City of Olney City Council met May 26.
Here is the minutes provided by the council:
AGENDA #1 “CALL TO ORDER” The March 26, 2020, special meeting of the Olney City Council was called to order at 2:00 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 video/audio attendees joined in the pledge of allegiance to the flag. Mayor Lambird led the group in prayer.
AGENDA #3 “ROLL CALL” The following Council members were physically present: Greg Eyer, Morgan Fehrenbacher, and Mark Lambird. Also physically present were City Manager Allen Barker, City Clerk Kelsie Sterchi, City Treasurer Jane Guinn, and City Engineer Mike Bridges. Section 6 of Governor Pritzker’s COVID-19 Executive Order No. 5 allowed for attendance to take place via video, audio, and/or telephonic means. Attending by video and audio were City Attorney Bart Zuber, Councilwoman Belinda Henton, and Councilman John McLaughlin.
Section 6 of Governor Pritzker’s COVID-19 Executive Order No. 5 also allowed for video, audio, and/or telephonic access to the meeting by the public while the City Hall building is closed to the public due to COVID-19 precautions. The meeting link was provided on this meeting’s agenda.
AGENDA #4 “PRESENTATION OF CONSENT AGENDA”
4-A “Approve Minutes of City Council Meetings on March 9, 2020, & March 16, 2020” 4-B “Approve and Authorize Payments of Accounts Payable March 24, 2020” Pooled
Cash $103,019.02, Manual Pooled Cash $63,517.85, Utility Refunds $823.31, Project Fund $123,508.24, MFT $1,681.94
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 Eyer 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 “PUBLIC COMMENTS/PRESENTATIONS” No one from the public wished to speak.
AGENDA #9 “PRESENTATION OF ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS, ETC.”
9-A “Discussion/Possible Action: Policies & Procedures Related to Direct Public to Employee Contact” For today’s discussions related to COVID-19, the Council was provided with a copy of Governor Pritzker’s Executive Order 2020-10/COVID-19 Executive Order No. 8.
Governor Pritzker had filed Executive Order 2020-10 on March 20, 2020. The order set forth extensions, new closures, and other restrictions put in place to slow and stop the spread of COVID-19. Illinois schools had already been mandated to close through the end of March, but this executive order extended that closure through April 7, 2020. As of March 16, 2020, the City Council had voted to close the City Hall to direct access by the public.
Before discussing direct public to employee contact, Mr. Barker told the Council that the question had been raised as to whether or not the tennis courts would be considered a type of playground. Executive Order 2020-10 expressly prohibited continued use of playgrounds through April 7, 2020. To Mr. Barker’s knowledge, people continued to congregate at the tennis courts even though the parking lot had been barricaded.
Councilmen McLaughlin and Eyer felt that tennis court use should be permitted because players would be handling their own equipment, and because the nature of the sport followed social distancing. Even so, Mr. Barker noted that large groups of 30 to 40 people had been seen in the area. Councilman McLaughlin noted that many people violated the Governor’s order restricting gatherings of more than 10 people, and felt that should not be allowed. He had no problem with individuals or a few family members getting together to play tennis or go kick a soccer ball around at the soccer fields.
Mr. Barker cautioned that gatherings at the tennis courts, or other recreational facilities, could be problematic if more than one group under 10 people congregated at a location. He questioned if certain people would be asked to leave, or everyone altogether. Councilman Eyer felt that it should be up to the public to use common sense, especially since word seemed to spread quickly on mandates from the Governor.
Park Department Supervisor Frank Bradley told the Council that the tennis courts and the large parking lot at the Musgrove Park Ball Diamonds had both been barricaded off to help keep down numbers. He wanted to be careful not to indicate that all areas were open and to be used as usual. Even though the Governor had restricted gatherings of 10 or more people, Mr. Bradley noted that Musgrove Park was full of people over the weekend.
While Councilman Eyer agreed that the easiest way to handle these situations would be to shut down the parks completely, he wanted life to continue as normally as possible and wanted people to continue to enjoy activities. He felt that if the police saw larger congregations, then they should step in to have those gatherings of people disburse.
Overall, the Council was in favor to allow the tennis courts and other recreational facilities to be open for recreation, as long as social distancing and gathering limitations were recognized.
For clarification, Mr. Bradley asked if the Council wished for the ball diamonds to be open for use. Councilman Eyer did not believe so. He felt that the nature of baseball and softball was much different than that of tennis in regard to the amount of people needed to play, and the close proximity of players.
Mr. Bradley asked if smaller families should be allowed. Councilwoman Fehrenbacher felt it would be difficult to control many families from using the facilities.
Referencing Executive Order 2020-10, Councilman McLaughlin noted that outdoor activity was allowed. He quoted that, “Individuals may go to public parks and open outdoor recreation areas. However, playgrounds may increase spread of COVID-10, and therefore shall be closed.” He felt the Governor encouraged individuals to go to open outdoor recreation areas to recreate.
The Council agreed that Mr. Bradley should keep playgrounds closed off, but open up other areas in the park for individuals and/or families to enjoy. No gathering should have more than 10 individuals.
