REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING

Lincoln City Hall, Council Chambers

700 Broadway Street ] Lincoln, illinois

Monday, Oct. 1, 2018

The Regular Meeting of the City Council of Lincoln was called to order by Mayor Seth Goodman at 7 p.m., with proper notice given. City Clerk Peggy Bateman called roll.

Present:

Alderman Steve Parrott Alderman Tracy Welch Alderman Ron Fleshman Alderwoman Michelle Bauer Alderman Ron Keller Alderman Jeff Hoinacki Alderman Dayne Dalpoas

Staff Present:

City Administrator Elizabeth Kavelman City Clerk Peggy Bateman

City Attorney Blinn Bates Treasurer Chuck Conzo Fire Chief Mark Miller Police Chief Paul Adams

Building and Safety Officer Wes Woodhall Streets Superintendent Walt Landers

Staff Absent:

Waste Water and Treatment Manager Shawn Wright Alderwoman Heidi Browne

Presiding:

Mayor Seth Goodman

Swearing inCeremony:

Mr. Nick Davis was sworn in as the newest firefighter on the Lincoln Fire Department. He has a four-year degree as a mechanic, has an EMT-Basic Certification, completed some firefighter training courses, and will soon be sent to the fire academy. He swore to support the Constitution of the United States and State of Illinois. Fire Chief Mark Miller presented him with a badge.

Public Comment:

Mayor Goodman called upon citizens registered to speak, there being none, he moved to the Consent Agenda.

Mr. Casey Lore came forward to discuss a grant to help fund a comic convention at the VFW to help raise funds for the Land of Lincoln Honor Flight. The event will be held on Saturday, Oct. 13.A guest star will come from The Power Rangers television show. He will be donating his time for the event. There will be a Halloween Costume Competition, video game tournaments, prize packages, etc. They would like a grant up to $700.

Alderman Parrott asked where the event would be held. It will be at the VFW. Alderman Welch asked if the grant was in addition to the $300 they are getting from the Logan County Tourism Bureau. At this point Mr.

Lore said the VPN can cover it, but if they do, there will not be extra money to put back into Land of Lincoln Honor Flight. Alderman Parrott asked how the group is advertising-they are passing around online flyers and some post cards. He said vendors are spreading word as well.

Alderman Hoinacki asked how the general public could donate. They can donate in person at the convention or at Retro Relics. They can also donate through the Facebook page and website.

Consent Agenda by Omnibus Vote:

A. Payment of Bills

B. Approval of Sept.17, Regular City Council, and Sep 25, Committee of the Whole Meeting Minutes

C. Mayoral Proclamation (2018-388) of Sep 29, as the 15th Annual Worldwide Day of Play

D. Approval of request to extend the closing of a portion of Pulaski until 11p.m.on Friday, Sept. 21, for 3rd Friday's         

    Downtown Lincoln

Alderman Welch motioned to approve the agenda item, seconded by Alderman Keller. Mayor Goodman called for further discussion, there being none, City Clerk Bateman called roll.

Yeas: (7) Alderman Steve Parrott, Alderman Tracy Welch, Alderman Ron Fleshman, Alderwoman Michelle Bauer, Alderman Ron Keller, Alderman Jeff Hoinacki, Alderman Dayne Dalpoas

Nays: None

Absent: (1) Alderwoman Heidi Browne

Mayor Goodman moved to other items on the agenda.

Ordinance and Resolution:

N/A

Bids:

Approval of bid from Kinney Contractors for curb and sidewalk improvements in an amount not to exceed $125,000.

Alderwoman Bauer motioned to approve the agenda item, seconded by Alderman Fleshman. Mayor Goodman called for further discussion, there being none, City Clerk Bateman called roll.

Yeas: (7) Alderman Steve Parrott, Alderman Tracy Welch, Alderman Ron Fleshman, Alderwoman Michelle Bauer, Alderman Ron Keller, Alderman Jeff Hoinacki,Alderman Dayne Dalpoas

Nays: None

Absent: (1) Alderwoman Heidi Browne

Mayor Goodman moved to other items on the agenda.

Reports:

N/A

New Business/Communications:

Approval of the purchase of a Roots 711URAi Blower for the Sewer Plant from Powered Equipment and Repair in the amount of $6,399, plus freight.

Alderwoman Welch motioned to approve the agenda item, seconded by Alderman Dalpoas. Mayor Goodman called for further discussion, there being none, City Clerk Bateman called roll.

Yeas: (7) Alderman Steve Parrott, Alderman Tracy Welch, Alderman Ron Fleshman, Alderwoman Michelle Bauer, Alderman Ron Keller, Alderman Jeff Hoinacki, Alderman Dayne Dalpoas

Nays: None

Absent: (1) Alderwoman Heidi Browne

Mayor Goodman moved to other items on the agenda.

Announcements:

• Mayor Goodman announced Alderman Welch will be appointed as mayor pro tempore. The item will be placed on the Committee of the Whole Meeting Agenda for Tuesday, Oct. 9.

