Lincoln, Illinois
March 3, 2008
Minutes of a regular City Council Meeting held in the Council Chambers of City Hall, Lincoln, IL, on Monday, March 3, 2008.
Mayor Davis-Kavelman called the regular City Council Meeting to order at 7:15 p.m. City Clerk Ms. Riggs called the roll. There were nine Aldermen present (Alderman Anderson, Alderman Armbrust, Alderman Busby, Alderman Hoinacki, Alderman Horn, Alderman Huskins, Alderman Neitzel, Alderman Rohlfs, and Alderman Tibbs) and one absent (Alderman Prather). Also present were Assistant Fire Chief Miller, Police Chief Erlenbush, Street Superintendent Mr. Jackson, EMC Manager Mr. Kitzmiller, City Engineer Mr. Mathon, and Safety and Building Officer Mr. Last. Also present were City Attorney Mr. Bates, City Clerk Ms. Riggs and Mayor Davis-Kavelman.
Those present recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag led by Alderman Neitzel.
Mayor Davis-Kavelman asked for the Presentation of Communications:
Mayor Davis-Kavelman said I just want to make a comment, Alderman Prather has been away from us a little bit and he is coming back but he's had a few things a few issues to take care of and he has been Finance, Policy and Procedures Chair at this point so to fill out the remaining his committee as chair of the Finance, Policy and Procedures Committee. I've asked Alderman Busby who's a member of that committee to take over until we get our budget finalized and through April 30th and he has agreed to do that. I don't know who we'll have starting May 1st as Finance Chair but Mr. Prather might be back by that time and hopefully he will be but we did want to move on and we do have a meeting coming up don't we.
Alderman Busby said yes we do, March 15.
Mayor Davis-Kavelman said March 15 at 8:00 a.m. up here in the Council Chambers. So if you would be so kind I.
Alderman Busby said it is not necessary that Mr. Bates that you be here.
Mayor Davis-Kavelman called for the Presentation of the Minutes:
Alderman Busby said I move to approve the minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting on February 19, 2008 as recorded and Alderman Anderson seconded it. Mayor Davis said I did want to mention that Alderman Prather will remain on the Finance, Policy and Procedures Committee. City Clerk Ms. Riggs called the roll. There were nine yeas (Alderman Anderson, Alderman Armbrust, Alderman Busby, Alderman Hoinacki, Alderman Horn, Alderman Huskins, Alderman Neitzel, Alderman Rohlfs, and Alderman Tibbs), zero nays, one absent (Alderman Prather); motion carried.
Mayor Davis-Kavelman asked for the Presentation of Petitions:
City Clerk Ms. Riggs said there were no Petitions to come before the City Council.
Lincoln, Illinois
March 3, 2008; Page 2
Mayor Davis-Kavelman asked for the Presentation of Communications:
City Clerk Ms. Riggs read a letter from Ameren Cilco.
Mayor Davis-Kavelman asked for the Presentation of Bids:
City Clerk Ms. Riggs said there were no Bids to come before the City Council.
Mayor Davis-Kavelman asked for the Presentation of Communications:
Mr. Joel Smiley said Mayor and City Council thank you. I understand you would give me just a few minutes and just real briefly I thought I would highlight a couple of programs that we're hoping to do over this next year and also to mention that really I think it's great that you are literally looking into new development as a way to move the community forward and I want to encourage anyone that hasn't had a chance to meet with me or public or business to feel free to give me a call and I would like to sit down with you and give you details of what we're trying to accomplish here in the next year but also in the next five years as well. Economic development is in my experience is something that I like to use it a little loosely to not only refer to working with to try to recruit businesses but it is working to create the atmosphere that really relies on. It is looking at infrastructure issues, it's looking at what are the key aspects to make the business community work to create jobs and how do you measure success is basically on job creation, wealth creation, employment rate and we can set up some statistical variances that you can really look at and realize from where we are today to where we're going over the next year and as we put together a five year strategic plan where we are in those five years and it's really the mark of what we want you to really think about. Over these next twelve months my board of directors has put together a very good working perspective of some of the goals they would like to see. On March 24 at our next board meeting we're formally going to adopt basically our one year or 2008 work plan but this work plan is going to include and is going to include retention and expansion, workforce development, business attraction, start up recruitment, planning and sight development through a GIS system, residential development, business information resources, facilitate incentives, it will also I'm going to be introducing a new concept to this community called an incubator. A business incubator is really a subsidized location for to house new businesses and the concept being that once these businesses mature and graduate from the incubator they will actually produce and actually move out into the community with full fledged jobs targeted resources, let me rephrase that targeted income for these positions are the minimum of the $12.00 to $15.00 range. We're looking to create quality jobs here and the incubator is going to be a great concept and a great component to that. We're also going to be working I guess the county has a working really diligently to implement the GIS system for the county and I will tell you from an economic standpoint that it's crucial to really understand the inventory of what we really have and use the GIS system as we get national recruiters and national consultants and even people who are not so familiar with the region from outside some of our outlying markets will use this GIS system effectively to help really target in as business as projects happen. Want to maintain a very good inventory of what we have my predecessor has done a great job of putting together a database. I'm going to go through that database on a monthly basis updating every at least every available property we have and make sure that we have a good and accurate inventory.
