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Residents press Lincoln Park council over high water bills, fence enforcement and parking
Summary
At the Nov. 24 meeting, residents raised a range of local concerns: a resident said her estimated water bill was $476.95 and others reported much larger amounts; another asked for enforcement and body-camera footage regarding an improperly installed fence and requested a no-parking sign at a corner.
Several Lincoln Park residents used the Nov. 24 public-comment period to press the council on household bills and code enforcement.
Nicole Meredith, who identified herself as a Lincoln Park resident of 23 years, said her recent three-person household water bill came as an estimate for $476.95 and that she saw Facebook reports of other residents receiving bills far higher. “My recent bill was for a 3 person home, $476.95, and it came in as an estimate,” Meredith said, and asked how the city reads meters and how residents can be sure readings are accurate. The city manager offered to review Meredith’s account and invited her to call or visit the office for a detailed review rather than taking immediate policy action at the meeting.
Another resident asked about battery-recycling drop boxes; council and staff said the library previously had a box many years ago but they do not currently operate a permanent drop station and suggested Best Buy as an alternative.
A homeowner identified as Latasha returned to the council to report an ongoing permitting dispute arising from a fence installed without proper permits in April. She said only part of the fence had been removed, that police reports contain inaccuracies and that she has been forced to pursue civil remedies. Latasha asked for a second review of the case and requested body-camera footage to clarify what happened; staff said the matter had been handled by a named staffer (Mr. Zelnick) and advised her to follow up with the billing/case handler.
Pastor Crystal Shipling thanked the community for donations to Blessed Hope Church and invited the public to a Ministerial Alliance Thanksgiving service on Dec. (tomorrow) at Bethel Assembly of God.
Council members and staff listened to each speaker and offered one-on-one follow-up: the city manager said staff will examine individual water accounts and provide information about the meter project to residents, and the clerk/staff agreed to check parking signage at the corner cited by Latasha. No immediate enforcement action or policy change was taken during the meeting; residents were directed to follow up with staff for case-specific reviews.
The council’s handling of these comments will be trackable through staff follow-up and any future agenda items that emerge from the account reviews or enforcement requests.
