Wednesday, May 25, 2011
 
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[May 25, 2011]  Nine aldermen were present Tuesday evening for the committee-of-the-whole meeting of the Lincoln City Council. Alderman Jeff Hoinacki was absent.

Renewal of IDOT agreement put on hold

The city of Lincoln maintains an agreement with the Illinois Department of Transportation for maintenance of traffic signals located on state routes within the city limits. With the agreement, the city is responsible for keeping the lights in good working condition and receives a reimbursement from the state for the costs incurred.

Tuesday evening city engineer Mark Mathon said a new agreement with IDOT needs to be signed. Once signed, the agreement will be in effect for the next 10 years.

City attorney Bill Bates said he had read through the agreement and had not clearly understood the document. He said that when he was finished, he really didn't know who was responsible for what.

He asked Mathon if he understood the document, and Mathon replied: "Not every word, but I understand the structure of it and have discussed it at length with the administrator (at IDOT)."

Bates also noted that in at least two places in the agreement, there are indemnity clauses that hold the state harmless in any liability issues.

As the city's attorney, Bates is always hesitant to endorse any contract where there is not at least shared liability.

Alderwoman Melody Anderson asked Bates if he had the same issues with this agreement as he had with the Illinois American Water agreement, and he confirmed that he did.

Mathon was asked if there were significant differences between the current agreement and the new one, and he said he would look at them together and report back to the council.

It was also noted that the agreement caps out at $163,000 per year, and it was questioned what would happen if the city's annual costs exceeded that amount.

Mathon said there was an approval process for large expenditures. He would submit a quote to the state, and it would be approved for reimbursement.

It was mentioned that over a 10-year period, inflation could affect the dollars actually spent for maintenance.

Alderwoman Mary Neitzel commented, "In 10 years, just think what a union electrician may be making."

It was also noted that the new signal on Fifth Street and the ones on Stahlhut Drive are not included in the agreement.

Mathon said the agreement had been written prior to those being completed, and IDOT will do separate agreements for those two lights.

The agreement with IDOT is due back to the state by July 1. In the end the council asked Mathon to do some more research on the differences between the new and old contracts and report at the next committee-of-the-whole meeting.

Vote on the agenda for Fifth Street Road maintenance

On Fifth Street Road east of Lincoln Parkway, there is a quarter-mile between Picture This Photography and Connolley Road where the county wishes to turn the maintenance over to the city of Lincoln.

According to Mathon, the county has already approved paying a one-time fee of $10,000 and giving the responsibility for maintaining the road to the city.

Mathon said the stretch of road is very rough and will require two coats of sealant to smooth it out, and then regular maintenance.

The city will vote on approval of the agreement at the June 6 voting session.

Roads damaged at First and Walnut

It was reported that one of the subcontractors for Union Pacific accidentally damaged about 300 square yards of road surface in the vicinity of First and Walnut streets.

Mathon said he has been in contact with Union Pacific and the subcontractor. The city is to provide quotes to the subcontractor for needed repairs and it will be taken care of.

Mathon also noted that his experience with both UP and the contractor was quite positive. He said that UP was very concerned about the situation and very prompt in addressing the issue, as was the subcontractor.

Along the same line, it was noted that a street light on Sangamon and Pulaski has been damaged. Tracy Jackson, street and alley superintendent, said he has contacted the subcontractor there and was told to get the light fixed and send them the bill.

And finally, Bates questioned UP's use of asphalt in replacing sidewalks that had been torn out at the various railroad crossings. He said that asphalt was not acceptable under city code.

Mathon was asked to investigate what has been done and contact UP if they need to redo the sidewalks approaching the tracks.

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Development partnership seeks new director

Mayor Keith Snyder shared that the Lincoln & Logan County Development Partnership is now searching for a new director to replace Joel Smiley.

The partnership has put together a search committee that includes Rick Hamm representing the city of Lincoln.

Snyder also noted that Chuck Conzo is now a member of the partnership, representing the city along with him, Alderwoman Kathy Horn, Glenda Allison and Hamm. Conzo is replacing Derrick Crane, who recently resigned.

The ad seeking a new director is in this week's Lincoln Daily News and can be viewed by following this link: http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/
2011/May/25/classifieds/employment.shtml.

On the agenda: offering early retirement

Police Chief Ken Greenslate told the council he has investigated within all the city departments who is eligible and interested in taking early retirement and has found that while there are a few who are eligible, only one is interested: police officer Robert Rawlins.

Greenslate will put together a document outlining the early retirement offer, which will include paying 50 percent of Rawlins' health insurance to age 55. It will be reviewed by Bates, approved by the council and then sent on to the union for their approval.

Water and electric at Postville and Melrose parks

The city of Lincoln has upgraded the electric service in Postville Park with the help of Eaton Corp. Jackson said Eaton had donated everything needed but the underground wire and labor.

The city is now looking at adding electric service to Melrose Park and is hopeful of more assistance from Eaton.

The added electric service is making it possible for the Junior Woman's Club to offer free movies in the park this summer.

The first movie was scheduled for the Saturday night of the Route 66 Garage Sale but had to be rescheduled due to rain. The movie "Cars" is now scheduled to be shown in Postville Park on Saturday. Also on the club's agenda is to show "Space Jam" in Melrose Park on July 30.

In addition to electric upgrades, there are upgrades in the works for running water.

Snyder said he has contacted Geoff Ladd of the Abraham Lincoln Tourism Bureau of Logan County and offered him the opportunity to use Melrose Park in next year's Route 66 Garage Sale. Snyder said Ladd was very excited about the offer.

Leftover money will go to floor upgrades in the fire station

Fire Chief Mark Miller said the grant that covered the costs of adding a new exhaust system to the city fire station provided approximately $5,000 more than was actually needed.

The $5,000 will be added to a $2,400 safety grant the department has received, and the money will go toward adding an epoxy finish to the floors of the bays in the station. Miller said the epoxy finish will include a nonskid abrasive to make working around the vehicles safer for firefighters.

[By NILA SMITH]

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