Minutes of a regular City Council Meeting held in the Council Chambers of City Hall, Lincoln, IL, on Monday, March 7, 2016.

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

City Clerk Mrs. Gehlbach called the roll.  There were eight Aldermen present (Alderman Bauer, Alderman Hoefle, Alderman Hoinacki, Alderman Horn, Alderman Mourning, Alderman Parrott,  Alderman Tibbs and Alderman Welch) and none absent. Also present were Street & Alley Superintendent Mr. Landers, City Safety and Building Superintendent Mr. Lebegue, American Water Mr. Ferguson, Fire Chief Miller, and Police Chief Adams.  Also present were Mayor Neitzel, City Treasurer Mr. Conzo, City Attorney Mr. Blinn Bates, City Administrator Mr. Johnson, City Clerk Mrs. Gehlbach, and Recording Secretary Mrs. Riggs.

Mayor Neitzel asked for a moment of Silence in memory of former First Lady Nancy Reagan and in memory of Myron Aper (son, Firefighter Tim Aper and grandson, Firefighter Brett Tripplett).  Mayor Neitzel let the Pledge of Allegiance. 

Presentation from Joe Shaler, Veterans Assistance Commission:

Mr. Shaler said there are counties surrounding Logan County that have Veterans Assistance Commissions.  There are 2,400 Veterans in Logan County.  They are seeking someone to be an advocate for the Veterans.  This would be funded through property taxes.  Logan County is 40-50 years behind for the Veterans.  He received some calls today from Veterans on how they could file claims.  The financial emergency services help for things such as payments for housing, etc.  They are hoping to start some work study programs through Lincoln College and Heartland Community College.  The overall goal is to make this a Veteran friendly county.  This is on the ballot for next Tuesday, March 15, 2016. 

Alderman Mourning was in favor of supporting this.  Alderman Welch, as a Veteran, thanked Mr. Shaler for his time in setting this up.  Alderman Tibbs was in favor of supporting this.  Alderman Horn said she supports this and that she has two sons that have been deployed to Iraq and Iran. 

Lincoln Speedway Discussion:

Mr. & Mrs. Norm Horn were present to let everyone know that he and Yvonne had retired.  The new owners were present to let everyone know that they will have 14 events this year.  They would like to have the 90 minute extension.  This is treated a like a business and their goal is to be done by 10:00 p.m. 

Mayor Neitzel said they could come to the next meeting so they could put it on the agenda to vote at the next meeting.  Alderman Tibbs was looking forward to working with the new owners. 

Presentation by Leslie Hoefle:

Mrs. Hoefle questioned the $168,000.00 of funding given to the Logan County Alliance.  The Alliance was $153,951 in the red. She wondered if the Alliance should be returning leftover funding to the City of Lincoln.  She wanted people to know the questionable practices with the groups of The Alliance, The Chamber and the Tourism Bureau.  The overall name that continued to come up is Keith Snyder.  She discussed the issues with MMIL properties.  She said you have to prioritize and stay within your means. 

Presentation from Logan County Tourism Bureau

Ms. McCurtrey said they send out notices for their meetings. 

Mr. Sal Pollice is the new President of the Tourism Bureau and he has worked with different communities.  He wanted to know what needs to be changed.  He said that Ms. McCurtrey is very open and honest.  A lot of money is being paid for audits. 

Ms. McCurtrey said the presentation was duly noted.  She stressed they have an open door policy.     

Public Participation:

Mr. Don Frontone was present to discuss the municipal aggregation.  He stated that he is an expert in the municipal aggregation.  As a citizen of Lincoln, he was annoyed that nothing was being done.  He was going to give answers how the citizens could save some money.  He just went out for the Town of Normal who got a rate of .05765.  He said the projection was that the rates were going up.  He said you could go for six months and the savings to the citizens of Lincoln could be a total of $261,790.00.  He felt the community needs to have more participation. 

