Minutes of the City of Lincoln City Council Committee of the Whole Meeting held in the Council Chambers on Tuesday, June 28, 2016.
Mayor Neitzel called the regular City Council Committee of the Whole Meeting to order at 7:00 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, Safety and Building Officer Mr. Lebegue, American Water Manager Mr. Ferguson, and Police Chief Adams. Also present were Mayor Neitzel, City Treasurer Mr. Conzo, City Administrator Mr. Johnson, City Clerk Mrs. Gehlbach, and Recording Secretary Mrs. Riggs.
Mayor Neitzel led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Public Participation:
Mayor Neitzel gave a review of the Lincoln Revitalization Plan which was done by a steering committee. She felt the senior citizens were being taken care of well (Timber Lake, Hospital, St. Clara’s and other entities) and are giving them a great quality of life that they deserve. The Jefferson School property was worth $300,000.00 but the City of Lincoln purchased it for $75,000.00 from the school corporation. The new Street facility was given $4.2M by Nicor and the City is only paying a small amount for extra items on the project. The Depot will bring people in on the trains and they will get off at the new Depot and it is at no cost to the City. Mayor Neitzel said the Third Friday event has been a great addition to downtown Lincoln which was brought to fruition by the City Administrator Mr. Johnson. Mayor Neitzel commended Mr. Doolin for his restoration of the Scully Building which is a landmark in the City of Lincoln. The City of Lincoln parking lot on Pekin Street needs drainage to make it safer and free from ice during the winter.
Proclamation: Lincoln Women’s Club:
Mayor Neitzel said this will be read at the City Council Meeting at Tuesday, July 5, 2016 meeting and it will be placed on the Consent Agenda.
Request to Permit – 4th of July Kid Parade:
Alderman Tibbs said for several years the children had a walking parade on the 4th of July. She said this has been very successful in the previous years. It starts at Scully Park and ends at Lincoln Park District. This will be placed on the consent agenda for Tuesday, July 5, 2016.
Block Party Application – 200 Block of Pekin:
This will be placed on the Consent Agenda for Tuesday, July 5, 2016.
Comcast Franchise Agreement Amendment:
City Administrator Mr. Johnson said there is some minor language changes for the emergency system. City Attorney Mr. Blinn Bates has approved the changes in the contract. It was agreed to place this item on the Consent Agenda for Tuesday, July 5, 2016.
Resolution 2016-325: Establishing the Prevailing Wage Rate:
City Administrator said this is the same amount as last year. There may be an increase at a future time. This will be placed on the Agenda for Tuesday, July 5, 2016.
Approval of Special Use Permit – McDonald’s:
Building and Safety Officer Mr. Lebegue had a proposed drawing for the McDonald’s on Hickox Drive. The drive thru was presented to the Planning Commission last Thursday, June 23, 2016 (unanimous consent to approve). IDOT is looking over the plans as to whether or not this will be approved for coming off Route 10 (Woodlawn Road). This will be on the agenda for Tuesday, July 5, 2016.
Approval of FY-2016 Appropriation Budget Amendment & FY 2017 Appropriations Budget:
The FY-2016 Appropriation Budget Amendment will be placed on the agenda for Tuesday, July 5, 2016. The FY 2017 Appropriation Budget will be placed on the agenda for Tuesday, July 18, 2016.
Ordinance: Trailer Ordinance:
Building and Safety Officer Mr. Lebegue said he looked at several communities that did not allow boats and trailers to park on streets. A minor change would be to strike out some language and add some language under City Code 9-5-10: Parking to Obstruct Prohibited: (B) Further, the following are declared obstructions, eliminate the 72 hours language, no trailers, campers etc are not allowed.
Alderman Bauer said she lives in an area where they do not have back yard access for a boats, campers, trailers and this is a unique situation that needs to be addressed. There are many cul-de-sacs that don’t have a backyard either.
Alderman Hoinacki would like to have it placed on the website to allow the public to review and make comments. This will be revised for the July 26, 2016 meeting.
