REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Lincoln City Hall, Council Chambers
700 Broadway Street | Lincoln, Illinois
Monday, May 1, 2023
The Regular Meeting of the City Council of Lincoln was called to order by Mayor Welch at 7:00pm, with proper notice given. City Clerk Peggy Bateman called roll.
Present:
Vacant, Ward 1
Alderman Steve Parrott, Ward 1
Alderman Tony Zurkammer, Ward 2
Alderman Sam Downs, Ward 2
Alderman Kevin Bateman, Ward 3
Alderwoman Wanda Lee Rohlfs, Ward 3
Alderman Rick Hoefle, Ward 4
Vacant, Ward 4
Staff Present:
Peggy Bateman, City Clerk
John Hoblit, City Attorney
Bob Dunovsky, Fire Chief
Walt Landers, Streets Superintendent
Joe Meister, Police Chief
Chuck Conzo, City Treasurer
Wes Woodhall, Building and Safety Officer
Andrew Bowns, Veolia Water, Project Manager
Presiding:
Tracy Welch, Mayor
Swearing in of newly elected public officials: Alderwoman Ward 1 Robin McClallen, returning Alderman Ward 2 Tony Zurkammer, returning Alderman Ward 3 Kevin Bateman, Alderman Ward 4 Craig Eimer. Alderwoman McClallen and Alderman Eimer took their seats with the council.
Swearing in of new Patrolman Brandon Smith.
Public Comment:
There was no one present or on the phone for public comment.
Consent Agenda by Omnibus Vote:
A. Payment of Bills
B. Approval of minutes for March 14, 2023 Committee of the Whole Meeting, March 20, 2023 Regular City Council Meeting.
C. Approval of request to permit the closing of various city streets from the Lincoln Community High School for the Senior Parade on Saturday, May 6, 2023 from 5:00pm until its conclusion.
Alderwoman Rohlfs made the motion to approve, Alderman Hoefle seconded. Mayor Welch called for discussion, there being none, City Clerk Bateman called roll.
Yeas: (6) Alderman Steve Parrott, Alderman Sam Downs, Alderman Rick Hoefle, Alderwoman Wanda Lee Rohlfs, Alderman Kevin Bateman, Alderman Tony Zurkammer
Nays: (0)
Abstain: (2) Alderman Craig Eimer, Alderwoman Robin McClallen
Absent: (0)
Mayor Welch moved to other items on the agenda.
Ordinances and Resolutions:
A. Resolution establishing salaries and/or pay increases for the City of Lincoln.
Alderman Bateman made the motion to approve, Alderman Downs seconded. Mayor Welch called for discussion.
Alderman Bateman asked each department head if they felt the proposed wage increase was warranted for each of their non-union employees. They were all in agreement and included each employee’s strengths. Mr. Bateman feels the department head’s should be the one to handle their employee’s wage increases. The purpose of the proposed wage increase of $4,183 was to close the gap between the non-union employees and department heads.
Alderman Hoefle made the motion to amend the item to give all non-union employees a 5% raise, with the exception of Mr. Woodhall, he would get a 7% raise. Alderman Zurkammer seconded.
City Treasurer Conzo explained the process that was used by the budget committee to come to the increase of $4,183.00. He stated that Alderman Hoefle was in agreement of the increase during budget discussions.
Alderman Bateman pointed out that if percentages are continued to be used, instead of a flat dollar amount, the gap between the non-union employees and department heads will continue to become larger. For example, giving a 5% increase to someone making $90,000 = $4500. Giving a 5% increase to someone making $37,000 = %1,850.
Alderman Downs did come quick math and corrected the previously stated average hourly wage of $20/hour is actually $17/hour.
There being no other discussion, City Clerk Bateman called roll on the amendment.
Yeas: (4) Alderman Steve Parrott, Alderwoman Wanda Lee Rohlfs, Alderman Tony Zurkammer, Alderman Rick Hoefle
Nays: (2) Alderman Sam Downs, Alderman Kevin Bateman
Abstain: (2) Alderman Craig Eimer, Alderwoman Robin McClallen
Absent: (0)
Alderman Bateman made the motion to amend the amendment to give a $2500 wage increase to all non-union employees, department heads included. Alderman Downs seconded. Mayor Welch called for discussion.
Fire Chief Dunovsky stated that by giving a $2500 flat increase, it brings the highest paid employee closer if not being paid more than the department head.
Alderman Downs rescinded his second. Alderman Bateman amended his amended motion to state giving department heads 5%, with the exception of Wes Woodhall (he would get 7%), non-union clerical employees a flat $2500 and an hourly increase for part time employees. Alderman Sam Downs seconded.
There being no other discussion, City Clerk Bateman called the roll on the amendment.
Yeas: (6) Alderman Steve Parrott, Alderwoman Wanda Lee Rohlfs, Alderman Tony Zurkammer, Alderman Rick Hoefle, Alderman Sam Downs, Alderman Kevin Bateman
Nays: (0)
Abstain: (2) Alderman Craig Eimer, Alderwoman Robin McClallen
Absent: (0)
B. Ordinance creating 3-26 of the City Code regulating indoor gun ranges within the City of Lincoln and allowing them as a C-1 businesses.
Alderman Bateman made the motion to approve, Alderman Hoefle seconded. Mayor Welch called for discussion, there being none, City Clerk Bateman called roll.
