Sangamon Sun

City of Lincoln Council met May 6.

Here is the minutes provided by the council:

PRESIDING:

Mayor Seth Goodman

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 Tracy Welch, Ward 1 Alderman Steve Parrott, Ward 1 Alderman Kathryn Schmidt, Ward 2 Alderman Kevin Bateman, Ward 3 Alderman Ron Keller, Ward 3 Alderman Kathy Horn, Ward 4 Alderman Jeff Hoinacki, Ward 4

STAFF PRESENT:

City Administrator Elizabeth Kavelman

City Attorney John Hoblit

City Clerk Peggy Bateman

Treasurer Chuck Conzo

Fire Chief Bob Dunovsky

Police Chief Paul Adams

Streets Superintendent Walt Landers

Veolia Water, Greg Pyles

ABSENT:

Building and Safety Officer Wes Woodhall

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Swearing in of Newly Elected Council:

Tracy Welch - Ward 1 Kathryn Schmidt - Ward 2 Kevin Bateman - Ward 3 Kathleen Horn - Ward 4

SWEARING IN OF PROMOTIONAL AND NEW FIREFIGHTERS:

Robert Dunovsky - Fire Chief

Ty Johnson - Assistant Fire Chief Todd Koehler- Captain

Andy Dexter - Lieutenant

Andy Carrigan - New Firefighter

Those who took office, rose their right hands and solemnly swore and affirmed that they would support and uphold the constitutions of the State of Illinois and the United States to the best of their abilities.

NEW BUSINESS/COMMUNICATION:

Advise and Consent to the Mayoral appointment of Sam Downs to the position of Alderman,Ward Two for the remainder of the unexpired two-year term

Alderman Welch made a motion to approve, seconded by Alderman Keller. Mayor Goodman called for discussion, there being none, City Clerk Bateman called roll.

Yeas: (7) Alderman Steve Parrott, Alderman Tracy Welch, Alderman Kathryn Schmidt, Alderman Ron Keller, Alderman Kevin Bateman,Alderman Jeff Hoinacki, Alderman Kathy Horn

NAYS:(0)

Abstain: (0) Absent: (0)

Sam Downs then came forward to be sworn into office of Alderman Ward 2. He swore and affirmed that he would support the constitutions of the State of Illinois and the United States. Mr. Downs then took his place among his fellow council members. Mayor Goodman moved to other items on the agenda.

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION:

Mayor Goodman called upon citizens registered to speak.Mr. and Mrs. Eldon Lesson of 836 1850th Street came forward to discuss their concerns about a property they own on Pekin Street and a problem with the sewer line there. They explained that they had contacted a business to work on the sewer line. The business replaced the main sewer line and the lateral.

They had contacted the sewer department about repairing the main sewer line and to discuss who was responsible for that piece. She said a lot of things lead to a sort of bad start.

She said they want to do what is right and just in this instance. Mayor Goodman called on Alderman Welch to give some input on his last meeting with the Lessons. The new council will have a discussion about the situation. They thanked him. There being no further public participation, Mayor Goodman moved down to other agenda items.

NEW COUNCIL WELCOME:

City Administrator Elizabeth Kavelman introduced some information to the new council members. She shared some background about the new policy handbook, information on the city code, etc. She said the city council started out as an aldermanic structure with committees, however, the structure changed in 2013.She covered basic information about public comment within council meetings.

Administrator Kavelman turned things over to the City Attorney, John Hoblit to cover quorums and the Open Meetings Act. The majority of a quorum is three aldermen.The Open Meetings Act, shows anything being conducted as city business should be conducted in front of the public. Members of the council are obligated to conduct any business in the council chambers and not behind closed doors. He said three or more meeting together would be in violation of The Open Meetings Act.

Mr. Hobl t then went into executive session meetings and explained that there are certain scenarios where the council can hold private meetings based on certain topics,for the performance of a specific employee, for collective bargaining, etc. He said these meetings are very particular and very defined.

City Administrator Kavelman picked up from there. She asked that everyone leave their cell phones on silent or inside their vehicles before coming into any meetings.

Mr. Hoblit then wanted to briefly cover parliamentary procedure. He said going forward, you guys will observe from people that certain things are done in a certain fashion,for example, motions and roll calls are taken for votes. He said you can vote in favor, for against, or abstain. He said not everything is a conflict of interest, but in order to avoid the perception of impropriety, they can step away from the vote. He said please be wary in regards to parliamentary procedure.

Alderman Keller thanked the administrator and city attorney for assembling the information. Police Chief Paul Adams explained some basics about the sound system and microphones and the need for speaking into the microphones and having it in front of them before speaking.

Consent Agenda by Omnibus Vote:

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.

