Council approves electric aggregation, five infrastructure resolutions and consent agenda

The Lincoln City Council on Jan. 21 approved a package of measures including authorization for an electric aggregation service agreement, multiple IDOT closeout resolutions for completed work, and the consent agenda that included payment of bills, approval of minutes and a street-closure request for the Logan County Pride festival on June 7, 2025.

The council voted to authorize execution of a service agreement that allows the city to join an opt-out electric aggregation program for residential and small commercial customers who do not opt out; the council discussed that the program applies only to residents inside city limits and that Stone River will serve as the citys broker for selecting a supplier. The resolution authorizes city staff to execute a service agreement with the lowest responsible bidder when the negotiated rate meets the councils criteria.

Council members also approved a set of IDOT-related resolutions required to close out state paperwork on work already completed; staff said the work has been finished and there is no additional cost to the city. The approved IDOT items included lighting improvements (section 94-00076-01-TL, $127,163.70), traffic-signal installation and interconnection at Zion Lutheran School Road and Conley Road improvements (section 98-00083-01-TL, $140,447.60), traffic signal replacement and resurfacing (section 00-0086-00-TL, $2,794.50), and downtown square resurfacing (section 02-00090-00-RS, $196,558.18).

The council also approved a resolution for the Fifth Street Road project (section 98-00081-00-PV) in the amount of $6,000,000.

All listed motions passed in roll-call votes. Council members asked for clarification where appropriate: city staff confirmed the IDOT resolutions only complete state paperwork for finished work and carry no new cost to the city; staff also clarified the electric aggregation program is limited to residents inside Lincoln city limits and operates as an opt-out program in which residents will be notified by letter and can decline participation.

Votes at a glance: - Consent agenda (payment of bills; approval of Dec. 16, 2024 public hearing minutes and regular meeting minutes; Logan County Pride street-closure request for June 7, 2025): mover Alderman O'Donohue; second Alderman Bateman. Roll-call: Yes — Alderman Bateman, Alderman Downs, Alderman Ross, Alderman O'Donohue; Abstain — Alderman Parritt, Alderman Eimer. Outcome: Approved. - Resolution authorizing execution of a service agreement for electric aggregation (6a): mover Alderman Bateman; second Alderman Downs. Roll-call: Yes — Downs, Ross, O'Donohue, Eimer, Bateman, Parritt. Outcome: Approved. - Lighting improvements, section 94-00076-01-TL, $127,163.70 (6b): Outcome: Approved (roll call recorded as unanimous yes). - Traffic signals/interconnect and Conley Road, section 98-00083-01-TL, $140,447.60 (6c): Outcome: Approved. - Traffic signal replacement and resurfacing, section 00-0086-00-TL, $2,794.50 (6d): Outcome: Approved. - Resurfacing downtown square, section 02-00090-00-RS, $196,558.18 (6e): Outcome: Approved. - Fifth Street Road project, section 98-00081-00-PV, $6,000,000 (6f): Outcome: Approved.

The treasurer presented the December 2024 financial report and the city clerk presented sewer billing and receipt details; those reports were received as presented. Mayor Welch read a letter from Christian Village announcing an ownership transition to Arcadia Care around Feb. 1, 2025; the council requested staff follow up for details on level of care and service continuity.

The meeting adjourned at 6:22 p.m.