Lincoln, Illinois
March 3, 2008; Page 3
Communications - Mr. Joel Smiley of Lincoln and Logan County Development Partnership
Mr. Smiley said we're also going to facilitate incentive discussions, focus on partnership opportunities and finally once we finish this, our one year plan the final thing I want to mention is so important. I want us to look beyond one year. I want us to really look at five years. Economic development is not something we can do overnight and by looking at a five year strategic plan is something that and again I represent the Lincoln/Logan Economic Development Partnership so it's not just here in Lincoln but it is for the county as well. We want to look at our resources, we want to look at the incentives and we want to look at where do we really want to go these next five years. Sometime in beginning of April I would like to come back to the City Council and I want to share with you my thoughts as described by the board of what we think we can go in these five years and sometime in, towards April or May I am going to come back with a final version of the plan and ask the Council here to adopt a Resolution in support of it. Obviously we will want to get your input. We want to get support and we want to make sure the plan is not a Joel Smiley plan, it's not a partnership plan but it's the regional plan and we want everyone to have input and we want to make sure that we are moving in a good direction and with that I will ask if there are any questions.
Alderman Rohlfs said Mr. Smiley when you mentioned a database did you mean businesses residences what is that data base of.
Mr. Smiley said commercial properties actually available 2 things. One is we want to do a database of available properties so those would be pretty much vacant lands that which could go for residential or commercial and as well as vacant occupancy of commercial properties. Thank you very much for your time and again feel free to give me a call anytime and hopefully I will be coming back here some time in April with a full blown plan to present to the Council.
The Mayor then asked for the Presentation of Ordinances and Resolutions:
Ordinance Vacating a Portion of North College Street and a Portion of Twenty-first Street in the City of Lincoln, Logan County, Illinois.
Alderman Rohlfs asked City Clerk Ms. Riggs to read the Committee's Report. City Clerk Ms. Riggs read the Committee's Report. Alderman Rohlfs said I move to accept the Committee's Report and Alderman Huskins seconded it. There were nine yeas (Alderman Anderson, Alderman Armbrust, Alderman Busby, Alderman Hoinacki, Alderman Horn, Alderman Huskins, Alderman Neitzel, Alderman Rohlfs, and Alderman Tibbs), zero nays, one absent (Alderman Prather); motion carried. Alderman Rohlfs asked City Clerk Ms. Riggs to read the Ordinance. City Clerk Ms. Riggs read the Ordinance. Mr. Bates said just as clarification of the legals is 21st Street located West of North College and is North College located north of 21st Street to Brainard's Branch that's what the legal description says. Mr. Riggs continued reading the Ordinance.
Lincoln, Illinois
March 3, 2008; Page 4
Ordinance Vacating a Portion of North College Street and a Portion of Twenty-first Street in the City of Lincoln, Logan County, Illinois.
Alderman Rohlfs said I move to waive the second reading and adopt the ordinance for vacating a portion of North College Street and a Portion of 21st Street in the City of Lincoln and Alderman Huskins seconded it. City Engineer Mr. Mathon said just to be clear when Mr. Bates did you describe that as 21st Street as that portion of 21st Street East of College. Mr. Bates asked what he said. Mr. Mathon said I thought you said west. Mr. Bates said East is correct so the 21st Street property is being vacated east of the East boundary of North College Street for approximately 150 feet. City Clerk Ms. Riggs called the roll. There were nine yeas (Alderman Anderson, Alderman Armbrust, Alderman Busby, Alderman Hoinacki, Alderman Horn, Alderman Huskins, Alderman Neitzel, Alderman Rohlfs, and Alderman Tibbs), zero nays, one absent (Alderman Prather); motion carried. Mr. Bates said it did not state as such but that Ordinance has to be recorded with the County Recorder.
