REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Lincoln City Hall, Council Chambers 700 Broadway Street I Lincoln, Illinois
Monday, July 15,2019
Presiding:
Mayor Seth Goodman
The Regular Meeting of the City Councilof Lincoln was called to order by Mayor Seth Goodman at 7 p.m., with proper notice given. City Clerk Peggy Bateman called roll.
Present:
Alderman Tracy Welch, Ward 1
Alderman Steve Parrott, Ward 1
Alderman Sam Downs, Ward 2
Alderman Kevin Bateman,Ward 3
Alderman Ron Keller, Ward 3
Alderman Kathy Horn, Ward 4
Staff Present:
City Administrator Elizabeth Kavelman
City Attorney John Hoblit
City Clerk Peggy Bateman
Treasurer Chuck Conze
Building and Safety Officer Wes Woodhall
Streets Superintendent Walt Landers
Veolia Water, Greg Pyles
Fire Chief Bob Dunovsky
Police Chief Paul Adams
Absent:
Alderman Kathryn Schmidt, Ward 2
Alderman Jeff Hoinacki,Ward 4
Public Comment:
Mayor Goodman called upon citizens registered to speak. Mr. Colin Wolf of 904 21st Street in Lincoln came forward to request a handicap assessible swing in one of the city parks - on 5111 Street. There is already a ramp there. He said kids with additional needs need to be made to feel the same as any other kids.
He said he feels the City of Lincoln has the ability to make this happen. Alderman Keller asked a question about cost estimates surrounding the swing and a potentialsidewalk and ramp. It would be around $2,000 for a section of cork sidewalk. More discussion ensued.Mr. Bateman said he liked this idea so long as they could get something to withstand vandalism. He then spoke to the welcome garden.Alderman Keller mentioned retrofitting an existing swing set. More discussion ensued about having an attractive piece of equipment. He said if you were looking to do an entire park it could possibly be $70,000. He said they have to start somewhere.
Alderman Downs touched on Postville Park, and revamping that. He wanted to know the distance from the sidewalk to where the swing could go.It could be around 40 feet according to Mr. Wolfe, who said they just need an ADA compliant sidewalk or pathway.
Alderman Downs asked a question. Then Alderman Welch talked about putting the city's foot forward and doing something positive. He said Alderman Bateman is chomping at the bit to do something such as this. He posed putting together some figures and options.
Alderman Welch said he was fully supportive of this and that it could show the community that the city recognizes what their needs are.He said this is a good opportunity to put their foot forward and do something positive.
Mr. Walt Landers asked if he had reached out to the Lincoln Park District just yet. Mr. Landers said the district takes care of all the city parks andis responsible for the play equipment.
Alderman Bateman said this is more in Alderman Downs' wheelhouse as he worked with citizens with disabilities on a daily basis. Alderman Parrott said he was going to make that same recommendation.
Next, Mrs. Wanda Lee Rohlfs came forward to share her questions relating to two budgetitems, she said she was inspired to look more closely and do some research.She went to the local county treasurer's website and pulled up the page with tax information listed - reported from every community or township in the county. In looking through this, she said a lot of the projection figures in the budget come from this document.
Two comments on her Facebook page inquired about the forestry item, and where it goes to .. . and the other one was public benefits. She said she kind of thought she remembered what the forestry item went to, but she couldn't find where the public benefits went . . . She said the best place to have this question answered was on the city council floor. She said she was here to get the answers and hopefully those people are listening, and we all get our answers.
She did not know where either expenditure was listed in the budget.
Treasurer Chuck Conze first responded about the forestry item. Saying it had to do with a number of things including Arbor Day and some of the other things the Streets and Alley Department does with trees on city property. He said public benefits can be used for a variety of things ...sidewalks etc.More discussion ensued. She said they were not explained as far as she could see in the budget .. .as a line item. She wanted to know where they figured out . . . since it comes from the county. . . and wanted to know if it had to be spent in a certain manner.
He said public benefits can encompass a number of different things . .. [inaudible] . ..forestry, [inaudible] ... he then mentioned a storm reserve.
She wanted to know if this revenue item was listed in the budget as a line item. He said no, and that public benefits could be divided among a number of different things.
Mr.Landers said a few years ago, instead of having a forestry line item, it was added into the Streets and Alleys Budget. She said she did look at house.
Treasurer Chuck Conze talked about specifying a line in the budget. There being no further public comment, Mayor Goodman moved to other items on the agenda.
Consent Agenda by Omnibus Vote: Payment of Bills:
Alderman Welch made a motion to approve, seconded by Alderman Keller.Mayor Goodman called for further discussion,there being none, City Clerk Bateman called roll.
Yeas: (6) Alderman Steve Parrott, Alderman Tracy Welch,Alderman Sam Downs,Alderman Ron Keller, Alderman Kevin Bateman, Alderman Kathy Hom
Nays: (0)
Abstain: (0)
Absent: (2) Alderman Kathryn Schmidt, Alderman Jeff Hoinacki
Bids:
City Treasurer's Report for June 2019:
Treasurer Chuck Conze talked about how most accounts have remained where they were. One account is having trouble getting over $10,000,0000. He said the firemen's pension fund has seen the same type of timeline. He said that was where the city was and that they certainly hoped to remedy that.
