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

Those present were Alderman Anderson, Alderman Bauer, Alderman Horn, Alderman Neitzel, Alderman O’Donohue, and Alderman Tibbs. Also present were Street Superintendent Mr. Landers, Safety and Building Officer Mr. Lebegue, Fire Chief Miller, American Water/EMC Mgr. Mr. Ferguson, and Police Chief Greenslate. Also present were City Clerk Mrs. Gehlbach, Mayor Snyder, 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. City Clerk Mrs. Gehlbach called the roll call. There were six Aldermen present (Alderman Anderson, Alderman Bauer, Alderman Horn, Alderman Neitzel, Alderman O’Donohue, and Alderman Tibbs), and two absent (Alderman Cooper and Alderman Hoinacki).

Mayor Snyder led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Electrical Aggregation Presentations:

Stone River Group

Mr. Don Frontone was present to discuss municipal aggregation. He stated that he lives in Lincoln and represents the Stone River Group. He suggested waiting until the fall to begin looking at aggregation. He suggested the City of Lincoln going with a long term strategy.

Illinois Community Choice Aggregation Network (ICCAN)

Mr. Mark Pruitt and Mr. Steve Smith presented a review of the aggregation for the City of Lincoln. Mr. Pruitt suggested the City of Lincoln begin looking at the aggregation by mid-May. The new Ameren prices should be available by May 9, 2014. The pricing would be better if the communities work as a group again. ICCAN is not aligned with any suppliers. ICCAN has met with New Holland, Mt. Pulaski, Emden, and Atlanta. They have not heard from Logan County yet and a meeting with Emden will be held on Monday.

Alderman Neitzel thought aggregation was beneficial to the City of Lincoln and the residents. Alderman Anderson, Alderman Neitzel and Alderman O’Donohue felt the City of Lincoln should go out for bids. Mayor Snyder thought the process worked well the last time. Alderman O’Donohue and Alderman Anderson felt the City of Lincoln should stay with the same group. Mayor Snyder said his recommendation was with ICCAN as well.

This was placed on the agenda for Monday, May 5, 2015.

Proposed Springfield ordinance addressing gambling parlors:

Mayor Snyder said this deals with a liquor license question about video gambling. Springfield, Illinois has a number of gambling parlors. This was just for discussion only.  

Special Use Amendment for 401 Delavan Street to allow outdoor display and commercial sale of burial monuments

Mr. Lebegue provided a memo to everyone a Special Use Amendment. He said Mr. Peasley is looking to place the outdoor display on the Southwest corner of the building which constitutes the front yard. This would be a convenience to be able to show potential clients what monuments Peasley Funeral Home has to offer. He has received one call that was not in favor but he received two calls that were in favor. There is nothing in the City of Lincoln’s code to handle this. The Planning Commission vote was six yeas and two nays and the use was granted.  

Alderman Tibbs said she would be voting no.

This will be placed on the Consent Agenda for Monday, May 5, 2014.

Demolition bids:

1622 Broadway

1. Lebegue said this property was condemned three years ago. The home is not fit to live in. Harold Goodman has turned in a bid for $5,700.00 and Jim Moody has turned in a bid of $4,600.00.

This will be placed on the Consent Agenda for Monday, May 5, 2014.

Extraterritorial jurisdiction waiver recall:

Mr. Lebegue said the Planning Commission discussed this in 2012. This would give the Planning Commission jurisdiction to review new subdivisions within 1 ½ miles. Mr. D’Andrea came to the City wanting to give this back to the City of Lincoln. Mr. Lebegue said the City has stricter rules than the County and the City should have this.

This will be placed on the agenda for Monday, May 5, 2014.

Depot Acquisition IGA:

Mayor Snyder said this is for the Depot Acquisition with a $600,000.00 purchase price and $75,000.00 for the relocation.

This will be placed on the Agenda for Monday, May 5, 2014.

Code Hearing Officer RFP Results:

Ms. McLaughlin said they had five applicants for the Code Hearing Officer. The choice for Code Hearing Officer was Attorney Edward Schoenbaum of Springfield, Illinois. He is in good standing with the Illinois Bar Association. His hourly rate is $100.00 per hour and his costs will be $10/day travel and $75.00 for consulting.

This will be on the agenda for Monday, May 5, 2014.

Woods & Bates Contract:

Ms. McLaughlin said this contract has a 3% increase. It was placed on the agenda for Monday, May 5, 2014.

Fire and Police Commission Stipend:

Ms. McLaughlin said this is the stipend for each meeting of $25.00.

It was placed on the agenda for Monday, May 4, 2014.

City Administrator Recruitment:

Mayor Snyder said he received information from three companies (GovHRUSA, The Mercer Group, and Slavin Mgt. Consultants). Alderman Anderson said in looking start to finish on the time tables she thought The Mercer Group was too long. Mayor Snyder recommended GovHRUSA, as they are the lowest cost.

It was agreed to place on the agenda GovHRUSA on Monday, May 5, 2014.

Designation of property as surplus

Ms. McLaughlin said Street Superintendent Mr. Landers has a list, there is a piece of property, and Mrs. Gehlbach had three items as well.

Other Discussion:

Land Acquisition services $36,925.00 for Prairie Engineers consulting. This was placed on the agenda for Monday, May 5, 2014.

Alderman Anderson thanked Ms. McLaughlin for her hard work in setting up the office and that tomorrow, April 30, is Ms. McLaughlin’s birthday. Mayor Snyder had a plaque for Ms. McLaughlin. Ms. McLaughlin said it had been an honor to serve the City of Lincoln.

Upcoming Meetings:

Council:                         Monday, May 5, 2014 – 7:00 p.m.                  

Committee of Whole:     Tuesday, May 13, 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)(21) executive session minutes 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 Cooper and Alderman Hoinacki); motion carried. The meeting adjourned to Executive Session at 8:40 p.m.

The meeting returned to regular Session at 9:05 p.m. City Clerk Mrs. Gehlbach called the roll. There were six Aldermen present (Alderman Anderson, Alderman Bauer, Alderman Horn, Alderman Neitzel, Alderman O’Donohue, and Alderman Tibbs), and two absent (Alderman Cooper 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 Cooper and Alderman Hoinacki); motion carried.

The City of Lincoln Committee of the Whole Meeting adjourned at 9:05 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Risa Riggs

Recording Secretary