COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING
Lincoln City Hall, Council Chambers
700 Broadway Street | Lincoln, Illinois
Tuesday, March 11, 2025
The Committee of the Whole Meeting of the City Council of Lincoln was called to order by Mayor Tracy Welch at 6:00 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
Ty Johnson, Fire Chief
Joe Meister, Police Chief
Walt Landers, Streets Superintendent
Absent:
Wes Woodhall, Building and Safety Officer
Remote:
Andrew Bowns, Veolia Water, Project Manager
Presiding:
Mayor Tracy Welch
Adam Mackey – Lincoln Speedway 2025 Tentative Racing Schedule
Season opener is Sunday, April 13th – will open an hour early
Same amount of Lincoln events as previous seasons.
This item will be placed on the consent agenda.
Public Participation
Jeff Nelson – spoke to the council about Residential Home Improvement Grants
Taylor Lyon – spoke to the council about her cleanup day on April 26th
Request to Permit – Cars & Coffee Street Closures – Dates and time were approved 2/17/2025
This item will be placed on the consent agenda.
Community Improvement Line Request
Ashley Metelko requested from the council to add a line to the budget for community improvements for items such as…benches and trash cans when they wear out.
After hearing Mr. Nelson speak at public participation, she stated that she had reached out to the council via email about a Grant that she found for Residential Home Improvements. She did not get a response. The council agreed that she should move forward
The council agreed to add the line item to the budget. The council will vote and approve the line when they vote on the FY 25/26 budget.
Additional Local Funds Resurfacing Targets
Shane Remmert with CMT was present address the council. Andrew Bowns had allocated $525,000 out of his Sewer Construction line to put towards the Union Street (Keokuk to Route 66) rehab. That frees up some funds for additional resurfacing targets. PH Broughton was awarded the bid for the current targets and have agreed to hold their unit price if more targets were added. Targets must be asphalt or mill and overlay. The additional targets are brought forward are Stuart Drive, Herndon Drive, North Elm Street, Railsplitter Ave, and Heritage Ave. This cost is estimated at $462,000.00. The request is for spending up to $487,000.00 to cover anything unforeseen that may come up. These funds are being rolled over from FY24/25 to FY25/26.
The council brought up Union Street, from 8th St to Woodlawn. The citizens in that area was promised a new road after the sewer repairs. The city has been waiting on that work to settle under the street to be able to fix any sink holes or water line issues that may appear. Mr. Landers stated that this is on the target list but because the Tremont Street reconstruction will cost approx. $2million, it may have to wait a couple more years for funding.
These targets will be placed on the regular agenda.
Mayoral appointment of Marty Neitzel to the Economic Development Commission
This item will be placed on the regular agenda.
Ground Mounted Solar Regulations
Alderman Bateman would like all ground mounted solar permits to come before the council for approval.
Alderwoman O’Donoghue is against the council needing to approve these permits. She feels that is the job of Mr. Woodhall.
Discussion was had again regarding the fence height and forming a committee to review any ground mounted solar applications, commercial or residental.
Mr. Woodhall will change the language in the current ordinance to include the committee.
This item will be placed on the regular agenda.
Ordinance authorizing 544 4th Street to go out for bid.
The city has been maintaining this property for some time.
This item will be placed on the regular agenda.
Added item:
This item is to renew the 2 year contract for Notto Technologies to continue being the IT Consultant for the City of Lincoln. He is asking for an increase from $66,000 to $69,300.00. This increase will go in effect in FY 25/26.
This item will be placed on the regular agenda.
Announcements:
- 3rd Fridays Committee is needing members and will meet this week.
- City Attorney Hoblit shared with the council the proper way to appoint someone to an Alderman seat.
- Alderman Parrott received a bit for a salary comparison study. The bid came in at $9,000. He will see if he can get another bid.
- The Landscape Waste Facility will reopen soon. Tentatively March 22nd.
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 7:20 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted By:
Charity Hutchison, Recording Secretary
City of Lincoln