Lincoln, Illinois

City Council Committee's Meeting

April 9, 2013

Minutes of the City of Lincoln City Council Committees' Meeting held in the Council Chambers on Tuesday, April 9, 2013.

Those present were Alderman Anderson, Alderman Armbrust (he arrived at 6:35 p.m.), Alderman Bacon, Alderman Carmitchel, Alderman Hoinacki, Alderman Horn, Alderman Neitzel, Alderman O'Donohue, and Alderman Wilmert. Also present were Street Superintendent Mr. Jackson, City Engineer Mr. Forgy, Safety and Building Officer Mr. Lebegue, Fire Chief Miller, American Water/EMC Mgr. Mr. Ferguson, and Police Chief Greenslate. Also present were City Clerk Mrs. Gehlbach, Mayor Snyder, City Attorney Mr. Blinn Bates, City Treasurer Mr. Conzo, City Administrator Ms. McLaughlin, and Recording Secretary Mrs. Riggs.  

Mayor Snyder called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. There were nine Aldermen present (Alderman Anderson, Alderman Armbrust (he arrived at 6:35 p.m.), Alderman Bacon, Alderman Carmitchel, Alderman Hoinacki, Alderman Horn, Alderman Neitzel, Alderman O'Donohue, and Alderman Wilmert) and one absent (and Alderman Tibbs).

The Pledge was led recited by all.

Public Participation:

There was no Public Participation.

Logan County Tourism presentation:

The Tourism Board gave a presentation. They told their vision statement and mission statement. They talked about how they do that. Strategic plan has annual on going initiatives, welcome bags were distributed to each person, work with events in Lincoln, building relationships. Our bureau is certified. They continue to attract “stay-cation” and business travelers. Community Events Needing Tourism's Support is a community sponsorship. They support Lincoln and Logan County Sports Commission. They have a short term plan. They will be reviewing their rules. Their long term plan includes hospitality training, international travelers and partnering for collaborative tourism efforts. They have current projects which would include using smartphones. “Heads-in-beds” events are very important to the Tourism Bureau. They told their next steps. They would like to come quarterly to give updates.

Mayor Snyder asked for the Items for Discussion:

FY14 Budget

Ms. McLaughlin said there is a one page memo that she distributed. They will be going forward with the Local Debt Recovery program. Traffic tickets would be ordinance violations which would give the city more money but there is a process that has to be gone through and the City would get 100%. There was discussion about traffic tickets and how it would work and that there would not be moving violations. There was a discussion about impounds under Ordinance fees.

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FY14 Budget(continued)

Police Chief Greenslate explained how impound works and about implementing a fee. It was agreed to pursue the impound fee. There was discussion about sidewalks.

There was discussion about utility tax. The city can impose a tax and could be used for any need or could go to the general fund. Alderman Carmitchel was in favor of utility tax on the low end percentage. Alderman Anderson was also in favor but more discussion about the dedicating the funds. Alderman O'Donohue was in favor as well but needs to be set aside for a particular use. Mr. Jackson had discussion with manager at Taylorville and they used 1% to fix streets and split storm sewer from sewer system. Alderman Wilmert was not in favor since the city just went through to lower the bill. Mayor Snyder said he felt they needed new safety complex and told that they would be getting information on the downtown revitalization with fiber optic cable.

American Cancer Society

Nicole Lee and Amy Winehunter, Co-Chairs were present to discuss the relay for life that will be held on June 14, 2013 at Lincoln College. Invited everyone to come out. Want to paint the town purple the weekend before. Logan's Heros based on Hogan's Heros.

FY14 Budget(continued)

Mayor Snyder said there are department issues. Ms. McLaughlin went over the issues that were in the budget. Part time HR position was discussed. If they have a full time City Administrator they don't need a part time HR person. Alderman Anderson said she was in favor of eliminating an HR position. The HR position was removed at this time.

7% increase for Deputy City Clerk. There was discussion about the pay raise. Alderman Anderson felt they should raise. Alderman Carmitchel felt the raise was necessary.

There was a discussion about sewer software. Ms. McLaughlin said she could trim different places. There was discussion about the CEDS funds.