Mayor Neitzel called for the Consent Agenda by Omnibus Vote:

Payment of Bills

Approval of minutes for the November 23, 2015 Joint Meeting with Logan County Board, December 7, 2015Special City Council Meeting, and January 4, 2016, Regular City Council Meeting

Request to permit to closing Broadway Street from Kickapoo Street to McLean Street for the LCHS Grand March on Saturday, April 30, 2016 from 4:00 p.m. until its conclusion (certificate of liability insurance is attached)

Alderman Horn moved to approve the Consent Agenda as read and Alderman Tibbs seconded it. City Clerk Mrs. Gehlbach called the roll call.  There were eight ayes (Alderman Bauer, Alderman Hoefle, Alderman Hoinacki, Alderman Horn, Alderman Mourning, and Alderman Parrott, Alderman Tibbs and Alderman Welch) and none absent; motion carried.

Ordinances and Resolutions:

Ordinance # 2016-848 enacting Title 4, Chapter 11, of the City Code, General Development Standards and Landscape Regulations

Alderman Mourning moved to approve and Alderman Bauer seconded it.  City Clerk Mrs. Gehlbach called the roll call.  There were seven ayes (Alderman Bauer, Alderman Hoinacki, Alderman Horn, Alderman Mourning, and Alderman Parrott, Alderman Tibbs and Alderman Welch), one nay (Alderman Hoefle) and none absent; motion carried.

Bids:

There were no Bids to come before the City Council.

Reports:

There were no reports to come before the City Council    

New Business/Communications:

Approval of Façade Improvement Grant request for awnings for the property at 616 Broadway Street in an amount not to exceed $1,021.22

Alderman Welch moved to approve and Alderman Hoinacki seconded it.  City Clerk Mrs. Gehlbach called the roll call.  There were eight ayes (Alderman Bauer, Alderman Hoefle, Alderman Hoinacki, Alderman Horn, Alderman Mourning, and Alderman Parrott, Alderman Tibbs and Alderman Welch) and none absent; motion carried.

Authorization for the City to file the necessary paperwork with the State of Illinois and Internal Revenue Service for the formation of the Lincoln Civil Foundation 

Alderman Hoinacki moved to approve and Alderman Parrott seconded it.  City Clerk Mrs. Gehlbach called the roll call.  There were eight ayes (Alderman Bauer, Alderman Hoefle, Alderman Hoinacki, Alderman Horn, Alderman Mourning, and Alderman Parrott, Alderman Tibbs and Alderman Welch) and none absent; motion carried.

Announcements:

The Lincoln Railer Baseball Breakfast will be held on Sunday, March 20, 2016 at the American Legion from 8:00 a.m. to noon. 

The Boy Scout Barbeque at the KC’s on Sunday, March 20, 2016 from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Garden Day at Lincoln College will be held on Saturday, March 12, 2016 and is sponsored by the Master Gardeners.

Executive Session

Personnel – 2(c) (11)

Alderman Horn moved to go into Executive Session under 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(11) civil litigation and Alderman Hoinacki seconded it.  City Clerk Mrs. Gehlbach called the roll call.  There were eight ayes (Alderman Bauer, Alderman Hoefle, Alderman Hoinacki, Alderman Horn, Alderman Mourning, and Alderman Parrott, Alderman Tibbs and Alderman Welch) and none absent; motion carried.

The meeting adjourned at 8:48 p.m.

The meeting returned to regular session at 9:10 p.m. 

City Clerk Mrs. Gehlbach called the roll call.  There were eight present (Alderman Bauer, Alderman Hoefle, Alderman Hoinacki, Alderman Horn, Alderman Mourning, and Alderman Parrott, Alderman Tibbs and Alderman Welch) and none absent; motion carried.

 Alderman Mourning said the budget was coming up.  The first budget meeting will be held on March 17, 2016 at 6:00 p.m.

Alderman Tibbs moved to adjourn the meeting and Alderman Parrott seconded it. City Recording Secretary Mrs. Riggs called the roll call.  There were eight ayes (Alderman Bauer, Alderman Hoefle, Alderman Hoinacki, Alderman Horn, Alderman Mourning, and Alderman Parrott, Alderman Tibbs and Alderman Welch) and none absent; motion carried.

The City Council Meeting was adjourned at 9:13 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted By:

Risa Riggs

Recording Secretary