 Nine members of the council were present for the meeting, with
Alderwoman Joni Tibbs being absent for the evening.
City finances
Chuck Conzo, in his monthly report as city treasurer, shared
information about the city's financial condition.
Cash on hand in the city's general fund at the end of December
was $193,453, down $400,000 from 2008 and $558,000 from 2009.
Funds received from the state of Illinois in the month of
December totaled $582,761. Of that amount, $113,820 was the local
share of state income tax for the month of June 2010.
The state is still lagging behind in payments, with the majority
of the December money being allocations for the month of September
2010.
Conzo did note that in the area of sales tax revenue he is seeing
some increase over last year, an indication that consumer spending
is increasing. However, he countered that with speculations on the
effect recent state events may have on the future.
With the passing of an increase in income tax, Illinois
economists and the Illinois Municipal League are forewarning that
there may very well be another downturn as businesses consider
relocating out of Illinois to states with lower tax rates.
Conzo said this is going to make the future somewhat
unpredictable.
Couple this with the fact that municipalities are not going to
see an increase in their share of the income tax disbursement, and
the city of Lincoln may very well be in for another rough year as
they try to build a budget.
Items approved by consent
In addition to the routine approval of meeting minutes and
authorizing the payment of the city's bills, two items -- the Route
66 Garage Sale and Marriage Week -- were added to the consent agenda
and approved by unanimous vote.
Route 66 to use Postville Park
This year the Postville Park on Fifth Street will once again play
host to several vendors for the annual Route 66 Garage Sale.
This year's event is planned to be a full month earlier than in
past years. Typically in June, the schedule this year has been
bumped up to May, with the event taking place on a Friday and
Saturday, May 13 and 14.
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Feb. 7-14 to be Marriage Week
Also on the consent agenda was a motion to proclaim the week of
Feb. 7-14 as Marriage Week in Lincoln.
According to the National Marriage Week USA website: "National
Marriage Week USA is a collaborative effort to encourage many
diverse groups to strengthen individual marriages, reduce the
divorce rate, and build a stronger marriage culture, which in turn
helps curtail poverty and benefits children. Together we can make
more impact than working alone. Please join with others to host
special events, launch a marriage class or home group, or place
local advertising or news stories during National Marriage Week
USA." (To read more, follow this link: http://www.nationalmarriageweekusa.org/.)
Alley designated as a partial two-way
The alleyway to the west of the 100 block of North Kickapoo is
now officially a partial two-way alley.
The alley that runs behind the Scully Building at the north end
and beside the State Bank of Lincoln on the south end has in the
past been one-way only, with entry being allowed off Broadway Street
near the bank and the exit being at the north end, behind the Scully
Building.
With the approved change, drivers may now enter and exit from the
north end of the alley, but on the south end they must still observe
a one-way with entry only.
In other business
A new ordinance regarding special flood hazard areas was passed
by unanimous vote. This change in the ordinance was mandated by the
Illinois Department of Natural Resources and will assure that
Lincoln residents who require flood insurance will be eligible for
such coverage.
Also approved was a change in policy regarding wages paid to
employees who are off work and receiving compensation under the
workers' compensation laws of Illinois.
[By NILA SMITH]
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