COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING
Lincoln City Hall, Council Chambers
700 Broadway Street | Lincoln, Illinois
Tuesday, November 28, 2023
The Committee of the Whole Meeting of the City Council of Lincoln was called to order by Mayor Tracy Welch at 7:00 p.m., with proper notice given. City Clerk Peggy Bateman called roll.
Present:
Alderwoman Robin McClellan, 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
Present:
John Hoblit, City Attorney
Peggy Bateman, City Clerk
Joe Meister, Police Chief
Bob Dunovsky, Fire Chief
Walt Landers, Streets Superintendent
Wes Woodhall, Building and Safety Officer
Andrew Bowns, Veolia Water, Project Manager
Remotely:
Chuck Conzo, City Treasurer
Absent:
Alderman Steve Parrott, Ward 1
Presiding:
Tracy Welch, Mayor
Public Comment:
Ron Fleshman spoke regarding appreciation for the grants the city has issued business owners.
Tax Levy for Tax Year 2023 (payable in 2024)
Treasurer Conzo suggest taking positive steps into making up the deficit in the Police and Fire Pensions. He realizes that raising the tax levy will not make up for the entire deficit but will help.
Ben Roland (Lincoln Fire Dept.) and Rob Sherren (Lincoln Police Dept.) represented their respective departments to educate the council of their current pension situations.
This item will be placed on the regular agenda with a 2.5% increase.
Mural Design at 116 N Kickapoo/Welcome Park
The new design will be placed on the regular agenda.
Economic Development Grant approval by Commission
Mayor Welch asked if any particular request needed to be discussed, no one spoke up.
The six requests in the packet will be placed on the regular agenda.
Resolution Adopting Amendment #1 to Working Budget
There will be an increase in JULIE fees for the sewer department that will exceed the budgeted and appropriations amount. Those additional fees will be taken out of the line the city uses to pay property taxes, there are extra funds in that line.
Economic Development Grants line – unused grant funds from 2022-2023 will be moved over to 2023-2024
GO Bond 2023 - $200,000 was appropriated for 2023-2024 but nothing was specific in spending for this amount. Treasurer Conzo spoke with all department heads for needed equipment for these funds.
After a previous discussion between Superintendent Landers and Treasurer Conzo, money was moved in the sidewalk improvements lines
This item will be placed on the regular agenda.
Resolution Adopting Amendment #1 to Appropriation Ordinance
Treasurer Conzo stated this item speaks for itself.
This item will be placed on the regular agenda.
Firecom Wireless Helmet Headsets and Base Stations
This equipment will replace outdated equipment that are failing.
This item will be placed on the regular agenda.
APEX Heavy-Duty Stabilization & Lifting Strut
This equipment will also replace outdated equipment.
This item will be placed on the regular agenda.
Resolution Abating the Tax for Year 2023 to Pay Debt Service on $2,285,000.00, Alt Revenue Bond
This is the Tiff Bond.
This item will be placed on the regular agenda.
Resolution Abating the Tax for Year 2023 to Pay Debt Service on $3,270,000.00 Alt Revenue Bond
This is a capital project fund that funded the new police station.
This item will be placed on the regular agenda.
Announcements:
· Mystic Greenz Dispensary ribbon cutting on Friday, Dec 1st at 10am
· Mayor Welch read the resignation letter from Fire Chief Robert Dunovsky. His retirement will begin on December 15th at 4:30pm after 28 ½ years with the City of Lincoln Fire Department.
· The annual Railer Rumble Lincoln Youth Wrestling Tournament is this Sunday, December 3rd at the High School.
Executive Session 2C1 Personnel:
There being no further announcements to come before the council, Alderman Downs made the motion to move into Executive Session, seconded by Alderwoman McClellan. All were in favor.
The Council recessed from the Committee of the Whole meeting at 7:53pm in order to enter Executive Session. Mayor Welch announced there would be no further city business conducted upon reconvening.
Return from Executive Session:
The council reconvened from Executive Session at 9:09pm in order to reconvene the Committee of the Whole meeting. Roll call was taken.
Present:
Alderwoman Robin McClellan, 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
Absent:
Alderman Steve Parrott, Ward 1
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Adjournment:
There being no further discussion to come before the City Council of Lincoln, Alderman Bateman motioned to adjourn, seconded by Alderwoman O’Donoghue. All were in favor. Mayor Welch adjourned the meeting at 9:09 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted By:
Charity Hutchison, Recording Secretary
City of Lincoln