East Central Reporter

City of Olney Council met July 23.

Here is the minutes provided by the Council:

Agenda #1 “Call To Order” The July 23, 2018, 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, Belinda Henton, John McLaughlin and Mark Lambird. Councilman Les Harrison was absent. Also present were City Manager Allen Barker, City Clerk Kelsie Sterchi, City Treasurer Jane Guinn, City Attorney Bart Zuber, and City Engineer Roger Charleston.

Agenda #4 “Presentation Of Consent Agenda”

4-A “Approve Minutes of Council Meeting on July 9, 2018”

4-B “Approve and Authorize Payment of Accounts Payable July 24, 2018” Pooled Cash $106,517.31, Manual Pooled Cash $6,509.19, Utility Refunds $1,556.00, Housing Rehab Grant $10,000.00, IMRF $29,243.58, Unemployment $2,485.37, Tourism $6.00, Route 130 TIF $16.50

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. A majority affirmative voice vote was received.

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 “Request/Possible Resolution: City of Olney Commitment as a Richland County C.E.O. Investor” The Council was provided with a letter from the Richland County C.E.O. Richland County C.E.O. Board Member Lauren McClain, Facilitator Sherri Gray, and former student Seth Elliott were present to speak on the request.

Mrs. McClain distributed to the Council a brochure on the Richland County C.E.O. program. She told the Council that the 2017-2018 school year was the first year for the program. The program was extremely successful, and would be continuing. Because of this, the program would need additional investors. As an investor, the City would be committing $1,000.00 per year for three years.

Councilman McLaughlin felt that the program and the request were excellent ideas, and that the City should be investing in the future of its youth.

Councilwoman Fehrenbacher asked how many students were in the program. Mrs. McClain replied that 10 students completed the program in the prior year, and 12 students had been accepted for the coming year.

The Councilwoman then asked if the program was not-for-profit. Mrs. McClain indicated that the RCDC was the program’s umbrella organization and was handling all funds. RCDC was a not-for-profit organization. Additionally, the program was partnering with the Richland County School District.

Councilwoman Fehrenbacher was curious if the School District was also an investor. Mrs. McClain replied that the school was not a formal investor, but was a partner. Also, Olney Central College was partnering with the program to give the students dual credits. Once completing the program, students would earn 14 college credit hours.

Councilwoman Henton wondered how investors’ money was utilized. Mrs. McClain replied that the program itself is purchased through Midland Institute, and includes annual fees. Additionally, there is the expense for a facilitator, student polo shirts, messenger bags, and textbooks.

Mayor Lambird asked how many other communities were participating in the program. Mrs. Gray replied that 50 schools across four states were participating. Other municipalities were investing in the program, as well.

Mr. Zuber indicated that the program was quite unique in the fact that it had an employee of the School District as its facilitator. Most C.E.O. programs pay someone who is not a teacher. Mrs. McClain added that the program was fortunate to have a facilitator that was an educator because it also helped to alleviate retention issues for that position.

Councilwoman Henton asked what other organizations had been asked to become investors. A fairly up to date list was included in the provided brochure that was printed for the recent trade show. Since that time, Avery and Mary Jo McKinney had committed as investors, as well as two to three other organizations. Mrs. McClain could not recall who the other organizations were.

If the request was approved, Councilwoman Fehrenbacher wondered where the money would come from in the budget. Mrs. McClain told that the program’s fiscal year ran October to September. Some investors paid in a lump sum, and others paid quarterly. It did not matter to her how the City chose to support the program. Mayor Lambird felt that the City could approve the request, but pay and budget for it out of the City’s 2019-2020 fiscal year.

Councilwoman Fehrenbacher asked if the City typically provided funds to not-for-profit organizations. Councilman McLaughlin noted that the City contributed to the Chamber of Commerce, RCDC, and the RCHS after prom. He continued that since he had moved to Olney, he had always been interested in having such a program available to the youth. He felt that such a program would encourage the youth to come back to Olney after college to start their careers, and would be a long term benefit to the City.

Mr. Elliott told the Council how much he enjoyed participating in the program during the prior year, and how the program showed him and his peers unknown opportunities that were available to them in Olney.

