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 Among the items on the agenda was a vote to renew the lease
agreement with the Lincoln Futbol Club. Lincoln Futbol Club
established a large soccer complex on city-owned property located
behind Wal-Mart.
This item came up for discussion at the August 23rd workshop
session. Alderman Todd Mourning, who is also involved with the Club,
spoke about a change to the lease that was being requested by the
club. The LFC has been working with the Lincoln YMCA to offer the
soccer fields to the “Y” on days it is not being used by the LFC.
Mourning explained that the Y is using open space at the former
Lincoln Developmental Center, but the ground is not ideal for soccer
play. The LFC wanted to help the Y come up with a better place for
their players, but also wanted to have say on when the Y could use
the fields.
It was explained by Mourning and City Administrator Clay Johnson,
that the new lease before the council would include an allowance for
the LFC to specifically sub-let the soccer complex to the Y only.
 During that discussion, Jonie Tibbs objected to the idea of allowing
the LFC to enter into a sublet agreement. She said the property
belonged to the city, and the city should be the only one to enter
into lease agreements for the property. She noted that giving such
permission to the LFC would add a burden of liability to the club,
and she didn’t think it was fair to do so.
Though she did voice her objection, she did not ask that the lease
agreement be re-written, nor did any other council member.
This week on Tuesday, when the item came up on the Agenda, the
motion to approve the five-year lease was made by Jeff Hoinacki.
Tibbs asked if the provision for subletting the property to the Y
had been stricken from the lease agreement. Johnson said that it had
not, but that it could be done now, with an amendment to the motion
to remove that text from the document.
Mourning spoke up saying that since the August meeting he had spoken
with Tibbs about her concerns, and on a separate occasion, had also
spoken with Alderman Rick Hoefle on the topic. The three had agreed
that it would be best to remove the language from the lease.
Johnson said that because the city cannot lease one property to two
groups, the next step after the approval of the lease with LFC would
be to issue a Memorandum of Understanding between the Y and the
city.
Mourning suggested the revision to the current lease agreement, and
Hoinacki withdrew his original motion and entered a newly revised
motion, which then passed by unanimous vote.
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The city is expected to meet with representatives from the Lincoln
YMCA at a future date, and outline the required Memorandum of
Understanding.
Tibbs and others in the council noted that they are very well
pleased with the soccer complex, and feel it is a great asset to the
youth of the community. They said the LFC has done an excellent job
of maintaining the property, and the city is hopeful of a long and
lasting relationship with the club.
They also expressed that they equally want to be able to work with
the Y so that organization may also be able to offer a quality
service to local youth.
Tim Stuckey is one of the original organizers of the soccer club and
still works in managing the club and the soccer complex. He was
unable to attend the Tuesday night meeting because he is also the
Railer boy’s soccer coach, and was attending a meet with his team
that night.
He did email the following statement on behalf of the Lincoln
Football Club:
Dear Mayor Neitzel, City
Administrator and City Council of Lincoln.
I apologize for not being able to be in front of you tonight as I am
with the high school boy’s team playing Sacred Heart-Griffin. On
behalf of the Lincoln Futbol Club board members, coaches, parents
and most importantly, the players, I sincerely thank you for your
past support of our program. I ask for continued support with the
lease that is in front of you tonight.
We are poised to do great things with the upcoming tournament and a
record number of teams (84), and a record number of persons coming
to Lincoln next weekend.
After soccer season is over, I will come and give an in-person
report of club activities and to personally thank you for your
support.
- Tim Stuckey
[Nila Smith]
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