East Central Reporter

Olney City Council met October 9.

Here is the minutes provided by the Council:

Agenda #1 “Call To Order” The October 9, 2017, meeting of the Olney City Council was called to order at 7:00 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. John Monroe led the group in prayer.

Agenda #3 “Roll Call” The following Council members were present: Morgan Fehrenbacher, Les Harrison, Belinda Henton, John McLaughlin, and Mark Lambird. Also present were City Manager Allen Barker, City Clerk Kelsie Sterchi, Assistant City Treasurer Jane Guinn, City Treasurer Chuck Sanders, and City Engineer Charleston.

Agenda #4 “Presentation Of Consent Agenda”

4-A “Approve Minutes of Council Meeting on September 25, 2017”

4-B “Approve and Authorize Payment of Accounts Payable October 10, 2017” Pooled Cash $137,068.72, Manual Pooled Cash $105,895.31, Petty Cash $250.25, Utility Refunds $2,240.39, IMRF $27,828.44, MFT $56,275.90, Unemployment $1,867.38, IRP $1,047.00, Tourism $112.50, Christmas Light Display $4.99, Route 130 TIF $40.00

4-C “Raffle License: VFW Womens’ Auxiliary”

4-D “Special Event Request: Closure of Main Street from Elliott to Whittle and Whittle to Chestnut Street on October 27, 2017, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. for the TrustBank Halloween Parade”

4-E “Special Event Request: Closure of Main Street from Walnut to Kitchell on November 11, 2017, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. for the VFW Veteran’s Day Program”

4-F “Special Event Request: Closure of East Street from Scott to Main, Main to Whittle, and Whittle to W. North from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. for the Olney Christmas Parade”

4-G “Raffle License: Richland County Homefront”

4-H “Approve City Council Travel Expense Reports from April 10, 2017 – Present”

Agenda #5 “Removal Of Items From Consent Agenda” No items were requested for removal from the consent agenda.

Agenda #6 “Consideration Of Consent Agenda” Councilman McLaughlin moved to approve the items on the consent agenda, seconded by Councilwoman Fehrenbacher. Councilwomen Fehrenbacher, Henton, Councilmen Harrison, McLaughlin, and Mayor Lambird voted yes. There were no opposing votes. The motion carried.

Agenda #7 “Consideration Of Items Removed From Consent Agenda” No consideration was necessary since no items were removed from the consent agenda.

Agenda #8 “Presentation Of Ordinances, Resolutions, Etc.”

8-A “Discussion/Possible Action: Christmas Parade Temporary No Parking Areas Along Staging Area and Parade Route” At the August 8, 2016, City Council meeting, the Council authorized a temporary no parking order along the north side of Main Street and the west side of S. Whittle Avenue to Chestnut Street the day of the Christmas Parade from 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Councilman McLaughlin was requesting that the Council now consider a temporary no parking order on both sides of the parade route for the same time frame.

During the 2016 Christmas Parade, there was a gap in the parade where some people who had parked along Whittle Avenue took the opportunity to pull out and leave while the rest of the parade was continuing. Additionally, the Councilman had safety concerns with children running out from behind parked cars and turnability for parade entries with semis. The temporary no parking from 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. should accommodate most of the lunchtime rush downtown. If approved, he would recommend that the Police Department place the temporary no parking order signs the day before to give the public plenty of notice. Handicap parking areas could be designated in other areas, such as parking lots, than on the roads.

Councilman Harrison moved to approve temporary no parking on both sides of the Christmas Parade route along N. East Street, W. Main Street, and S. Whittle Avenue from 3:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. the day of the Christmas Parade, seconded by Councilwoman Henton. A majority affirmative voice vote was received. The temporary no parking order will be valid each year, unless another request is received.

Agenda #9 “Reports From Elected And Appointed Officials”

9-A “Status Report-City Manager” Mr. Barker told the Council that he, the City Attorney and the City Treasurer had met with the Sealses regarding the redevelopment agreement at Parkside Plaza. Additional changes were being made that should be ready for action at the October 23, 2017, meeting. Additional changes had also been made on the Little League agreement which should also be ready for action at the next Council meeting.

