City Briefs: annexation, block parties, and NO door-to-door sales calls permitted after dark
Constellation Energy may be breaking rules of city permit

[October 01, 2014]  LINCOLN - On Tuesday, September 23, the Lincoln City Council held its last workshop session for the month. Before the council was seated, a moment of silence was observed in memory of former Logan County board member Dick Hurley. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited and the council launched into a number of short discussions calling the evening done a short 20 minutes later.

Mayor Keith Snyder said that the city has a copy of an annexation agreement for Heritage Packaging. He hoped that the extra week off from council sessions this month might allow time for councilmen to review that request, so it might be able to be approved when the council meets next.

Shifting to a new topic, the Downtown Renovation project has been moving quickly since it got underway this month. Alderman Neitzel commented, "I really think they're doing a swell job on Pulaski Street." Snyder said he had been in contact with Farnsworth, the company that did the design and is overseeing the renovation, and it was anticipated to finish Pulaski Street and move on to begin Kickapoo Street the start of October.

On another matter, Alderman Melody Anderson said that she had been contacted by a resident on 10th Street. There is a house that hundreds of kids go there for Halloween and it brings a lot of traffic.

The citizens would like to have the two block area streets blocked off for children's safety.

Alderman Jeff Hoinacki recalled that there used to be a block party application. Those applications are available from John Lebegue in the Building Safety Office.

The police would review the application and advise the council. Anderson said she would talk to the citizens making the request. The matter would be discussed at the next council meeting.

Pizza Hut requested permission to hold a "Road Block" at the corners of Broadway and McLean Streets on October 10 between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. The Road Block is to collect for World Hunger.

The city will be looking into adding an emergency phone in the elevator in City Hall. On Jan 1, 2015 a new state law comes into effect that requires it.

The clerk's office has been receiving some complaints from citizens concerning some door-to-door salespersons. The comments have been that the sales persons suggest that they represent the city, or infer that Ameren is going out business, and it has been said that the reps have been out after dark, which is not permitted.

The company, Constellation Energy, does have a permit for door-to-door sales that was issued by the city.

Mayor Snyder said, "They do not represent the city."

If the complaints would continue, they could lose that permit, Snyder said.

Discussion took place concerning observed activities at a gasoline and convenience store located at the corner of Logan and Keokuk Streets.

Fire Department chief Mark Miller said that Quick-n-EZ had secured permits through the State Fire Marshall to remove tanks. The station had some tanks damaged that had fuel in them when they were removed, and there were more tanks yet to be removed. A clean up had been conducted. But, there could still be some odor noticed by neighbors, he said.

The convenience portion of the store had remained open.

Sidewalk work at Decatur and Union Streets by Holy Family Church have been completed. The next project would be a handicapped ramp by the Lincoln Junior High.

The city held its annual Community Night on Thursday, September 25th at Ray White Park. Departments brought out their vehicles for the kids to experience close up. Fire and police departments prepared wieners and supplied sodas. While the clerk's office brought sweets for dessert. City officials visited with all those who came out from the nearby neighborhoods. The night was beautiful and the park was filled with happy voices and laughter.

The council does not meet again until Monday, October 6th, which will be its voting session.

[LDN]