Lincoln council approves appointments, community programs and honors firefighters and local champions

The Lincoln City Council on Jan. 14 approved a slate of appointments and several community programs, and publicly recognized longtime firefighters and volunteers for community service.

Council adopted Resolution 2025‑010, finalizing city and regional committee appointments recommended by the mayor and council members, and accepted the annual local appointment list required by California Government Code section 54970 (the Maddy Act). Hope (staff) presented the item and the council confirmed appointments such as Nathan Herzog to the Planning Commission and others to economic development, parks and library advisory bodies.

The council also approved a budgeted, staff‑led Adopt‑a‑Street program (Resolution 2025‑007) that will pair volunteer groups and local businesses with defined routes for periodic litter removal. Public Works presented proposed adoptable segments including Lincoln Boulevard, McBean Park Drive, East Avenue and Nicholas Road; the first‑year program cost is capped at $15,000 with an estimated ongoing cost of up to $5,000 annually funded from the streets and solid‑waste funds.

Public Works staff described safety training, a mandatory safety video for volunteers, and a sign program that will place two city‑owned signs per adopted segment with space for sponsor names. "If the Adopt a Street program is successful, it will provide advertisement for local businesses and help keep our city looking fresh and clean," Public Works representative Michael Voorhees said. The council voted 5‑0 to adopt the resolution.

Council approved a Hometown Heroes banner program (Resolution 2025‑008) to recognize active service members and veterans. The program, proposed by staff and coordinated with a vendor, will use existing banner locations — 18 along Lincoln Boulevard and 10 on McBean Park Drive — and allow community sponsors to display portraits and biographical text during a display period before returning banners to families. The resolution passed 5‑0.

The council unanimously adopted a resolution to create the John Fett Economic Innovation Award (Resolution 2025‑009), an annual honor (no more than once per year) to recognize a person or business that advances Lincoln’s economic interests. Councilor Pearl and staff described Fett as a long‑time volunteer who helped lead economic development efforts; Janice Fett, the recipient’s widow, attended and spoke briefly.

The council approved the augmentation of revenue and expense accounts to reflect police grant awards totaling $223,500 (Consent: Resolution 2025‑004). Chief Al (Lincoln Police) explained much of the funding purchased equipment; some grants paid overtime for focused enforcement and would reduce when grants expire. "A number of the grants — a lot of the funding was for equipment, so that will be used in perpetuity," the chief said. The council approved the consent item 5‑0.

Before the formal agenda items, Fire Chief Mejia presented Community Service Awards to three veteran firefighters for organizing Lincoln’s long‑running turkey drive and Santa tours. Chief Mejia reported the department’s 11th annual turkey drive collected more than 1,100 turkeys and the 16th annual Santa Tours covered more than 60 miles, distributed about 6,000 candy canes and hosted an open house attended by more than 400 people. The council and residents praised the firefighters’ volunteer work.

Votes at a glance - Resolution 2025‑010 (committee appointments; Maddy Act local appointment list): approved 5‑0 (Reedy, Pearl, Brown, Eklund, Andreatta). - Resolution 2025‑007 (Adopt‑a‑Street program): approved 5‑0. - Resolution 2025‑008 (Hometown Heroes banner program): approved 5‑0. - Resolution 2025‑009 (John Fett Economic Innovation Award): approved 5‑0. - Consent item (Resolution 2025‑004) – Police grant revenue augmentation, $223,500 total: approved 5‑0.

Why it matters The approvals add volunteer‑led public‑realm programs and symbolic recognition to the city’s outreach and placemaking portfolio while also updating staffing lists for advisory bodies. The Adopt‑a‑Street and banner programs leverage volunteer time and corporate sponsorship to reduce litter and highlight veterans; the Fett award formalizes recognition of local economic leadership. The police grant funding supplies equipment and short‑term enforcement resources that city staff said they will try to sustain after grants expire.

Clarifying details and context - Turkey drive: reported collection of more than 1,100 turkeys; event led by volunteers including high‑school teams, Rotary and other groups. - Santa tours: 16‑year tradition; staff reported more than 60 miles traveled and about 6,000 candy canes passed out; open house attendance about 400. - Appointments: Nathan Herzog was named to the planning commission; other appointees include members for EDC, parks, library advisory and fiscal oversight committees (full list recorded in the adopted appointment packet). - Grants: Total award amount $223,500; much of it is equipment funding, with some overtime for targeted enforcement (seat belts, DUI, cannabis enforcement).

What’s next Staff will finalize Adopt‑a‑Street signage and web registration materials, coordinate banner logistics and schedule the Fett award process with the Lincoln Area Chamber of Commerce’s annual business awards dinner. Appointees will begin serving on their committees and staff will post the Maddy Act appointment list at the library and on the city website as required.