Sangamon Sun

City of Lincoln Committee of the Whole met Jan. 14.

Here is the minutes provided by the committee:

The Committee of the Whole 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

Vacant, Ward 2

Alderman Sam Downs, Ward 2

Alderman Kevin Bateman, Ward 3

Alderman Ron Keller, Ward 3

Alderman Kathy Horn, Ward 4

Alderman Jeff Hoinacki, Ward 4

PRESENT:

Seth Goodman, Mayor

Elizabeth Kavelman, City Administrato

r John Hobllit, City Attorney

Peggy Bateman, City Clerk

Alex Williams, Recording Secretary

Chuck Conzo, City Treasurer

Paul Adams, Police Chief

Bob Dunovsky, Fire Chief

Wes Woodhall, Building and Safety Officer

Walt Landers, Streets Superintendent

Anthony Harper, Veolia Water, Project Manager

ABSENT:

NONE

Public Comment:

Mayor Goodman called upon citizens registered to speak.

There being no further public participation, Mayor Goodman moved down to other agenda items.

PRESENTATION BY FATHER JEFF LAIBLE , PASTOR OF HOLY FAMILY CHURCH, LINCOLN AND OF THE US 183RD FIGHTER WING'S "CERTIFICATE OF CITIZENS APPRECIATION" TO THE CITY:

Father Liable addressed the counsel and presented a certificate of appreciation to the council. He said on behalf of the airmen, he appreciated the city's support.

HANSON PROFESSIONAL SERVICES INVOICE #71 FOR ENGINEERING WORK ON THE FIFTH STREET ROAD PROJECT FOR$22,957.61:

The Item would be placed on the regular agenda.

RESOLUTION FOR CARROLL CATHOLIC SCHOOL FOR CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK JANUARY 27-31, 2020:

City Administrator Kavelman said there will be a ceremony on January 27.The item would be placed on the regular agenda.

Sewerage Billing for Water Well Accounts within the City with Infinite Meter Reading Inabilities:

Alderman Welch began discussion - saying there is a recommendation talking about the language surrounding meter installation. He said unless there is any objection - the council might need to give the city attorney some time. Alderman Welch would work with Mr. Hoblit.

CITY ADMINISTRATOR'S 3% INCREASE RETRO TO JULY 17, 2019:

The item would be placed on the regular agenda.

CITY ADMINISTRATOR'S EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT FOR JULY 17, 2019 THROUGH APRIL 30, 2021:

Alderman Welch said we started talking about performance evaluations back in June, he said this is going seven months past the topic. He said there have been several meetings about this. He said the last communication he received was on December 13 - about giving the city administrator time to have a discussion with the city council -about potential changes to the organization. He said this is where they stand right now.

City Administrator Kavelman said she is still going through things - the only agreement would have to do with comp. time - but all other items were in the email, per Alderman Welch, more discussion ensued. The item would be placed on the next COW meeting agenda.

US CENSUS 2020 UPDATE BY ALDERMAN RON KELLER, COMPLETE COUNT COMMITTEE COORDINATOR FOR THE CITY OF LINCOLN, IL

Alderman Keller opened discussion about an update to the US Census 2020 - he referenced the process of enumeration as noted in the U.S. Constitution. He said Illinois has suffered a declining population - he said every person counts. April 1, 2020 is Census day. Alderman Parrott asked a question about citizenship. Mr. Keller said they are asking how many people reside in the home.

CITY COUNCIL VOTE REQUIRED TO CANCEL NIXLE FOR CITY PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS AS THIS SERVICES PROVIDED FREE TO LOGAN COUNTY LAW ENFORCEMENT:

Police Chief Paul Adams said the city pays $3,500 a year for the service, however the county is now paying for the service - he said they typically create announcement for the city. He said NIXLE is not being utilized the way it needs to be utilized.He said law enforcement also gets a free account, so he could create an account for the Lincoln Police Department.

Alderman Hoinacki asked if a resident would have to sign up through the county. Mr. Adams said users sign up via their ZIP Code. The item will be added to the regular agenda.

UPDATE OF THE PROGRESS ON THE CITY'S PORTION OF THE FIFTH STREET ROAD PROJECT AND EMINENT DOMAIN PROGRESS:

City Administrator Kavelman mentioned reimbursement from the Motor Fuel Tax.

CITY OF LINCOLN'S LEGALIZED CANNABIS DISPENSARY FEES:

Alderman Bateman said he did not have any updates - he said he was still with what was previously proposed - a $5,000 initial fee and $2,500 thereafter. He said they could discuss it or move it to the next COW fee.

Alderman Keller said the City of Chicago posed a $1,500 fee. He said he was not sure ifit passed or not.

City Attorney John Hoblit said a good ordinance to look over surrounds the smoking law. He said a lot of the establishments cannot usually afford to pay high fines. He said by virtue of not being able to pay the fine, then they cannot operate their business.

Alderman Bateman said if a dispensary has an outstanding fine -then perhaps their application could not be renewed. He said if they accrue four fines within one year - he said the next year, then when it comes time for their renewal, he said they could say, "No."

