Minutes of the City of Lincoln City Council Committee of the Whole Meeting held in the Council Chambers on Tuesday, July 29, 2014. 

Those present were Alderman Bauer, Alderman Cooper, Alderman Neitzel, Alderman O'Donohue, and Alderman Tibbs.  Also present were Street Superintendent Mr. Landers, Fire Chief Miller, and Police Chief Greenslate.  Also present were City Clerk Mrs. Gehlbach, City Treasurer Mr. Conzo, and Recording Secretary Mrs. Riggs.   Mayor Snyder was absent. 

Alderman O’Donohue called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m.  City Clerk Mrs. Gehlbach called the roll call.  There were five Aldermen present (Alderman Bauer, Alderman Cooper, Alderman Neitzel Alderman O'Donohue, and Alderman Tibbs) and three absent (Alderman Anderson, Alderman Hoinacki, and Alderman Horn).

Alderman O’Donohue led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Public Participation:

There was no Public Participation. 

Executive Session:  Personnel

Alderman Neitzel moved to go into Executive Session pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1) personnel and Alderman Bauer seconded it.  City Clerk Mrs. Gehlbach called the roll call. There were five yeas (Alderman Bauer, Alderman Cooper, Alderman Neitzel, Alderman O'Donohue, and Alderman Tibbs) zero nays, and three absent (Alderman Anderson, Alderman Hoinacki, and Alderman Horn); motion carried. The meeting adjourned to Executive Session at 7:05 p.m. 

The meeting returned to regular Session at 7:30 p.m.  City Clerk Mrs. Gehlbach called the roll.  There were five Aldermen present (Alderman Bauer, Alderman Cooper, Alderman Neitzel Alderman O'Donohue, and Alderman Tibbs) and three absent (Alderman Anderson, Alderman Hoinacki, and Alderman Horn). Also present were Fire Chief Miller, Police Chief Greenslate, and Street Superintendent Mr. Landers.  Also present were City Treasurer Mr. Conzo, City Attorney Mr. Blinn Bates, City Clerk Mrs. Gehlbach, and Recording Secretary Mrs. Riggs. 

Chamber request for additional street closures during the 2014 Art & Balloon Festival:

This will be placed on the Monday, August 4, 2014 Consent Agenda.

Lincoln Running Club petition for 2-mile tune-op run on 9/13/14:

This will be placed on the Monday, August 4, 2014 Consent Agenda.

Revised ordinance re: update of building codes:

Fire Chief Miller said there are some revisions with one revision being the residential sprinkler system being removed.  Clarifications on the knob and tube wiring were discussed with knob and tube being discovered it must be replaced and brought up to date.  There was discussion about the option of a flyer to give to people who are building new homes regarding the sprinkler systems. 

Policy re: City purchasing and emergency finance procedures:

Alderman Neitzel did not like the limits, $5,000.00 for department heads and $20,000.00 for the Mayor and City Administrator. Alderman Neitzel felt those limits were too high and asked if they were trying to get rid of the City Council.  Alderman O'Donohue didn't think anyone was trying to get rid of the City Council. Alderman O'Donohue said this was not only for emergencies.  Alderman O'Donohue said what they are approving is already in the budget and this would not have to come back to the City Council.  Alderman Cooper said he felt $5,000.00 would be ok.  Police Chief Greenslate said the City Council would be spending more time each week approving those bills.  Alderman O'Donohue said this would be up to $20,000.00 with anything over $20,000.00 being brought to the City Council for a vote.  This will go on the Monday, August 4, 2014 regular agenda.

Discussion re: Fees & Permits – Part II:

Deputy City Clerk Mrs. Fulk arrived at 7:47 p.m.

Discussion was held on the following City licenses:

Scavenger (Garbage and Waste Haulers).  The City Council agreed to change from $10.00 per vehicle to a flat fee of $500.00 per Garbage/Waste Hauler Company. 

Going out of business License – The City Council agreed to remove this city license.

Itinerant Merchant License – (fireworks, etc.) The City Council agreed to raise this fee from $25.00 per day to $50.00 per day. 

Junk & Salvage operators, dealers or haulers – The City Council agreed to remove section 3-8-2.

Mechanical Amusement Device & Video Amusement Device – The City Council agreed to raise the Mechanical Amusement Device License fee from $50.00 to $100.00 per machine.

Motion picture establishment – The current fee is $100.00 for the first screen, and $50.00 for each additional screen after the first screen.  The City Council agreed to change to an annual fee of  $100.00.

Multiple Pet – A multiple pet owner is defined as any person who harbors more than four (4) dogs or four (4) cats or any combination over four (4) months of age within any dwelling unit and/or structure to qualify for a pet license.  The Building and Safety Officer will inspect the property before issuing a license.  The recommendation was to go from $25.00 to $40.00 (there will be a discussion with Mr. Lebegue to clarify this license)

Approval of new hire for Street Department:

Street Superintendent Mr. Landers asked to have on the Monday, August 4, 2014 Agenda the hiring of Keith Grabowski for the Street and Alley Department.

Change Order #3 for Pulaski Street reconstruction project:

This will be on the Monday, August 4, 2014 Agenda in the amount of $11,924.00.

Ordinance re: issuance of $6 million for sewer bonds:

City Treasurer Mr. Conzo said this issuance would be closer to $5.5M.  This was placed on the Monday, August 4, 2014 regular agenda.

Discussion: proposal for actuarial study of retirement benefits:

Discussion will take place at the 8/12/14 Committee of the Whole meeting.

Other discussion/informational items:

The retirement party for Mike Geriets will be Thursday, July 31, 2014 in the Blue Room at the Safety Complex.

Fire Chief Miller said Robert Wood has passed his probationary firefighter period and would like to place on the Agenda for Monday, August 4, 2014 to swear him in as a firefighter.    

Upcoming Meetings:

Council:                          Monday, August 4, 2014 – 7:00 p.m.                            

Committee of Whole:     Tuesday, August 12, 2014 – 7:00 p.m.

Alderman Neitzel made a motion to adjourn the meeting and Alderman Tibbs seconded it.  There were five yeas (Alderman Bauer, Alderman Cooper, Alderman Neitzel Alderman O'Donohue, and Alderman Tibbs) zero nays, and three absent (Alderman Anderson, Alderman Hoinacki, and Alderman Horn); motion carried.

The City of Lincoln Committee of the Whole Meeting adjourned at 8:24 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Risa Riggs

Recording Secretary