City Council confirms multiple mayoral appointments; Joe Meister sworn in as police chief

The Lincoln City Council on May 19 confirmed a slate of mayoral appointments, including the appointment of Joe Meister as police chief, and approved several administrative and public‑works appointments.

Council action matters because it fills key leadership posts in public safety and city operations at a time when those departments oversee public events, street maintenance and emergency response.

The council voted to advise and consent to the mayor’s appointments for fire chief, police chief, street superintendent, building and safety officer, administrative assistant to the chief of police, and records and property clerk. Joe Meister stood before the council and recited the oath of office after the roll call and motion were approved. The oath included the standard pledge “I do solemnly swear … I will faithfully discharge the duties of the office of police chief,” which Meister recited in full during the ceremony.

The council also advised and consented to the appointment of Erin Tye Johnson as fire chief (oath to be scheduled), Walt Landers as street superintendent, West Woodhall as building and safety officer, Kirsten Rollins as administrative assistant to the chief of police and Evelyn Aiken as records and property clerk. Each appointment was moved and seconded and approved by roll call.

The council did not discuss changes to duties or budgets for the departments during the appointment votes. The clerk recorded the approvals and the appointees either took the oath at the meeting (Meister, Landers, Woodhall, Rollins, Aiken) or will be sworn at a later date (Chief Johnson). The meeting record shows no abstentions or no votes against these appointment motions.

The confirmations place new leadership in roles that will oversee policing, fire services, street operations and building safety in Lincoln. The council did not take additional formal directions or set follow‑up reporting requirements during these motions.