Fast Track Demolition – 512 N. Monroe & 1402 N. Kickapoo:
Building and Safety Officer Mr. Lebegue said the roof of the 1402 N. Kickapoo Street house has caved in, weeds and is a neighborhood dumping spot. This property will be demolished by Moody Excavating for a cost of $7,500.00 as a community service.
The 512 N. Monroe Street property bid came at a cost for $4,300.00 from Goodman Excavating.
Place both bids on the agenda for Tuesday, July 5, 2016.
Depot Construction Bid – Award:
City Administrator Mr. Johnson said there were two bids that were opened this afternoon for the construction phase. The construction estimates were $3.625M and the bids came in at the following: 1. Halverson Construction Company at $4,752,356 and 2. R. D. Lawrence Construction Company at $4,039,400.
City Administrator Mr. Johnson asked to place this on the agenda for Tuesday, July 5, 2016 pending a response from the engineers.
2016 Cured in Place Pipe Project (CIPP) Bid Award:
American Water Mr. Ferguson said on Wednesday they opened bids. There were five bids received. The lowest bid came from P. J. Hoerr Construction in the amount of $178,835.00. He asked to have this placed on the agenda for Tuesday, July 5, 2016.
Pekin Street Parking Lot Discussion & Direction:
Alderman Tibbs said the business owners are not in favor of the trash corral being moved away from the building. Alderman Hoefle said the cost keeps going up. He has talked to all of the business owners that have alley access and they do not want the corral. The sewer smell has been there for a long time. Alderman Bauer said this corral is an inconvenience, the parking lot scope will never get any cheaper, issues of the functionality of the project, and the large trucks are not coming out on Kickapoo Street. Alderman Parrott said he drives through the parking lot with caution, it is not in great shape, and it’s difficult to park in. Alderman Hoinacki wanted Mr. Ferguson to quote the storm sewer and inlets. Mr. Ferguson said this is all clay pipe. Alderman Mourning agreed with Alderman Parrott.
City Administrator Mr. Johnson said there are three options: Reject the project, reconsider the bid, or rebid the project. This could still be completed this year. Alderman Horn said it is a safety issue.
Mr. Bill Vinyard was really upset that the library gets looked over like the Post office and they are willing to contribute to the cost of the repairs. Alderman Bauer said the City of Lincoln should move forward.
Alderman Welch said he has talked to a lot of people and the City Council’s actions have upset a lot of people. He said he voted no because he had not been on the Council very long and is still torn on the issue.
The elevation is grated per the standard at the entryway.
Mayor Neitzel made a recommendation to have the vote on the July 18, 2016 agenda.
2016 Motor Fuel Tax Resolution:
City Administrator Mr. Johnson said this is for the reimbursement of funds. This will be placed on the Agenda for Tuesday, July 5, 2016.
2016 Resurfacing Program:
Street Superintendent Mr. Landers said he is looking for some direction. He is looking at doing three blocks around the Depot and that would be his recommendation. This will be done during the time that the Depot is being revitalized.
Alderman Welch said he knew they were looking to reassess the streets to decide what streets need to be done. Farnsworth Group said they need to get this in the process for bidding.
July 12, 2016 Committee of the Whole Meeting:
Mayor Neitzel would like to vacate the July 12, 2016 meeting and placed it on the agenda for next week.
Other Discussion:
Kathy Vinyard has given her resignation as of today.
Mayor Neitzel said the kids will be having a good time for the 4th of July with the parade and that it starts at Scully Park.
Mayor Neitzel read a thank you from the Logan County Young Professionals for the successful Pigs and Swigs event.
Fire Chief Miller reminded everyone that fireworks are dangerous and to use caution.
Executive Session:
There was no Executive Session held.
Upcoming Meetings:
Council: Tuesday, July 5, 2016 – 7:00 p.m.
Committee of Whole: Tuesday, July 12, 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 9:22 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Risa Riggs
Recording Secretary
City of Lincoln