Councilwoman Henton agreed that the program was excellent, but questioned if the City should be utilizing tax dollars for such a purpose. Councilman McLaughlin felt so, pointing out that a contribution would be an investment in the community.

Councilwoman Henton felt that the City’s responsibilities were more towards issues such as fire protection, police protection, and public works. In that case, Councilman McLaughlin felt that the City should not be contributing towards tourism. Councilwoman Henton countered that the City received tourism funds from hotel/motel tax for that purpose.

Councilman McLaughlin moved to pledge the City as an investor for a contribution of $1,000.00 for three years, and making the first payment during the 2019-2020 fiscal year, seconded by Mayor Lambird. Councilwoman Henton, Councilman McLaughlin, and Mayor Lambird voted yes. Councilwoman Fehrenbacher voted no. The motion carried. Resolution 2018-R-57 will be created.

8-B “Recommendation: Transfer of Fitness Trail Equipment from Rotary Park to Musgrove Park” At the last Council meeting, Morgan Henton informed the City Council that the Rotary Clubs had approached the Parks & Recreation Board about moving the fitness trails from Rotary Park to Musgrove Park to be better utilized. Mr. Barker told the Council that Park Department Supervisor Frank Bradley had attended the Parks & Recreation Board meeting on July 18, 2018, to learn more about the recommendation.

Mr. Bradley told the Council that Andy Thomann, Richland County Rotary, was also present at the Parks & Recreation Board meeting to speak on the possible transfer of the fitness trail equipment. Contrary to what was told at the July 9th Council meeting, the Rotary Clubs were wanting to use City forces to move the equipment. Mr. Bradley was not particularly in favor of the request due to the likelihood of damaging the equipment.

If the request was approved, Mayor Lambird wondered how much the transfer would cost the City. Mr. Bradley was unsure, aside from man hours.

Mayor Lambird wondered how often the equipment was being used at Rotary Park. Mr. Bradley was unsure. He had seen an individual utilizing the equipment earlier in the day, but noted that was a rare occurrence. Mr. Bradley agreed that the equipment may be used more at Musgrove Park, but was not sure to what extent.

From the audience, Mrs. McClain, also a member of the Rotary Club of Olney, noted that her Rotary Club did not agree to the equipment being moved. She added concern over an increased likelihood of vandalism if moved to Musgrove Park.

Learning that both Rotary Clubs were not in favor of the request, the City decided to not take any action.

8-C “Ordinance: Provide for the Regulation of and Application for Small Cell Wireless Facilities” The Council was provided with a proposed ordinance that would provide for the regulation of and application for small cell wireless facilities.

Mr. Zuber told the Council that he had recently met with Code Enforcement Officer Mike Mitchell to talk about ordinance regulations for small cell wireless facilities. Mr. Mitchell had some recommendations in regards to height and administrative waiver. Additionally, Mr. Zuber had added language regarding insurance.

Mayor Lambird felt that due to the fee assessment, the City could receive a significant amount as a result. Mr. Zuber agreed, but added that there was a chance for the Federal government to come through and preempt anything that the City had in place.

Councilman McLaughlin moved to approve Ordinance 2018-41, seconded by Councilwoman Fehrenbacher. Councilman McLaughlin, Mayor Lambird, and Councilwomen Fehrenbacher and Henton voted yes. There were no opposing votes. The motion carried.

8-D “Resolution: Accept State Bid for a 2018 Ford Interceptor Utility AWD for the Police Department and Waive Formal Bidding Procedures” The Council was provided with a proposed resolution to accept a State bid for a 2018 Ford Interceptor Utility AWD for the Police Department, and waive formal bidding procedures.

Mr. Barker reminded the Council that the Police Department had budgeted for the purchase of a new vehicle this year. Similar to last year, it was recommended that the Council accept the State bid in the amount of $36,680.00 for the 2018 Ford Interceptor Utility AWD and waive the bidding procedures.

Mayor Lambird asked Sergeant Schlick for his opinion on the newer, SUV-style police vehicles. Sergeant Schlick replied that the SUV-style was much more conducive for the Department, and that the particular style was designed by police officers.