Lincoln Speedway (not on agenda)
Mayor Davis-Kavelman said this is an issue that is not on the agenda but we talked about having it on the agenda and just having the gentlemen come again today tonight to talk about the Lincoln Speedway. We cannot take any action but I just did want to update you from what's been going on since last Tuesday night's meeting, very quickly. We've been going back and forth checking between the City Attorney Mr. Bates and the State Liquor Commission, Melanie Riggs has been looking through things and we've been trying to find a way to help if there is to do something to start with a new ordinance. Also spoke with the fairground board a couple of those members and I also talked to the 2 liquor commissioners besides myself and I don't know how we're going to do this. We did get this today which is a calendar of events that the Logan County Tourism Bureau puts together and it shows that Lincoln Speedway has their first race scheduled for March 29 so I don't know how we're going to get all of this accomplished if we, if you are inclined to do that City Council. The commissioners, the three of us at this point have decided it's not the best interest to do this two definitely said no and I am overruled. At this time I don't think we are going to pursue it this year there might be someway to do this but the gentlemen were supposed to be here tonight but I have not seen them. If you have any other comments we can bring this forward for discussion next Tuesday night or if you want to talk about it now.
Alderman Huskins said can I ask one question. Mayor Davis-Kavelman said yes Alderman Huskins. Alderman Huskins asked if Mr. Logan had gotten a hold of Mr. Bates. Mr. Bates said he did get back to me and he was mistaken. Alderman Huskins said ok. Mr. Bates said they have the ability to control the beer at the fairgrounds during the week of the fair. Alderman Huskins said ok. Mayor Davis-Kavelman said alright Alderman Busby. Alderman Busby said that was my question.
Lincoln, Illinois
March 3, 2008; Page 5
Lincoln Speedway (not on agenda)
Mr. Bates said I do need to give a little bit of an update because I've had several conversations last week with Mr. Hammer and I did receive a call late today from Attorney Ted Mills and they are meeting with him tomorrow to retain his assistance in trying to get a liquor license. I told Mr. Mills and it hasn't changed through all of the investigation that I've done over the last week Mr. Hammer has found out from the state liquor commission they will give him a license upon application but he does have to have a city license first and I told Mr. Mills today the same thing I told Mr. Hammer and Mr. Horn multiple times we do not have a classification of license to issue to him for what they want to do so if this Council wants to proceed forward the only way to do so is to create a new classification of liquor license that would fit what they want to do because we don't have one right now.
Mayor Davis-Kavelman called on Alderman Rohlfs. Alderman Rohlfs said would you please clarify when you said two of the commissioners were not in favor of. Mayor Davis-Kavelman said there are three liquor commissioners with the city two of them said they did not want to go forward with a new license and I make the third one. Mr. Bates said just as a point of clarification the liquor commission deals with violations and issuance so the Council makes the decision whether or not you're going to amend the code.
Mayor Davis-Kavelman said right so I don't know if you want to go ahead and put it on the agenda for two weeks but I did want to point out that their first race is March 29 and that is in this calendar of events that I just got today and we used to get an update from them right before they start and they give us a list of what their race dates are. We've not had that or I've not had that or received a copy.
Mr. Bates said I did outline for Mr. Mills in my conversation late today that the next workshop session of the Council would be next Tuesday and the next voting session would then be the 17th. I wasn't aware at that time that their first race was the 29th. I thought they had told us mid April and I told Mr. Mills that I was extremely optimistic to think that even if the Council decided to create a new classification it would be done by mid April.
Mayor Davis-Kavelman called on Alderman Huskins. Alderman Huskins said I've got a question for Mr. Bates did when you talked to Attorney Mills did he say how the other cities did it or anything because that was something they asked last week.
Mr. Bates said no, he didn't and he has not spoken with them I think he is actually meeting with them tomorrow. Someone did give me a copy of Jacksonville's and I don't know where this came from.
Alderman Huskins said it came from.
