|
City of Lincoln
Lincoln Council approves sewer project, economic development grants;
playground proposal tabled
[July 09, 2026]
All members of the Lincoln City
Council were present for the regular meeting held July 6 at Lincoln
City Hall. The council approved the Campus View Drive sewer project,
several economic development grants and roadway improvement
projects, while tabling a proposal to install new playground
equipment at Eighth Street Park pending additional discussions with
the grant provider.
There was no public participation before the council unanimously
approved the consent agenda, which included payment of bills,
approval of meeting minutes and a request from Copper & Oak to close
a portion of Delavan Street on June 20 for the St. Jude Jeep Run
fundraiser.
The council unanimously approved the first amendment to the city's
fiscal year 2025-2026 appropriations ordinance, along with a
resolution not to exceed $520,000 in Motor Fuel Tax funds for
roadway improvements.
Council members also approved a work order with Crawford, Murphy &
Tilly for engineering services related to the city's 2026-2027 curb
and sidewalk program at a cost not to exceed $36,000.
One of the evening's largest action items was approval of the Campus
View Drive Sewer Project at a cost not to exceed $1.35 million. The
project will extend sanitary sewer service to the neighborhood while
also creating a city-funded assistance program to help eligible
homeowners finance the cost of connecting to the new sewer main. The
proposal passed with Alderwoman Robin McClallen abstaining from the
vote.
The council also unanimously
approved four Economic Development Commission Structural and Facade
Grants. Oasis Senior Center received up to $6,500 for tuckpointing
and repairs, Lincoln Arts Institute received up to $7,500 for roof
recoating and repairs, John Roche received up to $7,500 for roof
replacement work at 1122 Keokuk St., and Katie Davis received up to
$5,314.54 for a garage door replacement at 509 Chicago St.
Council members also approved reinvesting a $731,937.10 certificate
of deposit from the city's sewer operation and maintenance fund into
a new seven-month certificate at an interest rate of 3.41% through
Tremont First National Bank.
The council then turned its attention to a proposal to authorize up
to $10,000 in city funds to supplement a $25,000 Woods Foundation
grant for new playground equipment at Eighth Street Park.
Mayor Tracy Welch explained the city's grant application was based
on a specific zip-line style playground feature. However, after the
grant application was submitted, council members learned of another
piece of equipment they believed would better serve younger children
and individuals with disabilities.
Alderman Kevin Bateman, who serves on the city's park committee,
said the alternative equipment would provide more accessibility
while remaining similar in concept.
"The one Mrs. Bateman found... is like the one we saw where the
smaller kids can sit on this little platform... The second line is a
seat where a special needs child or somebody could sit and zip line
again, pretty low to the ground, but have just as much fun," Bateman
said.
[to top of second column] |
Welch explained
that because the city had already submitted its grant
application using the original equipment proposal, any changes
would require approval from the Woods Foundation.
"I talked with her today, she likes what you've proposed... it's
just it was more expensive than what she was looking at," Welch
said, referring to Economic Development Grant Commission
Administrative Assistant Ashley Metelko. "You're not going to
know what the grantor says until you go back and ask them."
Bateman said he preferred waiting
until the foundation responded before committing city funds.
"I would like to table it until we hear back from them," he said.
"I'm just looking at it from the perspective of what it's going to
be used for and how many kids will end up using it."
Following discussion, Bateman moved to table the item, with Alderman
Tim Becke providing the second. The motion to table passed
unanimously, allowing city officials to seek the grant provider's
approval for the modified playground design before bringing the
request back to the council.
During announcements, Welch recognized several recent community
accomplishments and upcoming events. He congratulated volunteers
involved in installing the new Lincoln medallion atop the downtown
post office and thanked everyone who helped organize the city's
Fourth of July parade. Welch reminded residents that the grand
opening of the Museum of Route 66 is scheduled for July 11 from 10
a.m. to 4 p.m., with a ribbon-cutting ceremony planned for 11 a.m.
Council members praised the success of Work Camp for Lincoln 2026,
which brought hundreds of high school volunteers to the community to
complete home improvement projects for residents. Aldermen Dennis
Clemons and Tim Becke commended both the volunteers and local
businesses that contributed equipment, materials and discounts to
support the effort.
Street and Alley Superintendent Walt
Landers reported that the recently completed section of Fifth Street
Road reopened to traffic late Friday. While motorists can now travel
through the area, he said construction will continue over the coming
months as crews install storm sewer infrastructure and widen
portions of the roadway west toward the Interstate 55 overpass.
Traffic delays are expected, but Landers said the city hopes to keep
one lane open throughout the remaining phases of construction.
The meeting concluded with Mayor Welch presenting Fire Chief Ty
Johnson with a letter of commendation from Logan County Emergency
Management Agency Coordinator Josh Gasparini recognizing Johnson's
leadership and coordination during the community's recent severe
weather response.
"This is more than kind, and I greatly appreciate it," Johnson said
after accepting the recognition. "We didn't reinvent the wheel, we
were just doing what we trained to do."
The council adjourned at 6:35 p.m.
[Sophia Larimore]
|