He touched on the Municipal Sales Tax and the State Use Tax. He then covered the Non-Home Rule Sales Tax, there was an increase there and he then touched on the Motor fuel Tax, there was a decrease in $1,000. He said the gasoline tax in the state just recently doubled. He said he did not see in the long run how that would benefit the city. He said if drivers pump less gas
due to the tax, then there would be less revenue. He said that we will not have as much revenue as we have had before. He said this was something they needed to be cognizant of moving ahead because the MFT is used for a lot of street and infrastructure improvements. He said we're seeing a little bit of a downward trend there.
He talked about software expenses putting the city over budget., He said they exceeded the budget by about $5,600. He then touched on Buildings and Grounds and those appropriations, the budget was exceeded by $56,000 and the appropriation was exceeded as well. He cited that the utilities were the cause.
He then said something else again came in over budget, this time by $9,000. He said the city is still under budget by $300,000 some odd dollars. And they were under the appropriation. He said that was just for the General Revenue Fund (GRF). He said keep in mind, this general fund composite accountis the general operating account.
Alderman Keller wanted more insight into the city's population and that state's population being on decline and - what that could show in terms of sales tax numbers.
Treasurer Conzo . ..the sales taxis distributed upon what is sold in the city ... he said it depends on what businesses stay in Lincoln and however much they sell. The declining population of the state could not affect it as much. He said he was not sure why it has
increased. He also said the other thing with the income tax, that would not be distributed to the city .. .
City Clerk's Report for June 2019:
City Clerk Peggy Bateman said that for June 2019 - the total sewer receipts collected in the month of June were $431,066.98.
The amount of $194,356.73 was received from both prisons. The trash has all been paid for, so no one in the City of Lincoln owes on trash at this point. Area Disposal has retaken over that responsibility. She said the city still gets calls from customers.
Department Head Reports for June 2019:
Department Head Reports are either on file or will be on file shortly.
New Business and Communications:
Approval of loan agreement with United Community Bank at an interest rate of 3.24% for the purchase of eight new patrol vehicles from Lincoln,Chrysler, Dodge,Jeep
Alderman Keller made a motion to approve, seconded by Alderman Welch. Mayor Goodman called for further discussion, there being none,City Clerk Bateman called roll.
Yeas: (6) Alderman Steve Parrott, Alderman Tracy Welch,Alderman Sam Downs, Alderman Ron Keller, Alderman Kevin Bateman, Alderman Kathy Horn
Nays: (0)
Abstain: (0)
Absent: (2) Alderman Kathryn Schmidt, Alderman Jeff Hoinacki
Approval of the purchase of a new Montabert Breaker from Roland Machinery, Springfield,Illinois at a cost not to exceed, $8,200
Alderman Horn made a motion to approve, seconded by Alderman Welch. Mayor Goodman called for further discussion, there being none, City Clerk Bateman called roll.
Yeas: (6) Alderman Steve Parrott, Alderman Tracy Welch,Alderman Sam Downs, Alderman Ron Keller, Alderman Kevin Bateman, Alderman Kathy Horn
Nays: (0) Abstain:(0)
Absent: (2) Alderman Kathryn Schmidt, Alderman Jeff Hoinacki
Approval to solicit bids for the construction of the New Union Street Lift Station
Alderman Bateman made a motion to approve, seconded by Alderman Hom. Mayor Goodman called for further discussion, there being none, City Clerk Bateman called roll.
Yeas: (6) Alderman Steve Parrott, Alderman Tracy Welch,Alderman Sam Downs, Alderman Ron Keller, Alderman Kevin Bateman,Alderman Kathy Horn
Nays: (0) Abstain:(0)
Absent: (2) Alderman Kathryn Schmidt, Alderman Jeff Hoinacki
Approval to authorize the Mayor to sign contracts and related documents for the construction of the Union Street Lift Station
Alderman Bateman made a motion to approve, seconded by Alderman Hom. Mayor Goodman called for further discussion, there being none, City Clerk Bateman called roll.
Yeas: (6) Alderman Steve Parrott, Alderman Tracy Welch,Alderman Sam Downs,Alderman Ron Keller, Alderman Kevin Bateman, Alderman Kathy Horn
Nays: (0) Abstain:(0)
Absent: (2) Alderman Kathryn Schmidt, Alderman Jeff Hoinacki
Announcements:
Mayor Goodman called on the council to share any announcements they may have.
- The RFP will go in the Illinois State Journal Register on Sunday
- Jefferson Street was closed today for bridge repairs, construction will be in process for the next few weeks.
- Mr. Greg Pyles has accepted a position with the City of Moline and is resigning.
- Third Fridays Downtown Lincolnis Friday, July 19 from 5:30 - 8:30 p.m.
- More work is in progress with the stt1 Street Road Progress, meetings will be held with property owners, engineers and two city aldermen.
- There is a Sept. 1, deadline with the Comcast contract.
Adjournment:
There being no further business to come before the City Council of Lincoln, Alderman Welch made a motionto adjourn, seconded by Alderman Keller. The meeting was adjourned by Mayor Seth Goodman at 7:48 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted:
Alexandrea Williams, Recording Secretary