Lincoln, Illinois
March 3, 2008; Page 6
Lincoln Speedway (not on agenda)
Mr. Bates said it came from Alderman Hoinacki who apparently got one and it talks about it has a fairground license that is also used in conjunction with automobile races. We don't really need a fairgrounds license because the K C's uses an event license for that purpose. I guess I had envisioned if you decided to go forward something about, I had pondered it a bit over the last week something like a recurring event license. Once you tell me where you want to go I'll figure out how to write it.
Alderman Huskins said I think for now why don't we wait and discuss it in committee again.
Mayor Davis-Kavelman called on Alderman Rohlfs. Alderman Rohlfs said I have been approached by some individuals who have some concerns I do feel that if it's something that needs to be discussed we should have it at one of our committee meetings and the general public should know that if we're going to do that next Tuesday that's when it is if they have any input they would like to give they should be here at that meeting. Mr. Bates said I think they will be here next week with legal counsel. Mayor Davis-Kavelman said I did want to bring everyone up to date you know I spent about three hours on this last Saturday back and forth with phone calls and I don't know it's just a very difficult situation.
Mayor Davis-Kavelman said I did want to mention Alderman Rohlfs our historic homes and commission met tonight and we gave a copy of the draft of our historic preservation ordinance that we want the Aldermen to look at. They would like to have a, we didn't have a chance to tell you so if you don't want to do that you don't have to but we wanted to call a joint committee between the Ordinance Committee and the Public Grounds and Buildings Committee meeting for next week. I don't know if you can do that or not but that would be to discuss for 6:00 p.m. on March 11. If you are agreeing to do that I didn't get a chance to talk to you since I had a meeting at 5:15 tonight and didn't get a chance to ask you if that was appropriate for you. It would be March 11 here in the Council Chambers to discuss the proposed ordinance and the two attachments that are on back.
Alderman Rohlfs said that would be between the Ordinance Committee and the Buildings and Grounds. Mayor Davis-Kavelman said yes. Alderman Rohlfs said yes.
The Mayor then asked for the Presentation of Claims, Presentations, Reading, Reference and Reports Thereon:
Alderman Busby made a motion by Roll Call to approve all claims as presented: Finance, Policy & Procedure, Sanitation, Insurance, and Grounds, Buildings & Local Improvements Committees' Reports by roll call and Alderman Anderson seconded it. City Clerk Ms. Riggs called the roll. There were nine yeas (Alderman Anderson, Alderman Armbrust, Alderman Busby, Alderman Hoinacki, Alderman Horn, Alderman Huskins, Alderman Neitzel, Alderman Rohlfs, and Alderman Tibbs), zero nays, and one absent (Alderman Prather); motion carried.
Lincoln, Illinois
March 3, 2008; Page 7
Mayor Davis-Kavelman then asked for the Presentation of Official Reports:
City Clerk Ms. Riggs said there were no Official Reports to come before the City Council.
Mayor Davis-Kavelman asked for the Presentation of Special Reports:
City Clerk Ms. Riggs said there were no Special Reports to come before the City Council.
Mayor Davis-Kavelman asked for the Presentation of Unfinished Business:
City Clerk Ms. Riggs said there was no Unfinished Business to come before the City Council.
Mayor Davis-Kavelman asked for New Business:
Appointment to the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission (tabled 12-3-07)
Mayor Davis-Kavelman said we're working on that right now and we will be meeting on Thursday so I want to leave that on the table please.
Approval to waive payment to Sewerage Treatment Plant committee members who attended meeting on February 28, 2008
Alderman Busby said I move for approval to waive payment to anyone that made the Sewer Department trip to St. Louis be waived and Alderman Anderson seconded it. Mayor Davis-Kavelman called on Alderman Neitzel.
Alderman Neitzel said I just want to say that there were seven Aldermen that went on the trip to St. Louis. It was very informative. They tried to show us and each department head gave us a synopsis of what their department did and the technology they have in regard to Lincoln and I felt that it was a very worthwhile trip and I think it was everybody learned a little something on the trip. They are always working on technology I will say that for EMC and they have some things that will be coming up possibly to save Lincoln some money. It was a trip well worth it.
Mayor Davis-Kavelman called on Alderman Huskins.
Alderman Huskins said I have a question on it I am sure they had a nice trip congratulations but maybe Mr. Bates can answer this or whoever. We sit here as the people that went I can see them waiving their own pay but I've said this a couple of months ago but I don't think that Aldermen and myself has a right to sit here and waive you guys' pay. You have the right to waive your own pay but not somebody else's, just like what I'm saying is I don't feel you have the right to waive mine and I don't feel I have the right to waive yours. You can waive your own pay.
