Minutes of the City of Lincoln City Council Committee of the Whole Meeting held in the Council Chambers on Tuesday, July 14, 2015.

Those present were Alderman Bauer, Alderman Cooper, Alderman Hoinacki Alderman Horn, Alderman Neitzel, Alderman Parrott, and Alderman Tibbs and one absent (Alderman Mourning). Also present were Street Department Superintendent Mr. Landers, Assistant Fire Chief Danosky, Building and Safety Officer Mr. Lebegue, EMC/American Water Mr. Ferguson and Deputy Police Chief Adams. Also present were City Clerk Mrs. Gehlbach, City Attorney Mr. Blinn Bates, City Administrator Mr. Johnson, City Treasurer Mr. Conzo, and Recording Secretary Mrs. Riggs.  

Acting Mayor Cooper called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. There were seven Aldermen present (Alderman Bauer, Alderman Cooper, Alderman Hoinacki Alderman Horn, Alderman Neitzel, Alderman Parrott and Alderman Tibbs) and one absent (Alderman Mourning).

Acting Mayor Cooper led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Public Participation:

Mrs. Wanda Rohlfs was present to discuss a memo from the Office of the State Appellate Defender. She stated that she did not realize that if she got a fine or a fee for a violation of the City Code, that it would stay on your record forever.

Ordinance : FY 2015-2016 Appropriation Budget

City Administrator Mr. Johnson said the Draft appropriation budget which is in the packet for this meeting. The Appropriation budget is something that can be spent in an emergency. The budget for the Council is what the city has earmarked for use.

Alderman Neitzel asked to have the appropriation budget item on the Agenda for Monday, July 20, 2015.

Resolution : Motor Fuel Tax (MFT) Program 2015:

City Administrator Mr. Johnson said this is the document that shows what can be spent out of the MFT funds and where the MFT funds would be spent.

This will be placed on the Agenda for Monday, July 20, 2015.

Approval of Collective Bargaining Agreement with IAFF Local 392:

City Administrator Mr. Johnson said this is a three year contract that has been agreed upon for pay increases as follows: 2% the first year, 2.5% the second year and 2.75% the third year. There will be insurance increases from 5% to 7.5% in year one and 7.5% to 10% the second year.

This will be placed on the Agenda for Monday, July 20, 2015.

Fire Department Rescue Truck Bids:

City Administrator Mr. Johnson said the bids have been received but have not been opened at this point.

City Parking Lot Design:

City Administrator Mr. Johnson talked with the library and the local businesses about the new parking lot design for the “Library Parking Lot.” The following are items that came out of the talks with the library and local businesses. 1) The addition of more spaces bringing the lots to 46, which includes 3 ADA accessible spots, 2) making a one-way loop on the West end of the parking lot to accommodate more spaces. The main lane remains a two-way with ingress/egress onto Pekin, 3) Locating the community garbage corral closer to the businesses whose back is adjacent to the City’s alleyway, 4) Inclusion of more concrete paths to access the improved alleyway, 5) Inclusion of a bike rack, and 6) Dumpster space for the library.

Alderman Hoinacki wanted the same lighting on the parking lot like the Shay Parking lot. Acting Mayor Cooper asked to have this sent back to Farnsworth for lighting to be added into the proposal.

Lincoln Depot Site Survey Professional Service:

City Administrator Mr. Johnson said the next phase will be the site design but before that happens there will need to be survey work done. He told the City Council that they needed to decide who was responsible for the costs of the work. It was City Administrator Mr. Johnson’s understanding that the $31,500.00 would be the match amount that the City would be responsible for.

Alderman Bauer and Alderman Neitzel felt the City should use this as their match portion.

Burwell Lift Station Improvements:

EMC/American Water Mr. Ferguson said there have been issues for several years. His recommendation was to go with all new parts at a cost of $13,269.00.   Alderman Neitzel felt option two would be the route. Alderman Hoinacki asked to have option two with the cost of $13,269.00 placed on the agenda for Monday, July 20, 2015.

Approval of Proposal for Actuarial Services:

City Treasurer Mr. Conzo said this is a requirement for the pension benefits. He is hoping to get some information by next week. This is the amount that was budgeted for this year.

