Minutes of the City of Lincoln City Council Committee of the Whole Meeting held in the Council Chambers on Tuesday, February 9, 2016.
Mayor Neitzel called the regular City Council Committee of the Whole Meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. City Clerk Mrs. Gehlbach called the roll. There were six Aldermen present (Alderman Bauer, Alderman Hoinacki, Alderman Horn, Alderman Mourning, Alderman Parrott, and Alderman Welch) and two absent (Alderman Hoefle and Alderman Tibbs). Also present were Fire Chief Miller, Building and Safety Officer Mr. Lebegue, Street Superintendent Mr. Landers, and Police Chief Adams. Also present were Mayor Neitzel, City Treasurer Mr. Conzo, City Administrator Mr. Johnson, City Attorney Mr. Blinn Bates, City Clerk Mrs. Gehlbach, and Recording Secretary Mrs. Riggs.
Mayor Neitzel led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Public Participation:
There was no public participation.
Presentation from Abraham Lincoln Tourism Bureau:
Ms. McCurtrey was present to update the City Council with the 3rd quarter report. They are working on updating the dining guide and visitors guide; advertising (one Billboard is need of repair due to damage); 2nd billboard which is Southbound is being redesigned; new commercials on WCN that fit with the Tourism Bureau’s marketing plan; the Tropics sign is chugging along; raised $400.00 from the silent auction at the annual dinner; there will be a fundraising event after the festival season; currently have an ad in Season Illinois which is the state wide magazine; they did an ad up by Chicago for the Bulls fans (targeting the age group they are trying to get here) they received $450 for doing the ad and were given tickets to raffle, and Sal Pollice is the new Chair for the Tourism Bureau. The Tourism Bureau is now on the fiscal year instead of being the same as the City of Lincoln.
Presentation from Logan County Alliance:
Mr. Greg Basford said that they cancelled the funding agreement with the City for the Economic Development Partnership. There was no need for the funding since there was no longer an Economic Development Partnership.
Mr. Greg Basford said they had received the resignations of Nicole Cox and Andi Hake. The Logan County Alliance wants to continue their partnership with the City of Lincoln. The partnership is currently searching for a new CEO for the Partnership and trying to narrow down the field of candidates and looking for the right fit. The board has not decided whether they are going to fill Ms. Cox’s position.
Mr. Basford has not heard anything from Retail Strategies and they were told that a major chain is looking to locate in Lincoln. He, Mayor Neitzel, and City Administrator Mr. Johnson went to Peoria on the 5th Street Road Project.
Presentation from Logan County Joint Solid Waste District:
Ms. Mitzi Rohlfs, Coordinator of the Joint Solid Waste District was present to answer any questions. The funding is through assessing each municipality where each citizen pays the same price no matter what part of Logan County you live in. This is meant to keep recyclables out of landfills. The current recycling bins need to be replaced.
Mr. Jim Strubing, chairman of the Joint Solid Waste District, wrote the book for the Joint Solid Waste Program. Logan County Board is no longer putting money in the program.
Ms. Rohlfs said in 2010 when Area Disposal decided to charge for the pickup of recyclables there were 500 people recycling but when Area Disposal started charging it has gone down to 120 people recycling through Area Disposal. This placed a larger burden on the recycling for Logan County. They also have electronic recycling and glass recycling throughout the summer. A proposal has been sent out to all entities and they have only received two back. There is a website for the Joint Solid Waste through the County and they have a Facebook page.
Logan County Joint Solid Waste Agency Proposal for Increased Assessment:
Ms. Rohlfs asked for a 50 cent increase (per capita) for the Joint Solid Waste. Alderman Hoinacki asked to place this on the Agenda for February 16, 2016.
Electric Aggregation Municipal Fee:
City Administrator Mr. Johnson said with the charges going down it seems to be a time when the City should start looking at electric aggregation. The City can charge the residents a municipal fee for the aggregation and could use that money to work on sidewalks. City Administrator Mr. Johnson said that if the rates are not lower, the aggregation will not be put in place. Alderman Hoinacki asked to place this on the agenda for February 16, 2016.
Other Discussion:
There was no Other Discussion.
Possible Executive Session:
Personnel – 2(c) (1)
Alderman Horn moved to go into Executive Session under 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1) and Alderman Parrott seconded it. City Clerk Mrs. Gehlbach called the roll call. There were six ayes (Alderman Bauer, Alderman Hoinacki, Alderman Horn, Alderman Mourning, Alderman Parrott, and Alderman Welch) and two absent (Alderman Hoefle and Alderman Tibbs); motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 8:07 p.m.
The meeting returned to regular session at 9:05 p.m. City Recording Secretary Mrs. Riggs called the roll call. There were six Aldermen present (Alderman Bauer, Alderman Hoinacki, Alderman Horn, Alderman Mourning, Alderman Parrott, and Alderman Welch) and two absent (Alderman Hoefle and Alderman Tibbs); motion carried.
Upcoming Meetings:
Council: Tuesday, February 16, 2016 – 7:00 p.m. (Due to President’s Day Holiday)
Committee of Whole: Tuesday, February 23, 2016 – 7:00 p.m.
Alderman Horn made a motion to adjourn the meeting and Alderman Parrott seconded it. There were six Aldermen present (Alderman Bauer, Alderman Hoinacki, Alderman Horn, Alderman Mourning, Alderman Parrott, and Alderman Welch) and two absent (Alderman Hoefle and Alderman Tibbs); motion carried.
The City of Lincoln Committee of the Whole Meeting adjourned at 9:06 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Risa Riggs
Recording Secretary
City of Lincoln