Falls City Elects Merz, Ferguson To Leadership
FALLS CITY – The Falls City City Council elected 3rd Ward Councilman Mitch Merz as city council president and appointed him to the city’s Economic Development Growth Enterprise at Monday’s meeting.
First Ward Councilman Don Ferguson was elected acting council president.
The council approved a $52,000 engine repair at the electrical plant and approved the idea of streamlining applications for special designated liquor licenses. Kelly Bletscher of SchillingBridge Winery and Microbrewery said there is not enough time to go through the license application process on some events.
Falls City requires the city's signature on an occupation tax form that can slow the process because it requires a city council meeting for approval.
Councilman Jim Wisdom cast the lone dissenting vote on drafting an ordinance that will consider Lincoln's special event application process.
The council held an executive session.
Re-appointments of City Clerk Gary Jorn, Police Chief Duane Armbruster and City Attorney Michael Dunn were withdrawn from the agenda.
Mayor Shawna Bindle said after the re-appointments were placed on the first-of-the-year agenda, she was informed that Falls City code allows those seats to be filled for the duration of her four-year term.
Utility Superintendent Ray Luhring reported to the council on Thursday's planned power outage.
