|
City of Lincoln
Regular City Council meeting discusses no knock registry
[January 07, 2026]
All members were present during the
regular Lincoln City Council meeting held Monday, Jan. 5, 2026. The
meeting began with a moment of silence in honor of two community
members: Stephan Mesner and Blair Hoerbert.
Mesner previously served as alderman for Ward 2 from 1993 to 2001.
Hoerbert served the community in several roles, including chairman
of the Regional Planning Commission, township trustee, township
supervisor and Republican committeeman for Prairie Creek Township.
The meeting opened with the appointment of Christy Fruge as deputy
chief of police. Attorney John Hoblit administered the oath of
office.
The council then moved to the consent agenda, which included bills
and minutes from the December 9, 2025, Committee of the Whole
meeting. Alderwoman Rhonda O’Donoghue made the motion to approve,
which was seconded by Alderman Steve Parrott.
An ordinance authorizing the issuance of up to $500,000 in general
obligation, limited tax bonds for the City of Lincoln was brought
before the council. The bonds, labeled Series 2026, would be repaid
through an annual property tax levy within existing tax limits.
Alderman Sam Downs made the motion to approve the ordinance, with a
second from Alderman Stan Anderson. No discussion followed.
The council then returned to the
creation of Section 3-27 of the Lincoln City Code, which had
previously been tabled during the Nov. 17, 2025, meeting. Alderman
Kevin Bateman made a motion to approve the new section, which was
seconded by Alderwoman O’Donoghue.
Bateman stated he had a discussion with Chief of Police Joe Meister
prior to the meeting where clarification was made on the question
“What is an authorized personnel from the city of Lincoln?”
Meister stated the following, “My understanding of what an
authorized city employee would be is either an on-duty police
officer who is there to inspect the location for a potential
criminal violation or an ordinance violation, or building and safety
official inspected for health and safety standards that we have
written within our code.”
City Attorney John Hoblit confirmed that Meister’s explanation was
“accurate”, and the ordinance was approved following the motion and
second.
Item 6C on the agenda addressed an ordinance creating a "No Knock"
registry related to solicitation. The ordinance would allow
residents to register their addresses to prohibit door-to-door
solicitation. Alderwoman O’Donoghue made the motion to approve,
which was seconded by Alderman Parrott.
[to top of second column] |
During discussion, City Clerk Peggy Bateman asked about the
timeline for implementing the registry through the city’s
website. Mayor Welch indicated he had already contacted the
city’s website administrator in anticipation of the ordinance’s
approval and estimated the registry would take approximately 30
days to complete. Welch said the system would likely be modeled
after the city Monticello and would include a spreadsheet or
database accessible to city staff.
Chief Meister noted that the police department’s new software
system includes spreadsheet capabilities that could potentially
be used for maintaining the registry. Welch added that the
city’s website operates on AWS servers and that a
spreadsheet-based system may be the most practical option as
long as the information can be accessed in real time.
The council then moved to Item 8B, the approval of an economic
development grant to Katie Davis, doing business as Clear Grace
Strength, for replacing three exterior doors in an amount not to
exceed $7,500.
An amendment was made to correct the agenda listing from “Kathy”
to “Katie” Davis. The motion to amend was made by Alderman Downs
and then Alderman Anderson seconded.
Additional announcements were shared before adjournment. City
Clerk Peggy Bateman reminded residents that sewer bills were
mailed on Dec. 31 and included information regarding a 10
percent discount for those who choose to pay a full year in
advance. Bateman emphasized that residents should not contact
City Hall for payment totals until after Jan. 26 and that all
balances and late fees must be paid in full to qualify for the
discount, which is available from Feb. 1-20.
Alderman Parrott also announced that the Illinois State Redbirds
football team would be playing for a championship game that
evening against Montana State, noting the team’s unprecedented
run of four consecutive away-game victories.
With no further business to come before the council, the meeting
was adjourned at 6:19 p.m.
[Sophia Larimore]
|
