City briefs

[April 23, 2008]  Winter weather that contributed to the deterioration of a sewer line has caused a series of bigger and more costly problems. On April 11, a 12-foot sewer line collapsed, rains washed down dirt supporting the roadway, and the street fell in, sewer manager Dave Kitzmiller told city council members last week.

The utilities were contacted at 5 p.m. that Friday for location services. A crew for the city was sent out right away to begin digging as soon as utilities were located. The utilities had all arrived two hours later, except for Verizon. He called again at two, three, four and five hours after the first call, "and they continued to not show up." Kitzmiller said that Verizon had asked them not to start digging; there were big phone lines and fiber optics there. It took them over five hours to get there. A crew was kept waiting until Verizon's arrival at 11:30 that night, only to learn there were no lines present.

The sewer system began showing signs of backing up during this time, Kitzmiller said.

The crew was forced to delay digging until 7 a.m. on Saturday. By then there was more damage and the digging area had expanded beyond city equipment capabilities.

The council gave their support for hiring an outside source to provide emergency services. Petersburg Plumbing, which the city has used in past projects, was contracted for an estimated $30,000.

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The Cub Scout cleanup, ScoutSweep, that was postponed twice because of inclement weather conditions has been approved to take place the next fit Saturday.

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A petition to block Pekin Street between Hamilton and McLean streets on Sunday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. was granted. The Lincoln Christian Church made the request, as they are hosting a car show on their parking lot that day. It would help protect families crossing the street to the car show, Pastor Ron Otto said.

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A petition for a sign for handicapped parking in front of a residence was denied. Committee chairman Kathy Horn explained that the city does not do these signs and there would be no guarantee, if they did, that a resident would be using that parking. She has asked the city engineer and the streets manager to assist Virgil and Naomi Pinkley of 1111 Pulaski St. in writing a different petition that might help them.

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The traditional Lincoln Community High School prom grand march will take place downtown and around the courthouse on May 3 at 6:30 p.m.

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Poppy Day sales will take place downtown at the intersection of Broadway and McLean streets on May 24.

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