COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING
Lincoln City Hall, Council Chambers
700 Broadway Street | Lincoln, Illinois
Tuesday, December 12, 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 McClallen, Ward 1
Alderman Steve Parrott, 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
Chuck Conzo, City Treasurer
Joe Meister, Police Chief
Bob Dunovsky, Fire Chief
Walt Landers, Streets Superintendent
Wes Woodhall, Building and Safety Officer
Absent:
Andrew Bowns, Veolia Water, Project Manager
Presiding:
Tracy Welch, Mayor
Public Comment:
Theresa Lee was present to address the council regarding the recent event of the police shooting an aggressive dog at large.
Alice Roate Logan County Tourism – Funding Agreement between City of Lincoln and Logan County Tourism Bureau.
This is the funding agreement for 2024. The only thing that has changed from last year are the dates. Ms. Roate asked if the council had any questions regarding the agreement, there weren’t any.
Mayor Welch asked Ms. Roate what Tourism’s biggest challenge is. Ms. Roate said advertising is a big challenge and more volunteer/help during events.
This item will be placed on the regular agenda.
Purchase of Ti Training Simulator
Chief Meister says that the number of State required hours of training for each officer can be cumbersome, taking officers off of patrol, meal reimbursement etc. This simulator will offer 1200 scenarios with different outcomes to fully train officers. There may be a chance of recouping money by offering the training to outside agencies. The software will have updates, at no additional charge, for five years. Chief Meister already has an officer certified to administer the training. This training has been certified by the Illinois Law Enforcement Agency. Chief Meister is requesting money from the GO Bond to purchase this equipment.
This item will be placed on the regular agenda with the three screens.
Placement of Traffic Control Devices
Recently there were some constituents that requested traffic control devices at two intersections, 2nd/Elm and 2nd/College Streets. Superintendent Landers and Chief Meister had created a checklist, shown in the packet, for these requests. The two intersections did meet the requirements. They did suggest adding a stop sign on Elm and a yield sign on college to control the traffic on 2nd Street.
This item will be placed on the regular agenda.
Ordinance authorizing Real Estate to Go Out to Bid – 112 South Chicago Street, 114 South Chicago Street and 116 South Chicago Street.
The city has received notice that they now own these properties and can move forward with their process of selling the properties with the idea that the new owner will correct the fallen part of the building in the back and rehab the buildings back to a usable state.
This item will be placed on the regular agenda.
Funding Agreement between the City of Lincoln and Logan County Regional Planning Commission
The County had other funding for 2023. The city had already paid the first quarter of 2023 prior to the Commission meeting where it was decided not to receive City funds, so the city currently has a credit with the Regional Planning Commission.
This item will be placed on the regular agenda.
Tax Levy Ordinance for The City of Lincoln, Illinois for the Fiscal Year beginning May 1, 2023 and ending April 30, 2024.
The draft, as recommended by Alderwoman Rohlfs in a previous COW, includes an increase of 2.5%. Treasurer Conzo also included shifting funds to the Fire/Police pensions to get that up to where the State is requiring it be. The increase would also help with the fire/police pensions.
Council members shared their opinions both for and against the increase. Discussion was had to contact school districts and question their tax increases in the last few years and going forward because the city hasn’t had an increase in 10 years.
Alderman Eimer asked if the tax money generated from the sale of cannabis could be put towards the fire/police pension. The answer was yes. It is projected that $13,000/month will be brought in in taxes from the cannabis.
If the 2.5% increase moves forward for a vote next week, Alderman Bateman plans to make an amendment to keep the tax levy flat.
This item will be placed on the regular agenda with an increase of 2.5%.
Ordinance regarding the paid leave for All Workers Act in the City of Lincoln
The State of Illinois has passed a new law that grants part time and full time workers 40 hours/year of paid time off. The ordinance states that part time employees will earn one hour of paid time off for every 40 hours worked. Full time employees will receive 40 hours at the beginning of the year. Union Contracts take president to this ordinance.
Alderman Parrott suggested defining PTO in the language of the ordinance. PTO is paid time off that refers to sick time and vacation time.
This item will be placed on the regular agenda.
Ordinance amending 1-7-1 and 1-8-1 of the Lincoln City Code
This amendment references the salary of the City Clerk and the City Treasurer. The new salary for an incoming City Clerk will be $48,000 (current salary is $41,000) with an annual 3 ½ percent increase. The new salary for the City Treasurer will be $10,000 (current salary is $5000). The last increase for each position was 23 years ago. Discussion on increase of Mayor and Council. Agreed to increase Mayor to $17,000 (current salary is $12,000). Council to be $75.00 per meeting which currently is $50.00 for Committee of the Whole and $75.00 for voting.
This item will be placed on the regular agenda.
Announcements:
· Ribbon cutting – Ami-Gos Restaurant this Friday at 124 S. Chicago St. at 11am
· A retirement lunch for Chief Dunovsky will be held this Friday, December 15th at noon at the Police Station. Food will be provided. A plaque was presented to the Chief for his 28 years of service.
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 Alderman Parrott. All were in favor.
The Council recessed from the Committee of the Whole meeting at 9:21pm in order to enter Executive Session. Mayor Welch announced there may be city business after the executive session meeting.
Return from Executive Session:
The council reconvened from Executive Session at 10:03pm in order to reconvene the Committee of the Whole meeting. Roll call was taken.
Present:
Alderwoman Robin McClallen, Ward 1
Alderman Steve Parrott, 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
Adjournment:
There being no further discussion to come before the City Council of Lincoln, Alderwoman O’Donoghue motioned to adjourn, seconded by Alderman Sanders. All were in favor. Mayor Welch adjourned the meeting at 10:03 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted By: Charity Hutchison, Recording Secretary
City of Lincoln