Minutes of the City of Lincoln City Council Committee of the Whole Meeting held in the Council Chambers on Tuesday, March 15, 2016. 

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

Mayor Neitzel called the regular City Council Committee of the Whole Meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. 

Mayor Neitzel led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Public Participation:

There was no public participation.

Eagle Scout Project – Caleb Meador:

City Administrator Mr. Johnson said Caleb Meador was present to discuss his Eagle Scout project.  He is planning to place a headstone at the Lincoln Amtrak Station by the tree that honors the Veterans of the Korean War.  He said he has planned a budget of $1,500.00.

Alderman Welch thanked Mr. Meador.  Mr. Meador mentioned that there was a barbecue dinner on Sunday, March 20 , 2016.

Alderman Tibbs asked to have this on the Consent Agenda.

Lincoln Speedway Schedule Request:

Mr. Drake Nelson was present requesting the continuation of 90 minutes extension time.   

Alderman Bauer said to place this on the Consent Agenda. 

Library Parking Lot Improvements:

City Administrator Mr. Johnson said the City went out for bids in January and all three were way over by $100,000.00.  The three bids were: ICCI in the amount of $570,000.00; Sangamo in the amount of $595,895.59; and Leander in the amount of $620,000.00.  There were extra costs added for sewer repair unknowns between MKS and Kickapoo Street.  They felt the sewer should be left alone at this time. 

Mr. Ferguson said the sewer camera got stuck while trying to determine what damage might need to be repaired in the Library Parking lot.  There are no sewer manholes. The sewer is approximately ten feet deep.  They determined that there were numerous taps on the line.  This would require excavation for the project.  There are no sink holes in the road.  A plan is now in place.  They will work on lining from the alley to Pekin Street. 

Alderman Hoinacki asked about the odors in the alley.  Mr. Ferguson said they will place a manhole that will not allow the vapor to leak out. 

Justin with Farnsworth said the way the parking lot is set up there will be dumpsters on one side.  Alderman Tibbs said she understood that the dumpsters would be moved to another location and that she felt that was a very poor layout.  Alderman Hoefle was shocked that all the businesses were going to have an issue with getting the merchandise to the businesses.  Alderman Hoefle said the City was spending a lot of money.  City Administrator Mr. Johnson said this will give 3 – 5 more parking spaces.  Alderman Mourning said having the surface level is a bonus for everyone.  Alderman Tibbs asked the business owners that were present to speak.  Mrs. Tarter asked if they could see the plans.  Mr. Johnson said this was basically the same plan that they had before.  Mr. Landers said everyone would share the dumpsters.  Mr. Allen Shew said the smell from the sewer was a good idea and that there needs to be proper drainage and that it is unsafe.  Justin said that they are currently going to raise up the grade and the inlets and 500 feet of storm sewer should help the drainage.  Mr. Johnson said they need to reject the bids and the City Council needs to make a decision about the public art.  A copy of the art that would be installed at the corner of Kickapoo was brought before the City Council.  This is by local artists Jason Hoffman and Moses Pinkerton.  The City will pay no more than $2,200.00 to the Artists to pay for some of the artists’ costs on this project. 

All three items will be placed on the agenda. 

Request to Permit – Use of Postville Park by VFW Post 1756 during Route 66 Yard Sale:

Alderman Tibbs asked to have this placed on the Consent Agenda.

Request to Permit – St. Jude Lincoln to Peoria Run Donation Collection:

Everyone agreed to have this placed on the Consent Agenda. 

Memorandum of Understanding – Kiwanis Club Upkeep of City Park Space:

This is for the Kiwanis Club for the upkeep of the City Park Space in the 200 block of N. Union Street.  This will be placed on the Consent Agenda. 

Copier Lease Amendment:

City Administrator Mr. Johnson said the Police Department needed another copier.  This will be placed on the regular agenda. 

Depot Change Orders #2-4 – Spirtas Wrecking:

City Administrator Mr. Johnson said part of this change order consists of new work that needs to be done.  The design team wanted to go ahead and get the demolition done now.  There are three additional items that need to be taken care of. 

Other Discussion:

Mayor Neitzel said she did the National School Week Proclamation and that it needed to be placed on Consent Agenda.

Mayor Neitzel said the City of Lincoln has the opportunity to be a part of the byway of Route 66 and asked to have this placed on the Regular Agenda.

Mayor Neitzel said she had a Proclamation for March 29, 2016 as Veterans Day on the Consent Agenda.

Alderman Tibbs asked to have an independent audit of the LCA.  Alderman Mourning said he has heard that Abbotts Accounting Firm has performed audits every year. Alderman Hoefle said the City is being watched and an audit would be in order.  Alderman Bauer said that prior to 2015, the City did not have any say in what was spent.  Alderman Welch felt they should hear from the community and do their due diligence.  City Treasurer Mr. Conzo said he didn’t know how they could do an audit.  Alderman Parrott was in favor of an audit.  Alderman Hoefle said a full audit is needed.  Alderman Hoinacki wanted to know how much an audit would cost.  City Treasurer Mr. Conzo said it might be around $18,000.00 for the audits.  Alderman Hoefle asked to have the audit on the agenda.  Alderman Mourning said they need to see where they are in the process.  Alderman Hoefle asked if they would request their money back from the Logan County Alliance.  Alderman Hoefle said they are requesting an audit and if they have not done the audit to take their money back.  Alderman Mourning said what if they say they don’t want an audit.  Alderman Hoinacki said to place on the agenda to have an audit through an independent auditor for the Logan County Alliance.  Alderman Hoinacki wanted to know where the money is coming from to handle this audit of the Logan County Alliance. 

Alderman Tibbs wanted to reimburse Alderman Welch for his live streaming service.  Alderman Welch said he is using a free service and there will be costs later.  Alderman Tibbs felt they should be able to put this on the City’s website and that this should be in the budget. 

Alderman Tibbs asked about the electric aggregation.  Mr. Johnson said they were working with the other municipalities in Logan County. 

Possible Executive Session:             

There was no Executive Session held. 

Upcoming Meetings:

Budget Workshop: Thursday, March 17, 2016 – 6:00 p.m.

Council: Monday, March 21, 2016 – 7:00 p.m.     

Committee of Whole:     Tuesday, March 29, 2016 – 7:00 p.m.

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

The City of Lincoln Committee of the Whole Meeting adjourned at 9:12 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Risa Riggs

Recording Secretary