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Business
will offer something not being offered
Darwin Allen, a representative of a new
day-care center that will be coming to Lincoln, came before the
council with a request to waive the business building permit fee.
His Precious Little Ones, a not-for-profit business, has applied for
enterprise zone status at the North Kickapoo Street address. The
building the business is purchasing, a former day care across from
Budget Inn, will have extensive renovations.
The business plans to be something that
isn't currently offered in the area. They are whole-family focused
and plan to offer family counseling, training and second-shift day
care in addition to standard day care for children. The business
plans to be a boost to local economics as well, expecting to have 17
employees when they are "full bore."
We have lots of work we need to do to
the building, Allen said. Building permit fees are based on building
and renovation costs. City codes and enforcement officer Les Last
said that their fees are estimated at $500-$700. He legally cannot
waive them himself.
Alderman Buzz Busby said, "I realize
that when you are opening a new business every dollar counts." But
he couldn't see a way they could approve this for one business and
not another.
Following some discussion of protocol
Alderman Verl Prather said that when the business does get
enterprise zone status they can come to the city for reimbursement
of the fees.
***
Temporary
vacancy created in an already short-staffed police department
A Lincoln police officer has been
called up for military duty. The officer will be gone for a minimum
of 15 months. His imminent departure raised numerous questions such
as whether he continues to draw his city pay, how to cover his
hours, and if the city should hire someone temporary or permanent.
The only clear stipulation is the
federal mandate to keep his job open for him when he returns. How to
do that is a bit complicated.
The vacancy comes when the department
is already stretched. Officers taking time off for vacations and
special events in the city that will need extra coverage place an
extra burden. "Work is really tight as it is," Chief Rich Montcalm
said. "We'll be calling in officers every shift (to cover) and
that's at time-and-a-half."
There was some discussion about now
having some additional funding since the city is no longer paying
for two officers in the 911 dispatch room. Consideration is being
given to permanently hiring back one of the officers laid off
earlier this year.
City attorney Bill Bates will be
checking on a few things with legal requirements, contracts and the
police union to assist with the decision-making process.
***
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this article]
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Sewer
woes increase with rains
Emergency work has been performed on a
stretch of sewer line near the downtown area, but before the
finishes are even done, another section has been identified as
needing immediate repair. Pulaski Street from Kankakee to Union
Street has just had emergency measures taken with a new slip line
installed. The single brick lining that was falling apart was
replaced with high-quality 30-inch PVC. The 350 to 400 feet of line
cost about $53,000.
Now a 30- to 40-foot section near Logan
County Bank is sinking. The discovery was made while City engineer
Mark Mathon and wastewater treatment plant manager Grant Eaton were
performing inspections. Again the line is old, single-layer brick
that is coming apart. Their recommendation is to slip-line the
entire section of the Pulaski Street sewer line from IGA to Union
Street at an estimated cost of $286,000.
Eaton put it up to the council whether
they wanted to go out for bids or make it an emergency matter.
Treating the situation as an emergency requires a two-thirds vote of
the council. It will take two to three weeks to get materials even
as an emergency order. The matter will be voted on Monday night.
Bates said that costs to replace the
street if it is dug up need to be considered as well.
***
Pesky
varmints
Skeeters are at it again, but so is the
streets department. Alderman Dave Armbrust said that they received a
call from Broadwell asking if the city could come there to spray.
Armbrust contacted Streets Superintendent Tracy Jackson; they
calculated the cost at $94 and went there for one spraying. The town
then asked if they would come back weekly.
The city currently or in the past has
done this at cost for Lawndale, the prisons, Eaton and other nearby
areas.
Alderman Glenn Shelton said he thought
we should extend a helping hand to our neighbor. Alderman Patrick
Madigan agreed with the comment, saying, "When you consider how much
rain we've had."
Starting three weeks ago the city waged
war on the insects, using larvicide, and is now spraying regularly.
Spraying is scheduled from 7 to 11 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday
nights, with Friday as a rain makeup day.
***
One of
the seven wonders of Lincoln in peril
The fate of the landmark telephone
booth that sits atop City Hall will be the topic of discussion when
the buildings and grounds committee meets next Monday at 6:45 p.m.
Alderman Derrick Crane said that he will present a bid to fix the
leak.
The booth is
at the center of an ongoing leak at the top of City Hall.
[Jan
Youngquist] |