• Mayor Goodman called for a public discussion to discuss his performance and the performance of the City Administrator.

City Attorney Blinn Bates said he would comment if no one else was going to. He said the performance of the City Administrator is lacking greatly. He said the individual who was put in this position was not qualified and she is a liability to the city. He said she doesn't return phone calls, does not understand things being explained, confuses issues, misses meeting. He said his office has received numerous complaints and they keep coming. He said he has made his concerns known to the Mayor, the aldermen, and the public.

City Administrator Elizabeth Kavelman said the person he hasn't made this known to is her. She said she and the Mayor are City Attorney Blinn Bates' immediate supervisor. City Administrator Elizabeth Kavelman handed out the Attorney Bates' contract. [Inaudible] . . . he said he explained that issue at least seven or eight times. She said she has a council here and when you're not at those meetings, they ask these questions, and you're not here . . . Mr. Bates interrupted saying, "You handed out the contract, Beth . . . what does this say . . ." He said he attends two meetings a month. She said well whoever signed that, was not thinking, because we need you at four meetings a month, we need you when we're talking about the . . . He interrupted saying he'd be happy to renegotiate the contract. He

said the contract says he serves at the leisure and pleasure of the mayor at the advice of the consent of the City Council of Lincoln, it provides for termination of 30 days. He said if they don't like it, make a motion to terminate the contract. He said they have that right.

She said,"Well, mayor-what's your pleasure?" Mayor Goodman turned discussion over the Alderman Welch. He said he was shocked by some of the stuff the attorney had to say last week. He said so far he has heard allegations again the administrator, but not real hard facts, or specific situations. He said there was a meeting missed, but that was a communication error. He said half the people showed up at 10 o'clock and Alderman Fleshman showed up at 9 o'clock. He said we should be talking specifics if they were going to make allegations against someone who has been in office for 75 days. He said Beth did walk into a mess, and she has had no assistant, similar to what previous city administrators have had in the past.

Mayor Goodman called for further comment. Alderman Keller wanted City Administrator Kavelman to point to where in the contract it stated that the city attorney falls under direct supervision of the city administrator. She said, "On the first page, it is underlined." He said . . . providing legal advice-he was not sure that was the same thing as being a direct supervisor or answering to . . .

She said since he's an attorney, and he's supposed to be giving us legal advice-it is pertinent. She said no one goes behind someone's back and does this, she said you come to me and talk to me. She called it insubordination, saying the trust is gone, it's an ethics violation, a breach of contract. She said as far as doing something like this.

3 I Monday, Oct. 1, 2018

Treasurer Chuck Conzo said he has worked in periods where there were previous city administrators and he has been able to work with her and get more direct answers out of Mrs. Kavelman than he has gotten out of any of the other three. He said and on a more detailed level. He did not want to diminish any contributions of the other individuals, but he's been able to work with her on a lot of things.

Mayor Goodman said he wanted to say a few comments because Beth was his appointment. He said nothing against any previous administrators, but he speaks to City Administrator Kavelman on a daily basis, he said he's kept up to date on meetings, everything that happens. He said he didn't have that before. He said he personally has not had one complaint, call, text, or stop in to talk about this. He said if anyone has an issue with this. He wanted to hear those concerns. He wanted to hear public voicing about concerns-made directly to him.

He said it was also his understanding that during the call from City Attorney Blinn Bates that there were complaints about his performance at mayor as well. He said does anyone want to voice that concern publicly?

Alderman Fleshman said he is in a hard spot running his business and trying to juggle Lincoln City Hall. He questioned his office hours on Thursdays, saying he could not be reached on Thursdays from 3-5

• He said Lincoln is too small to have a full-time Mayor, but yet he believes that future citizens who'd like to run for Mayor should take into consideration how much time it takes. He said he, being an Alderman-there's more to just coming to meetings on Mondays and Tuesdays, if you want to do the job properly. He said maybe people should look at that amount of time of running the city and being the mayor also.

Mayor Goodman the biggest thing with the office hours, is when they were set-they did not have a city administrator, he said he's very easily accessible. He said with his presence on social media and his phone number being everywhere-people contact him at all hours of the day, he is always accessible. He said the office hours, he's not quite sure on that, he said those were set hours were set initially, he said there have been some conflicts, he takes full responsibility-but he is accessible and he does respond.

Alderman Fleshman said yes, you have returned my calls and my texts. There are times when he feels certain things can wait so he can talk to him during his office hours so he's not bothering him when he is out running his business.

Mayor Goodman said the one time the meeting was missed, ne and two other people showed up the same time Beth did. He said it wasn't just her who missed the meeting or was late to that meeting. He said he is also responsib!e for that.

Alderman Welch said he is curious if that's the only meeting, he said he is still baffled at the allegations of her performance with no specifics to back it up.

City Attorney Blinn Bates said he represents the City of Lincoln and he has brought the concerns to the city. He said he thinks, "If you're not seeing the things that he's seeing-you're not paying attention."