The much anticipated, brand new, Pierce fire truck had arrived. Fire Chief Hill had brought the truck up to City Hall so the Council could take a look. Because of some modifications, the City saved $7,200.00 from the original cost.

Mr. Barker continued that department supervisors were preparing for the end of the year. The Park Department would be working on painting the pool at the Musgrove Aquatic Center and putting up Christmas lights in the City Park. Additionally, some drainage repairs were being made and the leaf collection should begin either the last week of October or the first week of November, depending how quickly the leaves fall.

City Engineer Charleston told the Council that prime had been laid on the concrete along S. Whittle Avenue in anticipation of asphalt work. From there, striping, seeding and mulching work would take place.

Providing for cooperation from the weather, Councilwoman Fehrenbacher wondered when the road would be re-opened to the public. Mr. Charleston could not give a for-certain date, but expected the first part of November.

9-B “RCDC Report” RCDC Executive Director Courtney Yockey told the Council that the U.S. 50 Coalition had a successful golf outing. Additionally, Parkside Plaza was looking to have a groundbreaking ceremony on October 26, 2017.

9-C “Chamber of Commerce Report” Councilman McLaughlin had nothing to report.

9-D “Parks & Recreation Board Report” The Parks & Recreation Board had not yet met for the month, so there was nothing to report.

9-E “Tourism Board Report” The Tourism Board had not yet met for the quarter, so there was nothing to report.

Councilwoman Fehrenbacher asked if the City Brush Dump would be open more often during the Fall. City Clerk Sterchi replied that she did not believe that extended hours were being scheduled. She added that if residents had leaves that were bagged, they could call into City Hall to schedule pick up.

The City Treasurer reported that the City had received its Public Risk Fund grant from its worker’s compensation carrier in the amount of $8,164.00. The money would be used to purchase Tasers and in-car computers for the Police Department.

Mr. Sanders continued that the City had also received its High Growth Cities Program allotment in the amount of $3,380.00. Income tax vouchers for September had also been received.

Assistant City Treasurer Guinn then told that the second installment of the tax levy had been received and the third installment would be received later in the year.

Mayor Lambird pointed out that the High Growth Cities Program allotment was provided based off of the 2010 census because the City of Olney was one of the fastest growing communities in Illinois. The money could only be used for the same sort of projects that MFT funds were used for.

Mayor Lambird then added that he had received a letter from the Olney Arts Council (OAC) thanking the City for how wonderful the City Park looked for their event. Mayor Lambird and the OAC thanked the City staff for their help.

Agenda #10 “Public Comments/Presentations”

10-A “Brian O’Neill” Mr. O’Neill told the Council that he would not be speaking this evening.

Agenda #11 “Closed Session: Sale Price Of Real Property; Acquisition Of Real Property; And Appointment, Employment And Performance Of Specific Employees” Councilwoman Fehrenbacher moved to adjourn to closed session to discuss sale or lease price of real property; acquisition of real property; and appointment, employment, compensation, and performance of specific employees, seconded by Councilwoman Henton. A majority affirmative voice vote was received.

Councilmen McLaughlin, Harrison, Councilwomen Henton, Fehrenbacher, Mayor Lambird, City Treasurer Chuck Sanders, City Attorney Zuber, and City Clerk Sterchi left the Council Chambers at 7:12 p.m.

Agenda #12 “Reconvene Open Session” Upon return of those who were in closed session to the Council Chambers, Councilwoman Henton moved to enter back into open session, seconded by Councilwoman Fehrenbacher. A majority affirmative voice vote was received. Open session resumed at 7:32 p.m.

Agenda #13 “Adjourn” Councilman McLaughlin moved to adjourn, seconded by Councilman Harrison. A majority affirmative voice vote was received.

The meeting adjourned at 7:33 p.m.

http://www.ci.olney.il.us/cc%20Oct%209%202017.pdf