Following the swift handling of routine business, the Lincoln Council heard BCED, JoAnn Lane’s report on new business happenings in Lincoln. Lane stated Lindsey Decker is moving ahead with Zone 31, her gym, and the equipment has arrived. It will be housed in the same building as 31 Chiropractic. (The former Christian Outreach location)
Lane also shared the good news about Manna & Bloom, an eco-friendly business owned by Crystal Smothers and Lacey Smallwood. Lane encouraged everyone to check out the eco-friendly items being offered. The business is located in the shopping center next to Estes Drive-In.
Susan Kelb, representing the VFW, spoke about the VFW wanting to establish a helping hand project to assist older adults in the community. The group had wanted to do this in May but after talking to the school and then City Hall it was decided to try to do this in September. Kelb was commended for what the VFW is trying to do for the community.
The clerk then read the election results and they were certified with the two re-elected council members taking their oaths of office. Barbara Hammond won her east side seat and Phil Fisher ran unopposed for his west ward seat.
Police Chief Andrew Breshears reported that on March 14 officers took a report of an attempted child abduction in the area of the city park. Officers reviewed several cameras throughout the city. The vehicle was identified as a black Ford Escape with silver trim. Officers have been unable to locate a clear enough photograph to determine the plate number of the vehicle. The case remains under investigation.
Officers made three warrant arrests in connection with traffic stops this month. Traffic stops are vital in their efforts to deter criminal and drug activity within the city. The Lincoln Police K-9 has been active over the last month and has been deployed twice at the Lincoln school. The department is happy to work alongside the school to make a safe learning environment for the students.
An update on grants: the Alco system has been purchased and should be sent soon. New firearms have arrived and are being outfitted and completed this week.
The Lincoln Police Department continues to look for ways to improve safety efforts. In doing so, officers have been working overtime hours on traffic grants.
These grants will continue through the summer and the busy season.
City Clerk Sabrina Brown, said she had nothing to report but did thank the council for taking the step to purchase new software. The Park Board Liaison, Seth Casey, reported the ball field is being worked on.
Public Works Josh Cole reported outside of normal maintenance they had trimmed trees in roadways, installed a power pack for the solar panel, dug out ditches for better drainage, reset a culvert on Lamine Street and patched roads. They also removed brush and small trees growing in the lagoon fence and cleaned out a plugged pivot sprayer nozzle,
Mayor Nelson stated he is applying for a grant for an additional lift station to serve lots behind the new Dollar General and Vera Cruz. He explained until that is done no contractor is interested in building homes. The city has to do this if they wish to grow.
The city received three bids to have a Generac generator system installed in City Hall. This would provide a warming center, or even headquarters in case of a major disaster in the area as the generator would provide the power to keep everything running there. The winning bid was from Gyer Power Systems for $15,326.75. It is completely turn-key with a good warranty.
With no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned.
