The Lincoln Police Department, along with the community of Lincoln, commends the following businesses for taking steps to better understand the problem of tobacco use by our youth: Green Oil Company, Quick Way Foods, Qik-n-EZ, GB Oil, Lincoln IGA, Kroger, CVS, Tobacco Warehouse, Clark Refining and Marketing, Ayerco Convenience Center, Walgreens, Fifth Street Food Mart, Wal-Mart, Eagle Country Market, Illico Independent Oil Company, Apollo Mart, Jackie and Charlie’s, Bruns Service Center, and Old Joes. Most important is their enforcement of minimum age and sales laws and youth tobacco possession laws. Thank you for your efforts.

Doug Dutz, chairman of law enforcement and the Emergency Services and Disaster Agency committee, told members that the liability of the county was significant in paying for medical care for individuals incarcerated at the jail.

"It's possible," Dutz said, "that our portion would be approximately 40 percent of the cost if we follow specific guidelines."

These costs are similar to and are based upon the same fees paid by Public Aid.

In other discussion, board member Cliff Sullivan told members that he had been in discussion with the aunt of Scott Altman, astronaut and former Lincoln resident. Sullivan said that he would like to see signs erected at the entrances to Lincoln, honoring Altman for his contributions and achievements.

The board adjourned into executive session.

Winter allows Arnold's the best opportunity to direct total attention to this time-consuming ordeal.  Winter freezing also offers the best time to move heavy equipment in and out of the park grounds.

The public paid little attention during the monument removal process.  Two retired gentlemen slowed or stopped to watch while passing through the neighborhood.  They were assured that proper authorities knew what was going on. It's the dream of Mason City Historical Society that huge crowds will give their attention when the monument returns after its makeover.

Scheduled for Memorial Day weekend, May 26 and 27, is Civil War Living History Weekend.  This second annual event continues to be the fundamental fundraiser for the monument project. Appreciated contributions to "Save A Site" can be mailed to Melanie Gordon, MCHSociety Treasurer, 407 N. Main St., Mason City, IL 62664.

[Mason City Historical Society news release]

Henry Baird, president of the firm, addressed a letter to the council asking permission to put a payment window on the west side of the building and change traffic flow in the alley from northbound to southbound so drivers could make payments at the window from the driver’s side of the car.

The need for the change, according to the letter, was the increase in parking near the business, caused by the opening of Sorrento’s restaurant, which is next door to Action Rental.

Police Chief Richard Ludolph said that alleys have run north from Clinton to Pekin streets "forever," and the change in the direction of traffic flow would affect everybody who had a business in the area. He noted that because of State Bank of Lincoln’s drive-up window, traffic would have to continue to run north from Broadway to Pekin streets.

City Attorney Jonathan Wright said that allowing a drive-up window in an alley would require the approval of the council, since parking is prohibited in alleys except for loading and unloading.

City Clerk Juanita Josserand told the council she had informed Roger Mattson of the local office of Action Rental that a drop box on Kickapoo Street was available, but Mattson said that was not feasible for the firm’s clients, since cash cannot be left in drop boxes.

Alderman Joseph Stone suggested a 15-minute parking zone near the business, but Chief Ludolph said there would be enforcement problems.

However, Alderman Steve Fuhrer was looking on the bright side. "It’s a nice problem to have when people can’t find parking spaces downtown," he quipped.

No action was taken on the request, which will be discussed at a later meeting of the streets and alleys committee.

Another matter up for discussion was farming the 40 acres of land the city owns on West Kickapoo Street. For 17 years the 38 tillable acres have been farmed by Welch Agribusiness, because it was adjacent to 85 acres that business owned. The 85-acre plot has been sold to Darrell Benner of Broadwell, who has contacted Wright about taking over the farming of the city land.

Welch had farmed the 38 acres on a 50-50 crop share basis, under which the city and the tenant split the costs and the revenue. Alderman Gerald Dehner suggested the council look into a different arrangement, charging Benner cash rent for the land. Grant Eaton, sewer plant manager, said whatever arrangement is made, the tenant farming the land must agree that the city can still use the location for a storm sewer.

In other business, bids were opened for a new crane truck and a platform for the truck — equipment for the sewer treatment plant. However, bids were received for the platform but none for the truck itself. Eaton said the city would be able to purchase the needed equipment from the state of Illinois.

Alderman Stone reported that the firm which did the audit of the city’s finances for the last fiscal year had raised its price by 41 percent and said he would go out for bids from other firms for the 2000-2001 fiscal year audit.

Three petitions for new sidewalks to be constructed by the city, an ordinance to vacate an easement on College and 21st streets, an ordinance for a handicapped parking space at Lincoln Medical Supply, and an ordinance approving Economic Development Revenue Bonds for Lincoln Christian College were put on the agenda for the next regular meeting.

Because of the President’s Day holiday, the regular council meeting scheduled for Monday, Feb. 19, will be on Tuesday, Feb. 20, instead. The ordinance and zoning committee will meet at 6:30 p.m., the sewer committee at 6:45 p.m. and the full council at 7:15 p.m.