Minutes of the City of Lincoln City Council Committee of the Whole Meeting held in the Council Chambers on Tuesday, November 12, 2014.
Those present were Alderman Anderson, Alderman Bauer, Alderman Cooper, Alderman Hoinacki, Alderman Neitzel, and Alderman O'Donohue. Also present were Building and Safety Officer Mr. Lebegue, Street Department Superintendent Mr. Walters, EMC/American Water Mr. Ferguson, and Police Chief Greenslate. Also present were City Attorney Mr. Bates, City Clerk Mrs. Gehlbach, City Administrator Mr. Johnson, 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 six Aldermen present (Alderman Anderson, Alderman Bauer, Alderman Cooper, Alderman Hoinacki, Alderman Neitzel, and Alderman O'Donohue) and two absent (Alderman Horn and Alderman Tibbs).
Mayor Snyder led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Public Participation:
There was no Public Participation.
Theatre Redevelopment Project – Pay Application #1:
Mr. Johnson said the first pay request has been received with a change order requesting a performance bond in the amount of $15,000.00. This was not covered under the redevelopment plan. Mr. Lanterman will submit his pay requests to Mr. Johnson and Mr Johnson will review and a proper inspection, of the work done, will be inspected by the Building and Safety Officer before payment is made. Building materials and professional services are the only things eligible for reimbursement through the redevelopment program.
Pulaski and Kickapoo Street Decorative Lighting:
Mayor Snyder said the decorative lighting for Pulaski and Kickapoo Streets could be paid through the G. O. Bond money or by using the funds from the closing of Pekin Street as well. Decorative lights are going to be ordered and will include the lights for the Theatre project which will go from Kickapoo Street to the alley on Clinton Street. One project they are hoping to do is the parking, sidewalk work and possibly allow some angle parking on the Kickapoo Street side around Scully Park. The City will discuss the lighting at the parks with the County Board. The lights that are currently in the streetscape plan are two down design. The four down one up design would be at the four corners on the square There are three halogan decorative lights which have already been placed on Pulaski Street.
Alderman O'Donohue asked why LED lights were not being considered. Mayor Snyder thought the big reason was price but they had talked with lighting consultants and were told that LED lighting was not as advanced for outdoor use.
Mr. Landers said he actually called and talked with the lighting consultant who said the halogen light puts out a brighter light and has been out on the market for a while and it was a better choice for maintenance reasons. LED's are expensive and provide approximately 1000 hours of light. The energy costs are much less. The halogen light has approximately 40 hours on the bulb and is a more stable market.
Mr. Johnson said the order the city is currently looking at approximately $63,000.00 for the halogen lights. The cost for LED's is approximately $80,000.00. Technology is new on the outdoor lights but the halogen lights are stable.
Mayor Snyder said he spoke with Farnsworth Group and the new lights could be changed to LED.
Alderman Hoinacki said he drove past them tonight and thought they looked fine to him.
City Engineer – Request for Proposals
Mr. Johnson said he has prepared an RFP for Engineering services. He stated that the city would be better off going with a firm on a part time basis. A team is more valuable than hiring an individual which the City would also have to pay benefits.
Alderman Anderson and Alderman Neitzel were fine with the time-line presented by City Administrator Mr. Johnson.
It was decided to go with 18 months for the first contract and then yearly after that. This will not be placed on the agenda.
Petition for Annexation – 2350 W. 5th Street (Heritage Packaging):
Mayor Snyder said that Heritage Packaging has filed a petition for Annexation and there are still other things in the process to go through. Mayor Snyder said the sewer work has been paid for by Heritage Packaging. Mr. Ferguson said the sewer work took a little longer than expected due to unexpected issues. Mayor Snyder said they could approve the reimbursement and the annexation at the same time. Alderman O'Donohue thought it would be best to wait and do the reimbursement and the annexation at the same time. The notices are prepared to go out to the property owners, who are close to Heritage Packaging regarding the annexation.
Pulaski Street Pay Application #6 – Stark Excavating:
Mayor Snyder said Mr. Ferguson and Mr. Landers have been helpful with the engineering issues and thanked them. Mr. Ferguson recommended paying #6 pay request that he prepared for Stark Excavating in the amount of $250,711.70. Mr. Landers said there are 26 trees going in which include maple, red sunset and burgundy bell. This will be included in the payment of bills to be paid in the amount of $250,711.70 on Monday, November 17, 2014 .
Resolution: Minimum Manning Subject of Collective Bargaining:
Mayor Snyder said the Illinois Municipal League is asking member municipalities to pass a resolution on minimum manning that is currently in the General Assembly and will be voted on in the Senate during the veto session that begins next week. The City currently has minimum manning in the union contract. This would be a vote for no minimum manning.
Alderman Neitzel requested this Resolution be on the placed on the agenda for Monday, November 17, 2014.
Revised Christmas Parade Route:
The revised parade route will enable Santa will be closer to the courthouse to meet and greet the children at the courthouse rotunda. This will be placed on the Consent agenda, for Monday, November 17, 2014.
Mayor Snyder requested the revised Christmas Parade Route be placed on the Consent Agenda for Monday, November 17, 2014.
Update on Agreement with Comcast/Lincoln College – EG Channel:
Alderman O'Donohue, Mayor Snyder and City Administrator Mr. Johnson met with Comcast. The contract currently states that if another competitor comes in, any agreement made between the City and the competitor, the City of Lincoln will also have to provide equal treatment to Comcast. In order to receive another access channel the City would have to give Comcast 180 days, Comcast would do a cost estimate to activate the 2nd PEG (Public Education Government) channel and the City would have to pay Comcast to activate the second channel. Comcast would donate the equipment to the City and the City could have someone run the equipment for the City Council and Committee workshop meetings.
Other discussion/informational items:
Mayor Snyder said that Candy Buche’s father Don Ragland had passed away and asked for everyone to keep them in their thoughts and prayers.
Alderman O'Donohue announced his resignation as Alderman in Ward 3 at the end of the meeting on December 15, 2014. He was elected to the new UOC Board and felt it was a conflict of interest.
Executive Session:
Personnel
The executive session was not held.
Upcoming Meetings:
Council: Monday, November 17, 2014 – 7:00 p.m.
Committee of Whole: Wednesday, November 25, 2014 – 7:00 p.m.
Alderman Neitzel made a motion to adjourn the meeting and Alderman Hoinacki seconded it. There were six yeas (Alderman Anderson, Alderman Bauer, Alderman Cooper, Alderman Hoinacki, Alderman Neitzel, and Alderman O'Donohue), zero nays and two absent (Alderman Horn and Alderman Tibbs) ; motion carried.
The City of Lincoln Committee of the Whole Meeting adjourned at 7:44 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Risa Riggs, Recording Secretary
City of Lincoln