City of Olney City Council met Feb. 9.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
AGENDA #1 “CALL TO ORDER” The February 9, 2026, meeting of the Olney City Council was called to order at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the Olney City Hall located at 300 S. Whittle Avenue, Olney, Illinois, with Mayor Mark Lambird presiding.
AGENDA #2 “PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG-PRAYER” Council members and visitors joined in the pledge of allegiance to the flag. Jason Burkhartt led the group in prayer.
AGENDA #3 “ROLL CALL” The following Council members were present: Mark Lambird, Jack Eyer, Julia Eichhorst, Bryce Fehrenbacher, and Matt Miller. Also present were City Manager Frank Bradley, City Treasurer Jane Guinn, City Engineer Mike Bridges, and City Clerk Kelsie Sterchi.
AGENDA #4 “PUBLIC COMMENTS/PRESENTATIONS” Zachary Holder approached the podium. Mr. Holder was present and speaking as a member of the City’s Plan Commission. He reminded the Council of the June 2, 2025, Plan Commission meeting where the rezoning request for 701 N. Silver Street was first heard. While he understood that the City technically followed legal process, it was not typical for the Council to make a decision on a rezoning request months after the Plan Commission’s initial hearing. Because of this, he felt that the neighboring property owners should be mailed another notice before the Council made its decision.
Jo Ann King wished to speak next. Mrs. King neighbored 701 N. Silver Street. She told the Council that the neighborhood was still against this request for rezoning, and that the neighbors were tiring of speaking against matters related to this property as they felt no results were being seen. She noted that she had nothing personal against the property owner himself, but wanted to be clear that she did not want the property to be zoned industrial but did want the property to be properly maintained. The only rezoning request Mrs. King would be agreeable to would be a change to R-4 (Multiple Dwelling District) for apartments.
Jakob Boulb next approached the Council. Mr. Boulb had grown up in the neighborhood surrounding 701 N. Silver Street. He wished to respectfully oppose the rezoning request on the table for this evening. Like Mrs. King, Mr. Boulb would be in favor of apartments, but he felt that rezoning to C 2 (Commercial District) would create issues with increased traffic and noise.
Gary Brainard was next to speak. Mr. Brainard agreed that there would likely be little opposition to R-4 (Multiple Dwelling District) versus C-2 (Commercial District), and he also wanted the property to be properly maintained. He was concerned with the yard growing up again come spring.
AGENDA #5 “PRESENTATION OF CONSENT AGENDA”
5-A “Approve Minutes of the Council Meeting on January 26, 2026”
5-B “Approve and Authorize Payment of Accounts Payable February 10, 2026” Pooled Cash $132,553.54, Manual Pooled Cash $116,970.11, Petty Cash $83.64, ISO $1,400.00, Foreign Fire $1,185.29, IMRF $35,302.19, Tourism $10,000.00, Christmas Light Display $6,897.68, Route 130 TIF $31,326.97
5-C “Raffle License: Olney Little League”
5-D “Raffle License: Rolling Thunder ® IL 3”
AGENDA #6 “REMOVAL OF ITEMS FROM CONSENT AGENDA” No items were requested for removal from the Consent Agenda.
AGENDA #7 “CONSIDERATION OF CONSENT AGENDA” Councilwoman Eichhorst moved to approve the items on the consent agenda, seconded by Councilman Eyer. A majority affirmative voice vote was received.
AGENDA #8 “CONSIDERATION OF ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT AGENDA” No items were requested for removal from the Consent Agenda.
AGENDA #9 “PRESENTATION OF ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS, ETC.”
9-A “Possible Ordinance: Rezone 701 N. Silver Street from R-2 (Single-Family Residence District) to C-2 (Commercial District)” The Council was provided with a proposed ordinance that would rezone 701 N. Silver Street from R-2 (Single-Family Residence District) to C-2 (Commercial District). The Council was also provided with a copy of minutes from the Plan Commission meeting held on June 2, 2025, a letter from Plan Commission Chairperson David Abell, and a letter submitted by petitioner Silver School LLC./Jackson G. Eyer.
The property of 701 N. Silver Street is better known as the “Silver School property.” The petitioner requested the zoning change based on his desire to construct apartments, office suites, a conditioned parking garage and auto repair for car hobbyists, and a theater. After the advisory Plan Commission held the duly noticed public hearing on June 2, 2025, they ultimately did not recommend for the Council to approve the rezoning request. At that time, Elliot Brazil, Brandt Patterson, and Steve Eichhorst had voted to recommend approval. Zachary Holder, David Abell, Vicki Lobacz, Scott Jones, Vic Colwell, and Pat Everete voted to not recommend the approval.
