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Last Updated: 18 March 2025

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING

Lincoln City Hall, Council Chambers

700 Broadway Street | Lincoln, Illinois

Wednesday, February 26, 2025

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:

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

Joe Meister, Police Chief – left after public participation

Walt Landers, Streets Superintendent

Absent:

Wes Woodhall, Building and Safety Officer

Remote:

Andrew Bowns, Veolia Water, Project Manager

Justin Cheagar – Stone River Group

Presiding:

Mayor Tracy Welch

The Council had a moment of silence in memory of Danny Wheat. 

Public Participation

There was no one present for public participation

Oath of Office:

Brennan Elsas Fire Fighter

Brennan Elsas was sworn in by City Attorney John Hoblit.

City of Lincoln Lighting Project

This is a project that will update all City of Lincoln buildings, that haven’t been updated, with LED lightbulbs.  The new fixtures will also be motion censored which will turn the light off when there is no movement which conserves energy.  Ameren will provide $45,000 worth of lighting materials.  The Labor to install will be at the cost of the City but the return will be approx. 15 months because of the energy savings.  The Labor cost will be $16,180.00

This item will be placed on the regular agenda.

Economic Development Commission Grant Approvals

Structural Improvement Grant for Big Shot Properties LLC at 118 Commercial Drive for multiple door replacements and insulation in the amount of $7,500.00.  Contingent of receiving a second bid.

This item will be placed on the regular agenda.

Proposal for the Annual Grinding at the Landscape Waste Facility

Two proposals were received from R & R Services of Illinois and Henson Services.  Henson Services had the lowest proposal at $18,900.00

This item will be placed on the regular agenda.

Discussion of adding a Deputy Fire Chief Position

Chief Johnson stated that when he began with the City in 2000, they would run 300 calls a year.  They now run 3000 calls a year.  He said his assistant chiefs are operational firefighters and do not help him in the office and shouldn’t help them in the office.  They can sometimes be up all night on calls. 

He also said with the West side expansion of Lincoln, there needs to be a 2^nd station in the next 5-10 years that will need to be manned. 

This will be placed on the regular agenda.

Ground Mounted Solar Regulations

Ordinance adjustments: Ground Mounted Solar has been removed from the R1 and R2 districts.  A maximum height is 12 feet and more stringent fencing requirements.  Community Solar farms have more stringent perimeter fencing requirements.

There was concern regarding the wording of the fence height.  More clarification is needed on the fence height.  Some council members feel that if the purpose of the fence is to block the panels, then the fence should be the full height of the panels even at full tilt which is 12 feet. 

This item will be brought back to the next COW. 

Mayor Welch moved to an item not on the agenda. 

There was a report put on each council member’s desk.  This was a request from Alderman Parrott.  The report shows the savings in solar at the Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Renewal of Certificate of Deposit

The City has a CD coming due.  United Community Bank has a 4.35% renewal rate available. 

Because interest rates can change daily, Treasurer Conzo would like to renew this CD tomorrow with the Council’s approval.  The Council gave the go ahead.  There will still be a vote at the next meeting. 

This item will be placed on the regular agenda.

Mayor Welch moved on to other items on the agenda.

Announcements:

• 1120 Sewer accounts took the 10% savings. $503,340.89 taken in. 21 more accounts than last year. 
• UPRR will be releasing a new locomotive in celebration of the 216^th birthday of Abraham Lincoln.
• Congratulations to the Lincoln Wrestling Team and Coach Dietrich on a great season.
• This is the last week for Sorrento’s pizza.
• IAW will be doing work next week in the 100 block of S. Kickapoo. The Street will be closed during the work.

Adjournment:

There being no further discussion to come before the City Council of Lincoln, Alderman Downs motioned to adjourn, seconded by Alderman Eimer. All were in favor. Mayor Welch adjourned the meeting at 7:08 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted By:

Charity Hutchison, Recording Secretary

Details

Last Updated: 08 April 2025

PUBLIC HEARING – SEWER PRESENTATION

Lincoln City Hall, Council Chambers

700 Broadway Street | Lincoln, Illinois

Tuesday, February 11, 2025

The Public Hearing with the City Council of Lincoln was called to order by Mayor Tracy Welch at 6:00p.m., with proper notice given.

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

Walt Landers, Streets Superintendent

Wes Woodhall, Building and Safety Official

Ty Johnson, Fire Chief

Joe Meister, Police Chief

Andrew Bowns, Wastewater Treatment Plant, Veolia Water

Absent:

Alderman Craig Eimer, Ward 4

Presiding:

Mayor Tracy Welch

Public Participation:

There was no one present to speak for public participation.

Sewer Presentation

Andrew Bowns gave the Sewer presentation. 

