Details

Last Updated: 17 December 2024

REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING

Lincoln City Hall, Council Chambers

700 Broadway Street | Lincoln, Illinois

Monday, December 2, 2024

The Regular Meeting of the City Council of Lincoln was called to order by Mayor Welch at 6:00pm, with proper notice given. City Clerk Peggy Bateman called roll.

Present:

Alderwoman Robin McClallen, Ward 1

Alderman Steve Parrott, Ward 1

Alderman David Sanders, Ward 2

Alderman Sam Downs, Ward 2

Alderman Kevin Bateman, Ward 3

Alderwoman Wanda Lee Rohlfs, Ward 3

Alderman Craig Eimer, Ward 4

Alderwoman Rhonda O’Donoghue, Ward 4

Staff Present:

Peggy Bateman, City Clerk

Chuck Conzo, City Treasurer

John Hoblit, City Attorney

Ty Johnson, Fire Chief

Wes Woodhall, Building and Safety Officer

Walt Landers, Streets Superintendent

Absent:

Joe Meister, Police Chief

Remotely:

Andrew Bowns, Veolia Water, Project Manager

Presiding:

Tracy Welch, Mayor

Public Comment:

There was no one present for public comment.

Students of Land of Lincoln CEO Program

Ivy Sandel was present to inform the council of the program and its current activities.

Consent Agenda by Omnibus Vote:
A. Payment of Bills

B. Approval of minutes November 12, 2024 Committee of the Whole, November 18, 2024 Regular City Council Meeting

C. Approval of City Council Meeting Schedule for Calendar Year 2025 (Removed, see below)

D. Approval of City Holiday for Calendar Year 2025.

Mayor Welch pulled item C from the consent agenda.  The item will need an amendment and will be voted on later in the meeting.

Alderman Downs made the motion to approve items A, B, & D, Alderman Eimer seconded.  Mayor Welch called for discussion, there being none, City Clerk Bateman call the roll. 

Yeas: (8) Alderman Steve Parrott, Alderman Sam Downs, Alderwoman Rhonda O’Donoghue, Alderwoman Wanda Lee Rohlfs, Alderman Kevin Bateman, Alderwoman Robin McClallen, Alderman David Sanders, Alderman Craig Eimer

Nays: (0)

Abstain: (0)

Absent: (0)

Ordinances and Resolutions:

A. Resolution #2024-502 of the City of Lincoln in Support of State Action to Protect the Mahomet Aquifer.

Alderman Parrott made the motion to approve, Alderman Sanders seconded.

Mayor Welch called for discussion, there being none, City Clerk Bateman called the roll.

Yeas: (8) Alderman Steve Parrott, Alderman Sam Downs, Alderwoman Rhonda O’Donoghue, Alderwoman Wanda Lee Rohlfs, Alderwoman Robin McClallen, Alderman David Sanders, Alderman Kevin Bateman, Alderman Craig Eimer

Nays: (0)

Abstain: (0)

Absent: (0)

New Business/Communications:
A.  Approval of designation of ARPA funds for a park Pavilion in the amount of $136,514.44.

Alderman Sanders made the motion to approve, Alderwoman O’Donoghue seconded.

Mayor Welch called for discussion, there being none, City Clerk Bateman called the roll.

The pavilion is estimated to cost $200,000.00.  Ms. Metelko is applying for a T-Mobile grant in the amount of $50,000.00.  The remaining ARPA funds will not cover the entire cost.  The ARPA funds do not need to be expensed until 2026 so other grants will be applied for in the meantime to cover the difference. 

It was asked if these remaining funds be transferred into the Economic Development Grant fund.  According to the new rules for the ARPA funds, it cannot.

Yeas: (8) Alderman Steve Parrott, Alderman Sam Downs, Alderwoman Rhonda O’Donoghue, Alderwoman Wanda Lee Rohlfs, Alderwoman Robin McClallen, Alderman David Sanders, Alderman Kevin Bateman, Alderman Craig Eimer

Nays: (0)

Abstain: (0)

Absent: (0)

Item moved from the Consent Agenda

B. Approval of City Council Meeting Schedule for Calendar Year 2025

Alderwoman Rohlfs made the motion to approve, Alderman Parrott seconded.

Mayor Welch called for City Clerk Bateman to explain the reason for the amendment.

With the council approving the holiday change of working on President’s Day (February 17^th), the Regular City Council meeting needs to be moved to that same day, instead of the 18^th.

Alderman Bateman made the motion to amend the meeting date to be on February 17^th, Alderman Downs seconded. 

There being no other discussion, City Clerk Bateman called the roll.