Everyone agreed to place this on the Consent Agenda for Monday, July 20, 2015.

Confirmation of Copier Lease:

City Administrator Mr. Johnson felt that it was time for a new copier with color since the copier was only black and white. The old copier has been moved to the Fire Department.

It will be on the agenda for Monday, July 20, 2015.

Transition to Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) Phone:

City Administrator Mr. Johnson felt the best system to go with was from JIVE Communication. The city will receive new telephones with upfront costs of $565.00 and a cost of $703.00 per month.

Alderman Bauer said it is a better system and had used a system like this at Lincoln College.

This will be placed on the Regular Agenda for Monday, July 20, 2015.

Off-duty Police Department Security Detail:

Deputy Police Chief Adams said when he started there were off duty security assignments. He talked to Rantoul and Bloomington Police Departments. He found that the City is reimbursed for their time. An officer was hurt on one of the security details and had to hire an attorney to get a workers compensation claim settled.

Alderman Neitzel felt the City Council should cover the Officers and the City Council will determine the costs. City Administrator Mr. Johnson felt the rate should not go into effect until September 1, 2015. Alderman Hoinacki felt they should go with option two at $43.00. Alderman Tibbs felt they should go with $50.00. Acting Mayor Cooper agreed with Alderman Hoinacki and would like to see the City having good working relationships. Everyone agreed to $47.00 beginning September 1, 2015.

Department Deputy and other Employee Appointments and Cost of Living Adjustments:

City Administrator Mr. Johnson said the raises for non-contractual employees needed to be placed on the agenda for Monday, July 20, 2015.

Authorization to Hire Employee in Street Department from Civil Service List:

Street Superintendent Mr. Landers received word of another retirement and would like to go to the Civil Service Commission to hire the next name on the list.

Police Department Promotions to Sergeant and Corporal:

Deputy Police Chief Adams said he is looking to appoint Kevin Lynn as Sergeant and Brian Clements as Corporal. This will be placed on the Agenda for Monday, July 20, 2015.

Hiring of Police Chief:

Acting Mayor Cooper stated he had interviewed candidates and will have a name for Monday July 20, 2015.

Other Discussion:

Presentation by FGM Architects, Monday, July 20, 2015

City Administrator Mr. Johnson said FGM Architects will be present Monday evening to give a presentation on the Public Safety Complex.

Executive Session:   

Alderman Horn moved to go into Executive Session under 5 ILCS 120/2(c) (1) personnel and Alderman Neitzel seconded it. City Clerk Mrs. Gehlbach called the roll call. There were seven ayes (Alderman Bauer, Alderman Cooper, Alderman Hoinacki, Alderman Horn, Alderman Neitzel, Alderman Parrott and Alderman Tibbs), zero nays, and one absent (Alderman Mourning); motion carried. The meeting adjourned to Executive Session at 8:26 p.m.

The meeting returned to regular Session at 9:23 p.m. City Clerk Mrs. Gehlbach called the roll. Those present were Alderman Bauer, Alderman Cooper, Alderman Hoinacki Alderman Horn, Alderman Neitzel, Alderman Parrott, and Alderman Tibbs and one absent (Alderman Mourning). Also present were City Treasurer Mr. Conzo, City Clerk Mrs. Gehlbach, City Administrator Mr. Johnson, and Recording Secretary Mrs. Riggs.

Upcoming Meetings:

Council: Monday, July 20, 2015 – 7:00 p.m.    

Committee of Whole:     Tuesday, August 11, 2015 – 7:00 p.m.

Alderman Bauer gave a gift from the City Council and employees of the City of Lincoln to City Administrator Mr. Johnson for his upcoming wedding.

Alderman Neitzel made a motion to adjourn the meeting and Alderman Hoinacki seconded it. There were seven ayes (Alderman Bauer, Alderman Cooper, Alderman Hoinacki, Alderman Horn, Alderman Neitzel, Alderman Parrott and Alderman Tibbs), zero nays, and one absent (Alderman Mourning); motion carried.

The City of Lincoln Committee of the Whole Meeting adjourned at 9:26 p.m.

Respectfully submitted, Risa Riggs, Recording Secretary