Minutes of the City of Lincoln City Council Committee of the Whole Meeting held in the Council Chambers on Tuesday, May 12, 2015.
Those present were Alderman Bauer, Alderman Cooper, Alderman Horn, Alderman Mourning, Alderman Neitzel, Alderman Parrott, and Alderman Tibbs. Also present were Street Department Superintendent Mr. Landers, Fire Chief Miller, Building and Safety Officer Mr. Lebegue, and Deputy Police Chief Adams. Also present were City Clerk Mrs. Gehlbach, City Attorney Mr. Blinn Bates, City Administrator Mr. Johnson, City Treasurer Mr. Conzo, and Recording Secretary Mrs. Riggs.
Temporary Chairman Neitzel called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. There were seven Aldermen present (Alderman Bauer, Alderman Cooper, Alderman Horn, Alderman Mourning, Alderman Neitzel, Alderman Parrott and Alderman Tibbs) and one absent (Alderman Hoinacki).
Temporary Chairman Alderman Neitzel led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Public Participation:
There was no public participation.
Presentation by Healthy Communities Partnership
Amanda Stoltzenberg was present to discuss the obesity problem in Logan County. She received a call from former Mayor Keith Snyder some time ago. The Healthy Communities Partnership would like to put different signs that have been prepared that have different sites around town to walk to. The only thing they might need from the City of Lincoln would be permission to place signs around town. They are planning on approximately 20 signs that will be around Lincoln which will take them on a type of scavenger hunt that will give everyone exercise. The signs will remain up until approximately October.
Alderman Tibbs asked to have this on the Consent Agenda for Monday, May 18, 2015.
Presentation by Farnsworth Group:
Mr. Gary Davis was present to give a progress report of what the Farnsworth Group has been working on. A handout was given as to what the tasks are, what has been completed, what is being worked on currently and that they have an office in Lincoln now. The projects that have been completed are Keokuk Street Lighting, Lincoln Train Evaluation, Streetscape Project – Phase 1, Premcor Refining Group Request Review, City Site Phase 1 ESA, State Street Culvert, 2014 MFT closeout, and High Speed Rail Plan Review.
Funding Agreement with Logan County Alliance 2015-2016:
Ms. Andi Hake was present and talked about restaurants closing, plans are unknown at this time for the corner of Woodlawn and Lincoln Parkway, a hotel on Woodlawn was closed due to foreclosure but there is a potential buyer, a new clothing store will be opening soon, and a new furniture store is going in where the old Sears store was. City Administrator Mr. Johnson will be sitting on the Council of the Logan County Alliance until a new Mayor has been chosen. The Logan County Alliance will be working with workforce development. There will be a downtown committee.
Alderman Bauer said the downtown businesses had a meeting to discuss things such as the festival that is coming up.
Ms. Hake said they are working toward a good workforce development. She will be attending meetings at least twice a month.
It was agreed to put the Funding Agreement on the agenda for Monday, May 18, 2015.
IDOT Amendment #2 to Local Agency for Preliminary Engineering – 5th Street Road:
City Administrator Mr. Johnson said this is an agreement that should be placed on the agenda for Monday, May 18, 2015. Alderman Cooper asked to have this on the agenda for Monday, May 18, 2015.
Extension of City Attorney Contract:
City Administrator Mr. Johnson said this will keep the fee flat and reduce the meetings the City Attorney attends from 3 to 2. Alderman Cooper asked to have this on the Agenda for Monday, May 18, 2015.
Agreement with Iowa Pacific Holdings:
City Administrator Mr. Johnson said he was very happy the Agreement with Iowa Pacific Holdings was done. This completed two goals by the City, 1) by having the cars removed and 2) have the cars restored.
Alderman Neitzel asked to have this on the agenda on Monday, May 18, 2015.
Waiver of Conflict of Interest for Park District Related Items:
City Administrator Mr. Johnson said there could be a conflict of interest in matters with the Park District since Mr. Bates is the attorney for both, the City of Lincoln and the Lincoln Park District. This will be placed on the Consent Agenda for Monday, May 18, 2015.
Extension of Sewer Operations Contract – American Water – Environmental Management Corporation:
City Administrator Mr. Johnson said if the City approves the new contract they will save approximately $166,000.00 over the next 4 years. Part of the agreement will give the street department an administrative assistant and will track the operations of the street department.
Temporary Chairman Neitzel stated that EMC was top notch. Alderman Tibbs said she has been on the Council for 13 years and said that EMC has been very respectful. This will be placed on the agenda for Monday, May 18, 2015.