Yeas: (8) Alderman Steve Parrott, Alderman Sam Downs, Alderwoman Rhonda O’Donoghue, Alderwoman Wanda Lee Rohlfs, Alderwoman Robin McClallen, Alderman David Sanders, Alderman Kevin Bateman, Alderman Craig Eimer

Nays: (0)

Abstain: (0)

Absent: (0)        

City Clerk Bateman called roll on the item as amended. 

Yeas: (8) Alderman Steve Parrott, Alderman Sam Downs, Alderwoman Rhonda O’Donoghue, Alderwoman Wanda Lee Rohlfs, Alderwoman Robin McClallen, Alderman David Sanders, Alderman Kevin Bateman, Alderman Craig Eimer

Nays: (0)

Abstain: (0)

Absent: (0)

Announcements:

·         Christmas Parade is Thursday at 6:30pm.

·         Ribbon Cutting on Dec 7^th at 9:45pm at 1400 Woodlawn Road.

·         LWF will be open on Wednesday 12/4.  Two more leaf collections

·         Railer Rumble on 12/8 at LCHS

Adjournment:

There being no further discussion to come before the City Council of Lincoln, Alderman Downs motioned to adjourn, seconded by Alderwoman McClallen.  Mayor Welch adjourned the meeting at 6:41 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted By:

Charity Hutchison, Recording Secretary

Details

Last Updated: 04 December 2024

REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING

Lincoln City Hall, Council Chambers

700 Broadway Street | Lincoln, Illinois

Monday, November 18, 2024

The Regular Meeting of the City Council of Lincoln was called to order by Mayor Welch at 6:00pm, with proper notice given. City Clerk Peggy Bateman called roll.

Present:

Alderwoman Robin McClallen, Ward 1

Alderman Steve Parrott, Ward 1

Alderman David Sanders, Ward 2

Alderman Sam Downs, Ward 2

Alderman Kevin Bateman, Ward 3

Alderwoman Wanda Lee Rohlfs, Ward 3

Alderwoman Rhonda O’Donoghue, Ward 4

Staff Present:

Peggy Bateman, City Clerk

Chuck Conzo, City Treasurer

John Hoblit, City Attorney

Ty Johnson, Fire Chief

Wes Woodhall, Building and Safety Officer

Joe Meister, Police Chief

Walt Landers, Streets Superintendent

Andrew Bowns, Veolia Water, Project Manager

Absent:

Alderman Craig Eimer, Ward 4

Presiding:

Tracy Welch, Mayor

Public Comment:

There was no one present for public comment.

Consent Agenda by Omnibus Vote:
A. Payment of Bills

B. Approval of minutes October 29, 2024 Committee of the Whole Meeting, November 4, 2024 Regular City Council Meeting

C. Request from the Logan County Tourism Bureau to permit the closing of various city streets for Lincoln’s Annual Christmas Parade on Thursday, December 5, 2024 from 5:30pm until 8:00pm.

Alderwoman McClellan made the motion to approve, Alderman Sanders seconded.  Mayor Welch called for discussion, there being none, City Clerk Bateman call the roll. 

Yeas: (7) Alderman Steve Parrott, Alderman Sam Downs, Alderwoman Rhonda O’Donoghue, Alderwoman Wanda Lee Rohlfs, Alderman Kevin Bateman, Alderwoman Robin McClallen, Alderman David Sanders

Nays: (0)

Abstain: (0)

Absent: (1) Alderman Craig Eimer

Reports:

A. City Treasurer’s Report for October, 2024

General Fund Balance – has gone done

Some improvement on Fire/Police Pensions

Municipal Sales tax – slight increase

Non-Home Rule Sales Tax - $14,000 over from last year

State Income Tax - $130,000 over from last year

Replacement Tax – down considerably

Motor Fuel Tax – almost the same

Video Gaming Tax – a little ahead of where we were

B. City Clerk’s Report for October, 2024

$249,410.42 was received for the month of October in sewer payments.  $42,197.99 was received from both prisons.

C. Department Head Reports for October, 2024

These reports are either on file now or will be soon.

New Business/Communications:
A.  Approval of Health Insurance 2025 Renewal Plan for City Employees with the Health Alliance Five-Tier Rates

Alderman Sanders made the motion to approve, Alderwoman O’Donoghue seconded.

Mayor Welch called for discussion, there being none, City Clerk Bateman called the roll.

Yeas: (6) Alderman Steve Parrott, Alderman Sam Downs, Alderwoman Rhonda O’Donoghue, Alderwoman Wanda Lee Rohlfs, Alderwoman Robin McClallen, Alderman David Sanders

Nays: (0)

Abstain: (1) Alderman Kevin Bateman

Absent: (1) Alderman Craig Eimer

B. Approval of Health Insurance 2025 Renewal Plan for over 65 City Retirees with the Health Alliance Medicare Supplement Plan N and the Health Alliance Advantage Plan.

