COUNCIL MEETINGS — Tonight marks the first council meeting held with the addition of tablets vs. paper packets. This decision was put into place as a means of reducing the amount of paper and overall labor used putting packets together, as well as the distribution to the elected officials. Cost savings is in excess of $10,000.00 over a one-year time frame.

POLICE — The department has completed their individual computer training, and we are in the process of installing laptop computers in each police vehicle. This will assist them in their daily functions and will allow us to provide better service to the city. This was paid for through a grant.

CAMERAS — We are in the process of adding a camera system in different areas of the city for monitoring purposes. The addition of these cameras will enable the police department to view key areas in the city and will basically give us the ability to have set of eyes on city property even from across town.

JULY FOURTH — With this being the last report before the Fourth of July, I want to wish everyone a safe and happy Fourth.

- Mayor Rob Hulse

Admission is $7 for adults and $4 for children six to 10 year years old.

The traditional Street Dance will kick things off starting at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, June 5 on the Lincoln Square. Howard Lester and the Boston Mountain Playboys will be the featured entertainment.

And don’t miss the Rodeo Parade at 4:30 p.m. Saturday, June 8. Line up starts at the rodeo arena. All parade participants will receive free admission to Saturday night’s rodeo.

For more information, visit www.lincolnridingclub.org

Sign up deadline is Friday, Aug. 30.
Registration fee is $30 per child with a maximum of $100 per family.
The fee includes T-shirt and socks.

2013 Fall Soccer Registration Forms can be downloaded here.
Return forms to Lincoln Elementary School
or to the Lincoln Water Department.

POLICE — We are presently installing laptop computers for each officer to help them in daily duties.

- Mayor Rob Hulse

February 11, 2013

Re: Municipal Affairs of the City of Lincoln, Arkansas
To: The Citizens of Lincoln, Arkansas

The City of Lincoln had a productive year in 2012. The City One Cent Capital Improvement Sales Tax, with interest, brought in just over $248,773.99. The Capital Improvement Fund finished the year with a balance in excess of $382,80811. The City Grants Administrator brought in $55,755 in grants during 2012.

New home construction was anemic at best, continuing a trend for the sixth straight year. There were two home building permits issued in 2012.

The Water Department and the Consolidated Maintenance Department were very busy for the entire year. Things got off to fast a start with the new High School project. The City had the responsibility to build 6,665 linear feet of 12-inch waterline to the new school to facilitate fire protection and potable water needs. The City built the project itself with the help of local equipment operators and local equipment rental. The waterline project to the new school finished at the end of March 2012, and at that point the Washington Road Department started a project to widen Old Cane Hill Road from the new High School to Highway 45. The road project required the City to move a waterline that was in the middle of the road so we had to move the waterline. We replaced the line and connected it to an existing line we already had on Old Cane Hill Road and now have water all the way to Cane Hill and beyond from that project. The project costs were unexpected but in the end we had a better water system in that part of our service area. We built a meter vault on Tunnel Road WC 74 to eventually provide water to more folks west of Highway 59 to the Oklahoma state line and loop back in 2 water lines we have to the south.

Later on in May 2012 we started our sidewalk project for the year. The project consisted of 700 feet of sidewalk on East School Street with curb, gutter and clean out manholes, so far this has worked out very well. The project then turned south on County Avenue and consisted of approximately 1,000 feet of sidewalk with curb, gutter and clean out manholes. We put drainage gutters on the upstream side of the homes to alleviate flooding that has happened in the past. County Avenue also got wider and deeper ditches on the west side and new 18-inch driveway tiles.

The Fire Department continued its trend of excellent service and protection of the public. They had a hot, dangerous summer to deal with this year. The Fire Department received a grant to purchase a new Rescue Boat that will be used to respond to water/flooding emergencies. They continue to have a very efficient operation and now have the whole Fire Department building available for their use.

We continued concentrating on emergency preparedness in 2012 with the purchase of a new mosquito sprayer from federal surplus for $1500 it was still in a shipping crate.

We distinguished ourselves with the community involvement again in 2012 we had Christmas on the Square and provided meals to nearly 800 people. Kids got to see Santa Claus (Randy Magar) in the gazebo on our town Square. They also got pony rides and were able to see a Nativity scene with live animal courtesy of the Maranatha Church who also provided all the Christmas lighting on the Square. Thanks go out to the Lincoln Area Chamber of Commerce, the Lincoln Armory, Tyson Foods for the donation of the chicken and smoker. Thanks also go to all the folks who helped make the night a success. The City also played a big part in the Apple Festival with 2012 being the best in recent history. The Square was completely filled with vendor tents. We also had a great weekend during the Lincoln Lake Day. It just keeps getting better and better.

