Minutes of the City of Lincoln City Council Committee of the Whole Meeting held in the Council Chambers on Tuesday, August 12, 2014. 

Those present were Alderman Bauer, Alderman Cooper, Alderman Hoinacki, Alderman Horn, Alderman Neitzel, Alderman O'Donohue, and Alderman Tibbs.  Also present were Street Superintendent Mr. Landers, Deputy Building and Safety Officer Mrs. Ingram, and Police Chief Greenslate.  Also present were Mayor Snyder, City Clerk Mrs. Gehlbach, City Treasurer Mr. Conzo, City Attorney Mr. Bates, and Recording Secretary Mrs. Riggs.  

Mayor Snyder called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.  There were seven Aldermen present (Alderman Bauer, Alderman Cooper, Alderman Hoinacki, Alderman Horn, Alderman Neitzel Alderman O'Donohue, and Alderman Tibbs) and one absent (Alderman Anderson).

Mayor Snyder led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Public Participation:

There was no Public Participation. 

Update re: City bond rating from Standard and Poors:

Mayor Snyder said the City received their bond rating letter from Standard and Poors.  The City of Lincoln received an A+ rating for the TIF Bonds.  There will be a rating bond call August 13, 2014, for the sewer refunding bonds.

Petition for Tootsie Roll Drive by Knights of Columbus:

This will be placed on the Monday, August 18, 2014 Consent Agenda and the City has received their certificate of insurance.

Petition for closing the South Kickapoo Street viaduct for mural re-painting by Logan County Arts:

Mayor Snyder said the Logan County Arts requested to close the viaduct on August 23, 2014.  Alderman Tibbs felt this was bad timing with it being Balloon Fest weekend.  Police Chief Greenslate felt with the bridge being replaced on old Route 66 this shouldn't be a concern.  Mayor Snyder said no one had an issue with August 16, 2014 and would let the group know they can do the work but would need to get alternative dates. 

Discussion re: ordinance on updating City Building Codes:

Alderman O’Donohue said this was not acted on at the City Council meeting on August 4, 2014.  Alderman Tibbs said there were too many items included in the Ordinance and everything should be separate.  Mayor Snyder said they are approving the model ordinance but would put in exceptions and insertions.  City Attorney Mr. Bates said in order for this model code to fit the City of Lincoln and in order to make this ordinance work for Lincoln it would require exceptions and insertions.  Alderman Cooper said with the exception of the sprinkler head he was ready to vote on the ordinance.  Alderman O’Donohue said the document was flexible.  City Attorney Mr. Bates said this could be changed by amendments to the Ordinance. 

Discussion re: policy on City financial procedures:

Mayor Snyder said he understood that there were concerns particularly about Section 2 part C.

Alderman Tibbs said she felt the City Council should have control of the budget and wants to see invoices to know where the money is going.  Mayor Snyder said the invoices can be viewed in the City Clerk’s office.  Mayor Snyder said this body should be setting policy goals instead of the day to day matters. 

Mayor Snyder said he requested this procedure in section C which is about emergency, natural disasters or terrorist situations when funds are needed right now.  Alderman Neitzel said she has been told by so many people that they felt the Aldermen should not give up the power of voting on spending money. 

Alderman O’Donohue said when a disaster happens someone needs to be there to make decisions right then and someone needs to have authority to take action. 

Mayor Snyder said a Mayor somewhere down the road may need to make decisions because it is such an emergency disaster.  Alderman Neitzel said she wants it where everyone can understand it.  Mayor Snyder said there will be the opportunity to vote again and take it out of the Mayor’s hands.  Mayor Snyder said, if a disaster happens the department heads and Mayor will be in the blue room doing the tactical stuff. 

It was agreed that if it is in the budget the department heads could spend up to $5,000.00 for something that is in the budget (policy) and to take out Section C and work on it separately. 

This will be on the agenda for Monday, August 18, 2014. 

