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 The unusual circumstance has come about by former Mayor Keith
Snyder being appointed to serve the State of Illinois on the Labor
Relations Board.
The Mayor understood the appointment would have to be confirmed by
the State Senate, and was hoping to give notice to the council, and
wind down his involvement with the city over a short period of time.
Snyder learned last Friday that he had won the appointment, and
would have to resign his position with the city as well as his
position with the Lincoln Christian University. However, on Monday,
he learned that his appointment was effective immediately, and,
therefore, his resignations also had to be effective immediately.
While the council had been aware of the possibility of the
appointment beforehand, some were surprised that Snyder was made to
resign so quickly.
Gehlbach presides at the opening of business
At the beginning of the night, City Clerk Susan Gehlbach called the
meeting to order and taken the roll call. With several members of
Boy Scout Troop 4111 in the chamber, she invited the young men to
lead the council in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
Gehlbach then read a formal letter of resignation to the council
from Snyder. In the letter, Snyder announced his resignation
effective March 16. He noted that he was excited about his new
appointment, but would miss serving the city of Lincoln. He
expressed his appreciation for the city aldermen who continually
work for the good of the city.
The letter also expressed appreciation for the work and dedication
of the clerk and her office staff as well as for his assistant Kathy
Vinyard. He added that the city was in good hands with City
Administrator Clay Johnson and that the city department heads were
also a great asset to Lincoln. He noted, “it is hard to imagine
there being a finer group of individuals taking our city into the
future. The future is bright for Lincoln. I look forward to watching
it unfold as a private citizen.
Gehlbach then called for public participation, at which time Shawn
Taylor of Logan Lanes came forward. Taylor spoke about an upcoming
vote on an ordinance that would deter and prevent video gambling
parlors in the city. He noted that the video gaming had been good
for many existing bars and restaurants, but those establishments
still had to prove the majority of their revenues came from sources
other than gaming. He said that was the way it should be, and he was
hopeful the council would vote to prevent gambling parlors.
Council appoints Neitzel as Temporary Chair
At the beginning of the Monday night meeting, the room felt as
though everyone was sitting on the edge of their chairs, waiting to
see what the next step would be. When his time came to speak, City
Administrator Clay Johnson noted that the room felt “tense.” When
some of the aldermen chuckled, he quipped, “We all agree.”
Johnson moved on describing what the council should do immediately
and in the future to secure an appropriate replacement for Snyder.
 He explained that turning the council over to a Mayor Pro Tem would
not be appropriate. The reason is that the Pro Tem is to fill in for
a sitting mayor during a temporary absence with an expectation of
returning.
He said what the council should do at this time is select a
temporary chairman. He explained that the temporary chair would
still act as an alderman on the council with no mayoral authority.
The role of the chair would be to oversee the agenda and guide the
council through the various votes and talking points.
Johnson said the council would then have the time and opportunity to
discuss and elect a new mayor from among their ranks.
Jonie Tibbs commented that electing the replacement mayor should be
taking place in an executive session. Johnson confirmed that was the
case. It was noted that the appropriate motion for executive session
would be called at the end of the evening.
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Todd Mourning, then made the motion to appoint Marty Neitzel
as the temporary chairperson. With all eight aldermen present
for the voting session, Neitzel was appointed by unanimous vote.
Neitzel, moved to the head of the room, taking the seat of the
mayor. She noted, “I just want to say, this is a temporary
chair, and that is all.”
Neitzel then led the Council through the balance of the meeting.
Council moves forward with business as usual
The voting session included approving by unanimous vote an
ordinance that would deter or prevent gambling parlors in the
city limits. Another action item was to approve an amended
ordinance for the vacation of Seventh Street for new
construction at the Christian Village. The council also approved
the 2015 racing schedule and request for curfew extensions for
the Lincoln Speedway. Council approves changes to the TIF
review board
The council also approved by unanimous vote a revision to the TIF
review board membership.
The Tax Increment Financing program in Lincoln is overseen by a
review board. The board accepts TIF applications and reviews them
for compliance as well as assuring the plan fits into the goals of
the city for business improvement or development.
At its creation, the Board consisted of nine members. The membership
came from the Historic Preservation Commission, Planning Commission,
Zoning Board of Appeals, Lincoln/Logan County Chamber of Commerce,
Main Street Lincoln, and the Lincoln and Logan County Development
Partnership.
Because the Logan County Alliance is now the governing agency over
the Chamber, and because Main Street Lincoln had been dissolved,
Johnson said the board structure needed to be changed. The change
would appoint the LCA Executive Director to the board in place of
the other two entities.
In addition, because the city is no longer involved with the
Development Partnership, that representative needed to be removed
from the board.
A formal thanks and good-bye
At the end of the evening, Michelle Bauer said she wanted to
publically and formally thank Mayor Keith Snyder for his leadership
and wish him well in his new role. She said that for the community,
she wanted to assure everyone that the council is prepared to move
forward with a vision for the future. Neitzel also commented saying
that the council will continue to work together as a collective
group, and as they had learned at the recent strategic planning
workshop, much can be accomplished when they all work together.
At the end of the night Kathy Horn called for the executive session
under the Open Meetings Act 5 ILCS 120/2 - Sec. 2.C.3 which reads:
The selection of a person to fill a public office, as defined in
this Act, including a vacancy in a public office, when the public
body is given power to appoint under law or ordinance, or the
discipline, performance or removal of the occupant of a public
office, when the public body is given power to remove the occupant
under law or ordinance.
[Nila Smith]
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