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City of Lincoln
Lincoln Council approves tourism position, Tremont Street
reconstruction bid
[May 07, 2026]
All members of the Lincoln City
Council were present for the May 4, 2026, regular meeting where
aldermen approved infrastructure projects, updated building codes
and finalized the creation of a new tourism department position.
Mayor Tracy Welch called the meeting to order at 6 p.m. No one spoke
during public participation before the council moved into agenda
items.
The consent agenda was approved unanimously and included payment of
bills, approval of March 24 Committee of the Whole meeting minutes
and a request from the Humane Society of Logan County to close the
Shay parking lot for a charity car show scheduled for July 12.
Council members then approved a resolution for the Motor Fuel Tax
maintenance program for fiscal year 2026–2027. The measure passed
without discussion.
The council approved an ordinance creating the position of
administrative assistant to the director of tourism and establishing
a salary for the role. Later in the meeting, aldermen approved the
appointment of Alexis Groves to fill the new position.
An ordinance adopting updated
building codes prompted brief discussion regarding possible future
state housing initiatives and how they could affect local zoning
standards.
“A lot of politicians, they come up with a lot, and then whether it
comes to fruition or not… that takes a long time,” Building and
Zoning Officer Wes Woodhall said.
Alderman Kevin Bateman referenced recent comments from Gov. JB
Pritzker regarding affordable housing proposals and questioned
whether future state action could override local regulations related
to lot size and housing density.
“This is what the city of Lincoln is adopting,” Woodhall responded.
The council then approved a bid from Earth Worx Solution for the
Tremont Street reconstruction project in an amount not to exceed
$2,023,309.20. Aldermen also approved an amendment to Crawford,
Murphy & Tilly work order No. 8 for engineering services tied to the
project, increasing the amount to $447,100.
Discussion took place regarding a proposal from Big Acre Lawn Care
LLC for mowing services at several city parks. The item initially
contained an error listing the business as “Big Area Lawn Care,”
which was corrected through an amendment before approval.
Council members also clarified that the quoted cost covered all four
parks combined rather than individual locations.
“The total cost, the $402 and change, is for all four parks,”
Landers said.
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Additional
approvals included an $89,000 sludge tank VFD upgrade at the
wastewater treatment plant and the renewal of two certificates
of deposit within the sewer operations and maintenance fund at a
3.60% interest rate.
During announcements, Alderman Dennis Clemons noted that fencing
work had begun around a solar facility on Limit Street. Council
members later discussed additional fencing requirements for
other solar developments within the city.
Landers announced an upcoming closure of Fifth Street between
Westminster Drive and Connolley Road as reconstruction work
begins on the area.
“It’s going to be a total reconstruction of that section,”
Landers said.
The closure is expected to last multiple days and is dependent
on weather conditions. Landers additionally reminded residents
that landfill hours would return to Wednesdays and Saturdays
only and promoted the citywide cleanup event scheduled for
Saturday at the Municipal Services Building.
Officials discussed requirements for residents participating in
the cleanup event, including the need for an active GFL account
in good standing. Questions were raised regarding rental
properties and how eligibility would be verified.
Additional announcements included an upcoming sewer repair
closure on Eighth Street between College and Elm streets,
expected to last approximately three days.
Near the conclusion of the meeting, Mayor Welch addressed
complaints involving unlicensed door-to-door solicitors
operating within the city. Welch stated that no solicitors are
currently licensed in Lincoln and advised residents to reference
the city website for accurate information.
“As it stands right now, there are currently no licensed
solicitors in the city of Lincoln,” Welch said.
The meeting adjourned at 6:20 p.m. following a unanimous vote
[Sophia Larimore]
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