Sangamon Sun

City of Lincoln Council met Feb. 13.

Here is the minutes provided by the council:

The Regular Meeting of the City Council of 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 Steve Parrott Alderwoman Michelle Bauer Alderman Ron Keller Alderman Dayne Dalpoas Alderman Tracy Welch

STAFF PRESENT:

City Administrator Elizabeth Kavelman City Clerk Peggy Bateman

City Attorney John Hoblit Treasurer Chuck Conze

Building and Safety Officer Wes Woodhall Streets Superintendent Walt Landers Shawn Wright, Veolia Project Manager Fire Chief Mark Miller

Police Chief Paul Adams

STAFF ABSENT:

Alderman Ron Fleshman Alderwoman Heidi Browne Alderman Jeff Hoinacki

PRESIDING:

Mayor Seth Goodman

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION:

Mayor Goodman called upon citizens registered to speak, there being none, he moved to the Consent Agenda.

ANGELA STOLTZENBURG ILAND USE AUTHORIZATION, NORTH PORTION OF THE ALMH WELLNESS TRAIL ADJOINING HICKOX DRIVE, LINCOLN:

Mrs. Angela Stoltzenburg came forward to share how the hospital is extending the trail at ALMH. Their original intent was to showcase a trail, and now they want to make it more accessible to things beyond the campus. They want to extend on the green part, which is on Illinois DOT property. It's up to the city to decide if they can use it. ALMH wants the city to sign a memorandum. Alderman Parrott asked about the need to extend. She said it would provide a safer way to walk, and more access.

Alderman Keller asked about their timeline. They hope to start in fall 2019, or spring and summer 2019. That would include curbing, and other additions. As is, right now it is not wheelchair accessible. Alderman Parrott asked about extending parking. He wanted to know if they would expand on that too.

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She said the clientele is the public. She said the intention is to make it more walkable. Alderman Welch said there is parking on the frontage road. He saidit was nice parking in the hospital parking lot. He also mentioned that REPS Gym customers utilize the space. Alderman Parrott wanted clarity on the hospital picking up liability and covering the maintenance, he asked Attorney John Hoblit if he had been contacted about the space. He said he did not know the potential legal ramifications would be discussed. He wanted to know what the hospital needed from the city.

She said the city needs to give ALMH the right to put the trail on IDOTs property. Mr. Walt Landers said the city would be the permittee. He was unsure if they would issue a permit to an entity, but they can issue it to a municipality. She said the intent is to get people moving around and access things on foot. Any space they can get, will make the city more walkable.

City Clerk Bateman said the trail would be beautiful if someone from the gym wanted to walk over, it would be safer. Alderman Parrott asked about the hours, they're dusk until dawn. There isn't any lighting out on the trail. He wanted to ensure the city would not be liable for anything. Illinois DOT would issue right of way to the city. The agreement is for the hospital to take over liability and maintenance for the trail, however, the city would receive the permit, then the hospital would take it over.

Alderman Welch asked if the city is required to provide oversight of the project. The hospital would take it all on. The agreement does indicate that there would be a user, and a public liability insurance policy would be issued to the city. The user would be responsible for things outside the policy.

The item will be placed on the regular agenda.

REQUEST TO PERMIT: ANDREA DYKMAN OF LINCOLN PRINTERS TO PERMIT LINCOLN/LOGAN ROUTE 66 GARAGE SALE DAYS THE WEEKEND OF FRIDAY JUNE 7, 2019 THROUGH SUNDAY JUNE 9,2019:

Treasurer Chuck Conze wanted to know if they were requesting to use city property. Clerk Bateman said no, they just want to have the garage sales.

The item will be placed on the consent agenda.

MIDWEST HIGH SPEED RAIL ASSOCIATION· IN SUPPORTING ILLINOIS FAST TRACK INITIATIVE:

City Administrator Elizabeth Kavelman said she received a letter, and the mayor could sign it. Alderman Keller wanted her to clarify what it would commit the city to. Alderman Keller did not want to put it on the agenda, however, he wanted to invite the councilto look into it. He didn't see why it would be practical for the city.

FARNSWORTH GROUP AGREEMENT-PROVIDE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES IN CONNECTION WITH "JEFFERSON STREET BRIDGE REPLACEMENT TEMPORARY CONSTRUCTION EASEMENTS":

Mr. Landers referenced information in the packet that was shared with the council. He said there were three locations where the city needed to secure easements with the property owners. For bidding and construction, the project would cost around $29,700. Alderwoman Bauer wanted to know if it was in the budget for 2019, he said he hoped itwould be in the budget for 2019.He mentioned the MFT.

Treasurer Conze said this was in anticipation of what the city would be doing. This is the second half of the project. The item will be placed on the agenda.

FARNSWORTH GROUP AGREEMENT- PROVIDE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES IN CONNECTION WITH AGREEMENT HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AS "JEFFERSON STREET BRIDGE REPLACEMENT "PROJECT":

Mr. Landers shared the information about the bidding and construction services for the bridge. Again, it would run $29,700. The item will be placed on the agenda.

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PROPOSAL FOR CITY OF LINCOLN LABOR ATTORNEY CHRIS WALTERS, WALTERS LAW OFFICE AND RICHARD STEWART JR., HESSE MARTONE ATTORNEYS & COUNSELORS:

Police Chief Paul Adams talked about the negotiations coming up. He said Mr. Walters was utilized by the sheriffs department for many years due to issues they had with Mr.Walters.Mr.Stewart has experience with the FOP, he said it could be one of the hardest contract negotiations to get through.He recommended placing

it on the agenda for next week.Alderman Keller said he noticed the rates for Stewart and Walters. He mentioned that Stewart's office would not bill for travel and other extra charges.