There was no one present from the public to speak on this topic. 

Adjournment:

Alderwoman O’Donoghue made the motion to adjourn, Alderman Parrott seconded. Mayor Welch adjourned the meeting at 6:03 pm. 

Respectfully Submitted By:

Charity Hutchison, Recording Secretary

Details

Last Updated: 08 April 2025

REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING

Lincoln City Hall, Council Chambers

700 Broadway Street | Lincoln, Illinois

Monday, February 17, 2025

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 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

Joe Meister, Police Chief

Walt Landers, Streets Superintendent

Ashley Williams – FD Captain

Absent:

Alderman David Sanders, Ward 2

Wes Woodhall, Building and Safety Officer

Andrew Bowns, Veolia Water, Project Manager

Ty Johnson, Fire Chief

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 January 14, 2025 Committee of the Whole Meeting

C. Approval of request from Lincoln Railsplitter Antique Auto Club to permit the closing of S. Kickapoo St between Broadway St and Pulaski St for the Cars & Coffee Meeting on Saturday, April 26, 2025, Saturday, May 24, 2025, Saturday, June 28, 2025, Saturday, July 26, 2025 and Saturday, September 27, 2025 from 8am – 11am.

Alderwoman Rohlfs made the motion to approve, Alderman Eimer seconded.  Mayor Welch called for discussion. 

Ethan Hoinacki, owner of Guest House, sent an email to the Council asking if the ending time could be changed to 10am. 

Mr. Harmon, the road closure applicant, said he’s willing to work with the council on the locations but he’d at least like the dates set so he can start advertising. 

Alderwoman McClallen stated that a business study was done with the downtown businesses and the main complaint was that the streets were closed too much.  She asked if at least 3 of the dates could be moved to Pulaski Street.  She will be abstaining in her vote due to her husband having a business on Kickapoo.  She stated that she is speaking as an Alderman not as a business owner. 

Alderman Downs made a motion to 5C to remove the locations from the request, Alderman Parrott seconded. 

There being no other discussion, City Clerk Bateman call the roll on the amendment.   

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

Nays: (0)

Abstain: (0)

Absent: (1) Alderman David Sanders

City Clerk Bateman called rolled on the item as amended.

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

Nays: (0)

Abstain: (0)

Absent: (1) Alderman David Sanders

Alderwoman McClallen asked for a point of order to change her vote.  She initially wished to abstain from voting but voted yes.  City Attorney Hoblit stated that a vote cannot be changed, it’s a matter of public record. 

Ordinances and Resolutions:

A. Ordinance 2025-1040 authorizing an Intergovernmental Agreement for Participation in the Illinois Public Works Mutual Aid Network (IPWMAN).

Alderwoman Rohlfs made the motion to approve, Alderman Parrott 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, Alderwoman Wanda Lee Rohlfs, Alderwoman Robin McClallen, Alderman Kevin Bateman, Alderman Craig Eimer

Nays: (0)

Abstain: (0)

Absent: (1) Alderman David Sanders

B. Resolution 2025-511 establishing an Annual Salary Increase Policy for Non-Union Employees.

Alderman Bateman made the motion to approve, Alderwoman O’Donoghue 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, Alderwoman Wanda Lee Rohlfs, Alderwoman Robin McClallen, Alderman Kevin Bateman, Alderman Craig Eimer

Nays: (0)

Abstain: (0)

Absent: (1) Alderman David Sanders

Reports:

A.  City Treasurer’s Report for January 2025

General Fund - down due to paying liability insurance

Municipal and Sales Tax - up from last year

Income Tax - slight increase

Non Home Rule Sales Tax - up from last year

Motor Fuel Tax – up from last year

Video Gaming Tax – increase of $15,000

B.  City Treasurer’s Annual Report for FY 23/24

Treasurer Conzo briefly discussed the GO Bonds.   The FY23/24 audit was discussed at length by the auditor in a previous meeting.  A report was shared that listed revenue/expenditures.  Treasurer Conzo asked if there were questions, there weren’t any. 

C.  City Clerk’s Report for January 2025

Payments in the amount of $330,294.69 was received.  $10,000.96 was received from both prisons.

D.  Department Head Reports for January 2025

These reports are either on file or will be soon.

New Business/Communications:
A.  Approval of the construction of an “Access Ramp and Road for the Community Solar” to replace the control system at the Lincolnwood Lift Station in an amount not to exceed $60,000.00.

Alderman Bateman made the motion to approve, Alderman Downs 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, Alderwoman Wanda Lee Rohlfs, Alderwoman Robin McClallen, Alderman Kevin Bateman, Alderman Craig Eimer

Nays: (0)

Abstain: (0)

Absent: (1) Alderman David Sanders

Announcements:

·         Residents are seeing two rate increases on their Illinois American Water bills.  These increases were approved by the Illinois Commerce Commission, not the City of Lincoln.  If residents have questions, they need to call Illinois American Water. 

