The Lincoln City Council on Nov. 3, 2025, sworn in Officer Paul Becker as a corporal and carried several administrative items, including an easement amendment and a six-month renewal of a certificate of deposit for the city’s sewer operations and maintenance fund.

Officer Paul Becker was administered the oath of office after Mayor/Chair added the item as a last-minute addition to the agenda. Becker repeated the oath, saying, "I have been appointed to the office of corporal of the City of Lincoln, the county of Logan," and was congratulated by the mayor.

The council approved the consent agenda by unanimous roll call. The consent package included payment of bills; approval of minutes from the Oct. 14 committee-of-the-whole meeting; a request from Lincoln Christian Church to close McLean Street between Pekin and Delavan streets for a hometown Christmas event on Dec. 5, 2025, from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.; and a bridal request from Copper and Oak to close Delavan Street from Kickapoo Street west to the alley on Nov. 1, 2025, from noon to 10 p.m. Alderman Downs moved to approve; Alderman Clemons seconded.

Separately, the council unanimously approved a resolution to amend and abrogate a previously entered easement. Alderman Bateman moved the resolution; Alderman Sanders seconded and the roll call vote was all yes.

On the finance docket the council approved renewing a certificate of deposit in the sewer O&M fund for $663,687.40 for a six-month term. Alderman McClellan moved the renewal; Alderman Anderson seconded and the motion passed on a unanimous roll call.

The meeting also included several municipal announcements. The mayor announced a ribbon-cutting at 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 7, at the Taste of Lincoln Food Court, 600 N. Kickapoo St., and said the city received a CNM agreement from Union Pacific and is scheduled for a Jan. 16, 2026, letting for the Fifth Street project: "As it stands now ... we're on the January 16, 2026 letting," the mayor said.

The council was told by staff that weekly leaf collection begins Wednesday, Nov. 5, and runs each Wednesday through Dec. 10; the landfill will have extended hours Nov. 5–Dec. 14, Wednesday through Sunday, 8 a.m. to 3:50 p.m., and will be closed Nov. 27 for Thanksgiving.

Mayor/Chair announced that Alderman David Sanders submitted his resignation and is leaving to get married and relocate to Peoria; the council noted it is tradition to present him a plaque for his years of service. The meeting adjourned at 6:10 p.m.

Votes at a glance: Consent agenda (payment of bills; minutes; Lincoln Christian Church street closure; Copper and Oak bridal street closure) — motion by Alderman Downs, second Alderman Clemons; outcome: approved, unanimous roll call (all present voted yes). Easement amendment resolution (Item 6) — motion by Alderman Bateman, second Alderman Sanders; outcome: approved, unanimous roll call. Certificate of deposit renewal, sewer O&M fund, $663,687.40 for six months (Item 8) — motion by Alderman McClellan, second Alderman Anderson; outcome: approved, unanimous roll call.

Next steps: The Fifth Street letting is scheduled for Jan. 16, 2026; the council will follow up on scheduling and project notices as appropriate.