Minutes of the City of Lincoln City Council Committee of the Whole Meeting held in the Council Chambers on Tuesday, August 26, 2014. 

Those present were Alderman Anderson, Alderman Bauer, Alderman Cooper, Alderman Hoinacki, Alderman Horn, Alderman Neitzel and Alderman Tibbs.  Also present were Building and Safety Officer Mr. Lebegue, EMC/American Water Mr. Ferguson, Fire Chief Miller, and Police Chief Greenslate (he left the meeting early).  Also present were Mayor Snyder, City Clerk Mrs. Gehlbach, Deputy City Clerk Mrs. Fulk (she left at 8:00 p.m.), City Treasurer Mr. Conzo, and Recording Secretary Mrs. Riggs.  

Mayor Snyder called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.  City Clerk Mrs. Gehlbach called the roll call.  There were seven Aldermen present (Alderman Anderson, Alderman Bauer, Alderman Cooper, Alderman Hoinacki, Alderman Horn, Alderman Neitzel, and Alderman Tibbs) and one absent (Alderman O'Donohue).

Mayor Snyder led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Public Participation:

Mayor Snyder read a thank you from Judy Busby.  

Building and Safety: Ordinance prohibiting certain animals in city:

Mr. Lebegue said this Ordinance prohibits certain animals in the city limits which came from a recent request for allowing pygmy goats in residential areas in the city limits.  The Planning Commission voted unanimously to approve this Ordinance with the addition of monkeys and pigeons to the prohibited list without grandfathering any animals in the Ordinance.

Kenny Skirvin said he did some research and had a petition (with approximately 100 signatures) in the area where he lives in to have pygmy goats.  

Katelyn Hefrin said that bigger cities are allowing pygmy goats.  She spoke with a couple of veterinarians who said there were not any shots that the pygy goats would need to have.  Their animals are maintained and are considered as pets not as livestock.  She said anyone who has  pygmy goats should have to pay a fee.   

Mr. Lebegue said pygmy goats are prohibited under the current ordinance. 

Alderman Tibbs said she would be in favor of allowing pygmy goats.  Alderman Cooper recommended this to be on the Agenda as approved by the Planning Commission.  Alderman Anderson said her heart goes out to Mr. Skirvin and Ms. Hefrin but she would have to vote by the Planning Commission's recommendation.  Alderman Neitzel said her heart went out to them.  Mayor Snyder said this would be drafted as an Ordinance and would be on the agenda for Tuesday, September 2, 2014. 

The Homecoming Parade petition will be on the Consent Agenda for Tuesday, September 2, 2014.

Licenses, Fees & Permits – Part III:

VIDEO GAMING

Current license fee - $25.00 per terminal

Recommendation – The fee to remain the same as the $25.00 fee per terminal is regulated by the Illinois Gaming Board.

PEDDLERS

The last time the Peddler's license was adjusted was 2003. 

Current license fee - $60.00 week, $45.00 each additional person, $95.00 month, $45.00 each additional person, $250.00 6 mos., $45.00 each additional person, $350.00 yr., $45.00 each additional person

Recommendation – Keep current fees & revise application.

SOLICITOR

Current license fee – No current fee or application, background check done on individual

Recommendation –Create application. Charge fee of $25.00 per person, per day.

Alderman Anderson was comfortable with the recommendation by City Clerk Mrs. Gehlbach and Deputy City Clerk Mrs. Fulk.  The general consensus was to allow schools, churches and charities to solicite without getting a license. 

PAWNBROKERS

Current license fee - $50.00 per year

Recommendation – Keep current fee.

There are no current license holders. 

PHOTOGRAPHER

Current license fee - $40.00 per year

Recommendation – Remove from Section 3-9-3 of the City code book

It was unanimous to remove this license. 

SLAUGHTERHOUSE

It was unanimous to remove. 

TAXI CABS

Current license fee - $25.00 per taxi, per year

Recommendation – Change fee $40.00 per taxi, per year

It was agreed that an inspection should be done before the tax service gets their license. 

The licenses will be reviewed one more time before they are placed on the agenda to be approved. 

Discussion concerning emergency expenditures:

Mr. Dan Fulscher had a page that had a guideline for a major emergency and the coordination portion that he gave to the Aldermen and Mayor Snyder.  He explained that in the event of a significant emergency it can take 24-72 hours for assistance to arrive. 

