COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING

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

Tuesday, July 23, 2019

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 8:27 p.m..,with proper notice given. City Clerk Peggy Bateman called roll.

Present:

Alderman Steve Parrott, Ward 1

Alderman Kathryn Schmidt, Ward 2

Alderman Sam Downs, Ward 2

Alderman Kevin Bateman, Ward 3

Alderman Ron Keller, Ward 3

Alderman Kathy Horn, Ward 4

Alderman Jeff Hoinacki, 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 Landers

Absent:

Alderman Tracy Welch, Ward 1

Veolia Water, Greg Pyles

Public Comment:

Mayor Goodman called upon citizens registered to speak. Mrs. Wanda Lee Rohlfs came forward to talk about the budget item,budget benefit. She said from 2012-2017, underneath the public benefit, there was one item, it was animal control. It was not in last year's budget, but it was in this year's budget.

She said the budget she got in May, it was not in the budget. She said it was in a document that she received from the Logan County Courthouse.

Treasurer Conze said they did make some changes over the years, it was to combine some of those sub funds into the fund. He said we did, if you look at the first page of the budget and the 2018-2019 budget . ..those were all things that we leveed for.

He said all of these were in the revenue projection and the tax document from the courthouse.

More discussion ensued about where the information was housed. Mrs. Rohlfs said she was looking over unmarked drafts. Alderman Bateman told her where she could find the budget online. He said it does look differently than what we have here.

She said she would print it to see. But it should look the same.He said it should print exactly like what he had there. She said it shouldn't look different. He continued to try to talk with her about what the document looked like. She said thank you. There being no further public participation, Mayor Goodman moved down to other agenda items .

Update of the Quarter Financials of the Logan County Tourism Bureau andits

new FY 2020 budget:

Morgan Gleason from the Logan County Tourism Bureau came forward next to talk about the quarterly reporting for the Logan County Tourism Bureau, including board membership, grants awarded this year in the range of $11,000 and more.

She said they are still in good standing with the state on the CBD grant. She said they are grateful for this.They will receive some $35,912. She explained what tours were offered this quarter.

The lights for the covered wagon have been fixed, there's appropriate signage leading from the interstate to their offices . ..etc. The commission will meet quarterly over the next seven years.

Balloons of 66, The Logan County Fair and the Guiness Book of World Records - record setting event are still coming up. She then mentioned that they have the budget prepared, and she shared that document.

Saturdays, June through August - the office will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Alderman Keller said the Lincoln College Heritage Museum will be selling hats and beards for around $10 and available in a few weeks. Mr. Rick Hoefle said they are starting to see people from all parts of the world around the City of Lincoln and it will keep getting bigger for 2026. He said Mr. Keller is a wealth of information on all things Lincoln.

Miss Gleason then asked a question to Treasurer Conzo about how they arrive at the number for the Hotel I Motel Tax. He explained how he does not anticipate it will increase, however, hopes that it does.

 

Request by the Logan County Tourism Bureau for a road closure on Mclean Street between the Art Institute building to the comer of Mclean and Pulaski & Streets, for the World Record Abe Lincoln Beard Attempt on Saturday, September 211 2019 from 8 am.to 4 p.m.:

The item will be placed on the consent agenda.

Petition by the Harvest of Talents for World Hunger Ministry Team,Lincoln, Ill.,to host its 36th Annual event on Saturday,October 26, 2019, and in conjunction with the Lincoln YMCA to jointly sponsor a 5K Run/Walk with registration starting at 7a.m. and the race to commence at 8:00 a.m. The run/walk will start on Hamilton Street: between Pekin and Broadway Streets, following to Wyatt Avenue to Primm Road,with a tum-around about .5 mile beyond the first entrance to Lincoln Community High School,and then to retrace the route back to the start/finish line at the Logan County Safety Complex parking lot at 911Pekin Street:

The item will be placed on the agenda.

Approval to Authorize Mayor Goodman to sign the Crawford, Murphy & Tilly (CMT) # 190001.15.00 Amendment No.1,CSO Improvement Construction $50,000 less Net Zero Cost Change at the Lincoln Sewerage Treatment Plant; Along with approval to sign the CMT #17001-26-00 Amendment No.3 (additional services for rate adjustment) for $50,000.00 for the Union Street Pumping Station Design. These two Amendments will result in a $0.00 change to the total engineering cost of the original,executed document of September 18, 2017:

Alderman Bateman said this should be on the regular voting agenda. Alderman Hoinacki asked if she had any updates to share. The construction permit is there on Union Street. Four contractors took out plans on Monday. Bids will be taken on September 4. She has been working with the city attorney. The Illinois EPA was doing final sets of plans for the SRF loan. She said they should be in good shape. Mr. Hoblit weighed in. Mr. Landers said he wanted to see a set of plans . . . [inaudible]. The item will be placed on the regular agenda.

