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City targets two properties for fast track demolition Mayor
Keith Snyder said that Les Last, building and safety officer, has
recommended two properties for fast track demolition. This is the
first time the new process aimed at cleaning up problem properties
has been put into play.
The targeted properties are at 417 N. Madison and 718 S. College.
The mayor said that thanks to funding found by the city
treasurer, there is $31,000 available that could be used for
demolition. Les Plotner found the funding in the form of a CD that
has been held in escrow for the past several years and can now be
added to the city's general fund The mayor added that while there is
nothing in the budget for demolition, there is money in
appropriations, so the city can go forward using these newly found
funds.
Last has obtained quotes for the demolition and has told Snyder
that for the two properties, the total cost of demotion will be just
under $10,000.
Alderwoman Melody Anderson made the requested motion, and it
passed unanimously.
This measure allows Bates to begin the process by conducting
title searches on the properties. He will contact all the interested
parties, and the burden will lie on those parties to stop the
demolition. If those interested parties do not move to stop the
city, the properties will be demolished within the next 35 to 60
days.
Fire department promotions
Fire Chief Kent Hulett introduced Lt. Larry Spurling and
firefighter Chris Harding, saying that the two men are being
promoted as a result of the retirement of Jeff Singleton and the
upcoming retirement of Rick O'Hara.
Spurling was promoted from lieutenant to captain, and Harding was
sworn in as the department 's new
lieutenant to fill the vacancy left by Spurling's
promotion.
Fire department new hire
Also on the docket for the evening was the swearing in of a new
hire for the fire department.
Phil Uphoff is joining the department effective immediately.
Hulett said that Uphoff hails from El Paso and comes to Lincoln with
some firefighting training already accomplished. He will further his
training this month at a special event at the University of
Illinois.
State pays at least a portion of its debt
In recent weeks, Plotner and Alderman Buzz Busby have commented
on the fact that the state of Illinois is slow and behind in paying
its obligations to the city.
Alderman Jeff Hoinacki announced that the state has issued a
payment to the city in the amount of $175,000.
While the state's incentive to make the payment cannot be
attributed factually to any one person, Plotner said he personally
believes that Rep. Bill Mitchell may have been involved in spurring
the state to stand good for their obligation. Plotner noted that he
had contacted state legislators in regard to the state 's
sewage bill and that Mitchell was the only one who responded, doing
so with a phone call and a promise to see what he could do to move
things along for the city of Lincoln.
Capped sewer issue resolved, but not without opposition
Alderwoman Marty Neitzel read a motion that would resolve an
ongoing issue between the city and a resident on North Monroe
Street. The motion said that the city would refund to the resident
owner $1,653.48, which is half of the amount spent on cleaning and
repair of the home after it was discovered that the sewer was capped
and raw sewage was being dispersed under the house.
Additionally the motion provided that the city would forgo sewage
fees to the resident for the next seven years, providing that she
still lives in the house and that she signs a waiver relieving the
city from any further liability. Neitzel made it clear that should
the resident vacate the property, the agreement will not carry
through to any new owners or occupants.
When it came to vote, the council still showed that they were
divided on this issue, as three of the 10 alderman voted against the
motion. Those three were Aldermen Busby, Nathan Turner and David
Armbrust. Both Busby and Turner have been vocal throughout this
process, saying that they would not support anything other than a
possible refund of past sewer payments.
The cash payment to the resident will come out of the city's
sewer fund and will be paid only after she has signed the waiver.
Neitzel said that she has talked to the homeowner, and she is in
agreement on this settlement.
City gets a refund!
Snyder told the council that he has received a letter from the
Northwest Municipal Conference regarding a 2004 class action lawsuit
the city was involved in regarding the telecommunication
infrastructure maintenance fee.
As participants, the city contributed to the attorney fees for
the lawsuit, and according to the letter, not all the money
contributed was used; therefore, the city is receiving a refund of
$900.68, which is approximately 23 percent of the original
contribution.
City may strike a deal with Depot owner
A topic that has been on and off the table at City Hall several
times in the past has returned once again. The owner of the now
closed Depot Restaurant has in the past approached the city about
buying the entire property, which amounts to approximately one city
block, with land on both sides of the railroad tracks.
Purchasing the entire property has not been something that the
city was interested in doing, but at the Aug. 25 council meeting,
Snyder said he had heard from the owner that he might be willing to
enter into some other type of agreement. Snyder said that options
now include purchasing only a portion of the property, specifically
where the watermelon statue and the Amtrak shack are located, or
perhaps entering into a long-term lease agreement for the same
parcel.
A motion was made by Tibbs and passed unanimously that these
options be explored with the owner. The mayor will appoint a special
committee to represent the city in these negotiations.
Thermal efficiency grant may be available for a new fire station.
Alderman David Wilmert said he had heard from John Bishop of
Farnsworth Associates with information on a grant regarding green
construction and thermal applications.
