City Briefs: Aldermen hear from Lincoln Park District, approves appointments, and a new Mayor Pro-tem

[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.

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.
 

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]