Scales Cleaning Proposal for City Hall,Lincoln, Ill.:

Alderman Hoinacki wanted some guidelines of this service or company in case they go out to bid to show it their expectations are for the buildings. Alderman Bateman wanted to see these services put out for bid, he was not opposed to at least bi-annually, to hold contractors accountable and to do what is best for the citizens. He said he thinks it should at least go out for bid a minimum of every two years.

He suggested putting together an RFP and learn what the officer workers desire to be cleaned and go out for the RFP for these serv.ices.

Proposed new liquor ordinance:

Mr. Rick Hoefle of the Liquor Commission came forward to talk about removing section K, he said as far as he knows, prior to this, it was 60 percent food, then it was lowered to 30 percent. But as far as he knows there's been no fine for these violations. He talked about throwing this out - to save the city time from reviewing records every year.

He also posed, anyone doing gaming, would have to pay an additional $500. He said right now there's a $2,000 application fee to even get involved in gaming. He said this would be ongoing, and it would create a new revenue stream for the city. Roughly $24,000 additional based on the current licenses out there. He said they're getting a lot of applications and it has increased.

He saidif you're running this businesses and you're not going to make due, you're going to get out. He said they're in a situation with the city and town where it's time to consider it.

Alderman Parrott said a lot of what he shared was just projected and there were no documents to support it. He said he also talked about some projected savings .. ..and wanted him to elaborate on that.

City Clerk Bateman said it was found out that collecting receipts was never done. He said it would be an expense for the city to get this information. And the time it would take to complete it. It requires some sort of an audit.

Mr. Hoefle said there are businesses in town where he could not see them meeting the 30 percent criteria for food sales.

Alderwoman Schmidt asked what kinds of businesses had been contacting Mr. Hoefle about the gaming. He said one was a bar/restaurant. Another just wanted a liquor license for gaming. He said gaming is the interest. But there are some who will go to the city simply for a liquor license too.He said this offers a unique opportunity to do this without acquiring a great deal of work.

Alderman Bateman weighed in about receipts, saying the answer to the receipts thing, it should not go through the city clerk's office. It should go through the liquor commission.

Alderman Bateman said he and Peggy go out a lot in town and they look at each other and say there's never a line to get the gaming. He said it's survival of the fittest. He said

it was a losing proposition for the Knights of Columbus. He said the receipts need to go through the commission.

Mr. Hoefle said you're going to have more meetings in order to do this. They would look at items line by line. He said he had to believe that the hotels and motels have interest in this.They are anticipating people from the highway.

City Administrator Kavelman weighed in on her experience prior relating with the receipts. She said it's a moot point asking for the receipts now.

Alderman Parrott asked about how many more requests have some in - six to eight. He then asked why the liquor commission was so interested in gaming. He said he was taken aback that the council voted for this and passed it, and then the liquor

commission came forward with the ordinance. He asked who initiated this. He said this really bothers him that the council voted on this, then the commission came forward.

He said you're not deciding to give a liquor license to people based on gaming. City Attorney Hoblit weighed in. He said requests for changes were made to the original ordnance, then they were made and passed through. Then again he was asked to draft another ordinance, reimplementing or restating their desire for the original ordinance to go through. He said it was not his place the sway the council, but by removing the 30 percent, you're removing the liquor commission's say in gaming. You're taking the teeth away, there would no longer be any oversight for the commission.

Alderman Hoinacki commented on there not being a line, but that they've reached the $30,000 mark. He aid he sees it as a storefront opening with the license, and then they would not have to serve any alcohol at all,if they had a zero percentage. He was opposed to adding anymore liquor licenses or gaming licenses.

Mr. Hoefle said he is not into gaming, but this is a revenue stream at the city could have. He said he was looking to level the playing field. His hope was that when they do this that they level the playing field of the city.

Alderman Bateman weighed in . . .then Alderman Parrott said now we have the liquor commission coming to ask to remove the 30 percent. He said it just seems weird. Mr. Hoefle posed leaving the 30 percent in there. He said he did not have a problem with auditing the receipts.

Mr. Parrott then said he thought they should have increased the price per unit. He said would that be a deterrent for not making money for the city. He said people have additions, they have problems, there are costs . . .there are societal issues that come along. Then he mentioned marijuana dispensaries etc. Alderman Parrott said he was fighting for the 30 percent to remain in.

More discussion ensued. Then Mr. Hoefle asked if the commission needed to meet to make an amendment. It could be made via a motion.