Mr. Bates said you would want to vote no. Mayor Davis-Kavelman called on Alderman Busby. Alderman Busby said the waiver is strictly for the members that took the trip. Alderman Huskins said right. Alderman Busby said you can vote yes or no and it will not affect you whatsoever.
Lincoln, Illinois
March 3, 2008; Page 8
Approval to waive payment to Sewerage Treatment Plant committee members who attended meeting on February 28, 2008
Alderman Huskins said I know but what I think should have taken place and I'm not a lawyer and not the City Clerk or anybody else when you hold the committee when you call the meeting you should either do it at that time or just before you adjourn the meeting it would be more simple. Mayor Davis-Kavelman said make that comment or make that statement and vote on it at that point. Alderman Huskins said as you go into that with the members there. Mayor Davis-Kavelman said ok we'll take that under advisement.
City Clerk Ms. Riggs called the roll. There were eight yeas (Alderman Anderson, Alderman Armbrust, Alderman Busby, Alderman Hoinacki, Alderman Horn, Alderman Neitzel, Alderman Rohlfs, and Alderman Tibbs), zero nays, one abstention (Alderman Huskins), one absent (Alderman Prather); motion carried. Mr. Bates said usually you can only abstain if there is a conflict of interest, is there a conflict of interest. Alderman Huskins said I don't know if there is or not but sometimes I don't if you said it was legal or not legal and if you said it is then it or is it legal. Mr. Bates said absolutely. Alderman Huskins said then I'll take your word for it and vote no. There were eight yeas (Alderman Anderson, Alderman Armbrust, Alderman Busby, Alderman Hoinacki, Alderman Horn, Alderman Neitzel, Alderman Rohlfs, and Alderman Tibbs), one nay (Alderman Huskins), one absent (Alderman Prather); motion carried.
Approval for budget changes for the Police Department - $1,200.00 to line 02-12-08-7869 Capital Expenditures - Personnel Equipment, $2,140.00 to line 02-12-06-5118 Clothing Allowance, $660.00 to line 02-12-06-8420 Training, Schools/Conferences - Total of $4,000.00 from line 02-12-06-8484 car allowance
Alderman Horn said I move to approve budget changes for the Police Department - $1,200.00 to line 02-12-08-7869 Capital Expenditures - Personnel Equipment, $2,140.00 to line 02-12-06-5118 Clothing Allowances, $660.00 to line 02-12-06-8420 Training, Schools/Conferences - Total of $4,000.00 from line 02-12-06-8484 car allowances and Alderman Neitzel seconded it.
Chief Erlenbush's recommendation to appoint Sergeant Mike Geriets to Deputy Chief and Alderman Neitzel seconded it. City Clerk Ms. Riggs called the roll. There were nine yeas (Alderman Anderson, Alderman Armbrust, Alderman Busby, Alderman Hoinacki, Alderman Horn, Alderman Huskins, Alderman Neitzel, Alderman Rohlfs, and Alderman Tibbs), zero nays, one absent (Alderman Prather); motion carried.
Alderman Anderson set a Committee meeting for Fire/Water & ESDA Committee for March 17, 2008 at 6:30 p.m. to discuss applications that we've received for the Fire Chief position and there will probably be an executive session at that time.
Mayor Davis-Kavelman called on Alderman Busby. Alderman Busby said Ms. Riggs would it be better for me to say have your budgets in to her office by.
Lincoln, Illinois
March 3, 2008; Page 9
Ms. Riggs said I did submit a memo to all of the department heads. They have to have it to my office by 5:00 p.m. on March 12, 2008. The schedule was left on all of the Aldermen's desks and it will go out to the press with the meeting notice.
Alderman Anderson made a motion to adjourn and Alderman Horn seconded it. There were nine yeas (Alderman Anderson, Alderman Armbrust, Alderman Busby, Alderman Hoinacki, Alderman Horn, Alderman Huskins, Alderman Neitzel, Alderman Rohlfs, and Alderman Tibbs), zero nays, and one absent (Alderman Prather); motion carried.
The City Council Meeting was adjourned at 7:51 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted By:
Risa Riggs
Minutes as recorded in this document approved by vote of City Council on March 17, 2008.
Melanie J. Riggs, City Clerk
City of Lincoln