Sangamon Sun

City of Lincoln Committee of the Whole met June 9.

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 Pro Tern Tracy Welch at 7:02 p.m., with proper notice given. City Clerk Peggy Bateman called roll.

PRESENT:

Alderman Tracy Welch, Ward 1

Alderman Steve Parrott, Ward 1

Alderman Colby Leith, 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:

Elizabeth Kavelman, City Administrator

John Hoblit, City Attorney

Peggy Bateman, City Clerk

Chuck Conzo, City Treasurer

Paul Adams, Police Chief

REMOTELY:

Bob Dunovsky, Fire Chief

Walt Landers, Streets Superintendent

Wes Woodhall, Building and Safety Officer

Andrew Bowns, Veolia Water, Project Manager

ABSENT: PRESIDING:

Mayor Pro Tern Tracy Welch

PUBLIC COMMENT:

Mayor Pro Tern Welch began the meeting by saying there were several citizens signed up to speak. He took the time to remind the callers and council of the public participation rules.

First caller to speak was Merrit Burns regarding Fire Chief Bob Dunovsky. Mr. Burns asked that Chief Dunovsky be put on paid administrative leave and a full investigation into his actions be conducted. He asks that the council ensure that Chief Dunovsky is capable of fulfilling his duties for all of the citizens.

If at the end of the investigation, the council sees that Chief Dunovsky is unfit, then he should be asked to submit a letter of resignation from his title. This request comes from political social media posts that Chief Dunovsky posted to his personal facebook page and were taken as offensive from some members of the community. Mr. Burns requests a written response regarding the investigation.

Second caller was Lance Conahan regarding an animal barking excessively in Ward 1. He states that the dog barks all hours of the night and several residents are afraid to walk in the neighborhood because the dog will chase them. He has been in contact with Animal Control and the LPD regarding the matter. He feels that Jane Whiteman, with Animal Control, needs to have more authority to handle these situations. He'd also like the Council to look at the fines within the code related to these issues. He states the fine amounts are very outdated. Alderman Bateman said there are several videos that show two dogs chasing cars, children and adults. The dogs are not chained or fenced.

The third caller was Kevin Qualters regarding chickens inside city limits. He'd like to get 6 hens for eggs. He researched other communities and Williamsville recently allowed chickens inside city limits with a permit. Chicago bases the number of chickens, hens or roosters allowed on a property on size of lot.

The fourth caller was David Gerlach also regarding allowing chickens. He feels that with the recent food shortages due to COVID19, that it would really be wise to be more self-sufficient when it comes to producing our own food. He also feels that it would be good for agriculture for children.

There was no one else to speak for public participation, Mayor Pro Tern Welch moved on to other items on the agenda

SWEARING IN OF NEW POLICE OFFICERS CHASE FOX AND DANIEL CARR

City Attorney Hoblit swore in each officer.

TODD VOLKER- LOGAN COUNTY US CENSUS 2020 PARTNERSHIP SPECIALIST- CALL IN REMOTELY

Item was stricken from the agenda.

MAYOR APPOINTMENT OF BOB MORROW AND KELLI FROST ALLISON TO THE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS.

Item was added to the next voting agenda.

REBUILD ILLINOIS CURRENTLY RECEIVED $159,311.78, DISCUSSION ON CAPITOL PROJECT TO USE FUNDS ON.

The City has received the first of 6 payments in the amount above. The total of these payments will be

$955,870.68. These payments will come biannually for 3 years. Superintendent Landers suggests using part of the first payment for the engineering of Heitmann Dr. The remaining funds plus the 2nd payment, should be enough or almost enough to complete the construction on Heitmann Dr. He believes the engineering costs should be around $40,000. These funds must be spent by 2025.

Alderman Bateman would like the engineering of Heitmann Dr added to the next voting agenda.

PETERSBURG PLUMBING INVOICE FOR 515 N. COLLEGE STREET IN THE AMOUNT OF $17,775.01.

A subcontractor from MetroCom damaged this located a few years ago (date unknown) and Petersburg Plumbing had to make the repairs on May 9, 2020. Andrew Bowns has tried contacting MetroCom to correct this error but has not had any luck. Mr. Bowns and the council feel it is necessary that the City pay this invoice to preserve the working relationship the City has with Petersburg Plumbing then try to get reimbursement from MetroCom.

This item will be put on the next voting agenda.

ANIMAL CONTROL ACT/CONTRACT & FINES IN PLACE REGARDING ANIMAL CONTROL

Alderman Bateman would like to see the Animal Control Worden have more authority to write tickets, issue fines and authorize the removal of animals from homes when warranted.

City Attorney Hoblit is concerned about the logistical issues with having non-city employees writing citations for code violations.

The city council approved Animal Control's contract in May 2020, however the county has not signed the contract on their end. They are waiting to see how the City handles this situation before signing. The county has agreed to operate on a month to month basis under the same guidelines until this matter is cleared up.

Alderman Bateman questioned why an excessive barking dog fine was considerably less than a dog at large fine. He felt the dog at large was a greater threat to the community than a barking dog.

