Minutes of the City of Lincoln City Council Committee of the Whole Meeting held in the Council Chambers on Tuesday, December 10, 2013.
Those present were Alderman Anderson, Alderman Carmitchel, Alderman Hoinacki, Alderman Horn, Alderman Neitzel, Alderman O'Donohue, Alderman Tibbs, and Alderman Wilmert. Also present were Assistant Street Superintendent Mr. Wright, 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 Attorney Mr. Blinn Bates, 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 eight Aldermen present (Alderman Anderson, Alderman Carmitchel, Alderman Hoinacki, Alderman Horn, Alderman Neitzel, Alderman O'Donohue, Alderman Tibbs and Alderman Wilmert) and none absent.
Public Participation:
There was no public participation.
Logan County Bike Trail:
Mr. David Lanterman was present to ask the City of Lincoln to adopt the Bicycle Trailway Master Plan. This plan is not set in concrete and the group is open to any ideas that anyone might have. http://www.co.logan.il.us/zoning/docs/Bicycle_Trailway_Master_Plan is the site for the plan and it is 48 pages. It will be on the Agenda for December 16, 2013 meeting.
Downtown Steering Committee presentation:
Mr. Doolin was present for the Downtown Steering Committee presentation
Mr. Doolin said the Downtown Steering Committee was working toward using the funds for the downtown revitalization and are working towards completing the project, there has been extensive research on how to use the remaining funds, working toward a grant modification which is being negotiated with DCEO, and are looking for a timeline extension for December, 2014. The original grant funds were $675,000.00 with the City’s $100,000.00 for a total project of $775,000.00. To date, the steering committee has used $372,264.00 and the City has matched with $16,500.00. The remaining funds will be used for 1) demolition of 217 S. Sangamon Street for a total of $40,000.00 ($36,000.00 by DCEO and $4,000.00 by the City) and 2) the streetscape project to do one block in the downtown area with the work being done by September 30, 2014.
Approval of LTCP Contract with CMT contracting:
$550,000 +/- Crawford, Murphy & Tilly
SWMM Model, design work, plan drafting etc
$300,000 +/- Complete the GIS mapping for SWMM model
$75,000 +/- Acquiring flow and rain monitoring equipment
$150,000 +/- Engineering firm for environmental studies, field verification
$125,000 +/- Public meeting prep, drafting plan of study, revising O&M plans etc.
Tax Levy for 2013 year:
City of Lincoln Treasurer Mr. Conzo said the amount of the levy and how it will be allocated are the first concerns. There is a 1.9% increase to the total tax levy. Preliminary figures will be added to Fire and Police Pensions.
Ms. McLaughlin took a look at upcoming increases in salaries for union contracts. She recommended taking this amount from the Fire and Police Pensions and putting it to the regular salaries.
Alderman O’Donohue felt the increase should go to the General Fund. The Ordinance approves where the money will be allocated. Alderman Anderson also felt it should go to the General Fund.
A public hearing will be held December 16, 2013.
Approval of Budget Amendment #1 for FY 2013:
Ms. McLaughlin said all the amendments are for the General Fund.
Expenditure Adjustment #1 – General Fund – City Administrator and Mayor/Council Budget
The Budget demonstrated expenditures for two part time employees in the City Administrator and Mayor’s offices. However, all of those hours were inadvertently attributed to the Mayor’s budget. Therefore, there was the need to increase the amount in the Mayor’s line to reflect accurate amounts. For the remainder of this fiscal year, we will code the part time help to the Administrator’s Office. In this process, the City is also cleaning up an expenditure amount to reflect the accurate salaries.
Expenditure Adjustment #2 – General Fund – City Administrator Budget
The Budget demonstrated expenditures for dues to professional organizations. Two of these fees were waived due to the Administrator being a MIT, per their classification resulting in a savings of at least $500.
Health Alliance Renewal:
Ms. McLaughlin said the Aldermen received the renewal amounts. The increase for next year is 9.9%.
City Clerk Mrs. Gehlbach said VSP (Vision Service Plan) premiums are paid by the employees through payroll deduction.
This will be on the agenda for December 16, 2013.
French Property Farm Renewal:
Ms. McLaughlin said she was contacted by Bob Meinershagen, who farms the French property. Mr. Bates stated that Mr. Meinershagen will pay the City of Lincoln $200.00 per acre for the 4 acres that are in crops. Alderman Carmitchel asked to have this placed on the agenda.
Approval of IGA with IDOT for utility replacement/relocation for lift station near Salt Creek Bridge:
This was placed on the agenda for Monday, December 16, 2013.
Approval 2014 Calendars of Council Meetings, Holidays:
It was placed on the Agenda for December 16, 2013, as presented.
Mayor Snyder said City Hall will be closed on December 24, 2013 and December 25, 2013 and ½ day for December 31, 2013.
Other Discussion:
Announcements:
There were no announcements.
Upcoming Meetings:
Council: December 16, 2013 – 7:00 p.m.
Committee of Whole: January 14, 2013 – 7:00 p.m.
Alderman Anderson moved to go into Executive Session pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2(c) (11) probable or possible or imminent litigation and Alderman Horn seconded it. City Clerk Mrs. Gehlbach called the roll call. There were eight yeas (Alderman Anderson, Alderman Carmitchel, Alderman Hoinacki, Alderman Horn, Alderman Neitzel, Alderman O'Donohue, Alderman Tibbs, and Alderman Wilmert) zero nays, and none absent; motion carried. The meeting adjourned to Executive Session at 7:53 p.m.
The meeting returned to regular Session at 8:43 p.m. City Clerk Mrs. Gehlbach called the roll. There were eight Aldermen present (Alderman Anderson, Alderman Carmitchel, Alderman Hoinacki, Alderman Horn, Alderman Neitzel, Alderman O’Donohue, Alderman Tibbs, and Alderman Wilmert) and none absent. Police Chief Greenslate was also present. Also present were Mayor Snyder, City Treasurer Mr. Conzo, City Attorney Mr. Blinn Bates, City Clerk Mrs. Gehlbach, City Administrator Ms. McLaughlin, and Recording Secretary Mrs. Riggs.
Alderman Neitzel made a motion to adjourn the meeting and Alderman Tibbs seconded it. There were eight yeas (Alderman Anderson, Alderman Carmitchel, Alderman Hoinacki, Alderman Horn, Alderman Neitzel, Alderman O'Donohue, Alderman Tibbs, and Alderman Wilmert), zero nays, and none absent; motion carried.
The City of Lincoln Committee of the Whole Meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Risa Riggs
Recording Secretary
City of Lincoln