REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Lincoln City Hall, Council Chambers
700 Broadway Street | Lincoln, Illinois
Monday, May 15, 2023
The Regular Meeting of the City Council of Lincoln was called to order by Mayor Welch at 7:01pm, with proper notice given. City Clerk Peggy Bateman called roll.
Present:
Alderwoman Robin McClallen, Ward 1
Alderman Steve Parrott, Ward 1
Vacant, Ward 2
Alderman Sam Downs, Ward 2
Alderman Kevin Bateman, Ward 3
Alderwoman Wanda Lee Rohlfs, Ward 3
Vacant, Ward 4
Alderman Craig Eimer, 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
Andrew Bowns, Veolia Water, Project Manager
Absent:
Wes Woodhall, Building and Safety Officer
Presiding:
Tracy Welch, Mayor
Public Comment:
Rob Harmon was present to address the council regarding car shows in the downtown area.
Consent Agenda by Omnibus Vote:
A. Payment of Bills
B. Approval of minutes for March 28, 2023 Committee of the Whole Meeting, April 3,2023 Regular City Council Meeting, April 11, 2023 Committee of the Whole Meeting, April 17, 2023 Regular City Council Meeting, April 17, 2023 Budget Workshop-FY 23/24, April 25, 2023 Public Hearing, April 25, 2023 Special Voting Meeting.
C. Approval of Request from the Logan County Tourism Bureau to permit the closing of the 1000 and the 1100 block of First Street and a portion of the 700 block of South Jefferson Street on Saturday, June 24, 2023 from 1:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. for the Cruise-in fundraiser for the Mill Museum.
D. Approval of Request from the City of Lincoln Third Friday Committee to permit the closing of various City streets on Friday, May 19, 2023 and Friday, July 21, 2023 from 4:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. and on Friday, June 16, 2023 from 4:00 p.m. until midnight for Third Friday Events.
E. Approval of request from the Lincoln Railsplitter Antique Auto Club, Inc. to permit the closing of the 100 Block of South Kickapoo Street between Broadway Street and Pulaski Street on Saturday, May 27, 2023, Saturday, June 24, 2023, Saturday, July 29, 2023, and Saturday, September 23, 2023 from 8:00 am until 11:00 am for the Cars and Coffee Meet for the Collector Cars.
Alderman Bateman made the motion to approve, Alderwoman Rohlfs seconded. Mayor Welch called for discussion.
There being no other discussion, City Clerk Bateman called roll.
Yeas: (6) Alderman Steve Parrott Alderman Sam Downs, Alderman Craig Eimer, Alderwoman Wanda Lee Rohlfs, Alderman Kevin Bateman, Alderwoman Robin McClallen
Nays: (0)
Abstain: (0)
Absent: (0)
Mayor Welch moved to other items on the agenda.
Ordinances and Resolutions:
A. Approval of the Motor Fuel Tax Maintenance Program Resolution 2023-477 for FY 2023-2024.
Alderwoman Rohlfs made the motion to approve, Alderwoman McClallen seconded. Mayor Welch called for discussion, there being none, City Clerk Bateman called roll.
Yeas: (6) Alderman Steve Parrott, Alderman Sam Downs, Alderman Craig Eimer, Alderwoman Wanda Lee Rohlfs, Alderman Kevin Bateman, Alderwoman Robin McClallen
Nays: (0)
Abstain: (0)
Absent: (0)
B. Ordinance 2023-1005 amending Sections 8-10-4, 8-10-7, 8-10-9 of the City Code regarding signs.
Alderman Parrott made the motion to approve, Alderman Downs seconded. Mayor Welch called for discussion, there being none, City Clerk Bateman called roll.
Yeas: (6) Alderman Steve Parrott, Alderman Sam Downs, Alderman Craig Eimer, Alderwoman Wanda Lee Rohlfs, Alderman Kevin Bateman, Alderwoman Robin McClallen
Nays: (0)
Abstain: (0)
Absent: (0)
C. Resolution 2023-476A establishing salaries and/or Pay Increases for the City of Lincoln.
Alderman Bateman made the motion to approve, Alderman Eimer seconded. Mayor Welch called for discussion.
