Lincoln · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Lincoln public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Lincoln Clay Arts Center at the Carnegie Library
The City Council approved a lease on October 13 for the historic Carnegie Library building to become the Lincoln Clay Arts Center. Library services left the Carnegie back in 2011, and budget limits mean no second branch is opening soon — but the Library says it's still working toward a permanent downtown location.
City Spending Priorities and Library Funding
The library is rolling out a branded outreach van and its hold lockers already handle about 30% of all pickup requests — small investments that make the library easier to reach around town.
Heartland at Hidden Hills Residential Design Review
Century Communities is proposing 151 homes south of Hidden Hills Phase 1, with varied Spanish, Farmhouse, and Cottage elevations. The design review shapes what the neighborhood will look like as it builds out.
Electronic Billboard Program Code Amendments
The city wants a better way to promote community events than hauling out a construction sign, but a vendor-funded billboard means roughly 80% advertising. The council is split on aesthetics and sent the question to a subcommittee.
Cell coverage dead zones in Verdera and Twelve Bridges
Residents in Verdera, Twelve Bridges, and parts of Sun City have dealt with terrible cell service for years. The new city-built tower should fix much of that, and leasing space to carriers could bring in around $10,000 a month to offset costs.
Village 7 Joint Use Agreement
The city helped fund a new TK-8 school in Village 7 and negotiated shared use of its gym, fields, and park. Councilmember Reedy wants the language fixed so the city gets equal scheduling priority and kids have summer access before the deal is signed.
Placer County Conservation Program progress
The PCCP annual report shows 31 projects covered in 2025, about 20% of the 47,300-acre conservation goal met, and a fee update study coming next year — fees developers pay could change.
Capital Improvement Program Budget Updates
The council is reviewing adjustments to capital improvement program budgets for fiscal years 2025-26 and 2026-27 to align projected expenditures with actual costs across multiple city funds.
Road maintenance funding for older neighborhoods
Resident Darla called out dangerous potholes on Third Street that have persisted all summer. The council noted the Third Street grade crossing project on consent and Public Works promised to address the potholes directly.
Parkwood Residential Development Agreement
A 122-home subdivision on 21 acres in Village 1 moved forward with introduction of its development agreement, which locks in developer and city obligations for roads, utilities and parks over 20 years.
Airport Road fire access and RV storage concerns
A resident warned that hundreds of RVs stored at the end of narrow, 12-foot-wide Airport Road could block emergency vehicles and pose a fire hazard. The city manager said code enforcement cases are active and the fire chief confirmed a type three engine can currently reach the area.
Open Space Policy and General Plan Review
Two residents urged the council to keep the city's 40 percent open space requirement intact, citing wildlife loss near new development and warning that once land is paved it never comes back.
Sister city program
The council wants to explore a formal sister city relationship, hoping for cultural exchange and possible economic ties — Council Member Eklund joked about finding a partner that might build a factory on the city's 80 acres by the airport.
Sierra College Boulevard and Twelve Bridges Drive Improvements
The county Board of Supervisors unanimously approved $12 million for the Sierra College and Twelve Bridges intersection improvements, keeping the long-sought safety project on track for construction next year.
Carefield Assisted Living and Memory Care Project Review
The developer of the Carefield Lincoln assisted living and memory care facility requested a delay on their design review and permit extension. The project will come back before the Planning Commission in November.
Draft FY 2024/2025 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report Review
A review of local sales tax receipts showed healthy growth compared to the previous year, driven by consumer spending, fuel prices, and e-commerce activity.
Title 18 Zoning Code Amendments for Home Occupations
The city is updating its 1970s-era home business rules to allow small-scale online businesses and home bakeries without requiring an expensive conditional use permit. While it helps entrepreneurs, some commissioners worried about parking, manufacturing impacts, and neighborhood nuisances.
City Investment Portfolio Performance
The city's $168.9 million investment portfolio took a small paper loss this quarter as the Fed raised rates, but higher yields mean better earnings going forward.
Aircraft Noise Mitigation and Traffic Patterns
Lincoln's airport has no control tower, and pilots have raised safety concerns as traffic grows. Kunstig Aero offered an AI system that detects near-misses, runway incursions, and unpaid landing fees for about $4,500 a year. Members split between enthusiasm for safety and worry about surveillance, liability, and mission creep.
Airport Financial Status and Budget Performance
Gates 1, 3, and 4 will be locked overnight, funneling traffic through the camera-monitored main gate to cut down on break-ins. Separately, the automated weather reporting system has been down nearly two weeks — a real safety gap pilots flagged.
Property Tax Sharing Negotiations with Placer County
Lincoln gets an unusually small share of property tax revenue, and the city is pressing the county for a better deal. Proposals are on the table and the county is expected to respond this month.
Code Enforcement and Weekend Regulation of Mobile Food Vendors
Residents and commissioners raised concerns about unauthorized roadside food trucks and pop-up stands. City staff announced that management is evaluating weekend code enforcement schedules to better address these violations.
Airport Hangar and Tie-Down Waitlist Priority Framework
Five hangars sit empty — about $2,500 a month in lost revenue — while people have waited on the list since 2017. The committee let staff start filling vacancies now and formed an ad hoc group to build a simpler, chronological waitlist policy with clear response deadlines.
Hangar reversion deferral program and airport master plan workshop
Staff is designing a program to let hangar tenants buy out reversion clauses — with a discount for paying upfront — and planning a 2027 strategic workshop to prioritize the airport's long-term business needs.
Sales tax revenue growth
Second-quarter sales tax receipts were up 4.4% over last year, helped by new businesses like Knife River and JustBid, higher gas prices, and a bigger share of the county's e-commerce pool.
