Council Approves Purchase Of Mower For City

WORK ON NEW LINCOLN LIBRARY SET TO BEGIN MAY 22

LINCOLN — A new Dixon commercial riding mower for the city and an ordinance on clean-up of lawns was approved by the Lincoln City Council on May 14.

The ordinance to authorize the municipal purchase of a large mower from Doug Moore, an alderman, was approved after suspension of the rules and reading by title only for three readings.

Alderman Doyle Dixon said, before final approval, he didn’t have a problem with purchasing a mower from Moore Sales and Service, but he was concerned about public perception.

Dixon asked about whether other businesses were allowed to give the city a price on a similar mower.

Mayor Rob Hulse and Chuck Wood, city manager, both told Dixon, yes.

“We received prices from the other businesses in town on mowers of a comparable size and they were $1,600 to $1,700 more,” said Wood.

“We might could have gone out of town and gotten a better price, but we want to keep our dollars in town,” Hulse said.

Most council members satisfied with the answer from Hulse and Wood, approved the purchase in a 5-3 vote on a mower from Moore’s business. Alderman Bob McDonald voted no. Both Doug Moore and Robin Moore abstained from voting. Doyle Dixon, Carla Holcroft, Dustin Higgins, Doug Hutchens and Coby Hall voted yes.

Council members, in an effort to keep Lincoln looking neat, approved 8-0 an ordinance requiring property owners within the city limits to cut weeds, grass, remove garbage, rubbish or other unsanitary and unsightly items from their property.

The ordinance requires property owners to remove stagnant pools of water or any other things which could become a breeding place for mosquitoes, flies or germs harmful to the health of the community.

Hulse or his designated representative is authorized to issue a clean-up order to any property owner found to be in violation of the ordinance.

Hulse said the ordinance was an ongoing effort of city officials to help keep the city cleaned up.

Alderman Hutchens said many businesses along U.S. 62 have been cleaning up their premises and painting their buildings.

Hulse said he had noticed and appreciated what the business community is doing.

In other business, the council approved Alderman Coby Hall working as a a subcon- tractor for SSI, Inc., of Tontitown, the contractor awarded the bid for building a new Lincoln Public Library.

Hulse said the approval by the council was to protect the city.

“Coby is not being hired by the city but the contractor on the library. It is the contractor’s choice to hire him,” Hulse said.

Hall will not benefit directly from his company doing subcontracting work for the contractor, added Hulse.

Council members voted 80 in agreement to Hall working for SSI.

Work on the new library is set to begin on May 22.

The council also approved a joint-use agreement between the city and Lincoln Consolidated School District.

Rhonda Hulse, manager of the water department and city grant water, said this ordinance was about a soccer program the city and school district will have in place for the next school year.

Hulse said sign up for soccer would be May 30 at Lincoln Elementary School.

The first year of soccer would be for inner- city children 10 and under, 8 and under and 6 and under, according to Hulse.

Paul Crouch, P.E. teacher, will be soccer coach.

Hulse said any soccer coach would have to undergo a background check.

Council members also approved the appointment of Melissa Hutchens to the Washington County Library Board.