Alderwoman O’Donoghue made the motion to approve, Alderman Sanders seconded.  Mayor Welch called for discussion, there being none, City Clerk Bateman called roll. 

Yeas: (7) Alderman Steve Parrott, Alderman Sam Downs, Alderwoman Rhonda O’Donoghue, Alderwoman Robin McClallen, Alderman Kevin Bateman, Alderwoman Wanda Lee Rohlfs, Alderman David Sanders

Nays: (0)

Abstain: (0)

Absent: (1) Alderman Craig Eimer

C. Approval of Lincolnwood Lift Station Control Upgrade to replace the control system by Britton Electronics and Automation Inc. in an amount not to exceed $18,000.00.

Alderman Sanders made the motion to approve, Alderman Bateman seconded.  Mayor Welch called for discussion, there being none, City Clerk Bateman called the roll.    

Yeas: (7) Alderman Steve Parrott, Alderman Sam Downs, Alderwoman Rhonda O’Donoghue, Alderman Kevin Bateman, Alderwoman Wanda Lee Rohlfs, Alderwoman Robin McClallen, Alderman David Sanders

Nays: (0)

Abstain: (0)

Absent: (1) Alderman Craig Eimer

Announcements:

• Increase in charges and changes to the format of the billing from Comcast becoming Dec 10, 2024.
• Mayor Welch shared an update regarding the Logan Correction Center. A press release will come out tomorrow. Logan will continue to operate as long as fiscally possible. 

Adjournment:

There being no further discussion to come before the City Council of Lincoln, Alderman Bateman motioned to adjourn, seconded by Alderman Downs.  Mayor Welch adjourned the meeting at 6:21 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted By:

Charity Hutchison, Recording Secretary

Details

Last Updated: 17 December 2024

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING

Lincoln City Hall, Council Chambers

700 Broadway Street | Lincoln, Illinois

Tuesday, November 26, 2024

The Committee of the Whole Meeting of the City Council of Lincoln was called to order by Mayor Tracy Welch at 6:00 p.m., with proper notice given. City Clerk Peggy Bateman called roll.

Present:

Alderman Steve Parrott, Ward 1

Alderman David Sanders, Ward 2

Alderman Sam Downs, Ward 2

Alderman Kevin Bateman, Ward 3

Alderwoman Wanda Lee Rohlfs, Ward 3

Alderman Craig Eimer, Ward 4

Alderwoman Rhonda O’Donoghue, Ward 4

Staff Present:

Peggy Bateman, City Clerk

Chuck Conzo, City Treasurer

John Hoblit, City Attorney

Wes Woodhall, Building and Safety Officer

Ty Johnson, Fire Chief

Joe Meister, Police Chief

Walt Landers, Streets Superintendent

Absent:

Alderwoman Robin McClallen, Ward 1

Andrew Bowns, Veolia Water, Project Manager

Presiding:

Mayor Tracy Welch

Public Participation

Susan Adams – CO2 Sequestration and the Mahomet Aquifer

Allocation of remaining ARPA funds.

The total remaining in ARPA funds is $136,514.44.  These funds need to be allocated by Dec 31, 2024 or the funds will need to be returned.  Ms. Metelko is suggesting the remaining funds be put towards the pavilion at 8^th St Park. 

This item will be placed on the regular agenda.

City of Lincoln scheduled meetings for Calendar Year 2025.

This item will be placed on the regular agenda.

City of Lincoln 2025 Holidays.

City Clerk Bateman asked that for 2025 only, the day off for President’s Day (Feb 17^th) be moved to December 26^th since it’s a Friday making for a long weekend.  The council agreed.  The holiday sheet will be updated. 

This item will be placed on the regular agenda.

Resolution of the City of Lincoln in support of state action to protect the Mahomet Aquifer.

Other municipalities and counties are passing resolutions to protect the aquifer that provides drinking water to nearly 1 million people in Central Illinois.  With the Mayor’s blessing, City Attorney John Hoblit drafted a resolution to support State Action against CO2 drilling under/through the aquifer. 

This item will be placed on the regular agenda. 

City of Lincoln Tax Levy

Treasurer Conzo went over the timeline for filing requirements. 

He also went over the past comparative tax levies. 

Discussion was had on how the levy works.  By voting to raise the levy, the city is not voting to raise taxes (the county raises the taxes according to the property values) they are voting to raise the portion the city receives.  If the city votes to not raise the levy, those funds will be up for other taxing bodies to receive. 

Funding the fire/police pensions with the funds from the levy was discussed. 

This item will be brought back to another COW.  Mayor Welch urges the council to do their research. 

