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Dean Henrichsmeyer resigns as Ward 1 alderman In a letter
addressed to the council, Alderman Dean Henrichsmeyer stated that
due to increased demands in his professional career he felt it was
time for him to resign his position on the council.
Henrichsmeyer is an engineering manager for SourceForge, a
company out of California, and has his office at the Integrity Data
building.
He wrote:
In the last couple of months my
professional responsibilities have changed considerably. My previous
position allowed for a very flexible schedule with time available to
be an effective member of city council.
It is important for the city of
Lincoln and the surrounding community that aldermen invest
themselves and their time to serve the citizens of Lincoln. I
believe most of that time serving should be done outside the
meetings. With my current responsibilities and a young family, I
don't feel I have that time to invest.
I very much have enjoyed the time I
spent serving with you. I am thankful to former Mayor Davis-Kavelman,
who gave me the opportunity to serve, and the citizens of Ward 1 for
extending that opportunity.
I have met a lot of great people,
learned a great deal and am very optimistic about the future. I am
confident that you will appoint someone who will work with the
council to make Lincoln the best it can be. My last meeting will be
June 15.
Henrichsmeyer was appointed to the city council and was sworn in
on Sept. 1, 2008, filling a gap left when Benny Huskins resigned in
July of last year.
Henrichsmeyer ran unopposed in the last election and was sworn in
for a new term on May 4.
The mayor said that he was sure he spoke for everyone when he
said that he was sad to see Henrichsmeyer go, knew he was a hard
worker for the city and wished him nothing but the best for the
future.
City treasurer's report for April 2009
With April being the final month of the 2008-09 fiscal year, Les
Plotner, the city treasurer, reported that at the end of the year,
all the budgeted expenses had been expended to 100 percent. He also
added that there were a few that had exceeded that percentage, but
when looking at the general operating fund, the city had ended the
year with balances similar to what they started with.
Plotner said he wanted to draw attention especially to the
revenues of the city. He said that sales tax revenue is down 9.6
percent; non-home rule revenues have decreased by 5 percent; income
tax has taken a cut of 14.9 percent; and personal property
replacement tax revenues have fallen by 10 percent.
He also talked about the retirement funds, illustrating the
effects of the economy and poor market values. Mutual fund amounts
invested in one account total $1.677 million, while the market value
is at $1.074 million. On the second account the investment is at
$1.9 million, while the market value is only $1.28 million.
These investment funds are part of the police pension funds.
Plotner said that with the markets bouncing around as they are right
now, these market values may build back up soon, but at this point,
it can't be guaranteed.
He added that the firemen's fund is based on CD investments,
which are not as volatile as the mutual funds.
City will borrow funds for City Hall roof
The council approved a resolution to borrow funds in the amount
of $156,000 from the State Bank of Lincoln to pay for repairs to the
roof of City Hall.
The loan will have a four-year term and will carry an interest
rate of 3.75 percent.
Department head raises approved
The department heads of the city will receive a 4.5 percent
increase in this year's pay.
Alderwoman Melody Anderson said that the council had intended to
give a 3.5 percent raise in each of the two fiscal years ending
April 30, 2009, and April 30, 2010. However, when the committee
looked at the appropriations, they could not fit 3.5 percent into
2008-09, so they had to go with 2.5 percent for the past year and
4.5 percent for the current period.
Department head appointments approved
Snyder proposed the following
department head appointments for the fiscal year 2009-10:
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City fire
department chief: Kent Hulett
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Street and alley
superintendent: Tracy Jackson
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Building and safety
officer: Les Last
All the appointments were approved by a unanimous vote of 9-0,
with Alderman Nathan Turner being absent for the evening.
Snyder also stated that in his conversations with Les Last, he
had learned that the building and safety officer hopes to retire in
February 2010.
The mayor asked that the council bear that in mind as they began
working on appropriations for this year. He would like to be able to
hire a replacement before Last retires so that there can be ample
time for training.
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Retainer for Woods and Bates
The law firm of Woods and Bates will be the city's official
attorneys for another year. The contract for the city attorney
carries an $81,000 price tag, to be paid in monthly installments.
The list of duties involved in the contract are quite lengthy and
include offering legal advice on city policies, decisions and
activities; drafting, reviewing and interpreting letters,
ordinances, contracts, resolutions, policies and other legal
documents; attending city council meetings and special meetings when
needed; prosecuting and participating in proceedings for ordinance
violations; providing advice, counsel and representation on
personnel matters; and analyzing legal trends and developments
affecting the city and recommending appropriate city responses.
Legal services that fall outside the normal realm of
responsibilities -- such as collective bargaining, litigation before
state and or federal court, and bond issues -- will be charged to
the city at a rate of $150 per hour.
Orville "Buzz" Busby named mayor pro tem
A motion was made by Jeff Hoinacki that Orville "Buzz" Busby
serve as the city's mayor pro tem, which carried unanimously.
Snyder said that while he wasn't involved with the council last
year, he did want to take a moment to express appreciation to Marty
Neitzel, who filled that position in the past year. He said, "I've
seen you out attending many things, and I certainly know that you
went above and beyond the call of duty."
Mayoral appointment to the police and fire commission
Snyder appointed Don Cecil to the police and fire commission as a
replacement for Darrell Sisk, who has submitted his resignation.
Cecil will serve on the commission with a term expiring May 1, 2010.
Assistant Fire Chief Tom Martin will retire May 31
A letter was read from Assistant Fire Chief Tom Martin in which
he stated his intent to retire from the fire department effective
May 31.
Martinek allowed participation in IMRF
A resolution was passed that would allow the city clerk, Denise
Martinek, to participate in the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund
as an elected official of the city.
Participation in IMRF is contingent upon the elected official
working a minimum of 600 hours per year in their position.
It was noted that a new resolution was needed only for the clerk
position; other qualifying elected officials are covered in previous
resolutions.
Sidewalk petitions approved
A petition by Thomas Eimer was approved for sidewalk repair at
521 Maple.
A request by Chrystal Olbris for a curb cut at 702 N. Madison was
approved. The curb cut was requested to make the property
wheelchair-accessible.
Also approved was a request to build a driveway on city right of
way at 201 N. Elm. This is work to be done at the expense of the
homeowner, Tim Lockenour.
Bob Tackett volunteers services to city
Busby told the council that Bob Tackett, the new wastewater
treatment manager for the city of Lincoln, is a licensed risk
management instructor and has agreed to provide trainings to the
city free of charge.
Busby said that it was a great thing to have this service
available, and he wants all department heads to get in touch with
Tackett about having meetings.
The trainings that Tackett will be able to offer answer a call to
action from the Illinois Public Risk Fund saying that the city needs
to do more safety trainings, education employees on safe workplace
practices.
Council invited to participate in town meeting
Terry Carlton, Logan County Board chairman, has invited the city
council to participate in the Logan County District 6 town meeting
at Restoration Hall at Lincoln Christian College on May 27 at 6 p.m.
The mayor said that this would affect wards 3, 4, and 5. He asked
if any of the aldermen knew now whether or not they would be
participating. Neitzel and Joni Tibbs committed to the meeting, and
Hoinacki said that he was considering it.
The meeting is open to the public, and residents of District 6
are encouraged to attend with their questions and concerns about the
district or their individual wards.
[By NILA SMITH] |
