City Briefs: Aldermen hear from
Lincoln Park District, approves appointments, and a new Mayor
Pro-tem
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[June 17, 2015]
LINCOLN
- At the Monday evening voting session of the Lincoln City Council,
aldermen heard from Dawn Schaefer of the Lincoln Park District
regarding plans for the Fourth of July and the opening of the new
pool.
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Schaefer said she was excited about this Saturday’s opening of
the new Aquatic Center at the Park District. The pool will open for
the first time at 11 a.m. with the first 54 people getting in free.
There is also a raffle for the first person to go down the new
waterslide. Schaefer said admitting the first 54 patrons free of
charge was to commemorate the 54 years the Lincoln Park District has
served the community.
Fourth of July plans
The Park District will once again this year host a variety of
activities on the Fourth of July. Schaefer said the traditional
walking parade would be held again this year starting at Scully Park
and proceeding to the Recreation Center parking lot at the Park
District.
Registration will begin at 9:30 a.m. with the parade kicking off at
10 a.m. The parade is open to children, adults and pets. Bicycles
are welcome but no motorized bikes. The city of Lincoln Police and
Fire Departments will provide escort for the walkers and bikers.
At the Rec Center, popcorn and bottled water will be available, and
prizes will be given out for the best costumes for kids and pets.
Schaefer said there would also be music and dancing this year, and
the Lincoln Fire Department will be hosing down the kids.
In the evening, the Park District will once again host a fireworks
display over the back putting greens.
Mayoral appointments confirmed
At the beginning of the meeting Monday night, newly seated by
alderman vote, Mayor Scott Cooper announced his desire to re-appoint
all the current department heads for another year. These
appointments are done annually with the advice and consent of the
council.
Cooper named his appointees one at a time with unanimous votes for
each appointment coming from aldermen. The respective department
heads were then sworn into service by Cooper.
The department heads that were re-appointed were Police Chief Ken
Greenslate, Fire Chief Mark Miller, Building and Safety Officer John
Lebegue, and Street Superintendent Walt Landers.
Cooper noted that City Administrator Clay Johnson does not require
re-appointment at this time. He explained that the contract for that
position stated that the administrator position shall run in a term
sequential to the sitting mayor. Therefore, Johnson’s contract with
the city will expire in 2017.
The position of Waste Treatment Plant Manager and City Engineer are
also not appointed positions. The Waste Treatment Manager is
provided via a contract with American Water/EMC and the City
Engineer is provided through the city’s contract with Farnsworth
Group.
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The council also approved Cooper’s recommendations for appointments to various
commissions and committees unanimously. Those appointments included Zoning Board
of Appeals - Jim Drew and Rick Zimmer; Historic Preservation Commission - Kay
Dobson and Julie Girardeau; Police and Fire - Marilyn Montgomery; Planning
Commission - Vic Martinek, Bruce Huskins and Leo Logan; and Civil Service -
Keith Leesman.
Marty Neitzel elected Mayor Pro-tem
Following up on a request made at the Tuesday workshop session, Cooper asked for
nominations for the position of Mayor Pro-Tem for the city of Lincoln.
Michelle Bauer nominated Marty Neitzel to fill the position and the second came
from Jonie Tibbs. With no other nominations brought forward, a roll call vote
was conducted. With seven members present the motion passed with a 6-0-1 vote.
Neitzel abstained from the vote, and Alderman Jeff Hoinacki was absent for the
evening.
Thank-you’s issued by Bauer and Miller
Michelle Bauer said she wanted to take the opportunity to thank the Lincoln
Police and Fire Departments for their support during the Pigs and Swigs Festival
publicly. She said she greatly appreciated the efforts each department made to
assist as needed and to provide a safe environment for vendors as well as
visitors over the weekend.
Fire Chief Mark Miller said he wanted to express appreciation for Marty Neitzel
in her service to the city in the absence of a mayor. He said that filling that
position as the Chairman of the Council was a big responsibility, and he
appreciated her willingness to do so. Many in the room expressed they too
appreciated Neitzel stepping up in their time of need.
Next Council meeting to be July 6th
According to the schedule adopted earlier this year for the council meetings,
there will be no workshop session held next week on Tuesday. Because this is
also a five Monday month, there will be no meeting held on June 29. The next
meeting to be held will be a voting session on July 6th.
[Nila Smith]
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