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 Late in July the Lincoln City Council received and reviewed
feasibility plans for police and fire department facilities. The
multi-tiered plan created by FMG Architects offered stand-alone or
combined facilities, identified potential sites and structures,
options on purchasing property or utilizing already owned property,
estimated costs and projected cost increases if postponed.
After reading in the news about the plans a Lincoln resident came to
the first meeting of the council for the month of August to comment
on the prospective building plans.
James R. Reynolds, Sr. opened saying that it is timing of committing
to those projects that he is most concerned. Reynolds address to the
council was concise, calm and respectful in tone as he addressed
short and long-term planning and finances.
Reynolds and his wife Carolyn retired to Lincoln 13 years ago, she
having grown up here, and he in a similar community in Iowa. His
professional career included infrastructure planning for roads and
he had created a number of Master Plans. He was also a military
policeman four years and appreciates what the police and fire
departments do.
 Reynolds spoke for about 10 minutes. In summary, he didn't disagree
on the need, or the particular plans, for the departments. But he
had concern that communities in Illinois will soon be impacted by
cutbacks being made at the state level. He cautioned making any
unnecessary large financial commitments until it is better known how
municipalities might be affected. On an ominous note, Reynolds heard
Governor Rauner had encouraged communities to purchase bankruptcy
insurance.
He said, "We're living in some pretty troubled times. Our state is
in some dire straights economically; the U.S., globally, and Lincoln
is trying to stretch the budget as well."
Reynolds divided big costs that the city is facing into two
categories: unfunded mandates for police and fire pensions, as well
as some large infrastructure costs - specifically identifying
streets, alleys, gutters and sewers as in need of immediate
attention. He put the safety complexes in a category of "Needs."
He was supportive of the long-range planning for needs such as the
city is doing now, but hopes the city would not get into a place
that would necessitate raising taxes or taking out tax bonds to
cover commitments.
Again, coming from experience, he recommended that before moving on
those needs, the question be put to the public for support, which
could be done by referendum, open houses or some other manner.
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As a planner/landscape architect, Reynolds recommended looking
strongly at the property right in back of City Hall that has been
offered by the county.
Concluding his address, Reynolds said "I love living in Lincoln. I'm
concerned about the city. I want it to thrive. And hope I have a lot
more years to enjoy it." And he graciously thanked the council for
listening.
Aldermen responded
Mary Neitzel said she'd just spent two hours in her garage talking with people
on these same topics. She hoped more people would come to their alderman or to
chambers to voice their concerns as citizens. She said, "The City Council needs
to know how they feel, because we're their people, and we should go according to
what they want."
Jonie Tibbs thanked Reynolds for expressing his opinions openly. It is good to
hear from people like you, she said, adding, "I have not heard one word of
support, yet, for moving forward with the safety complex at this time,"
reassuring, "We will work accordingly."
Then Mayor Scott Cooper captured in a nutshell that year-by-year after mandates
are met, the council addresses some portion of large expenses such as
infrastructure, "not all in any one year," and with an eye to the future. He
said that the only movement by the council on the safety complexes was to have a
study made. "It is to see if it is possible," he said, and assured Reynolds that
there would be a process when it gets to the stage of making decisions; it would
go on agenda for discussion and there would be public hearings and whatever is
needed.
Reynolds was glad to hear the city has not moved further than a study. He
appreciated the council's forward thinking and relayed an idiom from his
experience managing state park roads, he likened infrastructure to a Rolodex
file, "You no sooner get around it and its time to start again."
[Jan Youngquist]
Related information
[See
Reynolds Letter to the Editor that was written prior to the council
meeting.]
City of Lincoln hears
feasibility report for prospective new safety facilities
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