DECATUR - The Decatur City Council today will review in a study session projects to mark Abraham Lincoln's ties to the community.

The city in recent years hired former state Lincoln curator Kim Bauer to spearhead efforts to promote the community's Lincoln heritage in time for a national celebration of Honest Abe's 200th birthday in 2009.

Projects approved by the council include:

n $25,000 for Abraham Lincoln agricultural awards presented at the Farm Progress Show.

n $100,000 for bronze statues of Abraham Lincoln to be erected in Decatur's downtown area.

Projects discussed by the council and awaiting approval include:

n $55,000 for wayside exhibits, which highlight important Lincoln sites in Decatur and Macon County.

n $150,000 for a sculpture honoring African-American contributions to the Civil War.

n $701,000 to develop the Lincoln Trail Homestead state park near Harristown. Annual costs for staffing are expected to be about $155,000.

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources favors developing a homestead including a reconstructed cabin where Lincoln once lived, a visitor's center and staffing for the site.

Because the city does not own or lease the site, city administrators are unsure what work could begin in time for the Lincoln bicentennial in 2009.

The council will hold a study session to review lobbying work on behalf of the city by Illinois Strategies. The council last year approved spending $30,000 for the group to lobby state lawmakers.

In another study session, the council will review repayment for a road constructed next to the Decatur Conference Center and Hotel. The roadway was expected to lead to a water park that has not been built.

The council also will study projected budget revenues and a budget comparison with other downstate cities.

No action will be taken Monday on any of the study session items.

The council also will hold a closed session meeting to review the performance of City Manager Steve Garman.

Mike Frazier can be reached at mfrazier@herald-review.com or 421-7985.