City Attorney Hoblit shared that the fines written for these offenses, were established in 1985. The barking dog offense falls in to the misc. offenses within the Lincoln Police department. That fine was discussed and changed in 2013. The dog at large offense is written into the Animal Control contract and that fine was established in 1985. He agrees that the fees need to be reviewed. He wanted to remind the citizens of Lincoln that courts have been closed for 3 months and that has made dealing with certain situations difficult.

Alderman Bateman and City Attorney Hoblit will work together on a new revised contract and also changes in ordinances 6-2-28 and 6-2-3. If this item is ready by Thursday June 18, 2020 it will be put on the next voting agenda. If not, it will go to the next COW. The council will vote on the ordinance changes first, if those pass, the new contract will then be voted on. The council will also contact the County Board to make sure they are on board as well.

PARKING LOT GRANT

Treasurer Conzo shared with the council that in 2011, there was a proposal put forward for parking lot improvements for the Library Parking lot. There was $140,000 in state grant money available for these improvements. The council voted no on this project in 2017 due to the project amount increasing to

$400,000 - $500,000 and city funds were not available. Recently the City was given one week to rewrite the grant to maintain those funds but that wasn't enough time to have a council meeting. Since the project did not move forward, the City may be faced with repaying $35,000 of grants funds to DECO for engineering costs.

AMENDMENT TO THE APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE {ITEM NOT ON AGENDA)

Treasurer Conzo has 12-13 changes in appropriations that he will put together and send out to the department heads and council members to review. He said by law the City is allowed to move funds around within sub funds when need be. He'd like to have this amendment put on the next voting meeting. The council agreed.

Treasurer Conzo also asked the council for direction in putting together the Appropriation Ordinance. It needs to be filed by the end of July. He said if it pleased the council, he'd like to work with a committee on this matter. He said the committee that worked on the 20/21 budget worked well. The council agreed.

DISCUSSION REGARDING ORDINANCE PROHIBITING THE RAISING OF CHICKENS IN CITY LIMITS.

Alderman Keller urges the council to review the guidelines for chickens in the city limits, provided by Building and Safety Official Woodhall. He then suggested the ordinance 6-2-32 be revised to remove the word chicken and to bring this item back to the next COW for discussion.

Alderman Bateman is concerned with allowing chickens due to the coyote sightings in city limits and health issues that come with chickens. He also said this matter, if passed, needs to be addressed when writing the animal control contract.

The council has received numerous requests to permit chickens in the city limits, so they feel they owe it to the citizens to vote on this issue.

The revised ordinance will be put on the next COW agenda.

DISCUSSION ON REOPENING THE AMTRAK WAIT STATION

Lincoln's wait station is only 1 of 2 stations that are still closed. Amtrak has completely left the reopening decision up to the City of Lincoln. Mr. Woodhall said 2 months ago, the average number of riders between Chicago and St. Louis was 20-50 riders. He was unable to get a current number. Mr. Woodhall does need to finish some maintenance that would be easier completed with the station closed.

Mr. Woodhall will update the council when his maintenance is completed.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

TADA platform: business recovery program is for any business that has been affected by the You may contact Administrator Kavelman or visit www. gpcovid.com.

Appointment of Acting Mayor: Because there are less than 28 months left until the next election, the council will need to appoint one of the alderman or alderwoman for Acting The appointed Acting Mayor has both alderman and mayoral powers. However, they do not get an additional vote or veto powers. The Acting Mayor may keep his or her alderman seat as well as take the seat as Acting Mayor. This decision needs to be made at the time of the appointment to Acting Mayor.

Mayor Pro Tern Welch expressed his desire to be appointed by the Council to fulfill the remaining term of Mayor Goodman until the next election.

Alderman Keller asked that the appointment of Mayor Pro Tern Tracy Welch to Acting Mayor be put on the next voting agenda.

Census update: National response is at 60%, Lincoln is at 65%. Alderman Keller asked that he be contacted if there is an event where the Census could be promoted to receive more

EXECUTIVE SESSION 2C1 PERSONNEL:

There being no further announcements to come before the council, Alderman Hoinacki made the motion to move into Executive Session, seconded by Alderman Keller. All were in favor.

The Council recessed from the Committee of the Whole meeting at 8:45pm in order to enter Executive Session. Mayor Pro Tern Welch announced there would be no further city business conducted upon reconvening.

RETURN FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION:

The council reconvened from Executive Session at 9:49pm in order to reconvene the Committee of the Whole meeting. Roll call was taken.

PRESENT:

Alderman/Mayor Pro Tern Tracy Welch Alderman Steve Parrott

Alderman Colby Leith Alderman Sam Downs Alderman Kevin Bateman Alderman Ron Keller Alderman Kathy Horn Alderman Jeff Hoinacki

ADJOURNMENT:

There being no further discussion to come before the City Council of Lincoln, Alderman Keller motioned to adjourn, seconded by Alderman Parrott. All were in favor. Mayor Pro Tern Welch adjourned the meeting at 9:50 p.m.

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