Minutes of the City of Lincoln City Council Committee of the Whole Meeting held in the Council Chambers on Tuesday, February 25, 2014.
Those present were Alderman Anderson, Alderman Bauer, Alderman Horn, Alderman Neitzel, Alderman O’Donohue, and Alderman Tibbs. 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 7:03 p.m. There were six Aldermen present (Alderman Anderson, Alderman Bauer, Alderman Horn, Alderman Neitzel, Alderman O’Donohue, and Alderman Tibbs) and two absent (Alderman Carmitchel and Alderman Hoinacki).
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by David Papesch.
Public Participation:
There was no Public Participation.
Fifth Street Road Update:
Mayor Snyder gave a short update on the Fifth Street Project. Bill Thomas, EDP asked to have a meeting regarding 5th Street Road. Mayor Snyder said the City of Lincoln purchased the French property and there are a couple of other pieces of land that need to be purchased and along with some utility relocation. The City of Lincoln is looking at the ERP mini capital bill dollars in the amount $285,000.00. They are also looking at $1M from Illinois Jobs Now. There is a $2M gap but the City of Lincoln is pursuing an EDA grant and State program (EDP).
Mayor Snyder handed out an article from the Daily Yonder to the Aldermen.
Capital Improvement Plan Update:
Ms. McLaughlin handed out two maps with one being for the heater scarification starting March 1, 2014, which includes the pulverization, regrading and the seal coating of streets. This will begin between March and May.
Unified Organizations Committee Update:
Mayor Snyder said did not have any information for tonight’s meeting.
Impound Ordinance/Code Hearing Ordinance:
Ms. McLaughlin said after the discussion last week about the administration fee for the Impound Ordinance/Code Hearing Ordinance, she checked with Pontiac, Rantoul, Washington, and Macomb. These communities are all charging $500.00. This would only be for criminal stops, DUI, driving without license and which are being impounded for criminal activities.
This was placed on the Agenda for March 3, 2014.
Snow Removal Ordinance:
Ms. McLaughlin said there was a discussion about of the City of Lincoln having an Ordinance to handle commercial parking lots who push the snow into the street. Assistant Street Superintendent Mr. Wright said when you are plowing it is like hitting a brick wall. Alderman Tibbs asked if there could be some teaching for the commercial lot owners and/or contracted snow removal people. Mr. Bates said he thought it would need to be specific. Ms. McLaughlin said they could add snow and ice and they could add language for commercial and industrial.
IMET Resolution:
Ms. McLaughlin said in order to join the IMET a Resolution must be passed and every community that is in this organization has had to pass this Resolution. This will be on the Consent Agenda for March 3, 2014.
PARC Grant – Apex Site:
Mayor Snyder said they have an opportunity to apply for a PARC Grant Park and Recreational Construction. This Grant is a 75/25. He asked the City Council to pass a Resolution and the City will have to come up with about $128,800.00. The application deadline is March 10, 2014 and Prairie Engineers have the document ready to go. It would be designed the spring of 2015 and go out for bids after that point.
Alderman Tibbs asked what the time limit would be for using the grant. Mayor Snyder said he did not know.
Alderman Anderson said it eluded to two years and would love to see this park get off the ground. She was not in favor of using City funds for this project.
Mayor Snyder said they wanted a competitive grant application. The bigger items such as the loop, amphitheater, mound and splash pad. The estimate for complete turnkey is around $2M.
Alderman Neitzel wanted to see the downtown work done first. Alderman Anderson said if they could give back some of what is given and use the City’s current $40,000.00. Mayor Snyder would check into how long they would have to spend this money and would decide whether to go forward at that point.
Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital easement:
Ms. McLaughlin said Woods and Bates have a conflict and the City Council would need to waive the conflict. Bill Bates sits on the Board of the Hospital. The hospital is willing to waive. It was placed on the Consent Agenda for March 3, 2014.
Amendment to definition of independent trailer coach or mobile home:
Mr. Lebegue said last Thursday, February 20, 2014 the Planning Commission met. The Planning Commission unanimously approved the amendment to the definition of independent trailer coach. The trailer court has open spaces that are smaller and asked for this change. It was posted in the newspaper but there is no requirement to send notices out.
This was placed on the Agenda for Monday, March 3, 2014.
High Speed Rail Designs:
There are no designs to discuss.
Other Discussion:
City Clerk Mrs. Gehlbach discussed the problems with the sound system. Estimates were received from Carl Howe and Thompson Electronics Company.
Alderman O’Donohue said the recorder could possibly go along with a new system. Alderman Tibbs thought they should take bids. Alderman O’Donohue said they do not know if the problem is Comcast or the City of Lincoln’s issue. Ms. McLaughlin said there is approximately $21,000.00 available in the budget.
Alderman Anderson said we need to get the recorder for prosperity. We need to have something so the Recording Secretary can get the minutes correct.
Alderman O’Donohue asked Mrs. Riggs if she could use an SD Card and she said she could. This was put on the Agenda for Monday, March 3, 2014.
Unified Organizations Committee Update:
The City of Lincoln, County Board, LLCD Partnership, Chamber of Commerce, Tourism Bureau and Main Street are involved in the focus group for the Unified Organization committee.
Tourism Update:
Alderman O’Donohue said the hedgehog for Tourism is to have a common message and for the community to buy into it. They are trying to progress.
Mr. Ferguson said the bids came in today for the LTCP with one approximately $66,000 and $71,000.00. ADS is the $66,000.00 and felt ADS was the better of the two that were received.
Alderman Neitzel asked to have this on the agenda.
Upcoming Meetings:
Council: Monday, March 3, 2014 – 7:00 p.m.
Committee of Whole: Tuesday, March 11, 2014 – 7:00 p.m.
Alderman Anderson moved to go into Executive Session pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2(c) (1) personnel and 5 ILCS 120/2(c) (5) acquisition of real estate and Alderman Horn seconded it. City Clerk Mrs. Gehlbach called the roll call. There were six yeas (Alderman Anderson, Alderman Bauer, Alderman Horn, Alderman Neitzel, Alderman O’Donohue, and Alderman Tibbs) zero nays, and two absent (Alderman Carmitchel and Alderman Hoinacki); motion carried.
The meeting adjourned to Executive Session at 8:43 p.m.
The meeting returned to regular Session at 9:32 p.m.
City Clerk Mrs. Gehlbach called the roll. There were five Aldermen present (Alderman Anderson, Alderman Bauer, Alderman Horn, Alderman Neitzel, Alderman O’Donohue, and Alderman Tibbs) and two absent (Alderman Carmitchel and Alderman Hoinacki). 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 six yeas (Alderman Anderson, Alderman Bauer, Alderman Horn, Alderman Neitzel, Alderman O’Donohue, and Alderman Tibbs) zero nays, and two absent (Alderman Carmitchel and Alderman Hoinacki); motion carried.
The City of Lincoln Committee of the Whole Meeting adjourned at 9:33 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Risa Riggs
Recording Secretary
City of Lincoln