Alderwoman McClallen thanked Police Chief Meister for the information he provided the council regarding his civilian employees. She agreed that the department heads should be making these annual wage increase decisions and that an annual review should be done to help with that.
Alderman Parrott went through comparable wages with the State. He said that it was unfortunate how this item came about but he said the council does value the employees.
Alderwoman Rohlfs suggested that the council look at longevity for the non-union employees.
There being no other discussion, City Clerk Bateman called roll.
Yeas: (5) Alderman Steve Parrott, Alderman Sam Downs, Alderman Craig Eimer, Alderman Kevin Bateman, Alderwoman Robin McClallen
Nays: (1) Alderwoman Wanda Lee Rohlfs
Abstain: (0)
Absent: (0)
Mayor Welch moved to other items on the agenda.
Reports:
- City Treasurer’s Report for April, 2023
General Fund balance is about $550,000 more than last year. A few more bills will come through
Police Pension went up $65,000 from last month
Fire Pension – don’t have April’s report from the State
Municipal Sales tax – up a little from last year
Non Home Rule Sales tax – up slightly from last year
State Income Tax – down about $35,000 for the first 3 months
Video Gaming – up $3700 from last year
MFT – down from last year
- City Clerks Report for April, 2023
$259,772.25 was received in sewer payments for April 2023. $28,332.83 of that was received from both prisons.
- Department Head Reports for April, 2023
There reports are on file or will be soon.
Mayor Welch moved to other items on the agenda.
New Business/Communications:
A. Advise and Consent to the Mayoral Appointment of Alderwoman Robin McClallen to the Economic Development Commission.
Alderwoman Rohlfs made the motion to approve, Alderman Downs seconded. Mayor Welch called for discussion, there being none, City Clerk Bateman called the roll.
Yeas: (5) Alderman Steve Parrott, Alderman Sam Downs, Alderman Craig Eimer, Alderwoman Wanda Lee Rohlfs, Alderman Kevin Bateman
Nays: (0)
Abstain: (1) Alderwoman Robin McClallen
Absent: (0)
B. Approval of payment to Otto Baum Co. for completion of the Half Moon Drive and Eaton Drive Curb Project in an amount not to exceed $17,390.30.
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: (6) Alderman Steve Parrott, Alderman Sam Downs, Alderman Craig Eimer, Alderwoman Wanda Lee Rohlfs, Alderman Kevin Bateman, Alderwoman Robin McClallen
Nays: (0)
Abstain: (0)
Absent: (0)
C. Approval of the contract for Sewer O&M Services between Veolia and City of Lincoln for FY 2023-2024 in an amount not to exceed $1,422,233.00.
Alderman Parrott 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 Craig Eimer, Alderwoman Wanda Lee Rohlfs, Alderman Kevin Bateman, Alderwoman Robin McClallen
Nays: (0)
Abstain: (0)
Absent: (0)
Announcements:
· Request to the council for a special meeting on May 30th at 6pm to vote on a request going through the Planning Commission for a special use permit at the old St Clara’s Manor.
· The surveyors have completed their work on S. Lake Road. Documentation was found that shows the Condo Association owns that road. The city owns a portion of the concrete pad near Kickapoo St. The Condo Association is willing to grant a permanent easement for access to the solar panels. Documents will be copied and given to the city for recording.
· Mayor Welch has reached out to GOVHR twice but has not received a call back.
· People have embraced Dog Park. A group has begun on Facebook. IAW should be installing the water line soon. Melrose Park was vandalized a week after the ribbon cutting.
· 3rd Fridays is this Friday. Volunteers are still needed.
· Alderman Bateman thanked the citizens for the support of the racetrack. Huge turnout.
· Alderman Eimer thanked the Sewer and Street Departments for the sod at the Harrison St project.
· City Cleanup and tire collection this Saturday 8am – 4pm at the Lincoln Municipal Cleanup.
· Police Chief Meister thanked the Council for reconsidering the salary increases voted on tonight. He feels that this sets a higher standard for other local employers to bring better paying jobs to our community to help it grow.
Adjournment:
There being no further discussion to come before the City Council of Lincoln, Alderman Downs motioned to adjourn, seconded by Alderwoman Rohlfs. Mayor Welch adjourned the meeting at 7:52 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted By:
Charity Hutchison, Recording Secretary
City of Lincoln