Mr. Zuber pointed out that the Executive Order stated that all gatherings of any number of people outside of a single household or living unit would be prohibited. This meant that groups of friends should not be gathering together.
Mayor Lambird asked if there were any comments regarding direct public to employee contact. Mrs. Sterchi informed the Council that a few other communities were beginning to stagger work shifts to stay ahead of COVID-19. Some other communities were also working from home and only coming into the office sparingly to handle functions like payments, deposits, and payroll. She asked if the Council wished to keep operations as-is. The Council did not wish to alter work shifts at this time.
Councilwoman Fehrenbacher moved to keep all City staff working as-is, and to extend City Hall closure to the public through April 7, 2020, seconded by Councilman Eyer. A majority affirmative voice vote was received.
9-B “Discussion/Possible Action: Closure of Parks, Recreational Sites, and Leased Ground” The Council was provided with a current listing of events and reservations for City property from current through the end of May, 2020. At the last meeting of the Council on March 16, 2020, the Council took action to cancel events and reservations on City property through the end of March, 2020.
Because of Executive Order 2020-10, the Council felt that all current events and reservations through April 7, 2020, should be cancelled.
Councilman Eyer and Mr. Bradley noted that Little League had recently updated their information to say that no games should take place through May 11, 2020.
Mrs. Sterchi then expressed some concern regarding lake access. While Executive Order 2020-10 allowed for individuals to leave the confines of their homes for recreation, non-essential travel was prohibited. She and other City staff had been receiving phone calls from boaters out of Chicago, Indianapolis, Cisne, Sumner, etc., that were asking if Olney’s lake access was open. City staff had been advising these non-Richland County residents of the non-essential travel order, but she was not confident that they would comply.
Councilwoman Henton shared Mrs. Sterchi’s concern. She pointed out that many campers at local campgrounds came from near Chicago where there were confirmed cases of COVID-19. Even so, Councilman McLaughlin pointed out that the City had no control over the campgrounds. Councilwoman Henton understood, but wondered if the City should make a formal statement about non-essential travel being prohibited. Councilwoman Fehrenbacher did not feel it would be of any use since the State had already done so.
Currently, Richland County and surrounding counties did not have any confirmed cases of COVID-19, and Councilman Eyer wanted to keep it that way by protecting Richland County. However, he wondered if the City could restrict certain access to the lakes. Mr. Zuber felt that was an interesting question and was not certain.
Councilman Eyer wondered if the City should prohibit the sale of boat stickers to people outside of Richland County. Mrs. Sterchi pointed out that several people outside of Richland County already had a 2020 boat sticker. Even so, Councilman Eyer felt that the temporary prohibition of such sales could deter some future travel to the lakes while the Executive Order was in place.
Councilwoman Henton moved to prohibit the sale of boat stickers and daily boat tags to individuals residing outside of Richland County until further notice, seconded by Councilman Eyer. A majority affirmative voice vote was received.
9-C “Discussion/Possible Action: Suspension of Special Event Applications and/or Revocation of Special Event Permits” Mrs. Sterchi wondered if the Council wished to suspend Special Event Applications through a specific date and/or if the Council wished to revoke any approved Special Use Permits through a certain date.
Councilman Eyer moved to cancel park reservations and Special Events, including fishing tournaments, on City property through April 12, 2020, seconded by Councilwoman Henton. A majority affirmative voice vote was received.
9-D “Discussion/Possible Action: Future Meeting Schedules for Regular Meetings of the City Council and Other City Boards & Commissions” At the last Council meeting, all regularly scheduled open meetings of the City Council and City Boards/Commissions were cancelled through the end of the month. Mrs. Sterchi was curious if the Council wished to extend this action through a different date.
The Council did not wish to cancel any regular meetings between this date and the next City Council meeting date of April 13, 2020.
9-E “Discussion/Possible Resolution: Liquor License Renewal Extensions” Due to the hardships all business owners were currently facing, Mayor Lambird wished for the Council to discuss the possibility of extending the renewal time frame for liquor licenses. Currently, licenses for 2019/2020 were set to expire on May 14, 2020.
Mayor Lambird reported that the State of Illinois had allowed for an extension on State liquor license renewals through July 31, 2020. He wondered if the Council would be willing to allow for liquor license establishments to submit the proper renewal documents, but to then also allow an extension on payment.
Councilwoman Fehrenbacher asked for clarification as to whether or not the 2019/2020 licenses would be extended, or new 2020/2021 licenses would be issued out. Mayor Lambird suggested that new licenses would be issued out, but the requirement for payment would be delayed.
Councilwoman Fehrenbacher asked Mr. Zuber if such an extension would be a problem. Mr. Zuber felt that payment extensions would be allowable.
Councilman Eyer moved to postpone liquor license renewal payment up to 60 days past the point that licensed bars/restaurants/gaming parlors/private clubs were allowed to re-open for regular business, seconded by Councilman McLaughlin. A majority affirmative voice vote was received. Resolution 2020-R-14 would be created.
