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Lincoln City Council
Council discusses Tourism Bureau, sidewalk improvements and upcoming
events
[August 15, 2025]
All members of the Lincoln City
Council were present for the Committee of the Whole meeting on
Tuesday evening, August 12, 2025. The session covered agreements
with the Logan County Tourism Bureau, a proposed sidewalk
improvement project, and announcements about upcoming ribbon
cuttings.
Mayor Tracy Welch opened the meeting by noting there was no public
participation and moved forward with two time-sensitive tourism
items. The council reviewed a proposed one-year funding agreement
between the city, the county, and the Logan County Tourism Bureau.
Welch explained that the agreement had been carefully discussed and
revised over several weeks. The agreement is contingent upon the
county approving its own funding plan. “They have committed to the
funding. Just this solidifies the terms of it,” Welch said. The
Tourism Bureau’s president Molly Pickering joined the meeting
remotely to express gratitude for the city’s role in the process,
saying, “A lot of people put a lot of thought into this… I’m really
grateful for the leadership of the city on putting together this
funding agreement.”
The council also discussed a sale and transfer of assets from the
Tourism Bureau to the city for a total of $1. Items include the
covered wagon attraction, signage, plaques, the Lincoln letters on
the Mel-o-Cream Donuts lot, two watermelon benches currently under
construction, and other property. The bureau will end its insurance
coverage on these items at the end of August. Welch noted that the
mill is not included in the transfer because it serves as the
bureau’s headquarters. Language in the funding agreement outlines
that the county would have first opportunity to assume ownership if
the bureau dissolved, with the city next in line. Alderman Steve
Parrott expressed appreciation for the work involved, saying the
city was “one step closer to getting this all taken care of.”
Pickering said the transfer made sense as the bureau no longer had
the budget to insure the items.
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Street and Alley Superintendent
Walt Landers presented the 2025 sidewalk improvement proposal,
which includes replacing sidewalks, curbs, and some driveway
work on targeted blocks. The engineer’s estimate for the work is
$307,875, slightly above the $300,000 budget. Landers said
additional appropriations could be considered if needed.
Welch reminded the council of upcoming ribbon cuttings,
including Heart and Flour on Friday, August 15, and the new
District 27 daycare facility at Adams School on Monday, August
18. City Treasurer Chuck Conzo also reminded everyone that
August 13 is International Left-Handers Day. Alderman Parrott,
City Clerk Peggy Bateman, and Alderman Dennis Clemons, all
left-handed, appeared pleased by the announcement.
The meeting adjourned at 6:19 p.m.
[Sophia Larimore]
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