Wilmert said grant funds are available through the American
Recovery and Reinvestment Act that could assist in the building of a
new fire station.
Petitions for curb repair; one rejected, one accepted
Two petitions were submitted by Sam and Jane Redding of the 300
block of Lincoln Avenue, requesting curb repairs at that address as
well as along Water Street where it intersects with Lincoln Avenue.
Turner made a motion to reject the first petition for repair of
curbs on Lincoln Avenue, and Armbrust offered up the explanation for
the rejection, saying that he had visited the location twice and had
met with the homeowner.
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Armbrust said that the curbs are in pretty decent shape. They could
use some work, but in order to make the repair, a portion of the
brick street would have to be destroyed, and this was an undesirable
solution for the homeowner.
The vote carried 10-0 to reject the petition.
The second petition involves approximately a half-block of Water
Street, from Lincoln Avenue to the alley on the west side.
Turner made a motion that the requested repairs be made there,
and the council approved unanimously.
Resolution passed for new stop signs
As the final step of approving a petition by residents living
near the intersection of Sheridan and Willamette streets, a
resolution was passed by unanimous vote to place stop signs at the
intersection. These signs will go on the Sheridan Street portions of
the intersection.
Taking the show on the road
Soon after he was sworn in, the mayor said he wanted to “take
the show on the road,” so to speak. His
desire was to have one meeting per ward inside the ward itself this
fall. He also said that during these meetings he wanted the two
aldermen from the ward to offer a presentation about their area.
Ward 3 Alderwoman Joni Tibbs said that she and Armbrust will host
the Oct. 13 meeting at Friendship Manor. This will be a Tuesday
workshop meeting, with business conducted as usual for those
sessions.
Also, the mayor said that Wilmert and Alderwoman Kathy Horn have
set the date for their ward meeting as Oct. 27, again a workshop
meeting, and it will be at the Postville Courthouse.
Reassignment of committees
Snyder handed out a sheet showing new committee assignments that
he has worked out in order to include Stacy Bacon, the newest
council member, representing Ward 1.
In the end, some chair and member positions have been moved
about.
The committees that have changed are listed below, with names of
new appointments to the committees being in bold.
Fire, Water and ESDA
Original
assignments:
Chair: Horn
Vice chair: Busby
Members: Anderson, Turner, Henrichsmeyer
Assignments
effective September 2009:
Chair: Horn
Vice chair: Busby
Members: Anderson, Turner, Bacon
Insurance
Original
assignments:
Chair: Turner
Vice chair: Armbrust
Members: Tibbs, Horn, Anderson
Assignments
effective September 2009:
Chair: Bacon
Vice chair: Turner
Members: Tibbs, Horn, Anderson
Police
Original
assignments:
Chair: Hoinacki
Vice chair: Henrichsmeyer
Members: Horn, Armbrust, Tibbs
Assignments
effective September 2009:
Chair: Hoinacki
Vice chair: Tibbs
Members: Horn, Armbrust, Turner
Sanitation
Original
assignments:
Chair: Wilmert
Vice chair: Tibbs
Members: Henrichsmeyer, Hoinacki, Turner
Assignments
effective September 2009:
Chair: Wilmert
Vice chair: Bacon
Members: Busby, Hoinacki, Tibbs
Sewerage Treatment Plant
Original
assignments:
Chair: Busby
Vice chair: Neitzel
Members: Wilmert, Henrichsmeyer, Armbrust
Assignments
effective September 2009:
Chair: Busby
Vice chair: Neitzel
Members: Wilmert, Bacon, Armbrust
Streets and Alleys
Original
assignments:
Chair: Henrichsmeyer
Vice chair: Turner
Members: Hoinacki, Wilmert, Horn
Assignments
effective September 2009:
Chair: Turner
Vice chair: Armbrust
Members: Hoinacki, Wilmert, Horn
Sidewalks, Forestry and Lighting
Original
assignments:
Chair: Armbrust
Vice chair: Wilmert
Members: Busby, Neitzel, Hoinacki
Assignments
effective September 2009:
Chair: Armbrust
Vice chair: Wilmert
Members: Bacon, Neitzel, Hoinacki
Lincoln Daily News maintains a page with information on city
officials, including committee assignments. To learn which
committees individual council members are assigned to, visit
http://www.lincolndailynews.com/
Features/city_county.shtml.
Please fly your flag on 9/11
Horn said she wanted to remind everyone in Lincoln to please fly
their flags on Sept. 11 in remembrance of the World Trade Center
disaster and the lives lost there.
Economic Development Summit on Saturday
Snyder reminded the council of the city's Economic Development
Summit on Saturday, beginning at 8 a.m. and running to the noon hour
at the Alumni Room of the student center on the Lincoln College
campus.
He encouraged all the council members as well as the public to
attend this important interactive workshop meeting.
[By NILA SMITH]
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