AMinutes of the City of Lincoln City Council Special Joint Committees' Meeting with the Logan County Board on Wednesday, March 23, 2016. The meeting opened at 7:00 p.m.
City Clerk Mrs. Gehlbach called the roll. There were seven Aldermen present (Alderman Hoefle, Alderman Hoinacki, Alderman Horn, Alderman Mourning, Alderman Parrott, Alderman Tibbs and Alderman Welch) and one absent (Alderman Bauer). Also present were City Clerk Mrs. Gehlbach, City Administrator Mr. Johnson, and Recording Secretary Mrs. Riggs.
County Board members present were: Mr. Rick Aylesworth, Mr. Kevin Bateman, Mr. David Blankenship, Mrs. Emily Davenport, Mr. Robert Farmer, Dr. David Hepler, Mr. Patrick O’Neill, Mr. Gene Rohlfs, Mr. Charles Ruben, and Mr. Hoyt Schaffenacker.
Mayor Neitzel led the Pledge of Allegiance was said by all in attendance.
There was discussion about the CEO program and the students are currently finishing their projects which entails starting their own business. Alderman Mourning said he personally has a student that he mentors. There are 11 students in the program.
Special Events Discussion:
Dr. Hepler said he placed this item on the agenda for discussion between the City of Lincoln and County of Logan.
Mr. Bateman said there was a problem with not enough barbeque vendors selling food. They will be putting up a 30 X 50 tent for June 3-4, 2016. They can only handle 59 booths and they now have a waiting list. They want to keep this downtown. They are looking to expand the kids barbeque competition.
Alderman Welch spoke about the 3rd Friday event which will have a theme and will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The first theme is game night. This is trying to get people out of their homes and into local shops. He was hopeful that the County Board would be on board with these events. Mr. Bateman said he applauded the City of Lincoln for coming up with the 3rd Friday events.
Alderman Welch said with each event there will be music that will go along with the theme of the night. Pulaski Street and Kickapoo Street will have the largest part of the events on those streets. This is a community event and they want to see people come out of their homes to enjoy the downtown.
Mr. O’Neill was grateful for working together with the City of Lincoln. Mr. Welch said the 3rd Fridays was brought up by City Administrator Mr. Johnson.
Downtown Parking Discussion:
Mr. Bateman said there is plenty of parking outside of the square for the employees of the Courthouse and downtown merchants. Mr. Rohlfs felt they should go to three hour parking around the square.
Alderman Tibbs agreed with Mr. Rohlfs and said she has spent over three hours in the downtown area shopping. She asked the Police Chief about doing the tire marking again. There is parking available just a little walk away from the Courthouse.
City Administrator Mr. Johnson said it is difficult for the manpower in the City Police Department. This is not an efficient way of the City’s manpower.
Mr. Rohlfs said to take a picture (video) every three hours. Mr. Bateman said everybody knows everybody and if a County worker or a City worker are parked in downtown parking spots then give them a ticket and make the tickets with a bite. Mr. Bateman said he was asking the city to enforce both City and County.
Alderman Welch said many people know that he works at State Farm. If you violate the parking, they have different levels of punishment and it goes in to their personnel files.
Alderman Mourning said sometimes things are going so well because of the foot traffic.
Mr. O’Neill said he saw the same two County employees’ park downtown every day. He felt a letter should be sent telling them where they can park.
Fifth Street Intergovernmental Agreement:
City Administrator Mr. Johnson said there was discussion with County Engineer Brett Aukamp about updating the intergovernmental agreement. He thought this project was getting closer to fruition and they are looking to extend the agreement. The City of Lincoln is going to realign the project and some of the parcels will need to be changed in the size.
Alderman Mourning asked City Administrator Mr. Johnson to give an update on his meeting with CEDS.
City Administrator Mr. Johnson made a request through CEDS for a little over $1,000,000.00. There were different departments in attendance and they are behind the project.
Mayor Neitzel said Mr. Johnson gave a presentation and they were very positive for the 5th Street Road project.
Other Discussion:
Alderman Mourning said he sent Dr. Hepler an issue about a problem in one of the parks. Dr. Hepler called Mr. Bateman.
Mr. Bateman said the parks are being destroyed every day. He has an idea about some improvements. He is also looking for new equipment. The fountain has been updated in Scully Park.
Mr. O’Neill said he has been on the County Board for 14 years. He thought they should go back to no one in the park after dark.
Alderman Mourning asked if they could put cameras in the parks. Mr. Bateman said they should make an example. Mr. Rohlfs said the City has a curfew. Alderman Mourning said the police will tell you the kids will go right back after they leave. Alderman Welch said he had his vehicle broken into and has cameras and caught the kids and they were sent to Court. Mr. Bateman said he didn’t think there would be any pushback from the County. Alderman Tibbs saw some skateboarding children and told them she was going to call the police and they left after that and she was hopeful that they would not do this again. Mrs. Rohlfs said if you take a picture with your cell phone they will scatter after that. Mr. O’Neill thought there was a way to handle this and that you can do a citizen arrest and then call the Police Department.
Mr. O’Neill said he drives a school bus and he suggested making a one-way by Holy Family Catholic Church.
Dr. Hepler thanked the County Board and City of Lincoln for the Veterans initiatives.
Executive Session:
There was no Executive Session.
Upcoming Meetings:
Council: Monday, April 4, 2016 – 7:00 p.m.
Committee of Whole: Tuesday, March 29, 2016 – 7:00 p.m.
County Board member Mr. Schaffenacker moved to adjourn the meeting and County Board Member Gene Rohlfs seconded the motion. It was unanimously approved.
The City of Lincoln Special Committee Meeting adjourned at 8:11 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Risa Riggs
Recording Secretary
City of Lincoln