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Osborne begins his vacation Wednesday
and will retire on Aug. 22. He has been street superintendent for 19
years and served with five Lincoln mayors: Wilson, Andrews, Guzzardo,
Ritter and Davis. Osborne included every mayor and alderman that he
has served with when thanking people for their support. He said that
there would be a lot of things that he would miss about his
position, but there would also be things that he would be happy not
to have to deal with.
In other business the council heard:
The city council went into an executive
session to discuss employee hiring at the city clerk's office.
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Paul Short, in his presentation on the
sesquicentennial committee budget, gave information that was
compiled on June 30 and covered the time from the start of the
committee to June 30. He also gave a revised budget of the entire
event. As of June 30, the committee had $53,682.02 in income and
$33,980.35 in expenses. The committee has paid deposits on the
sesquicentennial entertainment, stages and souvenirs.
Short said that when the committee
compared this year's event with the one in 1953, they were similar
in cost with adjustments made for inflation. This year's event will
cost approximately $115,000, while the 1953 event cost approximately
$102,000. The committee has $55,000 in donations with another
$10,000 committed but not paid.
Short also said that since the running
of the "Lincoln for Lincoln" article on Saturday the committee has
collected 10 percent of the $3,000 they have budgeted. The
committee's major concerns are the wristbands, food and beer. These
things are the big ifs, mainly due to not knowing how the weather
will be.
In advertising, the committee has
received $11,000 from Lincoln tourism bureau funds, and the
Budweiser distributors have paid for radio ads in the Springfield
area.
Councilman Verl Prather announced that
the Illinois Municipal League Conference will be Sept. 18-21 at the
Hilton in Chicago. He encouraged all councilmen to attend, saying
that it presented a great learning experience for them. You learn
something every day that you are there for every type of community,
small or large, he said. Prather handed out forms for councilmen
planning to attend to fill out. The forms need to be in by Aug. 15.
Prather said that he would like the forms returned by next Monday so
that the city council can vote upon the expenditure at the meeting
that evening.
Councilman Glenn Shelton introduced Dan
Fulscher of ESDA. Fulscher addressed the council, requesting that
they consider staffing the communication 911 room at the safety
complex with the emergency telephone system board. The staff would
be entirely civilian, freeing up police officers for other duties.
The police chief and sheriff would continue to have input. They
would still have access to warrants and files. The civilian staff
would receive elevated training. They would be there strictly for
communication purposes.
The emergency telephone system board
would contract the work with the city and the county. Wages for the
new employees would have to be proportionately figured out. There is
a collective bargaining contract with three of the members of
telecommunications. Fulscher asked the mayor to appoint someone who
could work with him on this change. The council will address this
request at their next meeting.
Police Chief Richard Montcalm announced
that there would be a picnic with police at Centennial Court on
Thursday, July 17, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Montcalm said, "This is a good time to
interact with the kids. There will be a disc jockey, hot dogs and
soda, and flyers and brochures will be given out to the kids. It is
nice to see kids come up who are starting to get to know you."
The police plan to do five or six more
picnics this summer. Montcalm invited the city council to attend.
[to top of second column
in this article] |
Councilman Derrick Crane reported on
the historical homes brochure. Mayor Davis said she hoped that
people with older homes would apply for the historical homes plaque.
She said they would be getting the brochure out to homes in the
older areas of Lincoln. Two applications for historical homes
recognition have been received so far.
Crane also said that the city was
selling bricks from the Abraham Lincoln well on Fifth Street and
Madison. The bricks are $25 each. They are pre-numbered and come
with a certificate of authenticity. The bricks can be purchased
anytime through City Hall. Someone from Oregon has already purchased
one brick.
Councilman Benny Huskins informed the
council that the Illinois-American Water Company has fenced off part
of the city's land. Grant Eaton of the sanitation and sewage
department said that this causes problems for his crew when they
need access to the property and the lake's area. The water company
stores equipment in the fenced-off property. Mayor Davis thanked
Huskins for the information. The city's attorney, Bill Bates, will
look into the matter.
Councilwoman Jonette Tibbs gave the
Animal Control monthly report. There were 80 adoptions during the
past month. The shelter's income grew and they were self-sufficient.
At one point the shelter was down to 39 animals; however, they are
once again full.
Councilman Patrick Madigan presented
two sidewalk repair petitions to the city council. One petition was
for 356 Fifth St. and one for 539 10th St. The city now has new
petition forms.
Councilman David Armburst reported that
he and Street Superintendent Osborne had been approached by the
construction company currently doing work at the old junior high
school. The company is requesting to close one-half block of
Kankakee Street and Broadway Street entirely up to the Holland and
Barry alley and one-third of Kankakee Street to Ottawa Street. There
would still be an open lane at this street closure. These streets
could be closed for more than a year while the company's work
continues. The company would like to use these closed-off areas for
stockpiling their equipment.
Councilman Huskins stated that the city
has had problems with damage to the streets near the new school
construction. The company should have responsibility for any damages
they cause, Huskins said.
Fire Chief Robert Washam said that he
was not comfortable using an alley in case of a fire. The high wires
in the alley would cause problems for his trucks. The Methodist
church would not have fire protection in case of a fire.
Bates said that the construction
company should present their request to the city council at the next
meeting and should be prepared to present the city council with some
assurances before the council can make any decision.
Osborne said that the council can
always tell the company "no." He also recommended that the council
videotape the streets prior to any closures so that any damage the
company may cause can be noted.
The city council heard a request for
work on a curb at 1029 N. Monroe St.
City Clerk Melanie Riggs also read a
letter from Bryan and Melissa Rankin. The Rankins are asking to
purchase the Lincoln Area Taxi Company and request to be licensed
for that purpose.
The public vehicle licenser board will
have to hold a public hearing to address this request. The licensing
board consists of the mayor and the city council. The public hearing
will be on Monday, Aug. 4, at 7:15 p.m. during the city council
meeting. The Rankins will be responsible for having the public
hearing posted.
Mayor Davis gave a brief report on the
Lincoln Developmental Center Task Force meeting in Springfield
Tuesday afternoon.
The city council then went into an
executive session to discuss employee hiring for the city clerk's
office.
After the
executive session the mayor and city council honored Donnie Osborne
for his 19 years of service.
[Don Todd] |
