COMMllTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING                                        Tuesday, May 28, 2019

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

Presiding:

Mayor Seth Goodman

The Committee of the Whole 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 Tracy Welch,Ward 1

Alderman Kathryn Schmidt, Ward 2

Alderman Sam Downs, Ward 2

Alderman Kevin Bateman, Ward 3

Alderman Ron Keller, Ward 3

Alderman Jeff Hoinacki,Ward 4

Alderman Kathy Horn, Ward 4

Staff Present:

City Administrator Elizabeth Kavelman

City Attorney John Hoblit

City Clerk Peggy Bateman

Treasurer Chuck Conzo

Fire Chief Bob Dunovsky

Police Chief Paul Adams

Building and Safety Officer Wes Woodhall

Streets Superintendent Walt anders

Absent:

Veolia Water, Greg Pyles Alderman

Steve Parrott, Ward 1

Public Comment:

Mayor Goodman called upon citizens registered to speak. Mr.and Mrs. Eldon Lessen of 836 1850th Street, Lincoln came forward to talk about publicissues.

Mr. Lessen said the good news is that tonight that they did not come to talk about the sewer issue. Mrs. Lessen mentioned that in September, she thought about rebuilding the City of Lincoln for good. She talked about the bible and God's call to do good, to give everyone what you owe him . . . Mr. Lessen talked about how all people are privy to information, consistent to a government act that they cited. They claim this is why they previously consisted on trying to get information from the City of Lincoln.

She mentioned an Illinois Freedom of Information Act Request and the two shared a number of quotes from emails between Lincoln City Council members and other city officials.

"That should not prompt the city to act in their favor ..." "This has and always has been a city matter . . ."

"As far as all the city management staff conferred, this issue is closed and the property owners are entirely responsible .. ."

 • • • the city could do a better job in this space      "

"I think we had a great dialog with some potential action items for the city to improve . . .

"It seems whoever the central point of contact has been up to this point ...there were no violations issued."

"I feel this was a divide and conquer agenda • . ."

Mr. Lessen said they're all human, but wisdom recognizes errors. He then called on the city council, saying they were hired to be dedicated to serving the people ...he said it is not an easy job, but it is one that they have accepted and committed to.

Mrs. Lessen mentioned that soon there will be a record Abraham Lincoln world record setting attempt ..

• she called on the council to act like Lincoln, to be God's servants for good. Mr.Lessen asked if anyone had any questions about the quotes . . .

Alderman Kevin Bateman said the only thing he can tell the Lassen's from sitting in his perspective, is that ongoing talks are being had about how things can change. He said he would not say that they are being ignored, but that therewere some communication ...errors, or not errors, but that things were not completed in a timely manner.

He said we have taken everything you have said seriously ...and that conversations have been started. Mr. Lessen mentioned lack of communication etc. He said when he sees no response to what they are saying, then he naturally assumes nothing Is being done about it.

Alderman Bateman said he is the longest standing elective official besides Mr.Hoinacki ...he said when you seen an email that has everybody's address on it . . .we may have a response, but we can only respond to one other person. ..he said communication is happening . . . and that is what drags things out.

He said governingis a very difficult process, but it also gives the illusion that government doesn't care. Mr. Lessen said telling someone else that he has judged the parliamentary procedure for the FFA for several years at the district level. He said it is a slow process, but we need to get it done.

Mrs. Lessen mentioned if there was a limit to the number of people who can talk to them at any given time. Alderman Welch said they can talk to every member of the council individually or in pairs. There being no further public participation, Mayor Goodman moved down to other agenda items.

Mayoral Appointment of Hannah Fitzpatrick to the Historic Preservation Commission:

This will be placed on the agenda.

Resolution for US Census 2020:

City Administrator Elizabeth Kavelman said this year is more about GIS and buildings, this would be placed on the agenda.

Alderman Keller had a follow-up question ...about the resolution .. . this is so that there is no chance that any public official can tamper with any portion of the census. The item will be placed on the agenda.

Logan County Animal Control Agreement:

Alderman Bateman said the contract should be the same as last year. The item will be placed on the agenda.

Permit to Request LCHS holdits Homecomi ng Parade on Friday, September 20,2019, at 2:30 p.m., in Downtown Lincoln, IL

Alderman Keller said this is the same route that they have taken for several years now. There may be a need for an alternative route if construction is still In progress at the time. Alderman Bateman mentioned that the police and fire department need to know about the route . . . as emergency personnel have complained that they often do not know about some of the happenings in town.

