BUDGET WORKSHOP

Lincoln City Hall, Council Chambers 700 Broadway Street I Lincoln, Illinois

Monday,April,1, 2019

The Budget Workshop of the City Council of Lincoln was called to order by Mayor Seth Goodman at 7:20

p.m.,with proper notice given. Attendance was noted.

Present:

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

Present:

City Administrator Elizabeth Kavelman Treasurer Chuck Conzo

City Clerk Peggy Bateman

Streets Superintendent Walt Landers Building and Safety Officer Wes Woodhall Police Chief Paul Adams

Fire Chief Mark Miller

Gregory Pyles, Veolia Project Manager Assistant Fire Chief Bob Dunovsky

Absent:

City Attorney John Hoblit

Presiding:

Mayor Seth Goodman

Fiscal Year 2019-2020 Draft Budget Discussion:

A. Overview

1. Departmental Budget Discussion by Fund

Mayor Goodman turned things over to Treasurer Chuck Conzo, he led into the adjustments he has made in the Revenue Projections document for 2019-2020. He also mentioned that he has shared the date when the revisions were made within the document. The first mention is Transfer to Capital Projects (as needed,as noted on Page 1). There was also a change to Safety Grant-Expenses, it is now listed at $26,066 as revised on 3/27.

Page 6, under Buildings and Grounds also has a change-Contractual Services was noted with an asterisk and question mark. Alderwoman Bauer asked about these changes as they total $151,500, whereas in 2018 the amount was $93,160. Discussion ensued. Then Treasurer Conzo transitioned into

Page 8 and part-time salaries for Streets and Alleys. He also touched on a correction on Page 16 regarding Professional Fees.

Alderwoman Browne asked about hiring a City Engineer as the fees paid outside of the City are "enormous," she said it's going outside of the community and it's over $1,000,000 and that was just last year alone. Alderwoman Bauer said the amount of projects that we did, versus the amount of projects pending, she said the salary for an engineer-there isn't any room for that if the engineer is capable or able to do . . .she said they are limited to the scope of projects that they can complete. She said you pay them a salary to then have to go outside and get the services completed.

She said right now our projects consist of a bridge, road resurfacing, sidewalks and a CMT project (the sewer plant). Treasurer Conzo said-and we have the 5th Street Road Project. Administrator Kavelman said it has worked well in the past and this amount is astronomical. Treasurer Conzo will look into any funds that might come back. The city previously spent less in years before on engineering costs, according to City Treasurer Chuck Conzo. On average he estimated over $500,000 is spent on an annual basis in engineering costs. He said knowing what is immediately ahead of the city, he was unsure if the city would incur those expenses.

Alderman Parrott asked what kinds of expenses were incurred with software etc., when there was a City Engineer.Alderman Parrott thought maybe $5,000 annually. Alderman Hoinacki wanted to bring up some history, such as Pulaski Street-he said there was a city engineer at that time, it was a close to

$3,000,000 at that time-and they had additional bills from other firms.He said unless you pay $130,000 to a highly qualified engineer, then there will be projects outside their scope.

Alderwoman Bauer said the county pays an additional,substantial amount for engineering outside of their county engineer's budget. She said it might not be the right time to hire, but to lookinto what it could cost. Alderman Hoinacki said if we get someone at $70,000-$80,000 you will get the revolving door again, as they will get offers elsewhere. The consensus was that it would be worth looking into. He said the council needed to put a plan together and then weigh it out and see exactly which direction to go. He called this discussion premature.

Alderman Fleshman said he agreed with Mr. Landers and talked about utilizing the county engineer, and partner with the same firms the county uses. He said on larger projects, the city might not ever get away from paying additional costs. Alderman Parrott talked about City Administrator Kavelman looking into what other cities do.

Alderman Hoinacki wanted to clarify if the treasurer was going to be listing a new line item, it would not require an addition of a new revenue, rather shifting from other lines. Alderwoman Browne wanted to save money and not spend money. Treasurer Conzo said if there are no objections, then it will be printed in pamphlet form . . .then on April 23, there will be a meeting to talk about this once again.

Adjournment:

There being no further discussion to come before the City Council of Lincoln, Alderman Welch motioned to adjourn, seconded by Alderman Parrott. Therefore, the hearing adjourned at 7:50 p.m.

Upcoming Meetings:

Committee of the Whole ITuesday, April 9, at 7 p.m. Regular City Council Meeting IMonday, April 15, at 7 p.m.