Councilwoman Henton moved to approve 2018-R-58, seconded by Councilman McLaughlin. A majority affirmative voice vote was received.

8-E “Resolution: Authorize the City Treasurer, In Certain Circumstances, to Pay Vendor Invoices Prior to the Approval of the Mayor and City Council” The Council was provided with a proposed resolution that would authorize the City Treasurer, in certain circumstances, to pay vendor invoices prior to the approval of the City Council.

From time to time, the City deals with calls from vendors, and sometimes has late fees incurred due to the City’s policy of having the Council approve all payables before payment. Mrs. Guinn requested the resolution to avoid such issues and unnecessary late fees.

Councilwoman Henton asked if the resolution would authorize a payment to a vendor that may come to City Hall and demand a check at that time. Mrs. Guinn replied that it would not. The resolution noted that upon the City Manager’s review and approval, Mrs. Guinn would be authorized to pay invoices related to long-term debt, contractual agreements, utilities, insurance, credit cards, and emergency purchases.

Councilwoman Henton moved to approve 2018-R-59, seconded by Councilwoman Fehrenbacher. A majority affirmative voice vote was received.

8-F “Request: Amend Class S Liquor License for The Fireside” Mrs. Sterchi reminded the Council that The Fireside had been granted a Class S Liquor License for the dates of the Sounds of Summer Concert Series for 2018. Unfortunately, two of those performances were rained out, but the bands were able to reschedule for August 2nd and August 9th. The Friends of Olney and The Fireside were requesting that the two rained out dates be swapped out for the rescheduled dates so that The Fireside can continue to be present at the concerts.

Councilwoman Fehrenbacher moved to approve amending the Class S Liquor License for The Fireside by extending the license for August 2nd and August 9th, seconded by Councilman McLaughlin. A majority affirmative voice vote was received.

Agenda #9 “Reports From Elected And Appointed Officials”

9-A “Status Report-City Manager” Mr. Barker told the Council that Varsity Striping would be in town the next day to begin the striping on asphalt streets. Concrete streets would be striped within the next few weeks.

Councilman McLaughlin asked if the citizen-sprayed lines on N. East Street would be removed and painted correctly. Mr. Barker replied that the lines would be removed, and striping would be added to accommodate the allowable parking on the west side of the street. Mr. Barker also had a meeting scheduled with the Street Department Supervisor and City Engineer to review the plans to ensure accuracy.

Mr. Barker then told the Council that a listing of pool hours for the remaining season was available. Functions at the Musgrove Aquatic Center had been going very well this year.

9-B “RCDC Report” RCDC Executive Director Courtney Yockey was not present, so there was no report.

9-C “Chamber of Commerce Report” Councilman McLaughlin reported that the Chamber of Commerce was still looking for teams and caddies for their upcoming Golf Outing.

9-D “Parks & Recreation Board Report” There was no report.

9-E “Tourism Board Report” Councilwoman Henton reported that Illinois Tourism Director, Cory Jobe, had visited southern Illinois last week to promote the newest makers to join the Illinois Made program.

Additionally, the IllinoiSouth Tourism Bureau provided information on economic growth in Illinois. In 2017, Richland County had seen some economic growth. The Councilwoman would be attending the quarterly Tourism meeting later in the month in Casey, Illinois.

Agenda #10 “Public Comments/Presentations” No one from the public wished to speak.

Agenda #11 “Closed Session: Sale Or Lease Price Of Real Property; Acquisition Of Real Property; And Appointment, Employment, Compensation, And Performance Of Specific Employees” Mr. Barker indicated that a closed session was no longer needed.

Agenda #12 “Reconvene Open Session” Because there was no closed session, no action was taken on this item.

Agenda #13 “Adjourn” With no further business to discuss, Councilman McLaughlin moved to adjourn, seconded by Councilwoman Fehrenbacher. A majority affirmative voice vote was received.

The meeting adjourned at 7:26 p.m.

http://www.ci.olney.il.us/cc%20July%2023%202018.pdf