Homer May
County Reporter
Under new business Monday eve, Lincoln Aldermen approved a $100 penalty fee for anyone who tampers with a water meter or equipment in the city, relating to “unauthorized customer manipulation of water meters.” Aldermen asked City Clerk Sabrina Brown if there were occasions when customers failed to pay their water bills and thereafter had their meters closed. She replied “yes.” Mayor Glen Nelson added that it’s relatively easy for a customer with a meter which has been shut off to illegally turn it back on.
The meeting opened at 6:00 PM on Monday, February 13, with Aldermen Jack Lietzke, Barbara Hammond, Phil Fisher, Janice Swearngin present. Mayor Nelson presided; Clerk Brown recorded. First action by the group was to approve minutes of the January meeting and the evening’s agenda, then agree to pay bills presented. A citizen asked if there was anyone local, preparing grant applications for senior housing. Mayor Nelson responded there are no longer many builders in Benton County.
County Economic Development Director JoAnn Lane informed the group there will be a February 22 Economic Development Meeting held in Lincoln, and a September 19-21 Connecting Entrepreneurial Committee conference scheduled for Benton County. The CEC conference Pre-Event will be held at the Drenon Ranch Arena in Lincoln on Tuesday evening, September 19. The main conference will kick off on Wednesday, September 20 in Cole Camp with lunch and a keynote speaker before breaking into sessions. The evening networking event will be in Warsaw. The breakfast, day two sessions, and closing keynote of the conference will be held in Warsaw. She added the CEC conference will be a non-traditional event where some sessions are hosted by local entrepreneurs in their business establishments.
Under old business, Mayor Nelson said there was much confusion over a proposed marijuana sales tax; he recommended the group delay action on it, pending receipt of more information. He added that a proposed water/sewer line extension project was not as far along as he had hoped, and initial anticipated costs may be more than expected. He recommended the group look into financing options. Then Mayor Nelson commented on the city’s dangerous buildings/nuisance ordinance. He said the city has politely warned several places which violated that ordinance, but was met with no appropriate response. He added it was now time to send complaint letters to those places.
Under departmental reports, Police Chief Jason Wenberg reported that two applicants for police officer positions have backed out, and that his department had experienced a slow month. Public Works Director Josh Cole said his employees had installed a number of meters; and the department has gotten the “ball rolling” on northside projects. He added his employees had been recycling some scrap metal, but have not gotten started on the proposed Municipal Airport project. City Clerk Brown reported that auditors will arrive in the city next month.
Alderman Swearngin asked the group to allow volunteers from her church to plant potted flowers on Main Street, and was approved to do so. The meeting closed about 6:35 PM. These sessions are usually held on 2nd Monday eves; visitors are welcome.
