Minutes of the City of Lincoln City Council Committee of the Whole Meeting held in the Council Chambers on Tuesday, May 24, 2016. 

Mayor Pro-Tem Hoinacki called the regular City Council Committee of the Whole Meeting to order at 7:02 p.m.  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 Fire Chief Miller, Street Superintendent Mr. Landers, Building and Safety Officer Mr. Lebegue, American Water Manager Mr. Ferguson, and Police Chief Adams.  Also present were City Treasurer Mr. Conzo, City Administrator Mr. Johnson, and City Clerk Mrs. Gehlbach.

Mayor Pro-Tem Hoinacki led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Public Participation:

Mrs. Wanda Lee Rohlfs asked who prepares the COW meeting agenda.  City Administrator Mr. Johnson said that he prepares the agenda and then sends it out to the Mayor, City Clerk, and City Attorney for them to review and give any comments. Mayor Pro-Tem Hoinacki said that the Alderman have input as well.  Mrs. Rohlfs asked how the input is monitored.  City Administrator Mr. Johnson said that it was through dialog and there is not a policy. Mrs. Rohlfs asked if the City Administrator had voting rights and she was told no.  Mrs. Rohlfs said he (City Administrator Mr. Johnson) is not an elected official but is an employee and was told that was right.  Mrs. Rohlfs asked if they went by the Robert Rules of Order. Mayor Pro-Tem Hoinacki said for the most part.  Alderman Horn said there were times that Alderman Busby would not have approved.  Alderman Bauer said they are not bound to Roberts Rules of Order. 

Mrs. Rohlfs said toward the end of one meeting the Mayor said that due to time constraints the last two items would be on the next City Council meeting on June 6, 2016.  The City Administrator as a non-voting member objected to that and wanted one of the items placed on the agenda that night anyway.  She said that Mr. Johnson was out of order in making that comment, that he wanted that item on the agenda. 

Mrs. Rohlfs thanked the ones who voted no on the Pekin Street parking lot.  She felt that the City needed to look at the whole picture and that had happened at the last meeting.  She felt the citizens input should be considered as well as the businesses that would be affected.  She said the redevelopment plan is like a budget.

Mayor Pro-Tem Hoinacki said he thought it was twofold and was a front door to the community and they were trying to solve the drainage issues.  Alderman Welch said he went back and looked over the plan.  Alderman Horn said there was also a safety issue for the children.  Alderman Parrott said this needs to lose the name “library parking lot” because it is really the City of Lincoln’s parking lot.

Request to Permit – Amendment to Pigs and Swigs Road Closures:

City Administrator Mr. Johnson said the Up in Smoke BBQ Committee will utilize a tent for the weekend but it cannot be picked up until Monday, June 6, 2016 by 9:00 a.m.  Alderman Mourning felt that if the festival was not going on Sunday the tent should be removed on Sunday. 

This will be placed on the Consent Agenda for Monday, June 6, 2016.

Request to Permit – First Presbyterian Church BBQ Pork Dinner:

City Administrator Mr. Johnson said this is the same set up that has been used in previous years and will be held on July 15, 2016 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

This will be placed on the Consent Agenda for Monday, June 6, 2016. 

Logan County Animal Control Contract Agreement:

City Administrator Mr. Johnson recommended that this contract be renewed.

Alderman Tibbs said this should be placed on the regular Agenda for Monday, June 6, 2016.

Ordinance: Downtown Parking:

City Administrator Mr. Johnson said this was put on hold for thirty days to allow time for people to have input in this matter.  This ordinance also adjusts the fines starting at $25.00 for the first offense, $50.00 for the second, $100.00 for the third and $200.00 for the fourth in a one year time period.

This will be placed on the Regular Agenda for Monday, June 6, 2016.

Resolution: 2016 Employee Cost of Living Adjustments:

City Administrator Mr. Johnson said in the past the raises for employees were never voted on.  The following cost of living raises are as follows: 3% to exempt employees, $.50 for non-exempt employees and will be retroactive to May 1, 2016. 

This will be placed on the Agenda for Monday, June 6, 2016. 

Resolution: ITEP Grant Downtown Letter of Support:

City Administrator Mr. Johnson said there is money available to apply for the funding and the City of Lincoln has three blocks to finish (Kickapoo, McLean and Broadway) with an estimated cost of $1.6M.  They are looking at 70/30 split with the City matching with $480,000.00. These are funds through Federal money and there should not be a problem getting the money. 

This will be placed on the agenda for Monday, June 6, 2016. 

Third Friday Recap:

Alderman Welch said the Third Friday event was a huge success but there were some food vendors that did not show up but some restaurants went ahead and served people and the food vendors that were there, were pleased with the sales.  Alderman Mourning said he did not hear any negative comments about the event.  Alderman Bauer said there were games that people met other people in order to play the games for children and that each Third Friday event will have different activities.  Mayor Pro-Tem Hoinacki said he heard people say this was something that Lincoln needed.  Alderman Hoefle said there were families that said they could play and it was not expensive. Alderman Horn said this was new and different and yes there were hiccups. 

Other Discussion:

Alderman Mourning said that the first ALMH Market was a huge success.  Most people were sold out by 10:30 a.m.  They are hoping this will continue to bring new people to Lincoln. 

Alderman Mourning said the soccer outing was very good as well.

Alderman Horn said she had several people called her about the racetrack going over their time limit.  Alderman Mourning said it was over by 10:53 p.m. Alderman Tibbs said this race was enjoyed by several people and she could overlook the race going over.

American Water Manager Mr. Ferguson passed out the spec sheet for the sewer lining project and said it will go out for bids this week (May 23, 2016) through the Farnsworth Company.  He believed the bid opening date was June 22, 2016.  He was going to try to find some information to get to the Council members. 

Executive Session:    

Alderman Horn moved to go into Executive Session under 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1) personnel and Alderman Parrott seconded it.  City Clerk Mrs. Gehlbach called the roll call.  There were eight yeas (Alderman Bauer, Alderman Hoefle, Alderman Hoinacki, Alderman Horn, Alderman Mourning, Alderman Parrott, Alderman Tibbs and Alderman Welch), zero nays, and none absent; motion carried.

The meeting adjourned at 8:10 p.m.

The meeting returned to regular session at 9:23 p.m. 

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

Upcoming Meetings:

Council: Monday, June 6, 2016 – 7:00 p.m.     

Committee of Whole:     Tuesday, June 14, 2016 – 7:00 p.m.

Alderman Tibbs made a motion to adjourn the meeting and Alderman Horn seconded it.  There were eight ayes (Alderman Bauer, Alderman Hoefle, Alderman Hoinacki, Alderman Horn, Alderman Mourning, 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 9:24 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Risa Riggs

Recording Secretary