Additional payment requests from engineering firms:

Maurer Stutz

Maurer Stutz is requesting payment in the amount of $1,002.50 for extra work they did which was not in the original contract.  Mr. Landers said both engineers came in under budget and it was enough to cover this amount. Mayor Snyder said he didn’t like when vendors come back and ask for money after the agreements are completed.  Alderman O’Donohue said if the City pays this then what keeps them from doing work on the next project and requesting to be paid for that.  Alderman Tibbs said she has heard from her ward that the street is terrible.  Mr. Landers said he did not see the condition of the street before the project was completed. 

This item was not placed on the agenda.

Prairie Engineers

Mayor Snyder said this was the same type of situation for an additional $23,200.00 to their contract.

This item was not placed on the agenda. 

Ordinance for TIF bonds:

City Treasurer Mr. Conzo said the TIF bonds will be approximately $2,300,000.00.  The cost to the City is approximately $38,000.00 for the cost of the bond process.  If approved next week the process could move forward.  This was placed on the Monday, August 18, 2014 regular agenda.

Discussion: proposals for actuarial review of retirement benefits:

City Treasurer Mr. Conzo said this actuarial is something the auditors requested. MWN Consulting Services had a proposal of $4,150.00 with supplemental costs being $575.00 each for the next two years.  Gabriel Rader and Smith of Chicago came in at approximately $19,000.00. His recommendation would be Lauterbach with a cost of $2,650.00 and are currently being looked at to do the acturials for the City of Lincoln Fire pensions and City of Lincoln Police pensions.

Alderman O’Donohue did not want to dip into appropriations.  Alderman Hoinacki asked to have this on the Monday, August 18, 2014 agenda

Update re: the UOC and Economic Development:

Mayor Snyder said he and Alderman O’Donohue attended the UOC meeting earlier this evening and four groups are currently working together.  Alderman O’Donohue said the County Board representative came to the meeting this evening. 

Other discussion/informational items:

Police Chief Greenslate asked to have on the agenda for Monday, August 18, 2014 the swearing in of Paul Adams as Deputy Chief, Chuck Gunning as Sergeant and Maurice Johnson as Corporal.  These promotions are due to the retirement of Mike Geriets.

City giveaway of Balloon Fest benefits         

Alderman Hoinacki said the balloon the City of Lincoln is sponsoring (a butterfly) for Balloon Fest this year.  It is very large and very heavy and will require several volunteers to assist. 

Mayor Snyder said the boxes to enter for the benefits of the Balloon Fest will be at the following places: City Hall, the Library, and the Chamber of Commerce. 

Mayor Snyder said Alderman Anderson’s husband had a mild heart attack.

Alderman Horn moved to go into Executive Session pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1) personnel and Alderman Tibbs seconded it.  City Clerk Mrs. Gehlbach called the roll call. There were seven yeas (Alderman Bauer, Alderman Cooper, Alderman Hoinacki, Alderman Horn, Alderman Neitzel, Alderman O'Donohue, and Alderman Tibbs), zero nays, and one absent (Alderman Anderson); motion carried. The meeting adjourned to Executive Session at 8:12 p.m. 

The meeting returned to regular Session at 8:25 p.m.  City Clerk Mrs. Gehlbach called the roll.  There were seven yeas (Alderman Bauer, Alderman Cooper, Alderman Hoinacki, Alderman Horn, Alderman Neitzel, Alderman O'Donohue, and Alderman Tibbs), zero nays, and one absent (Alderman Anderson); motion carried.  Also present were Mayor Snyder, City Treasurer Mr. Conzo, City Attorney Mr. Blinn Bates, City Clerk Mrs. Gehlbach, and Recording Secretary Mrs. Riggs. 

Upcoming Meetings:

Council:                          Monday, August 18, 2014 – 7:00 p.m.                          

Committee of Whole:     Tuesday, August 26, 2014 – 7:00 p.m.

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

The City of Lincoln Committee of the Whole Meeting adjourned at 8:26 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Risa Riggs

Recording Secretary