REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Lincoln City Hall, Council Chambers
700 Broadway Street | Lincoln, Illinois
Monday, March 4, 2024
The Regular Meeting of the City Council of Lincoln was called to order by Mayor Welch at 6:01pm, with proper notice given. City Clerk Peggy Bateman called roll.
Present:
Alderwoman Robin McClallen, Ward 1 (came in at 6:20pm)
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
Walt Landers, Streets Superintendent
Joe Meister, Police Chief
Andrew Bowns, Veolia Water, Project Manager
Absent:
Alderman Steve Parrott, Ward 1
Alderman Craig Eimer, Ward 4
Wes Woodhall, Building and Safety Officer
Presiding:
Tracy Welch, Mayor
Public Comment:
Kevin Logan (a previous employee with the Lincoln Street Department) was present to address the issues he is having at his home with drainage and alley repairs.
Consent Agenda by Omnibus Vote:
A. Payment of Bills
B. Approval of minutes for January 16, 2024 Regular City Council Meeting, January 23, 2024 Committee of the Whole Meeting, February 5, 2024 Regular City Council Meeting
C. Approval of Request from Logan County Pride to permit the closing of various street on Sunday, June 8, 2024 from 12:00pm to 9:00pm for the Fourth Annual Logan County Pride Festival.
Alderwoman O’Donoghue made the motion to approve, Alderman Bateman seconded. Mayor Welch called for discussion.
Alderwoman Rohlfs asked to discuss item C. She has received calls from constituents that are concerned that the city is not sending the right message by allowing this event to happen. Alderman Downs stated that the message Pride is portraying is Love and Acceptance. Mayor Welch says the city is sending the message that it supports all members of the community.
There was no further discussion, City Clerk Bateman called roll.
Yeas: (5) Alderman Sam Downs, Alderwoman Wanda Lee Rohlfs, Alderman Kevin Bateman, Alderwoman Rhonda O’Donoghue, Alderman David Sanders
Nays: (1) Alderwoman Robin McClallen
Abstain: (0)
Absent: (2) Alderman Craig Eimer, Alderman Steve Parrott
Mayor Welch moved to other items on the agenda.
Ordinances and Resolutions:
A. Resolution 2024-487 authorizing the use of MFT Funds and Re-Build Illinois Funds for the 2024 Alderman Bateman made the motion to approve, Alderman Downs seconded. Mayor Welch called for discussion, there being none, City Clerk Bateman called roll.
Yeas: (6) Alderman Sam Downs, Alderwoman Wanda Lee Rohlfs, Alderman Kevin Bateman, Alderwoman Robin McClallen, Alderwoman Rhonda O’Donoghue, Alderman David Sanders
Nays: (0)
Abstain: (0)
Absent: (2) Alderman Craig Eimer, Alderman Steve Parrott
Mayor Welch moved to other items on the agenda.
Bids:
A. Approval of bid from R&R Services for the grinding and removal of tree waste at the Landscape Waste facility in an amount not to exceed $29,400.00 and $75.00 per load to haul away ground mulch.
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: (6) Alderman Sam Downs, Alderwoman Wanda Lee Rohlfs, Alderman Kevin Bateman, Alderwoman Robin McClallen, Alderwoman Rhonda O’Donoghue, Alderman David Sanders
Nays: (0)
Abstain: (0)
Absent: (2) Alderman Craig Eimer, Alderman Steve Parrott
B. Approval of bid from Stone River Group to be Electricity Consultants/Brokers to supply electricity to all City Buildings and Facilities.
Alderman Downs made the motion to approve, Alderman Sanders seconded. Mayor Welch called for discussion, there being none, City Clerk Bateman called roll.
Yeas: (6) Alderman Sam Downs, Alderwoman Wanda Lee Rohlfs, Alderman Kevin Bateman, Alderwoman Robin McClallen, Alderwoman Rhonda O’Donoghue, Alderman David Sanders
Nays: (0)
Abstain: (0)
Absent: (2) Alderman Craig Eimer, Alderman Steve Parrott
Reports:
Annual City Treasurer’s Report for FY 2023-2024
Treasurer Conzo provided the council with a copy of the report. Mr. Conzo went over the requirements for the report regarding publishing and briefing went over the report. The total revenue exceeded expenditures. There were no questions.