Councilman Fehrenbacher said that he understood the neighbors’ concerns with prior alleged Code violations at this property. He had also researched what types of uses would be allowed under C-2 zoning. He wanted to be clear that no junk yards, bars, or casinos would be allowed. A C-2 zoning designation would still include residential use, but also give the petitioner additional business opportunities. The Councilman did not believe that anything could be placed there under that zoning designation that would lead to a neighborhood nuisance.
Mr. Brainard asked if a mechanic shop would be allowed. Councilman Miller believed so.
Mrs. King wondered how the Council could forecast what could be located on that property 20 years from now if the zoning was changed to industrial.
Mayor Lambird clarified that the rezoning request was for a change to C-2 (Commercial District) and not for M-1 (Light Industrial District) nor M-2 (Heavy Industrial District).
Mrs. King felt that there were already enough vacant buildings in town for commercial business interests. She did not feel that other businesses of any kind were needed, and she felt this rezoning request did not serve a realistic purpose.
Mr. Brainard asked if the C-2 zoning would allow for semi-trucks to be parked and stored. Councilmen Fehrenbacher and Miller were unsure.
Mrs. King felt that was information that the Council needed to know before taking a vote on the matter.
Speaking as the petitioner, Mr. Eyer reiterated his need for a C-2 zoning designation in order to fulfill his plans for the property.
Mr. Brainard did not care about Mr. Eyer’s intentions. If ownership changed in the future, the new owner could do anything at all that was an allowable use under that zoning designation. He stated additional concern about a ready-mix plant being located there.
Mr. Eyer indicated that a ready-mix plant would not be an allowable use.
The City Clerk was able to quickly bring up the allowable uses under C-2 zoning per the City of Olney Municipal Code. Mayor Lambird asked for her to recite all allowable uses. Mrs. Sterchi stated that any use permitted under C-1 (Neighborhood Shopping District) would be allowable as would off premise commercial signs/billboards (under certain restrictions), automobile/trailer display and sales rooms (when located not less than 50-feet from any residential district), and a business or commercial school. If located not less than 100-feet away from any residential district, allowable uses would also include a bowling alley, a drive-in restaurant, a drive-in theater (when approved by the Board of Appeals), and other similar places of entertainment or amusement. Other regular uses allowed would include a dancing/music academy, a display room for merchandise to be sold at wholesale where merchandise sold is stored elsewhere, a frozen food locker, a hotel/motel, a milk distributing station, a parking or public garage, a plant nursery or greenhouse, a radio/TV broadcasting station or studio, a telephone business office or exchange, a theater, an undertaking establishment, and a veterinarian or animal hospital or riding academy (if buildings, kennels, or exercise runways were no closer than 50- feet to a residential district). If employing no more than 10 persons, other uses allowed would include dying/cleaning establishment or laundry, painting/plumbing/tinsmithing shop, printing shop, tire sales/service (including vulcanizing), upholstering shop (not involving furniture manufacturing), and any other general service/repair establishment of similar character. Other allowable uses would also include accessory buildings or other uses incidental to the previously named uses, and adult-use cannabis dispensing organizations (heavily restricted).
Mr. Brainard did not believe that any of the Council members would want any of the above listed establishments located in their neighborhoods.
Mrs. King did not understand why, as elected officials, the Council was having difficulty representing the people that had elected them into office.
Mayor Lambird understood some of the concerns, but he was also aware that sometimes the Council had to make decisions that would best benefit the community as a whole.
Mr. Brainard did not want a bowling alley near his property. Mrs. Sterchi clarified that would not be an allowable use due to distance to residential properties. Mrs. King began to voice an objection to Mrs. Sterchi’s statement, but Mrs. Sterchi made clear that her statement was not an opinion but a clarification on an allowable use.
Mrs. King then told the Council that she felt her property values would decrease if the rezoning request passed, and she felt that the Council should act as elected officials and be held to some sort of honor contract.
Mayor Lambird felt that the Council was in a catch-22. Either the Council could choose to deny the rezoning request and the building would dilapidate, or the Council could approve a rezoning where the building could still dilapidate, or the petitioner would fix up the property for much better use.
Mr. Brainard still felt that an R-4 zoning would allow for apartments and for improvement of the building.
Mr. Eyer asked Mr. Brainard if he was aware what sat directly east of 701 N. Silver Street. Mr. Brainard replied that he did not. Mr. Eyer informed him that Carle Richland Memorial Hospital (CRMH) owned several lots that spanned between N. Silver Street and N. East Street. Last year, CRMH’s reported revenue was round $62,000,000.00 and they had 514 employees.