The City purchased the Amerigas Building (Summers Butane) to build a new library. I’m extremely pleased that things came together for this project. The sales tax election for funding the new library was held on March 13, 2012 and was passed. The City signed a contract to demolish the buildings and in November after the election, the Library was moved to the Community Building. The buildings were demolished in December. This was a very important day in the future of Lincoln and means that the citizens of Lincoln are committed to the future. I look forward to the new library and believe it will be a symbol of the type of town our Citizens want.

I am pleased with what we accomplished in 2012 and look forward to the opportunities of 2013. We have some exciting times ahead and I’m proud that I live in Lincoln, Arkansas.

Respectfully,
Rob Hulse
Mayor, City of Lincoln

NOTICE OF ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
TO BE HELD FOR THE
WASHINGTON COUNTY SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT

To all landowners within the boundaries of the Washington County Conservation District, notice is hereby given that on the 5th day of March, 2013, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., an election will be held for the election of three directors of the Washington County Conservation District of the State of Arkansas.  The voting places are as follows:

Town:
Fayetteville

Place:
District Office USDA/NRCS Service Center
2898 Point Circle, Suite 3
Fayetteville AR 72704

Only owners of land within the District, who are registered to vote under the election laws of Arkansas, are eligible to vote.

Arkansas Natural Resources Commission

Don’t miss out! Get plenty for your Valentine this year!

The Lincoln Summer Ball Program will be holding signups on Sunday, February 10, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the middle school gym (old high school gym).

Boys ages 5 through 15 as of April 30^th and girls ages 5 through 14 as of January 1^st are eligible to participate in the program.

Forms for signups will be available at the Lincoln Water Department, via the web at www.lincolnarkansas.com/files/2013summerball or www.lincolncsd.com,  the Lincoln Elementary School Office, the Lincoln Middle School Office and from the Lincoln Ball Program via email at lincball@pgtc.com.

The absolute deadline for signups is Friday, February 22, 2013.  If you have any questions, please contact Josh Moore by text or call 479-935-5665 or send email to lincball@pgtc.com.

I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! 

CHRISTMAS ON THE SQUARE —  I want to thank everyone who made this year’s celebration the best yet: the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce, money donations from Arvest Bank, Simmons Bank, Dr. Beavers and the American Drive Inn; local churches Maranatha Christian Church, The Sanctuary, The First Baptist Church and the Faith Talks Church.

The help with the lights, meal, serving cider and cleaning up help make it a success. Thank you to the local National Guard Armory for their help. A big thank you to Phil Speegle, and Tony Jones, Live Production and Complex Manager from Tyson Foods Springdale Complex for the 700 Cornish halves donated for the meal. This is the third year in a row they have stepped in and helped with the chicken.

Thanks to our Senior Center for the use of their kitchen and dining hall, as well as the director Sally Metcalf and also the American Legion, that we used for overflow seating. Thanks to Doug Hulse, and Greg Dodds for their help in cooking the meal. A special thanks goes out to my staff, Chuck Wood, Al Videtto, Rhonda Hulse and Tracey Irwin for taking care of all they do. I ask a lot of them, and they always come through. I’m proud that we can come together at least one time a year for great food and all of the festivities. As far as I can tell it was a huge success.

LINCOLN LIBRARY — Demolition is complete, and we are in the final stages of the design with bids hopefully going out soon.

GRANTS — As was announced Monday night at the Council Meeting, Lincoln has been awarded a $45,000.00 Fun Park Grant through the Department of Parks and Tourism. This will assist with the construction of a basketball court, playground equipment, picnic pavilion, tables, and grills, as well as park benches, trash cans and parking. This will be constructed on city-owned property on North Street. This $45,000.00 grant will help make this project possible. Thank you to our Grants Administrator  and our City Council for their support.

- Mayor Rob Hulse

CHRISTMAS ON THE SQUARE – Final plans have been made and it looks like between the City, the Chamber, the Maranatha and  Sanctuary churches, as well as several other volunteers, we are in store for a super evening. Dinner will be served out of the Senior Center with overflow seating in the American Legion building, and all the festivities will start at 5:30 p.m. I’m sure it will another success. I want to thank all of the volunteers for their efforts, as well as the Senior Center and the American Legion for the use of their facilities.

LIBRARY UPDATE - We have started the demolition process, and it’s going very well. As of today, they had 3 of the buildings down with cleanup left.  Last week we met with Brett Park to go over the final plans for the building, and I have to say his team has done a great job. We are very excited to get the final drawing out for everyone to see. It’s going to be unbelievable!

SAFETY LIGHTS - We have our school safety lights up and in operation. We are committed to providing the safest area possible for our students and the community.

PARKS AND RECREATION - I’m excited about the agreement with the school to work together to provide more opportunities for the youth in town. Starting small, we plan to start a soccer league for the kids and continue to add to the plan until we can eventually work with the Boys and Girls Club to provide many different activities. I feel this could be the start of a great program, and it is exactly what Lincoln needs.

I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

- Mayor Rob Hulse