Payment of Bills

Approval of April 23, 2019 Public Hearing,April 23, 2019 Special City Council Meeting,April 23, 2019 Committee of the Whole Meeting minutes

Request from the Lincoln Area Music Society to permit the placement of a banner in the Welcome Park at the comer of Pekin and Kickapoo Streets from June 6 through July 8, 2019

Alderman Keller made a motion to approve, seconded by Alderman Hoinacki. Alderman Welch asked if the Logan County Tourism Bureau had given approval. Mayor Goodman called for further discussion, there being none, City Clerk Bateman called roll.

Yeas: (7) Alderman Steve Parrott, Alderman Tracy Welch, Alderman Kathryn Schmidt, Alderman Sam Downs, Alderman Ron Keller, Alderman Jeff Hoinacki, Alderman Kathy Horn

NAYS: (0)

Abstain:(1) Alderman Kevin Bateman Absent: (0)

Mayor Goodman moved to other items on the agenda. Bids:

Revocation of the award of bid to Landmark Ford for the purchase of a truck for use by the Sewer Department

Alderman Welch made a motion to approve, seconded by Alderman Keller. Mayor Goodman called for further discussion. Alderman Welch gave some background about the bid and explained that additional items were added to the Request for Proposal (RFP).This is in regards to the sewer departments request for a new vehicle. He said the previous council determined they needed to go out for another bid with all the features they were requesting.

Alderman Bateman said he would vote yes, to rebid this vehicle, but he wanted to request that bids be mailed out, sealed, containing a post mark, and opened inside the chambers in order to keep it in front of the public eye. He asked that they be mailed in so there is a post mark and that they were contained inside a sealed envelope.City Administrator Kavelman said it used to be done that way, all the time, and that some procedure had changed, and that was a very good idea. Without any further comment, City Clerk Bateman called roll.

Yeas: (8) Alderman Steve Parrott, Alderman Tracy Welch, Alderman Kathryn Schmidt, Alderman Sam Downs, Alderman Ron Keller, Alderman Kevin Bateman, Alderman Jeff Hoinacki,Alderman Kathy Horn Nays: (0)

Abstain:(0) Absent: (0)

Mayor Goodman moved to other items on the agenda.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Streets Superintendent Walt Landers offered a recap of the waste pickup that took place on Saturday. He said he would present a tonnage report later on. He said most members of the public followed the guidelines, however, some people violated the requests. He said in future there will likely be stricter requirements on what people can drop off. He said they were steady all day, from 8 a.m.to 4 p.m. These events will likely take place once a year.

Mayor Goodman asked Mr. Greg Pyles and Mr. Landers to give an update on a sink hole that came about on College Street just south of 11th Street due to a sewer collapse. He said that with the complexity of the dig, the manpower required-a contractor was called in to facilitate that repair. College Street just south of 11th Street will be closed, in order to make this repair, he said they're hopeful it will just take one day to complete, but it could extend into a longer time frame depending on the weather. Mr. Landers said the closure will not impact anyone's access to their property or to businesses. He said it's a concrete street, so when the waste water treatment guys are doing some parts of the operation, followed by street resurfacing by the city crews. He said maybe by Friday, that day would be a good target. He asked that people be patient.

Alderman Welch wanted to add in litigation into executive session discussions.

Volunteers are needed to help support the Lincoln Balloon Fest.

The United States Census-census takers in Logan County are paid $15 right now.A woman will be coming to the May 20 meeting. She will be taking applications to take helpgather census data.

Alderman Welch said the new laptops on council members' desks are courtesy of State Farm, they're gently used. He said it's a win-win for the city.

EXECUTIVE SESSION SECTION 2(C)(2) COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AND 2(C)11 LITIGATION:

Alderman Keller made the motion to enter into Executive Session under Collective Bargaining, 2(c)2 and 2(c)11 Litigation. Seconded by Alderman Welch. Roll call was taken.

Yeas: (8) Alderman Steve Parrott, Alderman Tracy Welch, Alderman Kathryn Schmidt, Alderman Sam Downs, Alderman Ron Keller, Alderman Kevin Bateman, Alderman Jeff Hoinacki,Alderman Kathy Horn Nays: (0)

ABSTAIN: (0) ABSENT: (0)

Mayor Goodman recessed the meeting at 7:59 p.m. and announced that he did not believe there would be any future business upon reconvening the Regular City Council Meeting.

ADJOURNMENT:

The council reconvened the Regular City Council Meeting at 9:17 p.m., however without any further discussion to come before the City Council of Lincoln, Alderman Keller motioned to adjourn, seconded by Alderman Welch. Roll call was taken. Mayor Goodman adjourned the meeting at 9:19 p.m.

https://www.lincolnil.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=972:may-6-2019-regular-city-council-meeting&catid=50&Itemid=82