Minutes of the City of Lincoln City Council Committee of the Whole Meeting held in the Council Chambers on Tuesday, January 13, 2015.
Those present were Alderman Bauer, Alderman Cooper, Alderman Hoinacki, Alderman Horn, Alderman Mourning, and Alderman Neitzel. Also present were Street Department Superintendent Mr. Landers, Fire Chief Miller, Building and Safety Officer Mr. Lebegue, EMC/American Water Manager Mr. Ferguson, and Police Chief Greenslate. Also present were Mayor Snyder, 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. There were six Aldermen present (Alderman Bauer, Alderman Cooper, Alderman Hoinacki, Alderman Horn, Alderman Mourning, and Alderman Neitzel), one absent (Alderman Tibbs), and one seat vacant.
Mayor Snyder led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Public Participation:
Alderman Mourning apologized to the Council and the public for the statement he made at the last meeting. He later realized this was not the proper format and time to give that statement.
Presentation by Crawford, Murphy & Tilly on Sewer Utility Long Term Control Plan:
Christy Crites said she is the Project Manager on the long term control plan. They have been working to get all of the data necessary to build the model that has been talked about. The model must be able to allow fewer overflows in an average year. The City of Lincoln has a complicated system. Crawford, Murphy & Tilly have started on the IEPA document that must be submitted in May, 2015. The city in the 70’s did some work which is called excess flow treatment and will now turn around and use that for CSO treatment which is the storm clarifier and disinfection that is already out there. They are working on floatables which would allow bottles to go through and ending up in the creeks by screening what goes through. There is a mandate that you have to get the first flush which is considered to be the first part of the storm where the solids and BOD are actually stored and eventually sent back to Wastewater Treatment plant. They will look at the costs of the alternatives to make it more cost effective for the City.
Logan County Alliance Funding Agreement/CEDS Funding:
Mayor Snyder said there are two parts to the funding agreement: 1) the monthly funding in the amount of $5,042.00 per month for continuing and expanding the services currently provided by the Chamber of Commerce previously provided and 2) a separate fee of $30,000.00 to create a branding image. The total cost to be paid by the City of Lincoln would be $50,178.00 for fiscal year 2015. The funding agreement spells out what the City Council wants the Logan County Alliance to do for the $5,042.00 per month. The $30,000.00 is to assist in getting branding to help lure companies to move to Lincoln.
Mayor Snyder said he received a call from County Board Chairman Hepler regarding the CEDS program. He will let the County Board know that the City of Lincoln will not be a part of CEDS at this point. The City has not received anything to date for the money that has been expended.
Vacation of 7th Street Right-of-Way for Christian Homes Expansion:
Mr. Johnson said in October, Christian Homes, Inc. came before the City Council to discuss the vacation of 7th Street for the Christian Homes expansion. Christian Homes spoke with the affected members of the street to be vacated, who were notified by certified mail and also spoke with the neighboring homeowners. A public hearing will be held on Tuesday, January 20, 2015 prior to the meeting. He asked for this to be placed on the agenda for Tuesday, January 20, 2015.
Lincoln College/Comcast Agreement:
Mr. John Malone, of Lincoln College said that Lincoln College did not want to get into an agreement with Comcast until they had the City’s blessing. This will be a long term relationship. They want to provide something to the City that they have not had: a hassle free relationship. He has no problem with televising the Committee of the Whole meetings.
Mayor Snyder said Tuesday, January 20, 2015 a motion could be made to take the Lincoln College/Comcast Agreement off the table.
FGM Architects Site Selection Proposal:
- Johnson said the Public Safety Committee narrowed the field to three companies. After discussions with the three companies, it was narrowed to FGM Architects. The cost will be $30,000.00 and the firm has extensive experience in Fire, Police and Safety Building facilities. FGM will tell the City Council the where, who and how for the building. The time frame would be approximately three months. He recommended this to be on the Tuesday, January 20, 2015 agenda.
Approval of Master Service Agreement – Farnsworth Group:
Mr. Johnson said this is a standard contract for professionals with the Farnsworth Group for the engineering work for the City. This will be a work order situation. This will be on the Agenda for Tuesday, January 20, 2015.
Library Parking Lot – Farnsworth Proposal:
Mr. Johnson said the proposal costs are in line with what the project is. This is the restructuring of the parking lot between the Library and Kickapoo Street. This will also include the alley and sewer work that needs to be repaired. This will be on the agenda for Tuesday, January 20, 2015.
Resolution: Catholic Schools Week:
Mayor Snyder said this will be placed on the Consent Agenda for Tuesday, January 20, 2015.
Strategic Planning Update:
Mr. Johnson said there will be a survey going out to the residents. The surveys will go out this week and will stop the first week of February. There will also be a link through the City of Lincoln’s website, online local news media and paper surveys available at City Hall. Northern Illinois University will take the surveys and bring the results back to the City. A strategic planning workshop will be held offsite on March 6th and 7th.
Other Discussion:
Mayor Snyder announced that Brenda McCabe is retiring and a luncheon will be held in her honor on Monday, January 26, 2015 at City Hall.
Mr. Johnson asked the City Council how they wanted to do the budget and it was agreed to have meetings set up to go through the budget.
Executive Session:
Possible Litigation
Alderman Horn moved to adjourn to Executive Session pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(11) possible litigation and to 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1) personnel and Alderman Neitzel seconded it. City Clerk Mrs. Gehlbach called the roll call. There were six yeas (Alderman Bauer, Alderman Cooper, Alderman Hoinacki, Alderman Horn, Alderman Mourning, and Alderman Neitzel), one absent (Alderman Tibbs), and one seat vacant. The meeting adjourned at 8:24 p.m.
The meeting returned at 9:07 p.m. City Clerk Mrs. Gehlbach called the roll call. There were six Aldermen present (Alderman Bauer, Alderman Cooper, Alderman Hoinacki, Alderman Horn, Alderman Mourning, and Alderman Neitzel), one absent (Alderman Tibbs), and one seat vacant.
There was more discussion on the funding agreement with the Logan County Alliance. It was agreed to pull the $30,000.00 amount out of the agreement.
Upcoming Meetings:
Council: Tuesday, January 20, 2015 – 7:00 p.m. (Due to observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday)
Committee of Whole: Tuesday, January 27, 2015 – 7:00 p.m.
Joint Meeting with County Board: Wednesday, January 28, 2015 7:00 p.m. at the Lincoln Park District
Alderman Neitzel made a motion to adjourn the meeting and Alderman Bauer seconded it. There were six yeas (Alderman Bauer, Alderman Cooper, Alderman Hoinacki, Alderman Horn, Alderman Mourning, and Alderman Neitzel), one absent (Alderman Tibbs), and one seat vacant.
The City of Lincoln Committee of the Whole Meeting adjourned at 9:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Risa Riggs
Recording Secretary
City of Lincoln