan Hoinacki, owner of Guest House, sent an email to the Council asking if the ending time could be changed to 10am.
Mr. Harmon, the road closure applicant, said he’s willing to work with the council on the locations but he’d at least like the dates set so he can start advertising.
Alderwoman McClallen stated that a business study was done with the downtown businesses and the main complaint was that the streets were closed too much. She asked if at least 3 of the dates could be moved to Pulaski Street. She will be abstaining in her vote due to her husband having a business on Kickapoo. She stated that she is speaking as an Alderman not as a business owner.
Alderman Downs made a motion to 5C to remove the locations from the request, Alderman Parrott seconded.
There being no other discussion, City Clerk Bateman call the 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 Craig Eimer
Nays: (0)
Abstain: (0)
Absent: (1) Alderman David Sanders
City Clerk Bateman called rolled on the item as amended.
Yeas: (7) Alderman Steve Parrott, Alderman Sam Downs, Alderwoman Rhonda O’Donoghue, Alderwoman Wanda Lee Rohlfs, Alderman Kevin Bateman, Alderwoman Robin McClallen, Alderman Craig Eimer
Nays: (0)
Abstain: (0)
Absent: (1) Alderman David Sanders
Alderwoman McClallen asked for a point of order to change her vote. She initially wished to abstain from voting but voted yes. City Attorney Hoblit stated that a vote cannot be changed, it’s a matter of public record.
Ordinances and Resolutions:
A. Ordinance 2025-1040 authorizing an Intergovernmental Agreement for Participation in the Illinois Public Works Mutual Aid Network (IPWMAN).
Alderwoman Rohlfs made the motion to approve, Alderman Parrott seconded.
Mayor Welch called for discussion, there being none, City Clerk Bateman called the roll.
Yeas: (7) Alderman Steve Parrott, Alderman Sam Downs, Alderwoman Rhonda O’Donoghue, Alderwoman Wanda Lee Rohlfs, Alderwoman Robin McClallen, Alderman Kevin Bateman, Alderman Craig Eimer
Nays: (0)
Abstain: (0)
Absent: (1) Alderman David Sanders
B. Resolution 2025-511 establishing an Annual Salary Increase Policy for Non-Union Employees.
Alderman Bateman made the motion to approve, Alderwoman O’Donoghue seconded.
Mayor Welch called for discussion, there being none, City Clerk Bateman called the roll.
Yeas: (7) Alderman Steve Parrott, Alderman Sam Downs, Alderwoman Rhonda O’Donoghue, Alderwoman Wanda Lee Rohlfs, Alderwoman Robin McClallen, Alderman Kevin Bateman, Alderman Craig Eimer
Nays: (0)
Abstain: (0)
Absent: (1) Alderman David Sanders
Reports:
A. City Treasurer’s Report for January 2025
General Fund - down due to paying liability insurance
Municipal and Sales Tax - up from last year
Income Tax - slight increase
Non Home Rule Sales Tax - up from last year
Motor Fuel Tax – up from last year
Video Gaming Tax – increase of $15,000
B. City Treasurer’s Annual Report for FY 23/24
Treasurer Conzo briefly discussed the GO Bonds. The FY23/24 audit was discussed at length by the auditor in a previous meeting. A report was shared that listed revenue/expenditures. Treasurer Conzo asked if there were questions, there weren’t any.
C. City Clerk’s Report for January 2025
Payments in the amount of $330,294.69 was received. $10,000.96 was received from both prisons.
D. Department Head Reports for January 2025
These reports are either on file or will be soon.
New Business/Communications:
A. Approval of the construction of an “Access Ramp and Road for the Community Solar” to replace the control system at the Lincolnwood Lift Station in an amount not to exceed $60,000.00.
Alderman Bateman made the motion to approve, Alderman Downs seconded.
Mayor Welch called for discussion, there being none, City Clerk Bateman called the roll.
Yeas: (7) Alderman Steve Parrott, Alderman Sam Downs, Alderwoman Rhonda O’Donoghue, Alderwoman Wanda Lee Rohlfs, Alderwoman Robin McClallen, Alderman Kevin Bateman, Alderman Craig Eimer
Nays: (0)
Abstain: (0)
Absent: (1) Alderman David Sanders
Announcements:
· Residents are seeing two rate increases on their Illinois American Water bills. These increases were approved by the Illinois Commerce Commission, not the City of Lincoln. If residents have questions, they need to call Illinois American Water.
· Lincoln hosted the Sectional Wrestling Tournament. Dawson McConnell received 2nd place and will move onto State. Lincoln will also host the Team Sectional. The Lady Railer Dance Team also won their 2nd State Championship.
· Langston Hughes poetry reading being held at the Lincoln Public Library at 6pm on Thursday.
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 6:35 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted By:
Charity Hutchison, Recording Secretary
City of Lincoln