City briefs         

[JUNE 7, 2005] 

Poo problem

• Pet owners are being asked to be considerate of other people when they are out walking their dogs. There is a city ordinance that requires people to clean up after their pet. If caught, violators can be ticketed.

There continues to be a problem in public parks. Beautiful Scully Park -- which has received enormous amounts of renovation over the last several years, with flower plantings, fountain repainted and fixed, picnic benches, new kids' playground equipment, and much of the work done by volunteers -- has been particularly abused by dog owners this season.

Some area neighborhoods with boulevards and parkways have ended their problem with dog messes. Neighbors got together and installed nice plantings and mulch. It looks great and the dog mess is gone.

Alderman Wanda Rohlfs requests that dog owners remember their ownership responsibilities, clean up dog waste and keep our parks usable for kids to play in.

“Puttin' on the Dog”

• Rohlfs added that pet owners will each be given bags during the annual dog event, “Puttin' on the Dog,” that Main Street Lincoln has scheduled downtown from 10:30 a.m. to noon on June 18.

Elks Crippled Children's Fundraiser

• Approval was granted for the second annual Elks Crippled Children's Fundraiser, to be held on Sept. 10 in downtown Lincoln. The event is conducted on private property.

The all-day event features a car and motorcycle cruise-in, draft beers, outdoor stage, and live entertainment from 3 p.m. to midnight. Tents in case of rain and port-a-potties will be available.

The fundraiser netted $4,000 its first year in 2004. Chairman Stephen Klemm said that he hopes to more than double that amount with a goal of $10,000 this year.

Alderman Benny Huskins requested that the police monitor the music this year. There was a problem last year with the sound rebounding around downtown buildings. Klemm said that he thinks some of the complaints last year were due to people not knowing what was going on. He hopes that they won't be bothered by it this year if they do hear it, since it is for a good cause.

Infrastructure materials

• Two material bids were accepted for annual road and bridge projects using motor fuel tax funds. P.H. Boughton and Sons won a bid of $11,184. The other bid went to Lewis Marsh Corp. for $40,185.

Emergency communications board

• Alderman Kathy Horn accepted an appointment to the Emergency Telecommunications System Board / 911 Board. The city and county each have liaisons on the board that oversees the shared communications room.

City resolution complies with Illinois law

• The city passed the annual resolution establishing work rates for city of Lincoln workers.

When Alderman Buzz Busby questioned, "What happens if we don't do this?" City attorney Bill Bates replied that we would be in violation of the law.

Busby ended the matter saying, "So, we don't have a choice."

The resolution is in accordance with the Prevailing Wage Act, which requires that the city meet Illinois' minimal standards set for hourly wage workers.

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