Lincoln, Illinois
City Council Committee's Meeting
May 29, 2012
Minutes of the City of Lincoln City Council Committees' Meeting held in the Council Chambers on Tuesday, May 29, 2012.
Those present were Alderman Anderson, Alderman Armbrust, Alderman Bacon, Alderman Busby, Alderman Hoinacki, Alderman Horn, Alderman Neitzel, Alderman O’Donohue, Alderman Tibbs, and Alderman Wilmert. Also present were City Engineer Mr. Mathon, Fire Chief Miller, Street Superintendent Mr. Jackson, Safety and Building Officer Mr. Lebegue, Police Chief Greenslate, and EMC Manager Mr. Palmer. Also present were Mayor Snyder, City Clerk Mrs. Gehlbach, City Attorney Mr. Blinn Bates, City Treasurer Mr. Conzo, and Recording Secretary Mrs. Riggs.
Mayor Snyder called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. There were ten Aldermen present (Alderman Anderson, Alderman Armbrust, Alderman Bacon, Alderman Busby, Alderman Hoinacki, Alderman Horn, Alderman Neitzel, Alderman O’Donohue, Alderman Tibbs, and Alderman Wilmert) and none absent.
Pledge was said by all.
The Mayor asked for the Committees' Issues to be Presented:
Fire/Water & ESDA:
Chairman Alderman Horn said Fire Chief Miller has the car downstairs if any of the Aldermen would like to look at it.
Fire Chief Miller said he would like to replace that vehicle and could show them what kind of equipment is carried and placed into a vehicle of that size. Fire Chief Miller has been asked about having a 4 wheel drive vehicle in case of inclement weather.
Alderman Neitzel did not think it should be pursued unless it is a 4 wheel drive and would not vote for a 2 X 4. Alderman Tibbs asked if they had any figures for a 4 wheel drive and wondered if they had to have a Tahoe. Fire Chief Miller did not have figures and would have to get with Mr. Blinn Bates if they had to have another spec and get a bid but would not be a problem.
Alderman Busby wondered if they should go with a larger vehicle so the ladder trucks didn’t have to go out for accidents. Fire Chief Miller said operationally that is tough to answer.
Alderman Anderson said they were looking at a vehicle that would be driven virtually every day. For the occasional time the fire department would need a 4 wheel drive versus what will be spend in additional gas on a 4 wheel drive she had to be with Fire Chief Miller. The departments have cooperated before when there was a need by using personal vehicles. The city is already fighting that fuel all the time.
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Fire Chief Miller said the 2 wheel drive gets better towing capacity. Alderman Wilmert said he had a hard time voting for any vehicle (4 wheel or 2 wheel) until the city gets some other things fixed. Alderman Horn said they need a vehicle because the car the fire department has does not work and use this car more than the truck that has the water tank problem.
Fire Chief Miller said there is a problem with a tank on the one truck and it has been put on reserve. It was used at a fire today and pumps fine just doesn’t hold water well. Fire Chief Miller has applied for a zero % interest loan grant and the fire department has not received any word on that.
Fire Chief Miller said the fire department received a grant from the Water Company to help purchase some radio equipment for $680.00.
Alderman Hoinacki said the Street Department was in need of a truck and was told to keep under $10,000.00 and agreed with Alderman Wilmert. Alderman Bacon agreed with Alderman Hoinacki and Alderman Wilmert and would not agree to purchase of a truck. Alderman Bacon asked why the Chief was not utilizing the pickup truck. Fire Chief Miller said gas mileage because of a large motor. Alderman Bacon suggested putting a topper on the pickup truck instead of spending $20,000.00. Alderman Tibbs said the Chief needs a vehicle and Mr. Lebegue, Mr. Jackson, and Mr. Mathon have vehicles.
Fire Chief Miller said engine 5104 has a ruptured tank (1991). Several tanks have been put in, there is no warranty, custom truck has to be custom made and the fire department cannot fix in house.
Fire Chief Miller said with the heat this year and the swimming pool out of operation this summer. The fire department will go to local parks and let the kids come cool off while it is hot.
Fire Chief Miller left the meeting.
Andi Hake with Lincoln/Logan County Chamber handed out the new logo for the City for the City to use as they wish. They City does not have to use it but the Chamber was giving this as a gift.
Alderman Horn thanked Ms. Hake for her work on the logo concept.
Darrin Coffey spoke to the City Council about a notice that he received about his trailers being parked on the street and complied with moving them. Mr. Coffey asked the City to look at a form he wrote and wanted the city to look into and he read it to the City council. Cars are parked on both sides of a street and you can’t see and didn’t see the difference between cars and trailers (viewing obstruction).
Alderman O’Donohue asked why the City was opposed.
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Mr. Lebegue said it is an obstruction of the streets is why a great number of communities have this code. Alderman Wilmert said he had not looked at the ordinance and needed time to review and understood there was a restriction on their property and there has to be balance. Mr. Coffey said on snow days they move their vehicles and trailers. Alderman O’Donohue didn’t like the idea of the streets being littered with boats, trailers and such all year around and he was talking about aesthetics.