Alderman Welch mentioned that there is still paint on the streets from last year's homecoming parade, participants used permanent paint on the roads. Mr.Landers mentioned the need for parade organizers to clean up their streamers and decorations after the event.

Alderman Keller mentioned coming upwith a PLAN B for the route. The itemwill be placed on the consent agenda.

Emergency Shingle Repairs to City Hall Roof:

Fire Chief Paul Dunovsky has gotten a local contractor to come out and they already did the work. Alderman Bateman said this was a large section of shingles that had come off.That was why he reached out and the contractor had realizedit was a bigger section ...Alderman Keller said wanted to know how much longer this patching would last before more repairs are needed. Chief Dunovsky mentioned this could be an ongoing problem if the high winds return.

Agreement for Farnsworth Professional Services Lump Sum for the City Fiscal Year 2019-2020 Street Maintenance Projects--for Kickapoo Street Construction Project, and the Oil and Chip Program:

Mr. Landers mentioned that he wished they had used this document previously as it shares the scope of their work, he called on the council for questions. Treasurer Conze asked if there was a not-to-exceed limit. Mr. Landers said the estimates listed are likely a firm number. ..however, he could follow up on it. The item will be placed on the regular agenda.

International Association of Fire Fighters Union Local#3092 Three-Year Contract with the City of Lincoln,from 05.01.2019 through 04.30.2022:

City Administrator Kavelmansaid negotiations have finished, and that they have been signed. She turned things over to Alderman Hoinacki. He mentioned some clerical glitches that were caught. He said he was pleased that things went well at least for the fire contract. She said she thought they did well.She asked that is be placed on the agenda for approval.

Street Department Union Local #399 Three-Year Contract with the City of Lincoln,IL,05.01.2019 through 04.30.2022

She said this went after two meetings as well. He sid negotiations with Streets and Alleys went very well this year. He said Jeff will agree also, as they were able to save alot of money on attorney fees . ..they were able to negotiate without attorneys.

Announcements:

Mayor Goodman asked if anyone had any announcements.

• Mr. Landers mentioned the number of trees and limbs that have been coming down.Cleanup was wrapped up and streets were reopened by Friday afternoon. Issues and delays were in part due to Ameren Illinois. More work will come. He requested that any debris be taken to the curb. He encouraged homeowners to check the trees in their yards and in the right of ways. He said the streets have a lot of leaves and limbs...helicopters and the streets are really dirty. He called for people to clean out their drains. He said it will be awhile untilstreet sweepers can get out and get things cleaned up.
• City Fire Chief Bob Dunovsky weighed in on complaints about sirens ...and said all eight sirens were activated when they were supposed to be in the City of Lincoln. He said 55 mph sustained winds, or spotting of rotation tornados on the ground. . .all prompt the sirens. He said if you are inside when the sirens are sounded, you may not hear them.
• Alderwoman Schmidt said she brought this up, because it was 18 minutes between the time the warning came on people's cellphones and the time the sirens were sounded. She said she thinks it is so important. She said some people, such as the elderly may only have a flip phone. Chief Dunovsky said the sirens are for tornadic activity inside the city limits. She said it is left up to municipalities... it has to be the decision of whoever pushes the button. She said it means to take cover, why not set off the alarm then. Alderman Bateman weighed in about his past activity with the EMA. He said the other problem here is that when the alarm goes off on your devise, that is not these people here... that is other people. He said the siren on top of city hall is only controlled inside the city limits. s. She said when it comes to the safety of people, the issue needs to be talked about. Alderman Welch said the sirens are not supposed to be your first line of defense. He said the issues we have trying to communicate with people . . . he said we should have a conversation about if we need to make any improvements. Alderman Schmidt mentioned an annual maintenance arrangement on the sirens. There is currently a yearly maintenance bid coming together by Lincolnland Communications. There will be an upcoming test with eight people. Discussion continued . . .Mrs. Schmidt mentioned that one siren is from the 1970's ... she brought up the idea of a savings program out there for the sirens. She said when it comes to our lives ... she said it is really important. Treasurer Conzo said siren replacement happens on an as-needed basis.

   Alderman Keller said he appreciated that Alderman Schmidt brought this up. He suggested that people register for Logan County NIXLE Alert, more here: https://local.nixle.com/register/.

• Alderman Bateman mentioned barbecue.
• Mr. Landers mentioned cleanup
• .Adjournment: 
• There being no further discussion, Alderman Keller motioned to adjourn, seconded by Alderman Welch. Mayor Goodman adjourned the meeting at 7:52 p.m.

         Respectfully Submitted By:

Alex Williams, Recording Secretary