Mr. Brainard noted that there was currently a field that separated N. Silver Street from the hospital. Mr. Eyer agreed that was the case for now, but he pointed out that CRMH was continuing to purchase properties. Most recently they had purchased the First Christian Church as well, and the church was going to be demolished. He asked Mr. Brainard why he might think that CRMH was making these decisions.
Mrs. King was aware that CRMH had been purchasing properties, but she did not believe that they would be doing anything with the properties as they were opening other clinics such as a breast center on Main Street.
Mr. Eyer said that CRMH was one of the largest enterprises in Olney with a great deal of car traffic, ambulance traffic, and helicopter traffic.
Mr. Brainard felt that the hospital’s traffic was necessary and that Mr. Eyer should have realized the area was residential before purchasing Silver School. Mrs. King agreed, and she recalled that when she needed to request a variance in order to place a car port, surrounding neighbors were sent a legal notice in case of objections. She said that her neighborhood did not get that courtesy.
Mr. Eyer and Mayor Lambird disagreed. Referencing the mailing list for the notices issued on May 9, 2025, over 40 legal notices were sent. Mrs. King was included on that list.
Mayor Lambird then reminded those present that it was not the Council’s decision to table Council action until this evening. Following the Plan Commission meeting, the petitioner requested for the topic to be removed from Council consideration at that time. Recently, the petitioner had requested for the Council to go ahead and make their determination. [The City Attorney had also been consulted on the matter and affirmed that currently, there was no definite time frame for a Council to take action following a recommendation by the Plan Commission.]
Mayor Lambird then stated that if the building continued to dilapidate, that would absolutely decrease nearby property values.
Mr. Brainard asked for Mr. Eyer’s timeline for having apartments ready to rent. Mr. Eyer admitted that since the summer, he had taken on another project that he was his current focus. Past that, his best guess was 18 months.
Councilman Fehrenbacher asked Mr. Eyer how much an R-4 zoning designation would inhibit his desired revenues. Mr. Eyer replied that would reduce income by about half.
Councilman Fehrenbacher was also aware that CRMH was encroaching into the area. Based on his knowledge about what medical facilities might need for zoning, he could imagine that CRMH may very well ask for a C-2 zoning designation in the future.
Mr. Eyer then pointed out that anyone could look at the Silver School building and clearly see that it was not fit for single-family residential zoning.
Councilman Fehrenbacher did not see a better alternative and did not see any type of “doomsday” forthcoming if the property was zoned to C-2. He felt that other mechanisms were also in place that would prevent the neighborhood from being destroyed. He declared his love for Olney and was saddened by how the town had declined and dilapidated over the years. He felt this would be an improvement to the neighborhood and was sorry if his opinion was disappointing.
Mr. Brainard began to reiterate earlier statements and opinions, and the Mayor then called him to order.
Councilman Miller then wished to share his opinion. He indicated that he was in favor of the rezoning request and had also voiced that opinion online where he got about 18,000 views. Of those viewers, only 7 had reached out to him with a request to reconsider.
Councilman Miller moved to approve Ordinance 2026-10, seconded by Councilman Fehrenbacher. Councilmen Fehrenbacher, Miller, and Mayor Lambird voted yes. Councilwoman Eichhorst voted no. Councilman Eyer abstained. The motion carried.
9-B “Discussion/Possible Action: Intergovernmental Connectivity Request for Use of the City of Olney Police Radio Tower” The Council was provided with a Proposed Intergovernmental Connectivity Request as submitted by the Director of Information Technology for the County, Corey McDonald. Mr. McDonald was also present to speak on the request.
Mr. Bradley told the Council that the County was interested in utilizing the radio tower at the Police Department to support wireless transmissions. This would only increase the City’s electrical bill by about $3.00 per month. If the Council was agreeable to this proposal, the City would then work with the County on what type of documentation would need to be adopted at a future meeting.
Mr. McDonald explained how the County was having difficulty with point-to-point connectivity, and the Police Department radio tower was perfectly situated to allow for this type of connection. As such, Mr. McDonald was requesting permission to use this tower.
Mayor Lambird asked if radio service would be interfered. Mr. McDonald did not expect any interference. He has also sent out a proposed intergovernmental agreement to address all concerns.
Mr. Bradley pointed out that the agreement had not been received until earlier this afternoon. Because of this, approval of this document was not included on the agenda for action.
Mr. McDonald then said that if the City and County ended up sharing IT services in the future, equipment like this would only be helpful.