City Administrator Kavelman said she'd like to see him, "But we don't see you,"-we only see you here at these two meetings when everything is cut and dried, when we're going down the agenda, and you're out in 30 minutes. She said we need a city attorney who comes to our liquor commission meetings, someone who gives the legal and technical advice that is needed.

He said no one has asked him to attend those meetings, he said the contract says he attends two meetings a month, and he does that religiously. He said if you want me at different meetings, you need to ask me.

4 1 Monday, Oct. 1, 2018

City Attorney Blinn Bates said, somebody brought up in his last contract, that he didn't give a report to the city. He said at no point in time, had anybody ever asked him to give a monthly report to the city. He said, "I cannot read minds, folks. lcannot."

He then said the firm he represents, has represented this city for years and the fact that this is coming out now, and trying to be blamed on him is ridiculous. He said, Ialready told you if, "You don't like my performance, if you don't like anything, you don't even like me, this contract says you can terminate it."

City Administrator Kavelman asked if he wanted to continue being city attorney. He said, "Yes, Ido."

Alderman Fleshman said as far as Mr. Bates' accessibility-for the past six months, since he had been in office, the city attorney has been accommodati ng to the council. He did not believe that Mr. Bates had not responded to requests.

She said she agrees, he has been good about this, but she is still waiting on an answer about blending License B and License C as he had told her could be done. He said the city councilcan pass any ordinance they would like to. He said he does not

She said it goes back to the ordinance that was passed on March 17, 2015. She said it is difficult to understand, she said she was not there at the time, it was Mayor Keith Snyder, Dan Wheat, and Les Plotner. She said Dan Wheat will be at the meeting next week.

Alderman Parrott wanted to know how many Class B Tavern License holders had turned in their 60- 40% over the years they were supposed to. She said only one was required to, it was Mr. Cliff Mccumber, owner of 5th Street Food Mart, he was required to because he got his license in 2015. She said they count on the calendar year. He said his understanding from the last time was April 1, she said yes, and they have to review it. He said there were seven businesses under this, she said, "that's correct." He continued saying so from April 1, 2016 to April 1, 2017-there should be seven, if they were issued in 2015.

Alderwoman Bauer said it was her understanding that it is based on a year from the time they applied, she said not all of them applied at that time.

He said if they get the license in February, it goes not to February the next year, but April. He said it's not a 12 month thing. Alderwoman Bauer said it is a year from when they received this video gaming license. Alderman Parrott asked if there is record of when they should be getting reviewed, and when they should provide the receipts. City Administrator Kavelman said they will receive a letter early January from the commission, telling them to get their receipts ready from the previous calendar year.

She said if receipts come out appropriately, they will be reissued a license. He wanted to see when the seven were issued the license, what month and what year. He asked what Mr. McCumber's percentages were. He said he would like to see what the percentages were as well. She said these could be kept on record. She was not sure who take care of all of this before she was commissioner.

She said this is an example of the questions she gets. City Attorney Blinn Bates said he does not handle the day to day business of the city.

Further Announcements:

• Alderman Fleshman said this past week he was contacted by a company in regards to the city pairing with them in a solar energy project. He said in 2016, the State of Illinois passed a long-term energy renewable resources procurement plan. He said this is to be accomplished by the year 2025. He said several companies have come to the city. City Administrator Kavelman said originally they had thought to refer these people to the county, but now the city is interested. He said it would be a potential source

of revenue for Lincoln. Treasurer Conzo asked how to city is going to make any money on this. He wanted to know if it would be a revenue stream or a dollar for dollar spend. Alderman Fleshman said whatever area per acre the panels would be set up on, the city would get upwards of $2,500 an acre for installation of these panels, or after a certain amount of kilowatts was produced, the city would be reimbursed . . . Alderman Conzo said it would be a lot like the cell towers. Alderman Fleshman said there are 40 acres of land by the sewer plant.

• Mayor Goodman said back to the question City Administrator Kavelman asked, he said he was the sole 
• liquor commissioner at the time and would work with her to get the answers and get back to the council.
• Alderman Fleshman said this is a highly needed position. He said this position is a must-fill position in his mind, so the city does not miss out on grant dollars and reimbursements with things such as the new Lincoln Police Station.
•  
• Police Chief Paul Adams said the Lincoln Police Department collected about 80 pounds of drugs/unused medications and prescriptions on Saturday, Sept. 29, at their drug drop off event. He said if anyone has any additional prescriptions, there is a drop box on their grounds, located outside their entrance.
•  

Possible Executive Session:

N/A

Adjournment:

There being no further business to come before the City Council of Lincoln, Alderman Hoinacki motioned to adjourn, seconded by Alderman Welch. Mayor Goodman adjourned the meeting at 7:41 p.m.

Upcoming Meetings:

Committee of the Whole Meeting ITuesday, Oct. 9, 2018, at 7 p.m. Regular City Council Meeting I Monday, Oct. 15, at 7 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted By: Alex Williams, Recording Secretary

6 I Monday, Oct. 1, 2018