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Orr has not had success in attempting
to get Amtrak to assume some responsibility for the use and
maintenance of the property. At present Orr is requesting that the
city provide recompense via abatement of sewer payment, mowing the
grass in the area of the building, and snow and ice removal of all
walks from the front door to Broadway Street and around the area.
The city already performs basic cleaning, repairs and maintenance of
the building. The only objection raised was about liability issues
and that was only over the snow and ice removal.
Orr is also looking for $5,400 back
rent from someone for the use of the property. It was clearly agreed
that the city would not consider paying this.
Alderman Melton pointed out that it is
very important that we maintain that depot, with as much use as it
gets with the colleges and other members of the community and area.
He added, "We’d hate to give Amtrak a reason to stop stopping here."
Bud Miller from the Logan County
Regional Planning Commission came before the council representing
two requests, one made by a local business and the other by an
organization. Logan Lanes and Mike Tackett from the American Legion
have approached the planning commission about being included in the
enterprise zone. The bowling alley sits between two properties,
Wombacher and Behrends, already deemed enterprise zone. The American
Legion sits directly behind Behrends and the bowling alley. It is
proposed to include all of the northwest corner of NE ¼, NE ¼.
[Click on map to enlarge]
Miller said the commission talked it
over and thought the whole quarter should be redesignated. The area
proposed is bordered by the nursing home to the west, Fifth Street
Road to the south, Hickox Drive to the east and the motel property
to the north. Miller stated that the commission voted unanimously
for approval. It is on the agenda for discussion at the next city
council meeting.
Robin Benz came before the council to
apprise the city of a possible opportunity to improve living
standards for area people with disabilities. Benz’s work with Home
Ownership Coalition gave her an awareness of the needs in the
community. She came as a concerned individual to explain that there
are grants available. The grants are used for housing rehabilitation
or economic development. CDAP/MARS grants can be attained for an
area in a city or for individuals needing to modify their homes
because of disabilities. The homeowner grants are targeted to assist
low- to moderate-income individuals. The city would administrate
such grants. The grants usually have a June deadline for submission.
Benz suggests keeping this in mind for next year.
[to top of second column in
this article]
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There was considerable discussion over
a request to remove a large tree at 1014 N. Logan. The tree in
question is mostly on private property. The complainant suggested
that it is a hazard, that large limbs could fall out of it. It was
decided that the street superintendent, Donnie Osborne, will speak
to the owner to get his opinion before any more discussion takes
place.
Another citizen complaint lodged at
last night’s meeting came from a Park Place resident. In her letter
she said that the boulevard is being used by many pet owners as a
"dumping place for animal waste." She stated that there are a lot of
dog owners walking the boulevard and not cleaning up after their
pets. "It is overbearing and often unpleasant," she said. She
requests that the council educate the public about their
responsibility to clean up after their animals.
Everyone present agreed completely that
it is a serious matter and something needs to be done. Bill Bates,
the city attorney, said, yes, the city does have an ordinance about
this, and owners are expected to clean up after their dogs. There is
a $25 fine for violating the ordinance.
Posting signs, assigning police to
patrol the area, going to court for citations could all be done but
would draw on valuable city resources. It is hoped that the
residents of the area will recognize their responsibility, be good
neighbors and comply with the ordinance via this reminder without
further action.
Bates
suggests that owners "start thinking about carrying baggies or a
pooper-scooper." He added, "Park Place is the only place since I’ve
been doing this job that we’ve had a complaint."
[Jan
Youngquist]
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"This
is truly an honor. Only one city in Illinois receives this award
each year," Grant Eaton, sewer plant manager, said recently.
The award is presented to acknowledge and recognize facilities that
demonstrate continued efforts to create a safe working environment.
In
the announcement of the award last fall, the IWEA said: "Your
current safety manuals and operating procedures are comprehensive
and consolidated to meet the specific needs of your facility."
The
award is given only after a lengthy process that begins with an
application and includes inspections of the entire sewer plant.
Mayor
Beth Davis congratulated Eaton on winning the award. Eaton said this
wasn’t really his award but belonged to the entire city of
Lincoln.
[Joan
Crabb]
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