Minutes of the City of Lincoln City Council Committee of the Whole Meeting held in the Council Chambers on Tuesday, July 15, 2014.
Those present were Alderman Anderson, Alderman Bauer, Alderman Cooper, Alderman Horn, Alderman Neitzel, and Alderman O’Donohue. Also present were Street Superintendent Mr. Landers, Building and Safety Officer Mr. Lebegue, Fire Chief Miller, and Police Chief Greenslate. Also present were City Clerk Mrs. Gehlbach, Mayor Snyder, City Attorney Mr. Blinn Bates, City Treasurer Mr. Conzo, and Recording Secretary Mrs. Riggs.
Mayor Snyder called the meeting to order at 7:16 p.m. City Clerk Mrs. Gehlbach called the roll call. There were six Aldermen present (Alderman Anderson, Alderman Bauer, Alderman Cooper, Alderman Horn, Alderman Neitzel, and Alderman O’Donohue), and two absent (Alderman Hoinacki and Alderman Tibbs).
There was no recording of this meeting due to a malfunction between the recorder and server.
Mayor Snyder led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Public Participation:
There was no Public Participation.
Strategic Planning – Retail Strategies: Chip Rodgers:
Mr. Rodgers told about the research that has been accomplished. He went over the following items: a) basecamp, b) market analysis, c) a peer and map analysis, d) a gap analysis which shows where the gaps are in the market, e) available properties, f) look at development and redevelopment and then look at retail prospects, g) a marketing guide has been developed, and h) the next step is to begin the recruiting process.
Building Code Ordinance review and Discussion:
Public Participation:
Mr. Malone said he pulled the rules and was partially wrong (small exemption with only a single head and would only need two heads if there was a furnace and water heater in the same area. The new equipment is not as easy to cause a fire. Cooking fires are the highest ranked. This should be an option not a mandate.
Mr. Seth Goodman felt the sprinkler system should be left alone but was concerned about having to replace the knob and tube. He recently had a problem at a closing due to the knob and tube.
Mr. Lebegue said this only happens when someone opens the wall and finds that knob and tube are in the walls. This is up to the homeowners.
Fire Chief Miller and Building and Safety Officer Mr. Lebegue had a power point for the different parts of the code. This deals with commercial buildings for such things as hydrants, sprinklers; everything can be accessed outside, fire alarm systems, addressable fire system, and 5 inch stortz connection. The sprinkler head is a single head for the gas furnaces and water heaters. Tankless water heaters are much safer and would not need a separate sprinkler system. Installing a home sprinkler system may reduce your homeowner’s insurance. The load bearing plumbing wall studs should be 2 X 6 instead of 2 X 4. There should be insulation baffles for the soffet vents. EFSR hazardous storage have a sprinkler system, the test header is on the outside, no plastic or flexible ducting but using tube duct for dryers, grass height no more than 8 inch instead of 12 inches, any mention of wood foundations will be deleted, the furnace manufacturer will give you requirements, landlords to supply heat from October to May at no less than 68 degrees, knob and tube is no longer allowed and cannot add on to the system, plumbing vent cannot be less than one and one-half (1 ½) inches, townhouses are required to have a 2 hour fire rated wall between each unit, and open window wells need to be covered.
Alderman Neitzel complimented Fire Chief Miller and Building and Safety Officer Mr. Lebegue for all the work they have put into the new code. She felt the Aldermen should get a revised copy of the new Ordinance to be able to look over.
Alderman Cooper, Alderman Anderson and Alderman Neitzel agreed that the sprinkler should be revised and possibly have something for the homeowner to sign stating they didn’t want the fire sprinkler system. Mayor Snyder said the City should give an incentive to the builders for putting in the sprinkler system. Everyone agreed to look at this again at another workshop.
Fast track demolition for 412 N. Oglesby:
Mr. Lebegue had a slideshow of the house, showing the back of the property, the weeds, the side of the house with lots of debris and the dwelling being open. The demolition and restoration of the property low bidder was Jim Moody Excavation, and Mr. Lebegue recommended going with Jim Moody Excavation with a bid of $6,200.00.
Alderman Neitzel asked to have it on the consent agenda.
Advice and consent to mayoral appointment to Tourism Board – Kristi Powell:
This will be on the Consent Agenda.
Petitions for and by Harvest of Talents (was not on the agenda)
This is for street closures for 5K run/walk and the placing of the sign on the corner of Pekin and Kickapoo Streets. This will be on the Consent Agenda.
Licenses, fees permits – Part II:
This will be postponed until July 29, 2014 at the workshop meeting.
Street cuts: open bonds and outstanding issues:
Mr. Lebegue said they are working on this issue. Several bonds were found from a long time ago and are still open.
SB 3507 – sewer tap fees:
Mr. Ferguson said sewer tap fees can only be 20% of average water bill which does not cover the amount to open the street.
UOC Update – Approval of new model and steps to get there:
Mayor Snyder said the committee met again in June. They defined community as all of Logan County.
Alderman O’Donohue said the model is the Chamber of Commerce but would have a new board. New Business development Council, advocate, promote current business, educate to employ Council, Tourism/promote hospitality Council and this would be headed by a CEO. The committee of 7 will be required to be at the meetings and if three meetings are missed in a row that person will be terminated. To get on the initial board there is an application, interview and then an election. The nominating committee is David Lanterman, Eric Graue, Tracy Welch, Todd Cyrulik, and Bridget Schneider. The City of Lincoln’s next step is to decide whether they want to participate or not. (There was a handout with this information)
Alderman Bauer asked to have it on the agenda.
FY 2015 Appropriations ordinance:
City Treasurer Mr. Conzo went over the appropriations ordinance and asked everyone to look over. He asked this to be on the agenda for the next meeting and the City Council would need to table it and vote on July 29, 2014. The public hearing will be before the meeting on the 29th of July.
Police Department personnel announcement:
Police Chief Greenslate said Deputy Chief Geriets has decided to retire as of August 15, 2014. He asked to hire from the lateral hire list and would like that on the agenda.
Finance policy with revisions:
This will be discussed at a later date
Other discussion/informational items:
There was no other discussion
Upcoming Meetings:
Council: Monday, July 21, 2014 – 7:00 p.m.
Committee of Whole: Tuesday, July 29, 2014 – 7:00 p.m.
Alderman Neitzel made a motion to adjourn the meeting and Alderman Anderson seconded it. There were six yeas (Alderman Anderson, Alderman Bauer, Alderman Cooper, Alderman Horn, Alderman Neitzel, and Alderman O’Donohue) zero nays, and two absent (Alderman Hoinacki and Alderman Tibbs); motion carried.
The City of Lincoln Committee of the Whole Meeting adjourned at 9:08 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Risa Riggs
Recording Secretary
City of Lincoln