·         Lincoln hosted the Sectional Wrestling Tournament.  Dawson McConnell received 2^nd place and will move onto State.  Lincoln will also host the Team Sectional.  The Lady Railer Dance Team also won their 2^nd State Championship. 

·         Langston Hughes poetry reading being held at the Lincoln Public Library at 6pm on Thursday.

Adjournment:

There being no further discussion to come before the City Council of Lincoln, Alderman Downs motioned to adjourn, seconded by Alderman Parrott.  Mayor Welch adjourned the meeting at 6:35 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted By:

Charity Hutchison, Recording Secretary

Details

Last Updated: 18 March 2025

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING

Lincoln City Hall, Council Chambers

700 Broadway Street | Lincoln, Illinois

Tuesday, February 11, 2025

The Committee of the Whole Meeting of the City Council of Lincoln was called to order by Mayor Tracy Welch at 6:11 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

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 – left after public participation

Walt Landers, Streets Superintendent

Andrew Bowns, Veolia Water, Project Manager

Absent:

Alderman Craig Eimer, Ward 4

Presiding:

Mayor Tracy Welch

Public Participation

There was no one present for public participation

Request to Permit:

Lincoln Railsplitter Antique Auto Club, Cars & Coffee.  Closure of 100 block of S. Kickapoo St between Broadway & Pulaski St from 8am until 11am for the following dates… April 26^th, May 24^th, June 28^th, July 26^th, and September 27^th.

This item will be placed on the consent agenda.

Ordinance authorizing an Intergovernmental Agreement for participation in the Illinois Public Works Mutual Aid Network (IPWMAN)

The City has been a member with IPWMAN since 2018.  They changed some of their policies and procedures and requested a new Intergovernmental Agreement be signed.

This item will be placed on the regular agenda.

Ground Mounted Solar Regulations

Alderman Bateman researched Peoria’s solar regulations and included that information in the agenda packet.  He would like fencing required around all ground mounted solar, to limit the height of the panels and to address any glare.  He’d also like to limit the lot size permitted for ground mount solar. 

This will be brought back to a future COW.  The Council is to look over the Peoria ordinance and to review the current City ordinance for Solar. 

Consideration of adding a Deputy Fire Chief Position

The Deputy Chief will have the same job description as the Fire Chief however, this will free up the Fire Chief to do other administrative duties.  The current assistant Chiefs don’t have the conduct administrative duties, they are line operational firefighters. They do take on duties when asked, but that is not in their job descriptions.  There is always an immediate need that requires Chief Johnson to come in on his personal time to address it.  A Deputy will be able to handle those needs just like the Chief. 

Chief Johnson would like this position to be filled by September 1^st, 2025.  This will not be a union position.

This item will be back to a future COW. 

Annual salary increase policy for non-union employees.

The policy presented is to go by the year’s current CPI (Consumer Price Index) plus 2% with a max annual increase of 5%.  It also includes to have a Compensation Study completed.

The new position of Deputy Fire Chief will need to be added to the policy.   

Alderman Parrott will reach out to GOVHR for the Compensation study. 

This item will be brought back to a later COW. 

An additional item:

A proposal was presented for a gravel road to be installed near to the solar panel area to allow trucks to drop off equipment. This road will prevent the City from obtaining easements to access the back portion of the city property.  This project will go out for bid. There is a short turnaround time for this work to be completed, so he requests for tonight is for the council to approve an expenditure of up to $60,000 from the Sewer Construction Fund.  Once the initial construction of the solar panels is competed, there will be minimal traffic on this road. 

This will be placed on the regular agenda.

Mayor Welch moved on to other items on the agenda.

Announcements:

• Congratulations to the Lincoln Wrestling Team for winning their Regional. Lincoln will host the Individual Sectional Tournament and Dual Team meets.
• Alderwoman Rohlfs asked for clarification of an ordinance from 2013 that reads no fewer than 3 members are to be on committees. Is that 3 members or 3 council members. Attorney Hoblit will look at the ordinance and pull the minutes to see what the intent of the council was. 
• A week is left to enroll in the 10% discount for sewer bills.
• A new historical firefighter display is outside of the Council Chambers.
• There is a two week DARE training course being held at the Lincoln Police Station.

Adjournment:

There being no further discussion to come before the City Council of Lincoln, Alderman Bateman motioned to adjourn, seconded by Alderwoman McClallen. All were in favor.  Mayor Welch adjourned the meeting at 7:42 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted By:

Charity Hutchison, Recording Secretary