He said they would be able to secure the loan for phase one from
CEFCU on the basis of offering the property as collateral. He said
they were very pleased by that. The $20,000 loan would be paid back
on a seven-year plan at annual payments of $3,741 per year.
-
$2,700 asbestos
testing
-
$500 abatement
training
-
$2,500 asbestos
removal
-
$5,000 demolition (on
portions of the building)
-
Total: $10,750 phase
one cleanup expenses
Balance after phase one expenses equals $9,250, which will then
be used toward phase two -- restoration.
"Currently the hole in the roof has been patched to prevent
further damage," Ladd said.
Foundation board member and restorationist Peter Niehaus offered
to take asbestos cleanup training and lead his crew in the opening
work at a significant savings. That is expected to take two months,
depending on the weather, with completion in late February or early
March. This will also include making safe the front section they are
salvaging, according to Ladd.
According to the plan, phase two leads into the restoration and
beautification process. This also is expected to take a couple of
months. The goal is to make the outside presentable as a photo
attraction. This involves painting, minor repairs, landscaping and
signage.
City attorney Bill Bates said that he had spoken with the judge
about dropping the fines and penalties that were to be assessed
against the current owner, Dennis Koehler. The judge agreed that he
would if the city would allow Koehler to turn the property over to
the foundation.
There was unanimous verbal agreement Tuesday night, and the
matter is on next week's voting agenda.
*
Alderman Jonie Tibbs reported that she attended the meeting at
the Lincoln Park District last week to discuss the possibility of
creating a skateboard park. The meeting had a great turnout with a
lot of kids and parents in attendance, she said.
They also had a professional fundraiser there to discuss what it
would take. The park is estimated to take well over $100,000, and
some parks cost up to $300,000, she said.
Meetings are scheduled every Thursday at 7 a.m. at the Lincoln
Park District to continue to discuss how to make the park a reality.
The public is invited to attend.
Alderman Verl Prather suggested that if or when plans become more
defined, the city should plan to make a donation. He'd looked at the
budget, and he said, "We do a lot for a lot of the other
organizations; we need to do something for our kids too." He
couldn't see anywhere that there were funds actually budgeted to use
for our kids. "This is taxpayers' money, and I can't think of a
better place to spend our money," he said.
It was mentioned that there has been a rash of vandalism lately.
Alderman Marty Neitzel agreed with Prather. "We need something
for kids to keep them off the street," she said.
Mayor Beth Davis said that this [the move to build a skateboard
park] was actually started about three years ago. It just didn't
take off.
Skateboarders in the downtown retail area have been at the center
of concerns lately. Skateboarding, rollerblading and bicycling are
not allowed on walkways in the business district. An ordinance is
already in place that prohibits these activities in the downtown
business district in order to protect people exiting businesses and
prevent injuries.
The council discussed putting up signs that would define the
business district boundaries, in hopes that it would control the
current problem and maybe eliminate the need for more extreme
measures by law enforcement.
[to top of second column] |
 This week Streets Superintendent Tracy Jackson said that each
sign would need to be rather large. In order to be readable and
accommodate all the wording that would need to go on them, they
would need to be 24 inches by 24 inches.
It would take 100 signs at $17.35 to cover each direction of each
entry into the business district.
Aldermen agreed that they would rather not see that many new
signs go up. It would add to the too many signs that are there now.
In addition the mayor said, "Think about that message to anybody
that might be driving by."
Prather said that he'd rather see the money go into a new skate
park, and there was much agreement to that.
It was noted that police have confiscated a few boards, and that
seems to have helped get the message across. It was further decided
to redirect efforts to curb these activities by educating youth
through the schools, maybe through the D.A.R.E. program.
*
Alderman Buzz Busby said he had received a request from the
police chief to hire more police officers.
Busby looked at the Chief Robert Rawlins and said, "I'm sorry,
Chief, but the streets department and fire department need more help
also, but there are not the funds to do that."
He added, "I'd like to remind the council that you just passed an
agreement with a business, Graue, and you've done the same with
several other businesses, like Wal-Mart, and we don't get any new
taxes [from them] till the cap is reached."
Busby has opposed the development agreements that agreed to
reimburse businesses for infrastructure costs through new sales
taxes generated by the businesses until paid back or up to 20 years.
The new property developments have been in the west-side business
district, mostly along Woodlawn Road. The area is in the
Lincoln/Logan County Enterprise Zone, and as such, the new property
owners developing the land thereby also received property tax breaks
lasting up to 10 years. Busby wanted aldermen to realize this also.
*
New signs will be going up around the city of Lincoln Fire
Department building, across from the post office. Chief James Davis
said that it is part of their standard operating procedure to stop
traffic while trucks are backed into the bays after returning from a
call. There have been some instances recently when cars going around
have nearly hit firemen. The signs and some yellow flashing lights
will be going up to create public awareness.
*
A reminder to citizens: The streets department can pick up only
leaves that are bagged in biodegradable bags. City crews cannot pick
up yard wastes or leaves bagged in plastic.
Jackson thanked citizens bringing yard wastes to the city
landfill for using the biodegradable bags. Plastic bags are a
violation. He said the city had its inspection by the Illinois
Environmental Protection Agency on Tuesday and passed "with flying
colors."
*
Busby and wastewater manager Dave Kitzmiller said that two
lift-station renovation projects are coming in ahead of schedule.
Lincolnwood, which was scheduled for completion the end of November,
went on line Tuesday and Zion will go up Thursday.
*
This year's city of Lincoln Christmas ornament features the Earl
C Hargrove Chapel. The brass ornament is now available for purchase
through Main Street Lincoln.
[Jan
Youngquist] |
