Lincoln, Illinois
City Council Committee's Meeting
November 29, 2011
Minutes of the City of Lincoln City Council Committees' Meeting held in the Council Chambers on Tuesday, November 29, 2011.
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, Police Chief Greenslate, Safety & Building Officer, and EMC Manager Mr. Palmer. Also present were Mayor Snyder, City Clerk Mrs. Martinek, City Attorney Mr. 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.
The Pledge was recited by all.
Mayor Snyder thanked everyone for their part in helping save Logan Correctional Center and was very proud of the community.
Will D'Andrea was present for the Enterprise Zone along with Andy Hamilton. There were present about adding and deleting parts of the Enterprise Zone. Formosa was included in the Enterprise Zone in 2004. None of the criteria had been met and are not planninng to rebuild and agreed to the removal from the Enterprise Zone. A public hearing had been held for the County and was on board with the changes to be made. Anytime in the future someone can come and ask to be included in the territory and this frees up ½ square mile.
Mayor Snyder said they would put the two ordinances on the agenda. One is deleting territory and one is to amend the language.
The Mayor asked for the Committees' Issues to be Presented:
Finance, Policy and Procedure:
Chairman Alderman Anderson said December 13, 2011 a Public Hearing was needed before the workshop that evening for the 2011 Tax Levy and could have it on the agenda to vote on December 19, 2011.
Alderman Anderson said when they implemented the HSA programs about allowing employees to move those funds to their own institutions if they so chose. It was not a matter for the agenda but the Clerk's office would need to get a notice out to the employees, effective January 1, 2012.
City Council Committee's Meeting
Page -2-
Alderman Anderson invited Alderman Busby and Mr. Kitzmiller to go over regarding Blue Star.
Alderman Busby said everyone gets Illinois Municipal Review in the October issue on page 17 it gives you step by step what the City is supposed to do. The voting last week on the company and should have put on ballot first.
Mr. Bates said that once the referendum passes you are still not obligated. The City has not agreed to pay Blue Star. He has had comments made to him that they have had difficulty dealing with Blue Star. He was disappointed with Blue Star at least they represented they were experts in this field. He contacted them last week subject to them agreeing to a term and what did the City need to get in place for a referendum and was told they would get back to him. He has drafted a Resolution but thought that was the wrong document.
Mr. Kitzmiller said the City will become the power broker. Ameren's rates that you get today, has been explained to him that they are three years behind what the rate actually is today. If someone leaves Ameren and want to go back there are set time frames.
Everyone will have to opt out. Mr. Kitzmiller said red flags went up when they met the consultant. Mr. Conzo said they have taken the vote and it will be on the ballet. Mr. O'Donohue knew that there are other companies than Blue Star. Alderman Anderson was very uncomfortable. Mr. Kitzmiller said they talked with Mike Ellis who is now consultanting. Alderman Busby thought he should be asked to come down. Alderman Anderson wasn't opposed to listening to someone else for input. Mr. Bates said the bigger the group the better the rate. Mayor Snyder said they would have Blue Star and another representative at the December 5, 2011 meeting. Mr. Bates said January 12, 2012 is the deadline to submit to the County Clerk for the referendum.
Mr. Bates said if they want to rescind it will take a two thirds vote action taken on the Blue Star contract. It cannot be reconsidered after the meeting is adjourned in which the vote was taken. He wasn't sure it needed to be rescended because the City did not have a final agreement because it was subject to an agreeable duration.
Fire/Water & ESDA:
Chairman Alderman Horn said Fire Chief Miller had a few things.
Fire Chief Miller said he had talked with Alderman O'Donohue and Mr. Blinn Bates about a change to the City's burn ordinance. The original ordinance reads have to burn on concrete, brick or paved areas on their property. Wants a clarification.
Alderman O'Donohue asked to have it on the agenda.
Grounds, Buildings & Local Improvements:
Chairman Alderman Tibbs said she did not have a report.
City Council Committee's Meeting
Page -3-
Sewer Treatment Plant, Sewers and Drainage:
Chairman Alderman Busby said Mr. Kitzmiller had some individuals to introduce to the City Council. Mr. Kitzmiller said Darrell Palmer was the new manager at the Waste Water Treatment Plant and Ann Curly as the new Administrative Assistant.
Alderman Busby said in October EPA came in for a check of the facilty and they got a very good score.
Police:
Chairman Alderman Hoinacki said he did not have a report.
Streets & Alleys:
Alderman Neitzel said they needed to talk about the 3rd Street Building.
Mayor Snyder said said they have met with John Bishop with Farnsworth. He would like the City Council to authorize him to enter into a contract with John Bishop. The utilities will provide up to $20,000.00 for this work. This will develop a facility inventory, condition assessment of the 3rd Street garage, evaluate the property, develop a prototype for the facility, develop a preliminary opinion about the probable cost to replace the facilty, look at the cost to temporarily move the facility then move it back (if it goes back in the same spot after cleanup) or just move it once to a new facility and deciding which way would be most cost effective, analysis of alternative sites and potential sites.
It was placed on the agenda by Alderman Neitzel.
Ordinances & Zoning:
Chairman Alderman O'Donohue said he did not have a report.
Sidewalks, Forestry and Lighting:
Chairman Alderman Armbrust said he did not have a report.
Sanitation/Technology:
Chairman Alderman Wilmert said he did not have a report.
Insurance:
Chairman Alderman Bacon said she and City Clerk Mrs.Martinek and then she and Alderman O'Donohue met with Calendar and Company who are suppliers for workers comp and liability insurance.
Alderman O'Donohue said the presentation they heard was from Arthur J. Gallagher Services. They are basically a broker. This is not just workers comp and liability but the whole comprehesive package. Everyone received a copy of an overview. The City is currently with HCC which is a public risk group. The City does not currently have flood coverage.
City Council Committee's Meeting
Page -5-
Alderman O'Donohue went over the overview. There is a $4,500.00 cancellation to change to Arthur Calendar & Company.
Mayor Snyder said they have the following items:
EDR Quarterly report
2012 Holidays on the agenda
Post meeting this Saturday at 9:00 a.m. for City Administrator
Received Plaque from Railsplitter Festival
Welcome to Lincoln signs are down being refurbishing (Kathy Vinyard coodinating)
Alderman O'Donohue was ok with putting the referendum on the agenda.
Alderman Anderson moved to go into Executive Session under 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1) to discuss personnel and 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(5) to discuss purchase or lease of real estate and Alderman Horn seconded it. City Clerk Mrs. Martinek called the roll call. 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 meeting adjourned to Executive Session at 8:16 p.m.
The meeting returned to regular Session at 9:16 p.m. City Clerk Mrs. Matinek called the roll. 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. Also present were Mayor Snyder, City Treasurer Mr. Conzo, City Clerk Mrs. Martinek, City Attorney Mr. Bates, and Recording Secretary Mrs. Riggs.
Alderman Busby made a motion to adjourn the meeting and Alderman Neitzel 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 9:16 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Risa Riggs
Recording Secretary
City of Lincoln