Measure F half-cent sales tax measure
The half-cent sales tax on November's ballot would raise about $6 million a year for police, fire and paramedic services, costing the average family roughly $140 a year. It has no sunset, and the city plans an oversight committee and annual report card if it passes.
Innovation Hub at former city hall
Jessup University is outfitting the old city hall's second floor with a conference room, recording studio, offices, and prototyping space under a $50,000 agreement. The hub would serve students and the public, targeting a January 2027 opening.
Downtown Master Plan and Objective Design Standards
The Downtown Lincoln Association is spending a $50,000 city grant on 21 bright planter pots, wayfinding signs, and eventually public art along historic Lincoln Boulevard to draw visitors downtown. Planting happens in late October, with Phase Two art placement in spring 2027.
Proposed 1-Cent General Sales Tax Ballot Measure
The half-cent sales tax would fund advanced life support on fire engines, more police patrol and detectives, and safe recreation spaces for kids. The city estimates it costs a typical household about $50 a year, with a dedicated fund, oversight board, and public dashboard for accountability. Voters decide in about three weeks.
Economic Development Action Plan 2030
A draft brochure pitching Lincoln to businesses highlights traffic counts, safety rankings, schools, and retail centers. The committee also floated a sales tax incentive policy for large retailers and infill parcels, to be discussed at a future meeting, and noted the hotel TOT rebate program is nearing expiration.
HelloNation/CGI digital magazine marketing Lincoln
The city is updating its 2019 digital magazine for free through HelloNation/CGI, filming October 20–21 with local leaders, both chiefs, and Beale Air Force Base footage, to market Lincoln as safe, family-friendly, and pro-business.
Park Development and PFE-Funded Buildouts
The Park Phasing Ad-Hoc Committee reviewed remaining park development phases and discussed potential cost-saving changes to ensure limited funds are prioritized effectively.
Recreation Program Participation and Seasonal Updates
The library prepares its annual Summer Reading program to engage youth and families with literacy events, writing contests, and reading challenges.
City Parks and Recreation Facility Maintenance Updates
City staff updated the committee on the status of various park projects across Lincoln, including Mabel Adams Park, Bella Breeze, Jansen Park, and the community center skate park. Delays related to utility coordination with PG&E and soil conditions at Bella Breeze were discussed.
Cannabis Business Regulation and Zoning
The city is exploring a pilot program that would allow a limited number of cannabis businesses—two retail, two cultivation, and two manufacturing facilities—to operate in Lincoln. City leaders are prioritizing vetting operators first through an RFQ before determining specific locations, while balancing community safety and potential economic benefits.
McBean Stadium Outfield Safety Netting
The city is installing taller outfield safety netting at McBean Stadium to prevent baseballs from flying into neighboring backyards and endangering residents.
Permanent City Attorney Representation
The city council is formalizing a long-term agreement with White Brenner LLP to provide ongoing municipal legal services following a successful interim period.
Industrial Expansion at 1905 Aviation Boulevard
Walters and Wolf is expanding its manufacturing operations by remodeling a warehouse and adding a paved outdoor storage yard with a 10-foot security fence.
Airport Capital Improvement Plan and Runway Match Funding
The airport is facing a $35.4 million long-term pavement repair bill over the next 20 years, including critical repairs to Flightline Drive, hangars, and the main runway scheduled for 2029. Securing local matching funds and grants will be essential to keep the airport operational.
Western Placer Unified School District Property Acquisition
The school district is acquiring two residential properties adjacent to Lincoln High School for future campus expansion. The planning commission confirmed the acquisition aligns with the city's general plan.
Village 5 Regional Sports Complex Planning
The city is establishing a task force to prioritize the remaining Public Facilities Element (PFE) funded parks, as available developer impact fees are insufficient to immediately build out all promised amenities.
Artificial Intelligence Governance
The city adopted a new policy to regulate the use of AI tools by staff, emphasizing data security, transparency, and mandatory human oversight.
Police Department Leadership Transition
Longtime Police Chief Matt Alves is retiring after 27 years with the department, and Captain Zach Eaton has been appointed as the new police chief.
Placer County Grand Jury Response on City Responsiveness
The city responded to grand jury critiques regarding phone and email responsiveness, defending staff workload while committing to ongoing customer service standards.
Tier II SPRTA Development Fee Deferral for Liberty at Lincoln
Council debated and approved fee deferrals for regional transportation impact fees for 674 new homes, sparking discussions on inter-agency cooperation and financial backing.
Community Advocacy for Disc Golf Infrastructure
Residents and young athletes advocated for the establishment of a dedicated disc golf course in Lincoln to support growing community interest and tourism.
Proposed Cell Tower Project Near 12 Bridges Elementary
Residents voiced strong opposition during public comment regarding a potential cell tower near 12 Bridges Elementary School and local residential neighborhoods, citing property value concerns, safety, and environmental impacts. City staff clarified that while a lease agreement was signed, the project review deadline was extended to February 2027 and it is not a finalized deal.
Heavy Truck Traffic and Routing Concerns on Lincoln Boulevard
Board members discussed how concrete mixer trucks and other heavy vehicles travel through historic downtown Lincoln, prompting a review of long-term traffic mitigation and corridor safety goals.
Special Use District-A Land Planning
The city is taking the lead on planning a massive 2,000-acre economic and industrial hub along Highway 65 near the airport. This city-initiated project aims to attract high-paying jobs, light industrial uses, and commercial development to diversify Lincoln's economy.
Lincoln Regional Airport Management Contract
The city is moving forward with a five-year contract with KT Aero to manage airport operations and fuel services, aiming to improve service quality and accountability.