Minutes of the City of Lincoln City Council Committee of the Whole Meeting held in the Council Chambers on Tuesday, April 26, 2016. 

Mayor Neitzel called the regular City Council Committee of the Whole Meeting to order at 7:35 p.m.  There were seven Aldermen present (Alderman Bauer, Alderman Hoefle, Alderman Hoinacki, Alderman Horn, Alderman Mourning, Alderman Tibbs and Alderman Welch) and one absent (Alderman Parrott). Also present were Fire Chief Miller, Street Superintendent Mr. Landers, Safety and Building Officer Mr. Lebegue, and Deputy Police Chief Vlahovich.  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.

Public Participation:

Mrs. Wanda Rohlfs said the elected officials have a duty to justify what is in the contracts.

Ms. Margaret McMurtrey had a handout for the Aldermen.  She was here on the audit for the Tourism Bureau and stated that they are declining the audit at this time.  There are audits that are still being prepared. 

Community Action Partnership of Central Illinois – Deviated Bus Route:

Ms. Diane Turner had a handout of a passenger guide.  A deviated bus route will go through the City of Lincoln.  She needs assistance from the City for signs to be placed at the places they will stop.  They need to be able to be safe and not be on the main square but need someplace to let people off only being a block off.  Roads that are State or Federal need approval by the State and Federal.  Their plan is to be up and running by May 16, 2016.  This is a pilot program and they have taken recommendations on where to stop and will be tracking the stops to see where they are making stops. 

Lincoln Area Music Society – Request for signage:

City Administrator Mr. Johnson said this is a request to permit the signage for the summer music as it was last year. 

This will be placed on the Consent Agenda for Monday, May 2, 2016.

Request to Permit – Zero Tolerance Benefit for Brendon Armbrust:

Alderman Welch wanted to know what the time frame is for this event.  City Administrator said they would check what time they wanted this blocked for the event.

This will be placed on the Agenda for Monday, May 2, 2016.

General Fund Reserve Policy:

City Administrator Mr. Johnson said this will allow 15-25% of annual expenditures in reserves.  This would be for the 2017 year which the amounts would be between $1,065,561 and $1,775,936.  This would allow stabilization for the budget, pension obligations or to finance capital projects.

This will be placed on the regular agenda for Monday, May 2, 2016. 

 Police Department Shooting Range:

Deputy Police Chief Vlahovich stated that Street Superintendent Mr. Landers felt the Police Department should use a small area at the landscape waste facility as the shooting range.  The berm is much larger than the facility they are currently using.  The City of Lincoln Police Department will be the only ones allowed to use this facility.  There is a 30 foot berm that would be ideal for shooting. 

This will be placed on the agenda for Monday, May 2, 2016. 

Ordinance – Purchase of Real Estate:

City Administrator Mr. Johnson said Jefferson School is in good structural condition and has the square footage to house the Police Department.  The school district has authorized the sale to the City for $75,000.00 which contains approximately 2 acres.  This would have to be upgraded.  City Attorney Mr. Blinn Bates has recused himself as he sits on the Lincoln District 27 Board.  Attorney Tom Van Hook has prepared the Ordinance for the purchase of Jefferson School.

Deputy Police Chief Vlahovich said the Lincoln Police Department can only hold prisoners for six hours.  The Sheriff’s office is in charge of holding prisoners for longer time periods. 

This will be placed on the Agenda for Monday, May 2, 2016. 

Public Participation Rules of Order:

City Administrator Mr. Johnson said Alderman Mourning asked to enforce the rules (time limits).  Alderman Hoefle wants to hear the public participation but suggested possibly 3 people being the limit.  Alderman Welch suggested 10 minutes.  Alderman Mourning wants to enforce what we currently have.  City Administrator Mr. Johnson said they would use Rule #3 and Rule #4 of the City of Lincoln Rules of Order for Public Comment. 

This will be placed on the Agenda for Monday, May 2, 2016. 

Authorization of Hiring a Firefighter and Promotions:

Fire Chief Miller stated that Captain Larry Spurling’s retirement would be effective May 2, 2016.  He would like to hire a new firefighter, Zachary Camille.  With this retirement, Ty Johnson will be promoted to Captain and Bret Tripplett will be promoted to Lieutenant.  Firefighter Robert Wood has shown interest in the Fire Inspector position and that will be effective May 2, 2016 

This will be placed on the regular agenda for Monday, May 2, 2016. 

Other Discussion:

Mayor Neitzel wanted to place the Department Heads as well as Mr. Bates on the agenda for Monday, May 2, 2016. 

Possible Executive Session:             

There was no Executive Session held. 

Upcoming Meetings:

Council: Monday, May 2, 2016 – 7:00 p.m.     

Committee of Whole:     Tuesday, May 10, 2016 – 7:00 p.m.

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

The City of Lincoln Committee of the Whole Meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Risa Riggs

Recording Secretary