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City Attorney Bill Bates received a
go-ahead from the police union to do a trial change in the police
work schedule.
Recent budget cutbacks that reduced the
police force and a survey that revealed the public perceives a need
for more protection during evening hours brought about the
recommendation by Chief Rich Montcalm. Chief Montcalm structured a
work schedule with a power shift, with more officers on duty during
the evening hours. To make that possible he recommended a five-day
workweek with nine-hour shifts. The change will be voted on next
Tuesday.
Chief Montcalm also informed the
council that officers were out last night, Tuesday, canvassing for
opinions from Mayfair subdivision residents. With the end of summer
comes a short-term neighborhood nuisance, blackbirds. The massive,
roving flocks come into neighborhoods near fields to roost in the
protection of large trees for the night. Deafening noise and large
quantities of waste products that create a potential health risk for
some people accompany the unwanted guests.
Past attempts to control the problem by
using loud explosives has not been met with approval by all
residents. Scheduled use of "bird bangers" set off by police is
intended to dissuade the birds from their pattern of congregating in
one neighborhood or another. In past years some senior residents
have complained that the "bird bangers" are unsettling to some
residents and to pets.
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Chief Bucky Washam made a request to
have Broadway Street blocked off from McLean to the alley by the
firehouse on Sept. 11. He would like to invite the public to a 9/11
memorial service the same as the one last year. The service is
expected to be 30 minutes to an hour.
Chief Washam also invites the public to
an open house at the city fire station, located at Broadway and
McLean streets, on Monday, Sept. 1.
Bill Bates said that E.M. Fulton, the
company that evaluated Lincoln’s water rates, says the city has a
right to seek a review and appeal the recent rate hike. Though it
appears they do not recommend doing this, as it would be expensive
and would not likely succeed, Bates believes the city should discuss
it and reply with their intention about the matter.
It was put on the agenda for
discussion.
That
concluded the open meeting discussions. The council adjourned for an
executive session to discuss a matter of collective bargaining.
[Jan
Youngquist]
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