Lincoln Heights manager reports snow response, new code enforcer hire, street and grant work

Village Manager Gaines Brown told the council on Feb. 9 that his office is closing out administrative work for 2025 and advancing several operational projects for 2026.

"Over the last 5 months since my appointment, we have been focused on strengthening the village the village's administrative foundation, recalibrating intergovernmental relationships, and implementing sustainable operational systems," Brown said. He told council staff are completing 2025 purchase orders and finished the 2025 annual financial report to prepare 2026 permanent appropriations.

Brown described the village response to a Jan. 24 level-3 snow emergency, saying the public-works team plowed and salted with existing equipment and received assistance from the Village of Woodlines Department of Public Works on named streets. He said the village is evaluating its snow response for improvements and will follow up with Metro about snow removal at bus stops after Councilman Norvory Tate asked whether Metro or the village clears those sidewalks.

Brown also said the village has "identified, and selected a code enforcer" who is completing a background check with a planned start date of Feb. 26, 2026. He announced a new automated call/text notification system listed on the village website for real-time alerts and noted ongoing street projects: utility work on Simmons Avenue (phase 2 scheduled for late March 2026) and paving on Jackson/Adams/Carri/McGee scheduled for completion by May 1, 2026. He added that the concession stand foundation has been installed and that the village will submit an economic-improvement grant application this week.

When asked about snow clearance at Metro stops, Brown said the village is responsible for roads but not sidewalks and that he would "follow-up with Metro so that way we can coordinate service delivery." Council moved to receive the manager's report by voice vote.