Lincoln, Illinois

City Council Committee's Meeting

March 26, 2013

Minutes of the City of Lincoln City Council Committees' Meeting held in the Council Chambers on Tuesday, March 26, 2013.

Those present were Alderman Anderson, Alderman Armbrust, Alderman Bacon, Alderman Carmitchel, Alderman Hoinacki, Alderman Horn, Alderman Neitzel, Alderman O'Donohue, Alderman Tibbs, 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 7:00 p.m. There were ten Aldermen present (Alderman Anderson, Alderman Armbrust, Alderman Bacon, Alderman Carmitchel, Alderman Hoinacki, Alderman Horn, Alderman Neitzel, Alderman O'Donohue, Alderman Tibbs, and Alderman Wilmert) and none absent.

The Pledge was led by Cub Scout Pack #111 from District #27 recited by all.

Department Head Submittals:

Police Chief Greenslate – Replacement Hire

            Police Chief Greenslate said a memo was attached includes costs of lateral and new hire lists. Alderman Hoinacki asked to have on the agenda.

-        Tobacco License Fee/Fines

            Police Chief Greenslate asked if the City Council would be in favor of a tobacco license fee and fines. He is still working on this. Way to keep track who is selling and buying. State charges $250.00 for tobacco and Police Chief Greenslate did not feel it was a bad thing to charge and a way for control.

Alderman Wilmert was not in favor. Alderman Hoinacki was in favor. Alderman Neitzel asked how many establishments sell. Police Chief Greenslate said there are 15 establishments. Police Chief Greenslate said he felt that Officer Butterfield had been doing the checks and there was only one violation. Police Chief Greenslate wanted to license retailers so they had a way to enforce. Alderman Carmitchel would consider when he sees the attachment. Police Chief Greenslate said some businesses require more work for the police department. Alderman Anderson said from a standpoint of fees and fines we are a tax capped community and can't take in enough money from taxes and she didn't know if she was in favor or not without enough information. Alderman O'Donohue agreed with Alderman Anderson and they have to make a decision what to do and wants to see the proposal.

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Alderman Horn said nobody is forcing anyone to sell.

Police Chief Greenslate gave a report and thanked his officers with assistance of the hummers with the weather we had this weekend.

Superintendent Jackson – Snowplowing

            Mr. Jackson said his office received quite a few calls. There were three trucks that got stuck. The leaf springs broke on one truck. They are down three trucks with them being broken.   The guys did a heck of a job. The street department loaded all the snow downtown and took it out.

Alderman Carmitchel thought the street department did a good job.

-        Arbor Day Proclamation          

            Mr. Jackson said April 17 will be Arbor Day this year. It will be at Shay Parking lot to replace a tree that has been removed. It will be on the agenda.

Public Participation:

There was no Public Participation.

Mayor Snyder asked for the Items for Discussion:

Sewer Billing Ordinance – Alderman Anderson said the last shut off notice will go out and there will be no more billings going out and the $25.00 penalty will stop. City Clerk Mrs. Gehlbach went over the packet that was handed out on March 11. They wanted to change the water shut off from ninety (90) days to sixty (60) days. They wanted to make the change at the same time as the fiscal year and with the billing change. It was decided to put on the agenda the change in billing from three times per year to four times per year.   City Administrator Ms. McLaughlin said the sewer should be billing by consumption. Alderman Anderson said it would be something they could look at. City Clerk Mrs. Gehlbach said the new software would be able to handle the billing by consumption.

Scout Sweep

Saturday, April 13, 2013 10:00 to noon and it was put on the Consent Agenda for Monday night.

Realignment of Council Committees

Mayor Snyder said he had in their packet for the changes. The City has gone with the City as a whole system.

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Ms. McLaughlin said they could have committee meetings instead of committee as whole. Everyone gets the information at the same time. Fifth Monday or Tuesday and have a big discussion. Her recommendation was to adopt Committee as Whole system without sub-committees. Alderman Anderson wondered how things work with things that are going on. Mr. Jackson said they would still have to have a designated Forest Committee for Tree City USA. Alderman O'Donohue gave his thoughts. Alderman Anderson was concerned about not having representation at Economic Development, Main Street, etc. Mayor Snyder said they would look to see what it would take to operate. Alderman Tibbs thought that they should have reports from Economic Development, Main Street, etc.

Alderman Tibbs does not like the agenda thing that they are doing now. Give each chairman a chance to tell what is going on.

Central Business TIF District

Ms. McLaughlin handed a thick packet of information on the TIF districts. You can either do a Facade or a Redevelopment/New Development. There was a three page handout. Can find TIF's in other communities. There are prevailing wage issues. The Committee will consist of Alderman Carmitchel, Alderman Horn, and Alderman O'Donohue.

2013 Citywide Cleanup

Mayor Snyder said the City will be having one. Working with Area Disposal again. Saturday, April 27, 2013 and May 4, 2013. They will also have an electronic recycling that day. The cost is about $12,000.00.

Eaton Grant – Electric Car Charging Station

Mayor Snyder said it is just informational. Eaton manufactures the car charging stations. Trying to get one downtown and one out on the West side. There is a grant to get them.

Citywide IT Server

Alderman Wilmert said there has been a quote from WTI which is in the packet of information that was handed out.

Tourism

Mayor Snyder said Alderman O'Donohue went to the Tourism Bureau committee meeting.

Alderman O'Donohue said there was no discussion about taking the money from Tourism through the hotel/motel tax. The Tourism Bureau wants a guarantee that the City will not take their money May 1. There was a memo Ms. McLaughlin had in a packet for the Aldermen.

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Alderman O'Donohue said the City Council got a budget from Tourism and a strategic plan and by-laws. Members of the Tourism board will be present at the April 9, 2013 meeting. Alderman O'Donohue said he is the ex-oficio on the Tourism board.

Alderman Tibbs discussed the tourism. She thought Mr. Ladd was doing a fine job.

Mayor Snyder said the Tourism bureau were the ones that called a special meeting. It has always been, going to talk about the hotel/motel tax.

Other Items:

Mr. Forgy said tomorrow night informational meeting for the downtown revitalization meeting.

Historical preservation committee meeting. Alderman O'Donohue said he read the ordinance and said he was ready to put it on the agenda.

Mayor Snyder said to put things on the committee as a whole meeting then they can get it on the agenda.

Mr. Forgy said they are discussing the Main Street Lincoln 5K petition.

Open Arms 5K run petition.

Town wide garage sale petition.

Alderman Tibbs said the grounds and buildings has a new furnace in the building.

Alderman Tibbs also discussed that she did not like the new agenda.

Upcoming Meetings:

Council: April 1, 2013 – Budget Workshop at 6:00 p.m.

-     Council Meeting 7:00 p.m.

Committee as a Whole: April 9, 2013 – 6:00 p.m.

Alderman Neitzel made a motion to adjourn the meeting and Alderman Wilmert seconded it. There were ten yeas (Alderman Anderson, Alderman Armbrust, Alderman Bacon, Alderman Carmitchel, 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 8:54 p.m.

Respectfully submitted, Risa Riggs, Recording Secretary