Mr. Adams said Mr. Walters charged for phone calls last year, however, Mr. Stewart would not charge for those

items. Alderwoman Bauer said it could be placed on the agenda for next week, and then they could go into executive session. Chief Adams said he'd recommend going with Mr. Stewart and seeing how things worked out.

Alderman Welch asked if Mr. Adams' thoughts-were that he and the mayor would work with him to curtail some costs, by negotiating prior to bringing in the attorney. He said that was in effect what a previous administrator had done.Chief Adams said yes, and that went well before.Alderman Dalpoas asked for a timeframe, for when things would get started.

Chief Adams said the FOP is already in place.Alderman Welch mentioned having the entire council present, and maybe they could go into executive session next week, prior to a vote. Alderwoman Bauer asked if the proposal should be listed in the agenda. Attorney Hoblit weighed in. Alderman Welch asked if they could just put the agenda item on the agenda, he didn't want it to be dragged out another two weeks. Alderman Keller wanted to take council from Chief Adams.The council will put the general proposal on the agenda, without any names listed. The item was placed on the agenda, as the last item on the agenda.

AMENDING CHANGES TO LIQUOR REGULATIONS ORDINANCE NO. 2019-892:

Alderman Dalpoas began, saying he had a question about the updates, the bottom of page two, he was looking over the language, Section 1,Chapter 7, Part 5 of the city code-30 percent or more of revenue needed to come from sources other than video gaming. He wanted to ensure it read correctly. Mr. Hoblit mentioned subsection

Hoefle was asked if he had anything else to contribute. He came forward to the microphone. He wanted

to make some points, he said the group will abide with what the council decides. He mentioned a previous meeting at the hospital, regarding the average household income in the city being $30,000, with $15,000 disposable income. He also discussed that the higher the cost per machine be considered. He said the 30 percent, will offer a better outcome. He said on average, they're supposed to make $40-60,000 a year, with the machines. Alderman Parrott asked about the additional liquor license. Mr. Hoefle said the strong will survive, as there are only so many dollars to spend in Lincoln.

He said there's only so much they can spend, and it's the same thing with gambling-they can either put food on the table, or in the machines. Alderman Parrott asked about a scenario where a business might owe the city­ where they would not get to keep their license. Mr. Hoefle said the gaming with the liquor license goes hand in hand. He said if they can do that, the 30 percent means nothing. He said the strong will survive, there are only so many dollars out there. He said with the hotels, they will probably come next. They're the only avenue out there that could bring in additional tax dollars to the city, as local residents might not go out to the hotels to gamble, it would just be the guests who are staying in the hotels overnight. Alderman Dalpoas asked about no cap on liquor licenses and the original 50 percent, as-is. He wanted to know what portion of the ordinance that is unanimously.[he trailed off].

Mr. Hoefle responded, he said they're looking at some form of economic development, but that it has to benefit the city in taxes. Alderman Dalpoas said he saw the 30 percent as the stance for the city as a supplement as a revenue generating businesses. He didn't want businesses popping up that are only interested in the gaming revenue.

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Alderman Welch said going back to 50/50-he said it was not enforced,so as it was, those businesses were operating under the no percent rule. So he thinks they should remove the percentages. He said they should impose the cost of the machines, as a cost to do business.

He said in the climate of the community right now, businesses are closing and they need to do what they can to keep their businesses and not become a community that is not business-friendly. Mr. Hoblit wanted to note that the arguments had already been discussed and voted on beforehand. He said what is before the council, is the language cleanup, on the previously passed ordinance. Ordinance 892 was passed previously and still needs language edits in order to make it more enforceable. He said in future, if the council wanted to change percentages, fines, and fees-they would need to be presented in a new ordinance at a different date.

Alderman Parrott said there are no grandfathered businesses for any businesses in Lincoln-about meeting or not meeting the 50 percent rule. He said shame on the city for not enforcing this.Alderman Parrott said the city

issues liquor licenses, and not gambling licenses. He said there's a reason Vegas stays open. He did not see having open gambling in Lincoln-as economic development, and that the city could lose more businesses.

Alderman Dalpoas said he was comfortable with the language on the ordinance. The item will be placed on the agenda.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Z Living HD will be removed from the Comcast Channel line-up effective February 2019

Tours will be going on Friday, Feb. 15, and Saturday, Feb. 16, at various Lincoln sites

Thereis an Abe Lincoln statute on display at The Lincoln Depot, onloan from State Bank of Lincoln

Lincoln Christian University and Lincoln College will be hosting a basketball tournament Feb. 22-24, 250 athletes will be participating

The next city council meeting has been moved to Tuesday, Feb. 19

There is a wellness expo this weekend at the park district

Ardagh Group shared a letter about 150 layoffs at the plant, Mayor Goodman read it aloud, a job fair will be held on March 28 at the American Legion

A letter was sent to the city from a 6th grader from Massachusetts.a gift of time-given to President Abraham Lincoln, pictures were included in the letter

A meeting will be held at The Depot for the new panic alarm

The new fire truck, 5103 should be finished by Feb. 27

There is more vandalism at the Amtrak station, toilet paper holders were stolen, a window was broken

On March 9, Lincoln Christian Church will host an all you can eat breakfast

ADJOURNMENT:

There being no further business to come before the City Council of Lincoln, Alderman Dalpoas motioned to adjourn, seconded by Alderman Keller. Mayor Goodman adjourned the meeting at 7:55 p.m.

https://www.lincolnil.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=948:february-13-2019-committee-of-the-whole&catid=50&Itemid=82