Treasurer Conzo mentioned increasing the licensing fee - something in the area of $5,000. Mr. Hoblit said when we are setting these fines - he said the fines should be as high, to make it very difficult for them to continue to operate their business. He continued about the State of Illinois and the stringencies.

Mr. Bateman proposed that the fines double each time - if their fines are habitual. He said that would keep them honest. Mr. Bateman said he has no skin in this game and he is not trying to push dispensaries. He said it should ramp up the fee they double it each time.

Alderman Downs said he would hate to penalize a business that had not made a mistake in several years - he mentioned creating a sunset clause. Mr. Bateman asked - doesn't the annual renewal address his issue. Mr. Welch weighed in. Mr. Downs said he didn't want to keep doubling it.

Alderman Welch asked what they do for the liquor fines. Mr. Bateman said we're in smooth waters here - there is nothing to look up. Mr. Bateman said it would only be recreational here in town. Chief Adams talked about shutdowns.

Mr. Bateman mentioned creating a cannabis commission to the liquor commission duties. Mr. Hoblit said they could not do that, as the liquor commission is outlined by the State of Illinois. Mr. Hoblit said there would be amendments to the statute. Mr. Hoblit said once the doors are open - they're open. He mentioned that if the requirements become more lax, then perhaps municipalities may be more inclined to amend their ordinances. He said they try to future proof their ordinances.

Alderman Bateman said he thinks the state is going to speed up their round of licenses, he asked about coming up with the licensing fee -what it would take to open up a dispensary - so potential business owners would know what it would cost them to open up a dispensary. Then they could determine the fine structure.

He wanted to focus on the licensing fees. Then Alderman Welch said the fee structure would need to be in place.

Alderman Parrott asked what Treasurer Conzo's idea was. Mr. Parrott wanted to go with the treasurer's recommendation of $5,000 per year.

Alderman Keller asked about fees for a gaming license. He said $2,500 is what he would say and referenced greed. Mr. Conzo said they would have the exclusive right to see the product in the city. Alderman Bateman said the $5,000 graduated structure -to then $2,500 annually would be better.

Alderman Welch said he was with Alderman Keller about gauging the people up front. Mr. Conzo then mentioned franchise fees for Ameren Illinois and the collection of the Municipal Sales Tax. Alderman Welch said they did not set out on the mission of collecting money from these dispensaries based on their exclusivity. Mr. Welch compared it to Area Disposal.

Mr. Parrott said, If they don't like it ,they don't have to apply for it.• He said if they know going in that that is what it is going to be, then they won't risk it.

More discussion continued. Mr. Parrott said it seemed asinine to continue talking about this. He said we're worried about $2,500 - as if it's going to Bankrupt them. Mr. Welch said it is the message, and he did not think the reason behind it is a good reason to justify it. He said put the $5,000 up for a vote and see what happens.

Mr. Hoblit said he had looked into city code -about penalties for the business, revocation of their license, or suspension for a number of days.

Alderman Bateman asked Chief Adams how many marijuana problems his department sees in a year - versus the number of problems with alchohol. Chief Adams said he thinks it's going to even out on that. Mr. Bateman

said he saw that alcohol problems out number marijuana problems. Mr. Parrott said it's not even apples to apples. A fee of $5,000 would be added to the regular agenda.

RIDESHARE (UBER/LIFT) DISCUSSION AS A PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO THE CITY'S CURRENT TAX-CAB ORDINANCE:

Alderman Bateman said it's already operating the City of Lincoln- he said it's up to the council to find these people and force them to pay a fee. He said the rideshare services such as Lift and Uber to vet their drivers.

He said it is already operating in this town. He said there was a Lyft driver in town, he and his wife tested it via the app. Mr. Welch wanted to know how the city benefits from it. He said a lot of the rideshare service providers don't live in the same town as where they drive. He asked how they would get drivers to get a permit.

Mr. Bateman said he cannot find any ordinances in any smaller cities. More discussion ensued. Then Mr. Bateman referenced food delivery services that are in town.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

"The Big Table: Rural Matters" Economic Event to be Held at Lincoln College, Johnston Performance Arts Center, January 30, 2020, 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Sponsored by the Greater Peoria Economic Development Council (GPEDC)

CRESCO Labs is having a job fair - on January 27 - approximately 100 jobs are needed, based on their expansion

The former Burger King is for sale - for $425,000 and there have been some moves to fill some of the vacant buildings

Comcast is making some station changes - older devices might need to swapped out

Veolia's project manager provided an update on the project around Carroll Catholic School - at 4th and Decatur Streets - they removed a manhole, hit a gas line during construction that was unmarked, he said water service was interrupted at CCS, he did not have hard numbers to share with the council, but might in February

City Clerk Bateman mentioned elevator repairs, and said the next council meeting might be held back at city hall

The flu shot is still available at the Logan County Public Health Department

Chief Paul Adams said he has been working on a new patch for the police department's uniforms and Alderman Keller said the photo provided is most accurate to what Abraham Lincoln would have looked like when he first came to Postville - the newly proposed seal

Next week's meeting will be Tuesday rather than Monday

ADJOURNMENT:

There being no further discussion to come before the City Council of Lincoln, Alderman Keller motioned to adjourn, seconded by Alderman Welch. The meeting adjourned at 8:13 p.m.

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