Minutes of the City of Lincoln City Council Committees' Meeting held in the Council Chambers on Tuesday, July 23, 2013.

Those present were Alderman Anderson, Alderman Carmitchel, Alderman Hoinacki, Alderman Horn, 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 Mayor Snyder, City Clerk Mrs. Gehlbach, 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 seven Aldermen present (Alderman Anderson, Alderman Carmitchel, Alderman Hoinacki, Alderman Horn, Alderman O'Donohue, Alderman Tibbs, and Alderman Wilmert) and one absent (Alderman Neitzel).

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor Snyder.

Fire Chief Miller introduced new firefighter Robert Wood who had just started today (July 23, 2013).

The City of Lincoln City Council Meeting moved to Public Hearing and the Adjourned City Council Meeting at 7:01 p.m. and returned at 7:04 p.m.

Communications:

Mayor Snyder read a thank you note from Alderman Neitzel.

Mayor Snyder read a thank letter from Linda Rollins, who ran out of gas and a nice gentleman got them gas, candy for her and her children and something to drink for each of them including the dog. Alderman Anderson believed that the gentleman was Officer Miles Craig’s father.

Racetrack request:

Mr. Norman Horn came before the Council to ask for an extra night due to another motorcycle race. Mr. Horn was willing to try having motorcycles one more time. This race would be held on September 23, 2013.

Alderman Tibbs and Alderman Horn were both supporting the racetrack and asked to have this put it on the agenda.

Request to permit a “Celebrate Lincoln” event at Faith Assembly of God:

Mayor Snyder said this event would be held from 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. on August 17, 2013, it is being held on the Church's property (1225 Nicholson Road) and is open to the public. Everyone agreed to let the church know their request was granted.

Request from Chamber of Commerce to use additional city property for 2013 Lincoln Art and Balloon Festival:

A letter from Andi Hake was received asking for Pulaski Street from Kickapoo Street to the alley by the Alley Bi and Vintage Fair to be closed. The Chamber was asking for the parade route beginning on Wyatt turning on Kickapoo Street then turning to Clinton Street then turning to Chicago Street then to Pekin Street and then to Kickapoo Street on August 23, 2013 starting at 3:00 p.m.

Alderman Carmitchel asked if there was any kick back (unhappy merchants). Mayor Snyder said this year this is being addressed with a meeting being held at the Lincoln Public Library by the Chamber. It was agreed to put this on the Consent Agenda for the August 5, 2013 Agenda.

Mayor Snyder said they have received a letter regarding the city entry in the parade. The drawings will be held again this year. Alderman Hoinacki has been the coordinator for the Balloon Festival for the past several years. Alderman Hoinacki said the City of Lincoln’s balloon is Pete the Peg Leg.

Informational item from Logan County Fair Association:

Ribbon cut will be at 9:00 a.m. on July 30, 2013. Mayor Snyder said he would not be available for the ribbon cut.

Salt Creek Bridge detour:

Mayor Snyder said the City of Lincoln received a letter from IDOT regarding the Salt Creek Bridge which will be closed March, 2014 to November, 2015. IDOT is in charge of project. The bridge has to be totally closed to do this project due to the changes that IDOT is making to the bridge.

Pulaski Street update:

Mr. Forgy said the plans have been completed for the Pulaski Street reconstruction. They are ready to go out for bid. The cost estimate is $1.5M and is above what they had originally thought due to the separation of the sewer system.  

Ms. McLaughlin said they were brainstorming ways to pay for the higher cost but they don't have a definitive answer. A decision will be made after the bids are received. Ms. McLaughlin said it would move the process along. Mr. Forgy said they would go out for bids immediately and would probably have them back in a little over two weeks. The Aldermen agreed to go out for bids. The City of Lincoln City Council has the right to reject any and all bids.

Oglesby Bridge update:

Mr. Forgy said he contacted the lowest bidder, Perry Broughton to see what the reason was for the higher bid. The costs drivers were due to the lack of a dump site and the cost and labor increase for prevailing wage.

Mr. Forgy also contacted Otto Baum, a contractor who did not put a bid in this time and was the lowest bid a year ago. Otto Baum did not have the capacity to do such a small job.

It was decided to reject the bids and put out a new bid with the Pulaski Street as an alternative bid.  

Update on search for new Tourism Director:

Mayor Snyder said it is information that should come from the Tourism Board and reserved the right to have a discussion about tourism at another meeting.

Sewer Dept. – Long Term Control Plan:

Ms. McLaughlin said this plan is being required by the EPA and the scope of services is provided by Mr. Ferguson and is in the budget.

Mr. Ferguson said the sewer department is working on the long term control plan that is being required by the EPA. There was a handout that requires a qualified engineering firm that would complete this type of plan and they would submit their qualifications to the City of Lincoln.

Retail consultant discussion:

Ms. McLaughlin said she had submitted to them information from Retail Coach. Alderman Hoinacki said he was impressed by Retail Coach. Alderman Anderson said both presentations (Buxton and Retail Coach) were interesting but liked Retail Coach better. Alderman Wilmert thought Buxton had a competitive edge. Mayor Snyder said Retail Coach would coach the City of Lincoln and Buxton will give the City of Lincoln information. Ms. McLaughlin said Retail Coach seemed to want to coach the city. Ms. McLaughlin will check with Buxton to see what their cost would be.

ITEP Grant Application Resolution:

ITEP stands for Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program Grant. Mayor Snyder said the Resolution explains the City of Lincoln is in favor of the grant application. This item was placed on the Regular Agenda.

Other discussion:

Mr. Jackson said he got a call from Mike Maske about sweeping the fairgrounds. Everyone agreed to allow this for the fair.

Alderman O'Donohue said he had checked into audio equipment. He felt they needed to get some quotes from around town and out of town. The City of Lincoln needs something that is new technology and need to be able to have the audio files go directly to the computer versus being on cassette tapes or CD’s. Police Chief Greenslate offered Detective Adams assistance in the audio equipment. Alderman Tibbs said she had talked to someone and they said not to go wireless.

Alderman Tibbs asked if there would be a discussion about the dead trees around town. Mr. Lebegue said the ordinance he brought forward would help. Alderman Tibbs thought they should put it back on the agenda.

Mayor Snyder said there would be no meeting the week of July 29, 2013 through August 2, 2013.

Upcoming Meetings:

Council:                          August 5, 2013 – 7:00 p.m.                     

Committee of Whole:     August 13, 2013 – 7:00 p.m.

Alderman Anderson moved to go into Executive Session pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1) personnel and 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(5) and Alderman Horn seconded it. City Clerk Mrs. Gehlbach called the roll call. There were seven yeas (Alderman Anderson, Alderman Carmitchel, Alderman Hoinacki, Alderman Horn, Alderman O'Donohue, Alderman Tibbs, Alderman Wilmert) zero nays, and one absent (Alderman Neitzel); motion carried. The meeting adjourned to Executive Session at 8:07 p.m.

The meeting returned to regular Session at 8:07 p.m. City Clerk Mrs. Gehlbach called the roll. There were seven Aldermen present (Alderman Anderson, Alderman Carmitchel, Alderman Hoinacki, Alderman Horn, Alderman O’Donohue, Alderman Tibbs, and Alderman Wilmert) and one absent (Alderman Neitzel). Also present were Mayor Snyder, City Treasurer Mr. Conzo, City Clerk Mrs. Gehlbach, City Administrator Ms. McLaughlin, and Recording Secretary Mrs. Riggs.

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

The City of Lincoln Committee’s as a Whole Meeting adjourned at 8:31 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Risa Riggs, Recording Secretary