New Business/Communications:
A. Approval of the Lincoln Speedway 2024 Tentative Racing Schedule
Alderman Bateman made the motion to approve, Alderman Downs seconded. Mayor Welch called for discussion, there being none, City Clerk Bateman called roll.
Yeas: (6) Alderman Sam Downs, Alderwoman Wanda Lee Rohlfs, Alderman Kevin Bateman, Alderwoman Robin McClallen, Alderwoman Rhonda O’Donoghue, Alderman David Sanders
Nays: (0)
Abstain: (0)
Absent: (2) Alderman Craig Eimer, Alderman Steve Parrott
B. Approval of the plan to reconstruction of Tremont Street from Union Street to Logan Street in FY 2024-2025 and FY 2025-2026.
Alderwoman Rohlfs made the motion to approve, Alderman Bateman seconded. Mayor Welch called for discussion, there being none, City Clerk Bateman called roll.
Yeas: (6) Alderman Sam Downs, Alderwoman Wanda Lee Rohlfs, Alderman Kevin Bateman, Alderwoman Robin McClallen, Alderwoman Rhonda O’Donoghue, Alderman David Sanders
Nays: (0)
Abstain: (0)
Absent: (2) Alderman Craig Eimer, Alderman Steve Parrott
C. Approval of Economic Development Grant to DERAC Properties LLC for roof replacement at 419 Pulaski Street in an amount not to exceed $7,500.00.
Alderman Downs made the motion to approve, Alderwoman McClallen seconded. Mayor Welch called for discussion, there being none, City Clerk Bateman called roll.
Yeas: (6) Alderman Sam Downs, Alderwoman Wanda Lee Rohlfs, Alderman Kevin Bateman, Alderwoman Robin McClallen, Alderwoman Rhonda O’Donoghue, Alderman David Sanders
Nays: (0)
Abstain: (0)
Absent: (2) Alderman Craig Eimer, Alderman Steve Parrott
D. Approval of Façade Grant to Doubleshot Holdings, LLC for power wash, caulk, replace plywood & exterior painting at 101 S. Kickapoo Street in an amount not to exceed $872.00.
Alderwoman Rohlfs made the motion to approve, Alderman Downs seconded. Mayor Welch called for discussion, there being none, City Clerk Bateman called roll.
Yeas: (5) Alderman Sam Downs, Alderwoman Wanda Lee Rohlfs, Alderman Kevin Bateman, Alderwoman Rhonda O’Donoghue, Alderman David Sanders
Nays: (0)
Abstain: (1) Alderwoman Robin McClallen
Absent: (2) Alderman Craig Eimer, Alderman Steve Parrott
Announcements:
- Mayor Welch congratulated the Lincoln Lady Railer Basketball team on their 3A State Championship.
- City Clerk Bateman wanted to inform citizens that use bill pay to pay their sewer bills, to check with their bank on their bill pay check mailing practices. The Clerk’s office has had a few checks, for example, dated the 12th but not received until the 23rd which will cause a sewer account to accrue a late fee. The Clerk’s office has no control over when banks mail out checks or how long the mail service takes.
- The Landscape Waste Facility will reopen on Wednesday. Extended spring hours will soon be coming.
- Comcast Channel 5 will switch to Comcast Channel 9. The change will take place on March 29th.
- An elevator upgrade at City Hall is coming up. When that work begins, Council meetings will be held at the Lincoln Police Station.
Adjournment:
There being no further discussion to come before the City Council of Lincoln, Alderman Downs motioned to adjourn, seconded by Alderwoman O’Donoghue. Mayor Welch adjourned the meeting at 6:43 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted By:
Charity Hutchison, Recording Secretary
City of Lincoln