Alderman Bacon said thanked Mr. Coffey for putting it in her door this afternoon. She said when Joan Ritter was mayor and she has a closed in trailer and some of the other neighbors have campers and closed in trailers and had them on their driveway. They were issued a summons and told they could not park them on their driveway. The neighborhood met with Mrs. Ritter one Saturday morning and she explained what the ordinance said. The neighborhood was told they could only park on the street for 72 hours but could have something sitting beside their house but not in back. She did not feel the city should be so restrictive in parking in the homeowner’s driveway. She said it would not be any different than a huge 4 wheel drive and agreed this needs to be changed.
Alderman Armbrust said he has a motor home and 2 trailers and couldn’t be in favor of. Mr. Coffey said the trailers have to have a certain amount of reflectors now.
Deputy Chief Geriets said he was part of the enforcement action when they toughened up and there were a lot of trailers and motor homes that had to find new homes. There were trailers that did not move for a year and the neighborhoods started to complain. There have been some accidents with trailers without being attached to a vehicle.
Alderman Anderson said didn’t have an issue with people having them on their property. Alderman Tibbs recalled 2 calls with complaints last year.
Finance, Policy and Procedure:
Chairman Alderman Anderson said department heads need to get appropriation numbers including Mayor Snyder. Alderman Anderson asked to have the cell phone use in the policy manual on the agenda.
Mayor Snyder talked about the TIF district proposal which is longer in scope. He drew it out for the City Council. It would be a 23 year project. Everyone was comfortable putting it an ordinance.
Grounds, Buildings & Local Improvements:
Chairman Alderman Tibbs asked to put on the consent agenda a request from Jeff & Merida Robinson, Co-chairs of Relay for Life to tie ribbons downtown on June 8.
Alderman Tibbs said the boy scouts and cut scouts put in American flags in the new planters’ downtown.
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Mayor Snyder said the boy scouts were supposed to be present and they needed to put on the agenda for the Scout Sweep. Alderman Tibbs asked to have that on the consent agenda.
The money was received for the grant for the roof. City Treasurer Mr. Conzo said the total cost of the roof $138,831.00 plus the architectural fee of $1,609.00 and interest on the loan of $10,377.16 for a total of $150,818.07. The grant was $156,000.00.
Alderman Tibbs said she purchased dehumidifiers for their storage items at City Hall. Alderman Tibbs said it was a beautiful weekend with the Balloon launch.
Sewer Treatment Plant, Sewers and Drainage:
Chairman Alderman Busby said it was nice to be back. Vice Chairman Alderman Neitzel said she did not have a report.
Police:
Chairman Alderman Hoinacki wanted on the agenda to hire an additional police officer for the Drug Enforcement Task List from the lateral hire list. It is a backfill for that position and is built into the budget.
Alderman Hoinacki said he had a 4 way stop request at Clinton/Ladue and would need additional information. He said he would place it on the agenda but they would probably table it.
Alderman Hoinacki had a petition for First Presbyterian Church to make the alley one way on July 18, 2012 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and asked to have it on the Consent agenda.
Streets and Alleys:
Chairman Alderman Neitzel said they needed to have on the agenda the 2012 bids for infrastructure projects. Mr. Jackson will scratch hole to see if there is brick on Pulaski from Hamilton to Sherman. Alderman Neitzel said they would pull out Pulaski from Hamilton to Sherman but to put the rest on the agenda.
Alderman Wilmert asked about the blocking off of Oglesby Bridge. Alderman Anderson said she had conversation with City Engineer Mr. Mathon and that it would cost more to do that and did not have the figure with her. Alderman Anderson and Alderman Bacon have not had any calls on Oglesby to keep that bridge.
Alderman Neitzel said there will be tree trimming done and did not need to be on the agenda.
Mayor Snyder said Mr. Mathon sent a letter to IDOT requesting a recognition sign for a local student athletic achievement for Zion Lutheran School.
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Ordinance and Zoning:
Chairman Alderman O’Donohue set a meeting of the Ordinance Committee for June 12, 2012 at 6:15 p.m. to discuss the street issue.
Sidewalks, Forestry and Lighting:
Chairman Alderman Armbrust said he had the following sidewalk petitions to go on the Consent Agenda:
302 Broadway by First United Methodist Church work to be done by and at the expense of the city
1108 – 6th Street by Jim Houchon work to be done by and at the expense of the owner
816 – 4th Street by Robert Laura Williams work to be done by and at the expense of the city
Sanitation/Technology:
Chairman Alderman Wilmert said he needed to purchase the antivirus software. When all the laptops are ready they would go over them together.
Insurance:
Chairman Alderman Bacon said she did not have a report.
Mayor Snyder said he had the following announcements which included:
Lincoln/Logan County Sports commission (invite City to join)
Letter from Comcast (raising prices)
Lions club is looking to build their membership
Area Agency on Aging hearing on their 2012-2013 plan
City was approved for the Federal Surplus property program
The City can also join the National Association of state agencies for surplus property
Alderman Anderson asked about insurance on the laptops. Alderman O’Donohue said the City does not have a rider for property and it is all encompassing.
Alderman Busby made a motion to adjourn the meeting and Alderman Anderson seconded it. There were ten yeas (Alderman Anderson, Alderman Armbrust, Alderman Bacon, Alderman Busby, Alderman Hoinacki, Alderman Horn, Alderman Neitzel, Alderman O’Donohue, Alderman Tibbs, and Alderman Wilmert), zero nays, and none absent; motion carried.
The City of Lincoln Committee’s as a Whole Meeting adjourned at 8:38 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Risa Riggs, Recording Secretary
City of Lincoln