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City of Lincoln
City Council Reviews Infrastructure and Tourism Projects at
Committee Meeting
[January 29, 2026]
All members of the Lincoln City
Council reviewed a wide range of infrastructure, tourism and
contract-related matters during a Committee of the Whole meeting
held Jan. 27. Discussions spanned from engineering work order
amendments to Route 66 tourism projects and a proposed agreement
with Logan County Animal Control.
The meeting opened with a presentation from Adam Mackey of Track
Enterprises, who outlined the tentative 2026 racing schedule for
Lincoln Speedway. Mackey said the upcoming season is scheduled to
begin April 3 and will include 13 nights of racing, matching the
number held in 2025. Two preseason “test and tune” events are also
planned for March, weather permitting.
Mackey said the previous season was successful both in attendance
and operations, noting minimal delays and strong participation from
fans and competitors.
“We ran through them quickly last year, which is a good thing,”
Mackey said. “That’s always our goal.”
Council members later discussed
engineering services provided by Crawford, Murphy & Tilly, focusing
on remaining contract fees for Work Order No. 3 and an amendment to
Work Order No. 7. Shane Remmert of CMT explained that the firm
operates under a master services agreement with the city, using an
hourly billing structure tied to defined project scopes.
Remmert said the amendment request stemmed from additional street
reconstruction work that was added after favorable bids were
received, allowing the city to expand the project without exceeding
available grant funding. However, managing three simultaneous
projects instead of two increased engineering oversight,
documentation and administrative work.
Mayor Tracy Welch said the situation also reflected challenges
within the city’s internal process, particularly when committees
request design changes after initial approvals.
“In my opinion, the last one that we had was really our fault,”
Welch said. “We asked for some re-scoping of the project, which took
more of your time.”
Council members discussed the importance of earlier notification
when costs begin to shift, particularly to avoid surprises months
after work has been completed. Ultimately, the council agreed to
place both the amendment and a transfer of unused funds between work
orders on the regular agenda for formal action.
Tourism-related items followed, beginning with a proposed sign for
the Museum of Route 66 on Broadway Street. Tourism Director Scott
McCoy presented a conceptual design for an illuminated Route 66
shield sign, estimated at $24,500 and fully covered by a Route 66
grant.
“It’ll stick out and make it also a
photo op instead of just a sign,” McCoy said. “When somebody takes a
picture, they’re going to stand underneath this, take a picture of
it and share it. That’s free marketing.”
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Council members
raised questions about structural safety, wind exposure and
long-term durability of the sign. Alderman Tim Becke, who
represents Ward 2, asked about the longevity of the materials
and whether the design would withstand weather conditions over
time.
“I was kind of thinking down the road of longevity,” Becke said.
“If that’s going to be there for years and years to come, that’d
be great.”
McCoy said the sign would be constructed with an aluminum
exterior and internal steel supports, with additional
engineering review planned if the council approves moving
forward.
The council also reviewed a proposal for a large penny sculpture
to be installed near the museum, also funded through a Route 66
grant. McCoy described the sculpture as a freestanding piece
designed to attract visitors and encourage photographs along the
historic corridor.
“One of the big draws for a lot of people is to pull your car up
next to it and take a picture,” McCoy said.
Discussion then turned to the historic phone booth atop City
Hall, a well-known Route 66 landmark. McCoy said the booth’s
paint and lower panels are deteriorating and may require
repairs, possibly restoring it to its historically green color.
“It’s in every Route 66 travel guide,” Welch said. “People come
in town and take photos of it all the time.”
Council members expressed general agreement that the booth
should be evaluated for repairs, with attention to cost, safety
and historical accuracy.
The meeting concluded with discussion
of a proposed agreement between Logan County Animal Control and the
City of Lincoln. Police Chief Joe Meister presented recommended
updates to the contract, noting that the city is the primary user of
animal control services and that revisions were intended to clarify
payment terms, responsibilities and reporting requirements. The
agreement was also placed on the regular agenda for future
consideration.
Council members used the meeting to ask detailed questions and
clarify project timelines, costs and next steps, with several items
expected to advance as planning and review continue in the coming
weeks.
[Sophia Larimore]
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