Alderman Anderson was in favor of letting Ms. McLaughlin using her red pen and trim the budget. Mr. Jackson explained what the $8,000.00 (door and roof).

Tourism hotel/motel tax. Alderman Wilmert was in favor of letting it wait to see how things go. Ms. McLaughlin said the presentation was not accurate. Alderman O'Donohue talked about the expectations from the Tourism Bureau. Alderman Anderson said she didn't like the idea of pulling out the rug without warning and maybe inclined for a December deadline. Alderman Neitzel said she felt they needed guidance and hated if the city would pull the rug out and everyone organization in town needs to communicate. Alderman Wilmert thought it took a while to put things in place. Alderman Horn said we have a new member on the board and hate to see them pull the rug out without giving a chance to see what they can do.

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Council committee structure

Ms. McLaughlin passed out information on this to the Aldermen, Mayor, City Attorney, City Clerk and City Treasurer. She stated these were just a suggestion. There would be changes in the Ordinance. Mayor Snyder was in favor of the Committee as a Whole. Alderman Anderson agreed with committee as whole. Alderman O'Donohue agreed.

Sewer delinquencies for City license holders

Mayor Snyder said the City Liquor Commission has had a problem with this and this was a FYI. They will be addressing this by sending letters out to all liquor license holders. City Clerk Mrs. Gehlbach said they shouldn't just limit it to sewer delinquencies and other license holders.

Street closures for LCHS Grand March, May 4

There was a petition that was given to Alderman but the certificate of insurance is still pending.

Cruise to Main St 5K

Mayor Snyder said this petition has been revised. It was decided to put this on the Consent Agenda.

Announcements:

Mr. Forgy just received options for the Oglesby Street bridge. He just got them today and will get them out to the Aldermen.

Mayor Snyder said the From the Ground up and Ameren has picked the building in Postville Park to spruce it up. Kathy Vinyard is the contact person.

Mr. Ferguson said they were advised of a sewer back up today on Chicago Street. The clay pipe has deteriorated and they need to find a way to get access. Needs some direction on this. It is working. It was decided to put Ms. McLaughlin, Mr. Forgy, and Mr. Ferguson. Alderman Neitzel said this is her property.

Executive Session to discuss Imminent Domain

Alderman Anderson moved to go into Executive Session under 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1) personnel and 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(11) litigation and Alderman Horn seconded it. City Clerk Mrs. Gehlbach called the roll call. There were nine yeas (Alderman Anderson, Alderman Armbrust, Alderman Bacon, Alderman Carmitchel, Alderman Hoinacki, Alderman Horn, Alderman Neitzel, Alderman O'Donohue, and Alderman Wilmert), zero nays, and one absent (Alderman Tibbs); motion carried. The meeting adjourned to Executive Session at 8:45 p.m.

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The meeting returned to regular Session at 9:15 p.m. City Clerk Mrs. Gehlbach called the roll. There were nine Aldermen present (Alderman Anderson, Alderman Armbrust, Alderman Bacon, Alderman Carmitchel, Alderman Hoinacki, Alderman Horn, Alderman Neitzel, Alderman O’Donohue, and Alderman Wilmert) and one absent (Alderman Tibbs). Also present were Mayor Snyder, City Treasurer Mr. Conzo, City Attorney Mr. Blinn Bates, City Clerk Mrs. Gehlbach, City Administrator, and Recording Secretary Mrs. Riggs.

Upcoming Meetings:

Council: April 15, 2013 – Council Meeting 7:00 p.m.

                                           Budget Public Hearing

Committee as a Whole:     April 23, 2013 – 7:00 p.m.

Alderman Neitzel made a motion to adjourn the meeting and Alderman Anderson seconded it. There were nine yeas (Alderman Anderson, Alderman Armbrust, Alderman Bacon, Alderman Carmitchel, Alderman Hoinacki, Alderman Horn, Alderman Neitzel, Alderman O'Donohue, and Alderman Wilmert), zero nays, and one absent(Alderman Tibbs); motion carried.

The City of Lincoln Committee’s as a Whole Meeting adjourned at 9:16 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Risa Riggs, Recording Secretary