Lincoln Depot Site Preparation Project – Pay Request #1 & Change Order#1:
Alderman Cooper asked to have this on the agenda for Monday, May 18, 2015 in the amount of $23,824.62.
Façade Improvement TIF Grant Request – 515 Broadway:
Alderman Tibbs thought $10,000.00 was a good number. Alderman Bauer said they needed to have a policy in place to have parameters as to how the funds would be given out. Mr. Johnson said it was not uncommon to do a 50/50 match. This would modify the TIF program. Alderman Parrott thought there should be more thought in this. Alderman Cooper thought $12,000.00 would be the 50% base line. Mr. Johnson said he would work on drafting new language to be prepared by the next Committee of the Whole meeting. Alderman Bauer said it has to be a permanent improvement and in the TIF district. Alderman Parrott would like the money to go to as many people as possible. Alderman Mourning said he was seeing online a cap from other communities of $10,000.00. The project has to be at a minimum of $10,000.00 to request.
Furhmann Engineering – Library Parking Lot Payment:
City Administrator Mr. Johnson felt this should be denied. This firm did the engineering work without the permission of the City of Lincoln. This will be placed on the Consent Agenda for Monday, May 18, 2015.
Approval of Extension to Logan County Animal Control Contract:
City Administrator Mr. Johnson said this is a contract that would be in effect June 1, 2015 to May 31, 2016 in the amount of $40,190.52.
This will be placed on the Consent Agenda for Monday, May 18, 2015.
Authority to Hire New Police Officer to Fill Vacancy, Promotion to Sergeant, Promotion to Corporal:
Deputy Chief Adams said that Sergeant Chuck Gunning is retiring May 15, 2015. They are hiring Kyle Veech who is on the Mt. Pulaski Police Department. Matt Comstock is being promoted to Sergeant and Paul Cooper to Corporal.
This will be placed on the agenda for Monday, May 18, 2015.
Lincoln Area Music Society Request for Signage:
City Administrator Mr. Johnson said this would be June through July. These signs will promote these free concerts and will not be in the way of the Pigs and Swigs Festival.
This will be placed on the consent agenda for Monday, May 18, 2015.
Request by American Legion Post 263 to Distribute Poppies:
Alderman Tibbs said to place this on the Consent Agenda for Monday, May 18, 2015.
Other Discussion:
Mr. Ferguson said the sewer department is going out for bids on some capital improvements.
Temporary Chairman Neitzel read a thank you from Evelyn Last.
Temporary Chairman Neitzel said there would be a fundraiser for Logan County residents to go on the Honor Flight. Alderman Cooper said they also have places for Chaperones. The chaperones pay their personal flight costs.
Mrs. Wanda Rohlfs said next Saturday, May 16, 2015 is the dedication of the Lincoln statue.
Executive Session:
2C2 – Collective Bargaining
Alderman Horn moved to go into Executive Session pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2 (c) (2) collective bargaining and Alderman Tibbs seconded it. City Clerk Mrs. Gehlbach called the roll call. There were seven ayes (Alderman Bauer, Alderman Cooper, Alderman Horn, Alderman Mourning, Alderman Neitzel, Alderman Parrott and Alderman Tibbs), zero nays, and one absent (Alderman Hoinacki); motion carried.
The meeting adjourned to Executive Session at 8:45 p.m.
The meeting returned to regular Session at 9:12 p.m.
There were seven Aldermen present (Alderman Bauer, Alderman Cooper, Alderman Horn, Alderman Mourning, Alderman Neitzel, Alderman Parrott and Alderman Tibbs) and one absent (Alderman Hoinacki). Also present were City Administrator, City Clerk Mrs. Gehlbach, City Treasurer Mr. Conzo, and Recording Secretary Mrs. Riggs.
Upcoming Meetings:
Special Executive Session: Thursday, May 14, 2015 – 6:30 p.m.
Council: Monday, May 18, 2015 – 7:00 p.m.
Committee of Whole: Tuesday, May 26, 2015 – 7:00 p.m.
Alderman Tibbs made a motion to adjourn the meeting and Alderman Horn seconded it. There were seven ayes (Alderman Bauer, Alderman Cooper, Alderman Horn, Alderman Mourning, Alderman Neitzel, Alderman Parrott and Alderman Tibbs), zero nays, and one absent (Alderman Hoinacki); motion carried.
The City of Lincoln Committee of the Whole Meeting adjourned at 9:13 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Risa Riggs
Recording Secretary
City of Lincoln