Yeas: (6) Alderman Steve Parrott, Alderman Sam Downs, Alderwoman Wanda Lee Rohlfs, Alderman Tony Zurkammer, Alderman Kevin Bateman, Alderman Rick Hoefle
Nays: (0)
Abstain: (2) Alderman Craig Eimer, Alderwoman Robin McClallen
Absent: (0)
Mayor Welch moved to other items on the agenda.
New Business/Communications:
A. Approval of Façade Grant to Jamie Harnacke, dba Sublime for signage at 111 ½ S. Kickapoo St.
Alderman Zurkammer made the motion to approve, Alderman Bateman seconded. Mayor Welch called for discussion, there being none, City Clerk Bateman called the roll.
Yeas: (6) Alderman Steve Parrott, Alderman Sam Downs, Alderman Rick Hoefle, Alderwoman Wanda Lee Rohlfs, Alderman Kevin Bateman, Alderman Tony Zurkammer
Nays: (0)
Abstain: (2) Alderman Craig Eimer, Alderwoman Robin McClallen
Absent: (0)
B. Approval of façade grant to Spirited Republic and Guzzardo’s for signage at 509 Pulaski Street.
Alderman Zurkammer made the motion to approve, Alderman Bateman seconded. Mayor Welch called for discussion, there being none, City Clerk Bateman called the roll.
Yeas: (6) Alderman Steve Parrott, Alderman Sam Downs, Alderman Rick Hoefle, Alderwoman Wanda Lee Rohlfs, Alderman Kevin Bateman, Alderman Tony Zurkammer
Nays: (0)
Abstain: (2) Alderman Craig Eimer, Alderwoman Robin McClallen
Absent: (0)
C. Advise and consent to the Mayoral appointment of Jim Davis to the Fire and Police Commission.
Alderman Zurkammer made the motion to approve, Alderman Bateman seconded. Mayor Welch called for discussion, there being none, City Clerk Bateman called the roll.
Yeas: (6) Alderman Steve Parrott, Alderman Sam Downs, Alderman Rick Hoefle, Alderwoman Wanda Lee Rohlfs, Alderman Kevin Bateman, Alderman Tony Zurkammer
Nays: (0)
Abstain: (2) Alderman Craig Eimer, Alderwoman Robin McClallen
Absent: (0)
D. Advice & Consent to the Mayoral appointment of Joe Meister as Chief of Police.
Alderman Zurkammer made the motion to approve, Alderman Downs seconded. Mayor Welch called for discussion, there being none, City Clerk Bateman called the roll.
Yeas: (6) Alderman Steve Parrott, Alderman Sam Downs, Alderman Rick Hoefle, Alderwoman Wanda Lee Rohlfs, Alderman Kevin Bateman, Alderman Tony Zurkammer
Nays: (0)
Abstain: (2) Alderman Craig Eimer, Alderwoman Robin McClallen
Absent: (0)
E. Advice & Consent to the Mayoral appointment of Robert Dunovsky as Fire Chief.
Alderman Hoefle made the motion to approve, Alderman Parrott seconded. Mayor Welch called for discussion, there being none, City Clerk Bateman called the roll.
Yeas: (6) Alderman Steve Parrott, Alderman Sam Downs, Alderman Rick Hoefle, Alderwoman Wanda Lee Rohlfs, Alderman Kevin Bateman, Alderman Tony Zurkammer
Nays: (0)
Abstain: (2) Alderman Craig Eimer, Alderwoman Robin McClallen
Absent: (0)
F. Advice & Consent to the Mayoral appointment of Walt Landers as Street Superintendent
Alderman Hoefle made the motion to approve, Alderwoman Rohlfs seconded. Mayor Welch called for discussion, there being none, City Clerk Bateman called the roll.
Yeas: (6) Alderman Steve Parrott, Alderman Sam Downs, Alderman Rick Hoefle, Alderwoman Wanda Lee Rohlfs, Alderman Kevin Bateman, Alderman Tony Zurkammer
Nays: (0)
Abstain: (2) Alderman Craig Eimer, Alderwoman Robin McClallen
Absent: (0)
G. Advice & Consent to the Mayoral appointment of Wes Woodhall as Building & Safety Inspector.
Alderman Hoefle made the motion to approve, Alderman Zurkammer seconded. Mayor Welch called for discussion, there being none, City Clerk Bateman called the roll.
Yeas: (6) Alderman Steve Parrott, Alderman Sam Downs, Alderman Rick Hoefle, Alderwoman Wanda Lee Rohlfs, Alderman Kevin Bateman, Alderman Tony Zurkammer
Nays: (0)
Abstain: (2) Alderman Craig Eimer, Alderwoman Robin McClallen
Absent: (0)
H. Swearing in of Approved Department Heads.
City Attorney John Hoblit swore in all department heads.
Announcements:
· Ribbon cuts: Melrose Park at 5pm on Monday, May 8th; Dog Park at 5pm on Wednesday, May 10th.
· Alderman Zurkammer completed a marathon in London
· Alderman Bateman cautioned people to stay off the courthouse lawn during 3rd Friday’s while restoration of the lawn is in process.
· Extended hours at the Landscape Waste Facility will end this weekend
· 584 vehicles came through for the electronic recycling. 3 semis will be filled with electronics.
· City of Lincoln city cleanup will be Saturday, May 20th.
Adjournment:
There being no further discussion to come before the City Council of Lincoln, Alderman Hoefle motioned to adjourn, seconded by Alderman Zurkammer. Mayor Welch adjourned the meeting at 9:05p.m.
Respectfully Submitted By:
Charity Hutchison, Recording Secretary