Action on a formal agreement would be taken at a future Council meeting.
9-C “Resolution: Authorize Acceptance & Execution of a Letter of Intent from the Illinois Department of Transportation Regarding Improvements to FAP 116 (IL 130)” The Council was provided with a proposed resolution that would authorize the acceptance and execution of a letter of intent (LOI) from the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) regarding improvements to FAP 116 (IL 130). The Council was also provided with a copy of the proposed LOI.
Mr. Bradley said that for a few years now, the City was aware that IDOT was formulating plans to resurface Route 130 from the CSX railroad north to 0.4 miles north of Mack Avenue. Mayor Lambird had found out that due to some changes, the City would have the opportunity to have sidewalks installed by the State when the highway got resurfaced. This would be at no cost to the City. In order to
accomplish this, the City would need to submit a longe-range sidewalk plan to the State for their records. This was completed in 2019, and would now be included as part of their upcoming project.
Even so, the City would need to incur some costs related to the project for improving approaches on some streets that intersected with the highway, ADA curb ramp improvements, traffic signal improvements, and some lighted street signs. The project in its entirety was estimated to total $8,352,350.00, and the City would only be contributing $307,150.00.
The proposed LOI would not officially obligate the City to any cost, but would show its good faith on willingness to collaborate. Given what the City would be receiving out of the deal, the contributions seemed modest.
Mr. Bradley understood the need for most of the City’s contributions, but he did want the Council to consider if the lighted street signs should be removed from the project. This would lower the contribution amount by $19,200.00.
Councilwoman Eichhorst asked if the lighted street signs would be bothersome to residential homes. Mr. Bridges did not believe so.
Mr. Bridges then pointed out that the costs listed in the LOI were estimates only. Final costs would be presented after the bid opening, and a formal agreement would need to be signed.
Councilman Eyer asked if TIF funds could be used towards the City’s obligation. Mrs. Guinn indicated that such funds could be used on the portions of the project that were included in the TIF. Additionally, Business District funds and/or MFT funds could be used.
Councilman Eyer moved to approve 2026-R-07, seconded by Councilwoman Eichhorst. A majority affirmative voice vote was received.
AGENDA #10 “REPORTS FROM ELECTED AND APPOINTED OFFICIALS”
10-A “Status Report – City Manager” The Council was provided with a Status Report.
Mr. Bradley then told the Council that the City may be able to get reimbursed on some costs resulting from Winter Storm Fern. Mrs. Guinn and the Street Department Supervisor were working on estimates to send to IEMA.
Councilwoman Eichhorst felt the City had done a great job on snow removal.
Mr. Bradley then reported that a pre-construction meeting had been held with Kieffer Brothers regarding the North Avenue Waterline Project. The project was expected to begin in March.
10-B “RCDC Report” There was no report.
10-C “Chamber of Commerce Report” Councilwoman Eichhorst said that the Chocolate Tour had been successful. Also the dues drive was coming up as was the Ladies Night event. Tickets for Ladies Night were available for purchase at the Chamber.
AGENDA #11 “CLOSED SESSION: SALE OR LEASE PRICE OF REAL PROPERTY; ACQUISITION OF REAL PROPERTY; APPOINTMENT, EMPLOYMENT, COMPENSATION, AND PERFORMANCE OF SPECIFIC EMPLOYEES; CONSIDERATION OF THE SALE OR PURCHASE OF SECURITIES; AND COLLECTIVE NEGOTIATING MATTERS” Councilwoman Eichhorst moved to adjourn to closed session to discuss the sale or lease price of real property; acquisition of real property; appointment, employment, compensation, and performance of specific employees; consideration of the sale or purchase of securities; and collective negotiating matters, seconded by Councilman Miller. A majority affirmative voice vote was received.
The meeting adjourned to closed session at 7:01 p.m.
AGENDA #12 “RECONVENE OPEN SESSION” Councilwoman Eichhorst moved to enter back into open session, seconded by Councilman Eyer. A majority affirmative voice vote was received. Open session resumed at 7:20 p.m.
12-A “Approve Minutes of Closed Session on January 26, 2026” Councilman Eyer moved to approved minutes of closed session on January 26, 2026, seconded by Councilwoman Eichhorst. A majority affirmative voice vote was received.
AGENDA #13 “ADJOURN” With no further business to discuss, Councilwoman Eichhorst moved to adjourn, seconded by Councilman Eyer.
The meeting adjourned at 7:21 p.m.
https://cms2.revize.com/revize/olneynew/cc%20Feb%209%202026.pdf?t=20260210165825053&t=20260210165825053