Mayor Welch moved on to other items on the agenda.

Announcements:

• The LWF will be closed Thursday, November 27, 2024 through Tuesday, December 3^rd, 2024
• Demo has begun on the Sangamon Street building.
• Thank you to the Lincoln Police Department and all assisting Law Enforcement departments for the joint task for getting weapons and drugs off the streets in town.
• Thank you to the Street Department, Ashely Metelko and Charity Hutchison for the work on getting the Woodlawn Christmas Lights hung and operational again.
• Chief Meister asked the members of the public that are organizing Neighborhood Watch programs, to do just that…watch. Do not take matters in your own hands and risk legal issues for yourself. If you see something, contact the Police Department. 

Adjournment:

There being no further discussion to come before the City Council of Lincoln, Alderman Parrott motioned to adjourn, seconded by Alderman Eimer. All were in favor. Mayor Welch adjourned the meeting at 7:19 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted By:

Charity Hutchison, Recording Secretary

Details

Last Updated: 04 December 2024

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING

Lincoln City Hall, Council Chambers

700 Broadway Street | Lincoln, Illinois

Tuesday, November 12, 2024

The Committee of the Whole Meeting of the City Council of Lincoln was called to order by Mayor Tracy Welch at 6:02 p.m., with proper notice given. City Clerk Peggy Bateman called roll.

Present:

Alderwoman Robin McClallen, Ward 1

Alderman Steve Parrott, Ward 1

Alderman David Sanders, Ward 2

Alderman Sam Downs, Ward 2

Alderman Kevin Bateman, Ward 3

Alderwoman Wanda Lee Rohlfs, Ward 3

Alderman Craig Eimer, Ward 4

Alderwoman Rhonda O’Donoghue, Ward 4

Staff Present:

Peggy Bateman, City Clerk

Chuck Conzo, City Treasurer

John Hoblit, City Attorney

Wes Woodhall, Building and Safety Officer

Ty Johnson, Fire Chief

Joe Meister, Police Chief

Andrew Bowns, Veolia Water, Project Manager

Absent:

Walt Landers, Streets Superintendent

Presiding:

Mayor Tracy Welch

Oath of Office – Probationary Fire Fighter Brock Casey

Mayor Welch moved this item to go first.  City Attorney John Hoblit swore in Brock Casey.

3^rd Quarter Tourism Report – Alice Roate McCray

Mayor Welch added this item to the agenda. 

Hotel/Motel Tax = $57,000.00 – up from a year ago

Began their new yearly grant with the Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity.  That grant is in the amount of $37,400.00

Trying something new for advertising. They are using Carousel ads and receiving great feedback with engagement.

461 people stopped in with Tourism related questions, 147 had the Route 66 passport

410 people stopped in the Mill Museum, 148 had the Route 66 passport.

The Mill Museum is closed for the season but will open by appointment only. 

Christmas purchases can be made at the Depot.

Christmas page information is pinned to the top of their Facebook page.

Tourism will look into lighting the mural that was completed at the Beverage Genie.   

Public Comment:

Mark Doolin was present to address the council regarding the recent increase in crime around the city. 

Josh Garrett and Sara Schwantz with RW Garrett – Health Insurance Renewal for City Employees and Retirees

Mr. Garrett and Mrs. Schwantz went over the plans for the City.

Over 65 Retirees policy

Health Alliance is doing away with standalone prescription drug plan.   Max out of pocket is $2,000 with a deductible of $590.  A prescription drug policy will cost $51/month. Or they can take the Medicare Advantage Plan that includes prescription, vision and dental. 

Under 65 policy

Plans from Health Alliance and BCBS were presented. 

The Insurance Committee felt that Health Alliance was the better choice.  A 5-tier plan offer with a 2 year 9% cap and $50,000 retention. 

These plans will be placed on the regular agenda. 

Request to Permit: Lincoln’s Annual Christmas Parade Thursday, December 5, 2024

This item will be placed on the consent agenda.

Lincolnwood Lift Station Control Upgrade

Mr. Bowns does not think this control will not make it much longer.  The upgrade will cost $15,300.00.

This item will be placed on the regular agenda.

Mayor Welch moved on to other items on the agenda.

Announcements:

• Alderman Parrott attended the Logan County Spark Expo at the Junior High. He created a mock election to encourage students and show the importance of voting.
• Open House on Thursday for the Illinois American new facility that is behind the LWF.

Adjournment:

There being no further discussion to come before the City Council of Lincoln, Alderman Eimer motioned to adjourn, seconded by Alderman Downs. All were in favor. Mayor Welch adjourned the meeting at 7:14 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted By:

Charity Hutchison, Recording Secretary