Mayor Snyder said they should place a small amount in the budget with a larger amount in appropriations for an emergency. 

IGA with IDOT for Depot site preparation work:

Mayor Snyder said late last week he got a phone call from an engineer with IDOT and was informed that due to schedule and budget issues they are revising the scope of the work at the Depot.  The fencing and gates will be the only items that will be done.  The station improvements should still be intact. This will be placed on the agenda for Tuesday, September 6, 2014. 

Annexation agreement with Heritage Packaging:

Mayor Snyder has been in discussion with Heritage Packaging for their annexing into the City of Lincoln and this was just to make the Aldermen aware.  This would be so Heritage Packaging  could connect to the City of Lincoln's sewer system. 

Metal shed on former French property:

Mayor Snyder said the City has to have a process that is fair where other people can be involved in bidding on the metal shed on the former French property. The City is required to take bids on the building.  The city will check into recycling the building as well.     

Building and Safety: Ordinance regulating and dispensing & cultivation of medical cannabis:

Mr. Lebegue said the Planning Commission discussed regulating, dispensing & cultivation of medical cannabis last Thursday, August 21, 2014.  The state has very restrictive codes regarding the cultivation of medical cannabis and the City's regulations will be a small amount compared to the state's regulations. This will bring in a lot of revenue for the City of Lincoln. Mr. Lebegue felt that I1 and C2 would be the best zones to put them in. 

Mayor Snyder said the Planning Commission was in favor and the City should be proactive. 

Alderman Hoinacki said it should be on the agenda for Tuesday, September 2, 2014. 

Pulaski Streetscape Project: Sept. 2 start date:

This will be done in two stages.  The first being Pulaski Streetscape will start on September 2, 2014 and the second part should begin on October 3, 2014. 

Advise and Consent to appoint to Civil Service Commission: Steve Schrieber

This item was placed on the consent agenda for Tuesday, September 2, 2014.

Other discussion/informational items:

Alderman Anderson asked if the City Council would get an update on what is going on for the safety complex.  Fire Chief Miller said they were looking for someone that would oversee the entire process from beginning to end. 

Mayor Snyder received information from Integrys that Ameren is the best deal for electric aggregation for the next 12 months. 

Alderman Hoinacki thanked everyone for their assistance at the Balloon Fest.  Mayor Snyder thanked the department heads for their assistance. 

Mayor Snyder said there would be Special Meeting to interview City Administrator Candidates which will be an executive session on Tuesday, September 2, 2014 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Executive Session:  Personnel

Alderman Anderson moved to go into Executive Session pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1) personnel and 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(11) litigation, pending or probable and Alderman Horn seconded it.  City Clerk Mrs. Gehlbach called the roll call. There were seven Aldermen present (Alderman Anderson, Alderman Bauer, Alderman Cooper, Alderman Hoinacki, Alderman Horn, Alderman Neitzel, and Alderman Tibbs) and one absent (Alderman O'Donohue).

The meeting adjourned to Executive Session at 8:46 p.m. 

The meeting returned to regular Session at 9:02 p.m. 

City Clerk Mrs. Gehlbach called the roll.  There were seven Aldermen present (Alderman Anderson, Alderman Bauer, Alderman Cooper, Alderman Hoinacki, Alderman Horn, Alderman Neitzel, and Alderman Tibbs) and one absent (Alderman O'Donohue). Also present were City Treasurer Mr. Conzo, City Attorney Mr. Blinn Bates, City Clerk Mrs. Gehlbach, and Recording Secretary Mrs. Riggs. 

Upcoming Meetings:

Council:                          Tuesday, September 2, 2014 – 7:00 p.m.                     

Committee of Whole:     Tuesday, September 9, 2014 – 7:00 p.m.

Alderman Neitzel made a motion to adjourn the meeting and Alderman Tibbs seconded it.  There were seven Aldermen present (Alderman Anderson, Alderman Bauer, Alderman Cooper, Alderman Hoinacki, Alderman Horn, Alderman Neitzel, and Alderman Tibbs) and one absent (Alderman O'Donohue).

The City of Lincoln Committee of the Whole Meeting adjourned at 9:03 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Risa Riggs

Recording Secretary