Initial Sysco development coming in on time, maybe         

Land agreement transactions scheduled for today

[JUNE 29, 2005]  A full lineup of legal exchanges that would complete the necessary matters in the acquisition of and sale of property for the Sysco project are on schedule for today (Wednesday). Should all be accomplished as planned, it keeps the intergovernmental project collaborated between the city of Lincoln, Logan County, and the Lincoln and Logan County Development Partnership for the development of a food distribution warehouse for Robert Sysco Inc. on the schedule requested by the developer. The developer asked for a July 1 deadline.

The city attorney, now known as "Houdini" Bates, has accomplished the near impossible in reaching the deadline by his management in juggling a large combination of complex details in limited time. Bill Bates ran down a schedule of document signings that were to begin at 9 a.m. today. He then explained that it might not happen as planned. Two documents are needed still.

Before anything can happen, a signed development agreement is needed from the Sysco Foods parent company in Houston, Texas. "I don't want to spend $817,000 without paperwork," Bates said.

Also a title from Chicago on the agricultural acreage is needed.

Both the Sysco agreement and the title were being sent overnight.

It was determined by city treasurer Les Plotner and city clerk Melanie Riggs that it is possible for the city to legally borrow funds from another fund to cover the initial expenses of the project short-term. This will be done until the debt certificates that are financing the project are issued. The interfund transfer will save some of the interest that would be paid on a higher interest short-term loan.

The amount of $817,000 will be paid to buy the nearly 52 acres land that Sysco will then purchase for $52.

The property transactions scheduled include purchase of 24 to 25 acres from the Cronin family and 30 acres from Burwell and Klockenga. Fifteen acres of property next to Insurance Auto Auction will be exchanged.

The council approved all the necessary actions to acquire the land and for it to be annexed into the city limits and rezoned from county-agriculture to city-light industrial upon purchase. Mayor Beth Davis was authorized to sign all documents, pending receipt of the signed development agreement and subsequent purchases.

Bates was thanked by finance chairman Verl Prather and Mayor Beth Davis for all his effort and accomplishment in handling project. "You've done a great job," Prather said.

Patrick Doolin was visiting the council on another matter and added that as chamber president, business owner and resident he wanted to thank the council for their part in bringing Sysco to town. To Bates he said, "Mr. Bates, if people aren't impressed with what you've done, I don't know what we can do to impress them."

A formal groundbreaking ceremony has been scheduled by Sysco for July 15.

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