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Lincoln City Council
Lincoln Council weighs 2026 Work Camp support, food-truck process,
LED upgrade, Tasers, and Depot lease
[October 16, 2025]
The Lincoln City Council’s
Committee of the Whole met Tuesday, Oct. 14, at 7 p.m. to work
through a slate of community, public-safety, and facility items
listed on the posted agenda.
The first discussion centered on Work Camp Lincoln 2026. Organizer
Todd Henry told aldermen the volunteer home-repair effort is
returning June 21–27 and growing.
“In ’21 and ’24 we had 200-plus teenagers and youth workers invade
Logan County, and now we already have over 300 signed up,” he said.
He stated that teens “repair homes and repair lives all over the
county.”
Henry said the program targets homeowners who are often veterans,
seniors, people with disabilities, or lower-income residents.
Because participation will be higher than prior years, he asked the
city for $6,500, noting materials costs have climbed.
“The city was very generous last time… $5,000. I’m just asking for
$6,500 this time,” he said.
Alderman Steve Parrott endorsed the program’s impact. “We saw
tremendous support from the teenagers and adults alike… it’s a great
opportunity for us to get involved again,” he said.
Welch added, “Anytime you can get 300 kids together to do something
such as this, it’s great,” also calling it “a really good way to get
them acclimated” to technical trades.
Henry also pointed out the local economic benefits. He said
materials are purchased from local suppliers and that a mid-week
half-day is designed to keep volunteers in town for entertainment
and dinner. “I provide options… so they eat supper in my town,” he
said, citing prior partnerships with VIP Cinemas and the bowling
alley.
Council consensus was to place Work Camp support on next week’s
agenda, with Welch clarifying a vote would signal intent while
funding would be decided in the next budget talks.
A new “parking spot closure” request form then got its first test
with a bid from the Route 66 Coffee Trailer to reserve a downtown
space in front of Ink and Imprint Books on Sundays in October,
November and December near 125 N. Kickapoo. Welch said the form
brings order to what had been “the Wild West,” ensuring aldermen,
police, and departments can vet downtown impacts. City Clerk Peggy
Bateman said the applicant hoped to begin Sunday, Oct. 19, one day
before the formal vote on Oct. 20; aldermen voiced no objection to
allowing that one early date.
Alderman Kevin Bateman floated a faster path for food-truck
approvals to be “a little more business friendly,” while Welch
defended the planning window so departments can prepare. Aldermen
also discussed practicalities such as where customers would queue on
the narrow street and whether the city should ever supply power;
Parrott recommended no city resources or electricity be provided.
Hours for the coffee trailer were clarified as 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
and the item will appear on the consent agenda.
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Welch also
advanced a mayoral appointment to the Diversity and Inclusion
Commission, saying the body is in a “regrowth phase” and that
nominee Cynthia Nutilla “would be a good fit.” The appointment
was placed on the regular agenda.
In routine business, City Attorney John Hoblit presented the
semiannual resolution to review and, if necessary, keep certain
executive session minutes closed, which will also be on next
week’s agenda.
Council then reviewed a cost-saving LED lighting conversion for
the newly acquired 500–508 Broadway building. Bateman said the
total project cost is $28,340, with an Ameren incentive of
$21,805, leaving $6,535 to the city; the estimated annual
electric-bill savings are $5,801, with a roughly 14-month
payback. Welch said the project aligns with prior city-building
upgrades. Bateman noted that, once completed, “every city
building is up to par on the LED.”
Police Chief Joe Meister recommended
moving from the department’s five-year-old Taser X7s to the new
Taser 10 platform on an early-renewal contract. He said electronic
control devices reduce “hand-to-hand type stuff” with combative
suspects, and the Taser 10’s single-probe, selectable-spread system
improves effectiveness and extends range to about 45 feet. He also
flagged litigation concerns with legacy “drive-stun” and noted the
vendor would include five instructor certifications and VR training.
“It is my recommendation to approve the Taser 10 product and an
early renewal,” he said; the item moves to next week’s agenda.
The council also reviewed a lease framework to open the Depot Event
Center (vacated by the tourism bureau) for public rentals. Hoblit
proposed strengthening the alcohol section to require $1 million
dram-shop coverage, BASSET-certified bartenders, and allowing a city
representative to conduct event checks for compliance with potential
civil or criminal penalties for violations. Welch said the police
department would coordinate as needed.
In announcements, Welch invited residents to Coffee with the Mayor
at 9 a.m. Saturday at Guest House and clarified the tourism ribbon
cutting at The Mill will be at 9:45 a.m., followed by a 10 a.m. open
house. Meister reminded residents to heed no-parking signs during
resurfacing and sidewalk work or risk towing at the contractor’s
request.
The meeting adjourned at 7:50 p.m.
[Sophia Larimore]
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