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Lincoln City Council
Council approves solar array, pavilion funding, and rail festival
plans
[September 18, 2025]
The Lincoln City Council met on
Wednesday, September 17, 2025, for its regular session, opening with
moments of silence for two figures connected to the state and
community. Mayor Tracy Welch asked the chamber to honor former
Illinois Governor Jim Edgar, who passed away after a career spanning
the Illinois House of Representatives, Secretary of State’s office,
and two terms as governor. The council also remembered Justin
Dammerman, a former CEO of Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital and a
member of local committees including the Lincoln Heritage Day
groups.
With no public participation that evening, the council moved through
a series of approvals. The consent agenda passed without dissent,
covering payment of bills, minutes from August and early September
meetings, and two event-related requests. These included permission
for the Logan County Rail Splitting Association to close streets and
borrow picnic tables for the annual festival and approval for the
Foxhole Pub to host an outdoor event downtown with a temporary
street closure on September 20.
The council then awarded a bid of up to $350,000 to Kenny
Contractors for curb and sidewalk replacements. Treasurer Chuck
Conzo presented his August report, noting a fund balance of roughly
$3.97 million, though down $80,000 from the prior month and about
$550,000 lower than a year ago. Conzo stressed that while the city’s
financial position remains stable, the downward trend should be
monitored closely. He pointed to delayed property tax receipts and
frontloaded expenses as factors but emphasized the importance of
careful spending. On the revenue side, sales taxes showed increases
year-over-year, while personal property replacement tax revenues
dropped by about $145,000. “It isn’t creating any great problems
yet...It is declining, and we need to address that and be careful
with how we spend money going forward.”
City Clerk Peggy Bateman reported sewer receipts of $220,192.58 in
August, including nearly $18,000 from state prisons. The council
also approved using ARPA funds and loan proceeds to construct a
community pavilion and unanimously confirmed Katie Hanger’s
appointment to the Historic Preservation Commission. Members
likewise endorsed a mayoral proclamation recognizing September 15–21
as National Rail Safety Week.
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A significant
portion of discussion centered on a proposed solar array project
at 12 Sysco Drive. Alderman David Sanders raised concerns about
noise levels, particularly with the city also planning an
amphitheater nearby. The project’s representative acknowledged
the facility would generate noise but assured the council that
mitigation steps—including moving the site farther from property
lines, adding vegetation, and potentially building berms—would
reduce the impact. He cited a similar facility near a
residential subdivision in Urbana that has operated without
complaints since 2022. Ultimately, the council approved the
project, with Alderman Kevin Bateman abstaining from the vote.
Another approval granted Ameren
Illinois permission to install security cameras on utility poles
with support from a $500 letter of credit from Heartland Bank.
Announcements closed the evening with Aldermen and staff
highlighting community events. Robin McCallen praised the recent
Touch-a-Truck event, while Kevin Bateman recognized the FC Soccer
Club for hosting 109 teams in a local tournament.
Walt Landers updated the council on the city’s oil-and-chip roadwork
starting that week, and Clerk Bateman announced that the Gold Star
Mission bicyclists would pass through Lincoln on September 23 as
part of their statewide ride honoring fallen soldiers. Mayor Welch
reminded residents of the National Rail Splitting Festival scheduled
for September 20–21 at Postville Courthouse, with a ribbon-cutting
on Saturday morning. The council adjourned at 6:25 p.m.
[Sophia Larimore]
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