Minutes of the City of Lincoln City Council Committee of the Whole Meeting held in the Council Chambers on Tuesday, November 24, 2015. 

Those present were Alderman Bauer, Alderman Hoinacki Alderman Horn, Alderman Mourning, Alderman Neitzel, Alderman Parrott, Alderman Tibbs and Alderman Welch and none absent.  Also present were Street Department Superintendent Mr. Landers, American Water Manager Mr. Ferguson, Fire Chief Miller, and Police Chief Adams.  Also present were City Administrator Mr. Johnson, City Clerk Mrs. Gehlbach, and City Treasurer Mr. Conzo.  

Acting Mayor Neitzel called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.  There were eight Aldermen present (Alderman Bauer, Alderman Hoinacki Alderman Horn, Alderman Mourning, Alderman Neitzel, Alderman Parrott, Alderman Tibbs and Alderman Welch) and none absent.

Acting Mayor Neitzel led the Pledge of Allegiance. 

Public Participation:

There was no Public Participation.

Presentation from Nancy Schaub, R. W. Garrett Agency:

Ms. Schaub was present to discuss the renewal date.  The increase is 9% and is the best over other entities through Health Alliance.  After the age of 65 those employees/retirees will see a slight increase in their premium.  Ms. Schaub will be at City Hall on December 3, 2015 to talk with any employees or retirees.

Presentation from Lori Milosevich, Estes, Bridgewater and Ogden:

Ms. Milosevich was present to discuss the audit report.  She went over the general fund, TIF fund, motor fuel tax fund, non-major funds, sewer funds, and police and fire pensions. There will be new reporting for GASB 67-68 and that will begin April 30, 2016.

Acceptance of 2015 Audit:

This will be placed on the Agenda for Monday, December 7, 2015. 

2016 Insurance Renewals:

   Health: The City of Lincoln will see an increase which is half of what most other municipalities are seeing.  This city will see some savings in the fire department and street department by shifting the premium burden to the employees.  Starting this next year the city is going to a 90/10 split over the course of the contract.  City Administrator Mr. Johnson feels that the city should look this over as a group and try to figure out a plan that will work for the City of Lincoln.  There was a discussion about the retirees and giving them an option between two different prescription plan options.  This will be placed on the agenda for the second option for retirees. 

Resolution: Abating the Tax Levy for 2015 to Pay Debt Service on $2,285,000 in General Obligation Bonds (Alternate Revenue Source):

City Treasurer Mr. Conzo said the City has enough money to pay this payment.  This is for the TIF Bond payment for the Lincoln Grand 8 Theater.  This will be placed on the Agenda for Monday, December 7, 2015. 

Resolution: Abating the Tax Levy for 2015 to Pay Debt Service on $5,285,000 in General Obligation Bonds (Alternate Revenue Source):

This is for the Sewer plant improvements.  This will be placed on the Agenda for Monday, December 7, 2015. 

Ordinance: Approving Tax Levy for Tax Year 2015:

City Treasurer Mr. Conzo said the City of Lincoln needs to decide whether or not they want to increase the taxes for the levy.  School District 27 has decreased their levy for taxes.  Alderman Mourning would like to keep the rate flat.  Alderman Hoinacki said he would be in favor of keeping the levy flat. City Administrator Mr. Johnson said with the plan the City currently has the pensions will be fully funded in 2040.  It was a consensus that the City needs to stay within their means.  City Administrator Mr. Johnson said the Ordinance will have the increase but it can be modified at the voting meeting that night.

It was agreed to place this on the Agenda for Monday, December 7, 2015.

Branding Initiative – DCC Marketing:

City Administrator Mr. Johnson believed that a decision needs to be made for what direction the City wants to go.  Alderman Mourning felt the City of Lincoln needs the tools as they saw last evening from the Greater Peoria Area and it is time to move forward. Alderman Hoinacki said the full amount should be on the agenda.

This will be placed on the agenda to for Monday, December 7, 2015.

Approval of 2016 Meeting Dates and Holiday Schedule:

Acting Mayor Neitzel said she put all meetings on the agenda since there are so many new people.  Alderman Mourning said he could see both sides.  Acting Mayor Neitzel said maybe there was a month where they would not have second COW meeting and wanted to meet the needs of everyone.  Alderman Hoinacki said it is sometimes difficult to have enough a quorum for a meeting.  Alderman Tibbs felt the City Council should have all the meetings.  City Administrator Mr. Johnson said he has never seen this many meetings for a Council.  Alderman Welch felt the meeting schedule needs to be left intact.    Alderman Bauer said she would go ahead and keep the schedule as it is. 

This will be placed on the Agenda for Monday, December 7, 2015. 

Other Discussion:

   Liability Insurance: City Administrator Mr. Johnson said the liability insurance renewal had a slight decrease.  This will be placed on the Consent Agenda for Monday, December 7, 2015.

Acting Mayor Neitzel said they would be decorating the float on Monday, November 30, 2015.

Mr. Ferguson said there will be approximately 4,200 feet of sewer line being relined between the backyards of Jefferson Street, Madison Street and North Street. This is in the neighborhood of the Northbrook and there will also be another section in the Feldman and Richland areas.  This is the sanitary sewer.

Possible Executive Session:             

Appointment or Removal of Public Officers – Section 2(c)(3)

Alderman Horn moved to go into Executive Session under 5 ILCS 120/2(c) (3) Appointment or Removal of Public Officers and Alderman Tibbs seconded it.  City Clerk Mrs. Gehlbach called the roll call.  There were eight yeas (Alderman Bauer, Alderman Hoinacki Alderman Horn, Alderman Mourning, Alderman Neitzel, Alderman Parrott, Alderman Tibbs and Alderman Welch), zero nays, and none absent; motion carried. The meeting adjourned to Executive Session at 8:31 p.m. 

The meeting returned to regular session at 9:15 p.m.  City Clerk Mrs. Gehlbach called the roll.  There were eight present (Alderman Bauer, Alderman Hoinacki Alderman Horn, Alderman Mourning, Alderman Neitzel, Alderman Parrott, Alderman Tibbs and Alderman Welch), zero nays, and none absent; motion carried.  Also present were City Treasurer Mr. Conzo, City Clerk Mrs. Gehlbach, City Administrator Mr. Johnson, and Recording Secretary Mrs. Riggs. 

There was a discussion about having a meeting on a Saturday, January 9, 2016 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. for the strategic plan.

The appointment of the Ward 4 Alderman will be placed on the agenda for December 7, 2015. 

Upcoming Meetings:

Council: Monday, December 7, 2015 – 7:00 p.m.     

Committee of Whole:     Tuesday, December 15, 2015 – 7:00 p.m.

Alderman Tibbs made a motion to adjourn the meeting and Alderman Parrott seconded it.  There were eight ayes (Alderman Bauer, Alderman Hoinacki Alderman Horn, Alderman Mourning, Alderman Neitzel, Alderman Parrott, Alderman Tibbs and Alderman Welch), zero nays, and none absent; motion carried.

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

Respectfully submitted,

Risa Riggs

Recording Secretary