[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6300077,"mediaKeyId","2493911-b066fde94cafad51ef56c2a7f867ee8e","parentId",2493911,"title","Mayor announces aldermanic resignation; city schedules water-line repair and notes building updates","audioSeconds",1167,"startMs",810000,"endMs",1977000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2493911-b066fde94cafad51ef56c2a7f867ee8e&start=810&end=1977","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2493911-b066fde94cafad51ef56c2a7f867ee8e/thumbnail_810000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6300077/Lincoln/Logan-County/Illinois/Mayor-announces-aldermanic-resignation-city-schedules-water-line-repair-and-notes-building-updates","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6300077-d5eda2ea256ee450a960c3a2e9be3eaf/orig.mp4?Expires=1773740514&Signature=cR~RrVzQPXlEofdt3ayGeQIgpW~Ht5WBL2L8bsoARamyRDaLWq2jY48RmMn95FylS6GnOsG504GtfijWtizi2bhwDUsS2CfQdC4Pp-QFRpaHGdhYK~usGTKrvPIMWeM3T9aM7GcdJk1j0FUAGcc3Fyp7fymJ6StECZvdOBoQqZry7-ep5RaZl1YkpOIG2k6BSyRzLudyTPqt0nRbv8oLDm~9L1IgyreM~fheUCFwRMkRCKE-u0i2xShyCUFksCHahifakPnRzZhIhz7RyvtElPM05c32TEia02-gSkuiHZ1WvkeqiY~pK4ztGtDIPKuXBb4hQYzd3LctGnsEmlN-Lg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Lincoln, IL","date","2025-03-04T12:35:23Z","article","At the March 3 Lincoln City Council meeting the mayor announced that Alderman Craig Imer submitted his resignation effective Feb. 27 and described the process the council will use to fill the vacant seat.

The mayor said the city will open applications for interested residents, convene a small interview panel including an alderman and a department head, and hopes to bring a recommendation for appointment within one to two weeks. The mayor said the city will present a customary plaque to recognize Imer’s service.

City public works staff announced a water-line repair on the 100 block north of North Kickapoo Street that will require a full closure of that block; the work was tentatively planned to start Thursday. Staff said the block between Guerrero and Abe’s will be closed to through traffic while the repair is underway; they did not specify how long the shutdown will last.

Separately, Alderman Bateman and other council members thanked Brady’s Construction for finishing painting and new flooring work at City Hall and the fire department and noted the buildings are now reopened. Bateman and other councilors praised the contractor’s communication and the work’s quality.

Ending: The mayor invited applicants for the aldermanic vacancy and said the council will follow its stated appointment process; the water repair and completion of building work are operational notices for residents.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Regular City Council Meeting March 3rd, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The mayor announced Alderman Craig Imer’s resignation effective Feb. 27 and outlined a plan to fill the vacancy. City staff also said a water-line repair will close a block of North Kickapoo Street beginning Thursday (tentatively) and that City Hall and the fire department interior painting and flooring project is complete.","taxTitle","Lincoln, Logan County, Illinois","taxId",62037,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6300081,"Council debates ground-mounted solar limits after photo shows 14-foot panels near homes",647,888000,1535000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2493911-b066fde94cafad51ef56c2a7f867ee8e&start=888&end=1535","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2493911-b066fde94cafad51ef56c2a7f867ee8e/thumbnail_888000.jpg","/articles/6300081/Lincoln/Logan-County/Illinois/Council-debates-ground-mounted-solar-limits-after-photo-shows-14-foot-panels-near-homes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6300081-db3bc596caf8602e54faf4fcacb53794/orig.mp4?Expires=1773740514&Signature=EsriB-XRdP0C4eLFhR2AkyinqAD9EEQbxD8f9s~hp4oDMmL8KoqoRDqWHc3bBDA9ht1aJBqZz4H37cnTQ4vuEPN9L6sAhKV8u5BGAsSlvydo2XY2BSwtJ30fcP3D5EKtdTNhgKu2FI1pQS2UqQn1uxZWqqLchIvq0n~nz0pyfOSG94g8cGMFe5CJh7cH6c-pdQNL5KcteiGASSKacq2otwoUPuZA6TqSQPtqF9WkxteLStV0rzJ6FSkV4IAvOf4DfkKbVMxD12W2JeKvoaUnttUT5pEMaCnd9Umz0uhNN~jiM58HRkWLYENXfwTkSbJcZHh8RYlxMVTXZL5gWkRskw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Aldermen discussed revisions to a draft solar ordinance at the Lincoln City Council meeting on March 3 after Alderman Bateman presented photographs of a ground-mounted solar array he said would be 14 feet tall and sit behind a commercial property that abuts residences.

Bateman said the panels in the photograph would be taller than the city’s typical fence height and that the array “is 14 feet in height” and would “abut the residential” area behind a commercial lot. He told the council the draft ordinance previously would have effectively eliminated residential ground-mounted solar because of fencing and setback rules; after feedback the drafters reinserted residential ground mounts but councilors must decide whether to set height limits or screening requirements.

Alderman McClellan clarified that the draft does not eliminate rooftop solar: “If it’s on a building, that’s not what we’re talking about. It’s ground mounted.” Alderman Bridal (surname used in transcript) proposed limiting residential ground-mounted panels to the six-foot maximum rear-yard fence height, saying that if a panel exceeds six feet it would not be allowed for residential lots.