Alderman Bateman said he would be a, "Yes," vote if they reinstated item K. And the amount of sales - showed there must be 30 percent of sales generated from something other than gaming.

He said it would just be easier for the commission if they were handling receipts, and it'd be easier for the businesses as well, showcasing that they sold "X'' amount in whatever.

 

Alderman Hoinacki made comment. He said if they don't produce what needs to be produced in the manner that we request it be produced - then it's an ordinance violation and there should be consequences to that.

Mr. Hoblit weighed in on being subject to a fine and then their liquor license could be subject for nonrenewal. Mr. Bateman said if they're not compliant in 2020, then in 2021 they might not get a liquor license.

Mayor Goodman asked where everyone was wanting to go with this . .. Mr. Hoefle said if they putit on the agenda to vote, it could be amended within the meeting.

He said we hope this will benefit the city down the road. The item will be placed on the regular agenda.

Bids Results for the City's Resurfacing Projects:

City Streets and Alleys Superintendent Walt Landers weighed in, sharing bid estimates for the resurfacing projects - including scarification and oil/chip. He listed off the prices for the bids and the names of the businesses.

Sidewalk and curb replacement targets:

Mr. Landers touched on the areas to be worked on. There is $125,000 budgeted for this. He is seeking approvals for these projects, then they can try to get as many done as possible. The item will be placed on the agenda.

City of Lincoln and FOP Union Labor Contract Proposed Memorandum of Understanding:

Alderman Bateman asked if the union looked at this and approved. He wanted clarification if they council was just looking over the wording.Alderman Hoinacki made a motion to go into executive session .. .seconded by Alderman Keller. Then the second and the motion were rescinded.

Then a motion was made by Alderman Hoinacki to enter into executive session again, seconded by Alderman Keller.

At 9:42 p.m. the counciltook a brief recess to clear the chambers in order to enter into executive session. City Clerk Peggy Bateman called roll.

Present:

Alderman Steve Parrott, Ward 1

Alderman Kathryn Schmidt, Ward 2

Alderman Sam Downs, Ward 2

Alderman Kevin Bateman, Ward 3

Alderman Ron Keller, Ward 3

Alderman Kathy Horn, Ward 4

Alderman Jeff Hoinacki, Ward 4

Absent:

Alderman Tracy Welch, Ward 1

Recess from Committee of the Whole:

The council recessed from the Committee of the Whole meeting at 8:16 p.m. in order to enter Executive Session. Mayor Goodman announced there would be no further city business conducted upon reconvening.

The then talked about the fiscal impact of this and recommended what bids the city approve.

Alderman Keller said he was surprised by the difference in costs. He said part of this is that oil and chip, scarification is one construction crews' specialty. The item will be placed on the agenda under two separate items .

Return from Executive Session:

The council reconvened from Executive Session 10:31 p.m. in order to reconvene the Committee of the Whole Meeting. Roll call was taken.

Present:

Alderman Steve Parrott, Ward 1

Alderman Kathryn Schmidt, Ward 2

Alderman Sam Downs, Ward 2

Alderman Kevin Bateman, Ward 3

Alderman Ron Keller, Ward 3

Alderman Kathy Horn, Ward 4

Alderman Jeff Hoinacki, Ward 4

Absent:

Tracy Welch, Ward 1

Items were read from executive session regarding the memorandum of understanding and FOP contracts under item 11. Treasurer Conzo read the items aloud relating to residency requirements and more. The items would be placed on the regular agenda.

Announcements:

- Work would be underway on various streets, due to Illinois American Water work on a main. It's in the 3rd Street area.

  • Mr. Hoblit offered legal perspective on the work on the budget. He said he'd send an email regarding appropriations. City Administrator Kavelman confirmed she sent it out at 8:48 p.m.
    • Mayor Goodman reiterated that the forms would be due by 9 a.m.on Thursday.

Adjournment:

 

There being no further discussion to come before the City Council of Lincoln, Alderman Keller motioned to adjourn, seconded by Alderman Schmidt. Roll call was taken. Mayor Goodman adjourned the meeting at 10:34 p.m.

Present:

Alderman Steve Parrott, Ward 1

Alderman Kathryn Schmidt, Ward 2

Alderman Sam Downs, Ward 2

Alderman Kevin Bateman, Ward 3

Alderman Ron Keller, Ward 3

Alderman Kathy Horn, Ward 4

Alderman Jeff Hoinacki, Ward 4

Staff Present:

City Administrator Elizabeth Kavelman

City Attorney John Hoblit

City Clerk Peggy Bateman

Treasurer Chuck Conzo

Absent:

Alderman Tracy Welch, Ward 1

Respectfully Submitted By:

Alex Williams, Recording Secretary