City briefs

Snow removal, tree removal, Lincoln Reality teens, truck for sale; plus, mayor invites council to take the plunge

[November 19, 2008]  At their meeting on Monday, Lincoln City Council members voted on a number of petitions.

At a committee meeting just prior to the business session, Alderman Dave Armbrust opened for discussion a request for snow removal on Oak Park Drive. This request came from Jan Taylor.

Armbrust said that this is not the first time such a petition had come before the council, as there was an identical request in 2005, which was denied.

The location is just off Fifth Street, on Lincoln's west side, and the property is within city limits. Residents there do pay taxes to the city. However, the street was put in by the subdivision developer and does not meet city specs.

Armbrust stated that there have been several meetings between himself, city engineer Mark Mathon and Tracy Jackson, street and alley superintendent, in regard to this matter.

The three men have visited the site and found that the driveway does not meet with city codes for street width; the cul-de-sac at the end of the driveway is too small for city equipment to negotiate a turn; and the concrete surface is only about 6 inches deep, which is several inches less than required for a proper city street.

He stated that considering the depth of the concrete versus the weight of the city salt and plowing vehicles, there was a good chance that damage to the property could occur if the city attempted to do the snow removal.

Based on the information provided, the committee voted to recommend that the council vote against this petition.

At the regular meeting, that recommendation was made and the full council voted unanimously to deny the petition. Alderman Verl Prather was absent.

Tree and stump removal

Council members voted yes to tree and stump removal requests on Grand Avenue and Sixth Street, but no to a similar request for two trees on Park Place.

A petition submitted Wilma Stocker and Cheryl Lowrey for tree removal at 304 Park Place was voted down. Alderman Hoinacki moved to deny the petition, and during discussion he said that he had heard from Tracy Jackson that the trees were still in adequate condition and not in need of being taken down at this point.

Armbrust said he and Jackson had visited the Park Place location and found that the concern of the residents was that the two trees, soft maples, were harming two other nearby trees. Armbrust said he and Jackson agreed that was not the case.

With a roll call vote, the full council agreed to deny the petition for tree removal on Park Place.

Lincoln Reality teens will place Smokeout signs on Wyatt Avenue

The council granted a petition submitted by Jenna Rainis on behalf of Reality Illinois, requesting that signs be placed on Wyatt Avenue, between Kickapoo Street and the high school, to promote the Great American Smokeout on Thursday.

The signs will be placed by Lincoln Reality teens, reminding motorists of the 32nd annual Smokeout, which is always on the third Thursday in November and is sponsored by the American Cancer Society.

Truck for sale

Council members passed an "Ordinance Authorizing the Sale of Excess Personal Property" in regard to a 1988 Ford F-350 flatbed truck. According to the ordinance, requests for bids will be placed in area publications.

Special Olympics "Polar Bear Plunge"

Mayor Beth Davis-Kavelman read to the council a letter from the Special Olympics, thanking the city of Lincoln for their financial support in 2008.

The mayor also reminded council members that on March 21, 2009, there will be an event called "Jump in Lincoln Lakes, a Polar Bear Plunge." Any council members wishing to volunteer for the activity were encouraged to do so.

[By NILA SMITH]

Past related articles

• Reminder: Great American Smokeout is Thursday

• City briefs
  Search for electricity; quit-smoking signs; Christmas parade route