Greenslate appointed police chief; city treasurer tenders letter of resignation

[May 04, 2010]  At the Monday night voting session of the Lincoln City Council, Mayor Keith Snyder reappointed several city department heads, named a new Ward 4 alderman and appointed a new chief of police.

Plotner submits letter of resignation

At the end of the evening, he said he had a letter to read that he really didn't want to. In a letter addressed to Snyder, Les Plotner wrote:

"It is with much regret and with a deep appreciation for the opportunity to serve the people of Lincoln that I am resigning from the city treasurer's position effective May 31, 2010. This provides you with a month to find someone willing to step into the position until the next election."

Plotner's letter said he would make a formal address to the council on May 17 to explain the reasoning behind his decision to resign. Plotner is one year into his most recently elected term.

The treasurer position is an elected position with a four-year term. The mayor and city council will conduct a search to fill the position for the next three years, until it will be up for election.

New alderman approved for the vacant Ward 4 seat

Tom O'Donohue was announced as the mayor's choice to fill the Ward 4 vacancy left at the death of Nathan Turner.

Snyder said: "Tom will bring a strong business and management background to the council. He has worked as an independent claim specialist for three organizations and a risk management supervisor and as a small-business owner-manager. Tom's always been interested in city operations and management and is eager to devote his energy to serving our community."

With nine members present, O'Donohue's appointment was approved by unanimous vote.

Greenslate appointed chief of police

Snyder said he was prepared to recommend to the council that Sgt. Ken Greenslate, a Lincoln police officer, be appointed as the city's chief of police, replacing Stuart Erlenbush, who retired in March.

Snyder read the following statements:

"Ken has been with the department since 1991. He currently serves as the senior sergeant and a shift supervisor. He has 24 years of supervisory experience. He has served as a patrolman, corporal, undercover narcotics officer and juvenile officer. During his period as juvenile officer, juvenile offenses dropped 55 percent.

"He is a veteran who served in the U.S. Army from 1983 to 1986 and with the Army Reserve from 1986 to 1990. Ken is a native of Lincoln and a 1983 graduate of Lincoln Community High School. He has a bachelor's degree from ISU in social science and history.

"He cares about the community of Lincoln, he cares about the people of Lincoln. He wants to make this a safer and greater city. He'll be a great part of a great team leading and serving the police department."

The appointment was approved by unanimous vote with 10 members of the council being present.

Michael Geriets reappointed as deputy chief of police

After Greenslate was sworn in, Snyder read aloud a letter from the new chief asking that the city council consent to appointing Michael Geriets as his deputy chief of police.

According to city code, the chief has the responsibility of choosing a deputy position, and the council has the responsibility of approving his choice.

In his letter Greenslate wrote:

"I would like to appoint Mike Geriets to the position of deputy chief. Mike is a 21-year veteran of the Lincoln Police Department and is a 2007 graduate of the FBI National Academy. Mike most recently served with distinction as deputy chief for Chief Erlenbush. The experience and knowledge that Mike attained during the time with Chief Erlenbush will be a great asset as we work together with you to serve the people of Lincoln and the men and women of the Lincoln Police Department."

Geriets' appointment was approved by unanimous vote.

Other department heads sworn in

The mayor also made annual appointments for the city department heads. Those appointments were John Lebegue as building and safety officer, Tracy Jackson as the city's street and alley superintendent, and Kent Hulett as the chief of the city fire department.

All the department heads received unanimous approval with the exception of Hulett, who was approved with a vote of 9-1. Alderman Buzz Busby voted no.

The city engineer and waste treatment manager are not appointed positions, as both Mark Mathon and Bob Tackett are employed by Illinois American Water, formerly Environmental Management Corp., and contracted to the city.

City attorney contract renewed

The last of the city appointments was actually the agreement between the city and the Woods & Bates law firm.

For the coming year, the attorney's contracted fee will remain the same as the last fiscal year.

Snyder said that he and Bates had discussed the contract and taken into consideration the other departments in the city that were being asked to make some monetary concessions.

He explained that those who take furlough days are still going to be receiving increases in wages.

As Snyder and Bates looked at requiring furlough time of the attorney similar to that of the fire department, the dollars that would be saved by taking furlough days was nearly identical to the amount of fee increase the attorney was calling for. In the end, it was concluded that the fees for the 2010-11 fiscal year would stay level with the previous fiscal year.

When brought to a vote, the renewing of the contract with Woods & Bates was approved unanimously.

[By NILA SMITH]