Alderman O'Donoghue argued against overly restrictive rules, saying it can be “a bit hypocritical” to promote solar while limiting what homeowners can place in their yards and adding that a few ground-mounted panels for greenhouse use or similar should be allowed. Alderman Parrott asked whether commercial arrays that border residential lots could be required to meet residential screening standards. Several aldermen raised visual-impact concerns, including glare, dust, animal pests and whether thermal effects could have environmental consequences; one member asked staff to consult the Historic Preservation Commission regarding properties on the National Register.

City staff earlier circulated a second draft of the ordinance; the mayor/presiding officer said additional revisions will be discussed at the next committee-of-the-whole meeting. The council did not vote on ordinance language on March 3; members asked staff to bring back revised language that addresses fence height, screening and whether commercial panels that border residences should conform to residential standards.

Ending: The council will take up the revised solar ordinance at the next committee-of-the-whole meeting; staff and the city attorney will be asked to clarify screening, height limits and historic-property considerations.","Council members debated draft city rules for ground-mounted solar on March 3 after Alderman Bateman presented pictures of a 14-foot, non-tilting ground-mounted installation adjacent to residences. Councilors discussed fence heights, commercial versus residential limits, visual impacts and next steps for the ordinance.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6300086,"Council approves fire-department staffing change, energy upgrades and economic grants",179,549000,728000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2493911-b066fde94cafad51ef56c2a7f867ee8e&start=549&end=728","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2493911-b066fde94cafad51ef56c2a7f867ee8e/thumbnail_549000.jpg","/articles/6300086/Lincoln/Logan-County/Illinois/Council-approves-fire-department-staffing-change-energy-upgrades-and-economic-grants","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6300086-aab98995734566c1e669980bb559d16c/orig.mp4?Expires=1773740514&Signature=kHkXl67uEqplypC5SfDx~cUxlTXE4yC0y6Xioh3maMwzNNzBE2yRogGI6tlLVtXRjAwysi-8t0oirJ~nZ5QuYIoAeJy4DoIBVw6Y70HNEJbbjBmILbH3WqniYVdlPUk3SDE5JqH12HGnAQcJnFddpj6K~iWsAicyPZCTtEH9KlJLgyNiM6bq9XNChc0njaL4QOJcNuu15K0HYS8BgMTGRYPdEJzqevdrlfvidtyUh25R~2WoOL0ZSoj5RPb5MXkeAZ5Xqvm9vgTBcK2ehGhrwXXMYE-munQR3XDqJ3UM9ZBNvh86Wv8mYVCYr0A1NjjiZDfRZi8LG~M~~4Bv~rkukg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lincoln City Council voted on a package of administrative and procurement items at its March 3 meeting, approving an ordinance to add a deputy fire chief position and several purchases and grants.

The council approved the consent agenda, which included payment of bills and minutes from January and February meetings. The council then passed an ordinance to add a deputy fire chief position to the Lincoln Fire Department and reduce the number of assistant fire chiefs from four to three. The council also approved purchase and installation of LED fixtures for City Hall, the Hamilton Street garage and the wastewater treatment facility using an Ameren Illinois grant at a cost not to exceed $16,180; an economic development grant to Big Shot Properties LLC for a commercial garage door at 118 Commercial Drive not to exceed $7,385, contingent on receipt of a second bid; a contract with Henson Services for grinding landscape waste and disposal at a cost not to exceed $18,900; and renewal of a six-month certificate of deposit at a rate of 4.35 percent.

Mayor/Presiding officer (unnamed) called for roll calls on each item; all recorded votes on the listed items were recorded as affirmative. During discussion of the fire-department ordinance the presiding officer said staff were continuing a code review and that additional code changes would be brought to the council later. On the LED fixtures item an alderman noted that A and D Electric hires the contractor and that Ameren’s grant program typically assigns a contractor who then uses a local installer.

The economic development grant was approved contingent upon receipt of a second bid as required by the motion. The CD renewal and the landscape-waste grinding contract were presented and approved with no amendments.

Votes at a glance
• Consent agenda (payment of bills; minutes for 01/06/2025, 01/20/2025, 01/28/2025 committee of the whole, and 02/03/2025): Motion by Alderman O'Donoghue; second Alderman Sanders; outcome: approved (recorded roll-call yes votes).
• Ordinance adding a deputy fire chief and reducing assistant chiefs from four to three: Motion by Alderman Sanders; second by Alderman Parrott (Alderman Downs also recorded as second during discussion); outcome: approved (recorded roll-call yes votes).
• LED light fixtures (Ameren Illinois grant), cost not to exceed $16,180: Motion by Alderman McClellan; second Alderman Parrott; outcome: approved.
• Economic development grant to Big Shot Properties LLC, up to $7,385, contingent on second bid: Motion by Alderman Rolfes; second Alderman Sanders; outcome: approved (contingent on second bid).
• Henson Services proposal for grinding landscape waste, cost not to exceed $18,900: Motion by Alderman Parrott; second Alderman O'Donoghue; outcome: approved.
• Renewal of a six-month certificate of deposit at 4.35%: Motion by Alderman O'Donoghue; second Alderman Sanders; outcome: approved.

The council chair said additional code revisions related to the fire-department ordinance will come back to the council after the city attorney and fire chief complete their review. No motions failed or were tabled during the meeting.

Ending: The meeting moved from formal business to announcements after the votes, with council members noting an upcoming vacancy and other operational items.","The Lincoln City Council on March 3 approved a consent agenda and a series of motions including an ordinance to add a deputy fire chief position, purchases covered by an Ameren grant, a small business façade grant, landscape-waste grinding, and a six-month certificate-of-deposit renewal.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Mayor announces aldermanic resignation; city schedules water-line repair and notes building updates

Council debates ground-mounted solar limits after photo shows 14-foot panels near homes

Council approves fire-department staffing change, energy upgrades and economic grants