9-F “Discussion/Possible Action: Recommendation of the Joint Review Board Regarding the Development Plan and Project for the South Olney TIF Redevelopment Project” The Council was provided with a copy of the Recommendation of the Joint Review Board (JRB) Regarding the Redevelopment Plan and Project for the South Olney TIF Redevelopment Project Area, and a copy of the proposed Tax Increment Financing Redevelopment Plan & Project for the South Olney Redevelopment Project Area as prepared by PGAV Planners.
Mr. Barker told the Council that on March 4, 2020, the Joint Review Board passed the included recommendation. The JRB was recommending for the Council to formally approve the redevelopment plan and project for the South Olney TIF Redevelopment Project Area. Mr. Barker asked that the Council take action on acknowledging the JRB’s support.
RCDC Executive Director Courtney Yockey told the Council that plans were continuing to move forward in accordance with the Boundary Amendment Schedule. While things were continuously changing in regards to COVID-19, Mr. Yockey expected to continue moving forward with the plan until directed otherwise.
The public hearing regarding this topic was scheduled for April 13, 2020. Mr. Barker noted that notices had already been sent out regarding the public hearing.
Councilwoman Henton moved to acknowledge the recommendation of the JRB regarding the Development Plan and Project for the South Olney TIF Redevelopment Project Area, seconded by Councilwoman Fehrenbacher. A majority affirmative voice vote was received.
9-G “Resolution: Authorize a Bank Account for the Purpose of Restricting Cannabis Excise Tax as Required by 30 ILCS 105/62-107” The Council was provided with a proposed resolution that would authorize a bank account for the purpose of restricting Cannabis Excise Tax.
Mrs. Guinn told the Council that the City had received its first Cannabis Excise Tax payment from the State of about $600.00. The tax is restricted for funding crime prevention programs, training, and interdiction efforts, including detection, enforcement, and prevention efforts, relating to the illegal cannabis market and driving under the influence of cannabis. Because of this, Mrs. Guinn was requesting a separate bank account to restrict the funds.
Councilwoman Fehrenbacher moved to approve 2020-R-15, seconded by Councilman Eyer. A majority affirmative voice vote was received.
Mayor Lambird asked Mrs. Guinn how much Cannabis Excise Tax she expected to receive. Mrs. Guinn replied that she expected to receive anywhere from $7,000.00 to $8,000.00 next year.
9-H “Resolution: Authorize a Bank Account for the Purpose of Receiving and Distributing OSLAD Grant Funds” The Council was provided with a proposed resolution that would authorize a bank account for the purpose of receiving and distributing OSLAD grant funds.
Mrs. Guinn told the Council that one of the requirements of the OSLAD grant was to deposit funds into an interest-bearing account, and refund the funds to the City as they were spent. Therefore, Mrs. Guinn was requesting a checking account to be established for OSLAD grant funds.
Councilwoman Fehrenbacher moved to approve 2020-R-16, seconded by Councilman Eyer. A majority affirmative voice vote was received.
9-I “Resolution: Transfer Money from Tourism Fund to General Corporate Fund” The Council was provided with a proposed resolution that would transfer money from the Tourism Fund to the General Corporate Fund.
Mrs. Guinn reminded the Council that the 2019/2020 budget included a transfer of funds from Tourism to General to reimburse the City for some of Mrs. Sterchi’s time spent on tourism activities. Budgeted funds for 2019/2020 were in the amount of $4,775.00.
Councilwoman Henton moved to approve 2020-R-17, seconded by Councilman McLaughlin. A majority affirmative voice vote was received.
AGENDA #10 “2020/2021 BUDGET DISCUSSIONS”
10-A “General Corporate” Mrs. Guinn ran through a slideshow of General Corporate’s proposed budgets for 2020/2021. She pointed out that three recent changes had been made in the 2020/2021 plans. First, she added expense for the pour-in-place rubber at the Together We Play Park. Expense for software was also removed out of the Fire Department. Lastly, Mrs. Guinn had now budgeted to move funds from the TIF into General for the City’s portion of the OSLAD grant.
Mrs. Guinn continued to review department budgets in General, pointing out line items that may be confusing or need more explanation.
In 420 (Administrative), Mrs. Guinn pointed out that Contractual Services had a large decrease because the Housing Rehab Grant was not included for 2020/2021. While a transfer from General to Fire Pension in the amount of $44,000.00 was included in the 2019/2020 budget, no such transfer was budgeted for 2020/2021. Mrs. Guinn then stated that Capital Outlay in 420 included $2,000.00 for a computer for the City Manager, $20,000.00 for server upgrades, $35,000.00 for downtown improvements, and $50,000.00 for contingencies.
In 421 (Sanitary Hauling), Mrs. Guinn reminded the Council that the current rate through Republic Services would be good through the end of February, 2021. After that point, the agreement allowed for an increase from Republic Services of up to 3% per year. Because of this, Mrs. Guinn budgeted income and expense at the current rate for 10 months, and budgeted 2 months at a 3% increase.
For 426 (Code Enforcement), Mrs. Guinn noted that the budgeted amount for 2019/2020 Personnel Services was due to having two full-time Code Enforcement Officers on the payroll while Dallas Colwell was training under Mike Mitchell. There was a decrease in Personnel Services for 2020/2021 because Mr. Mitchell had retired, and Mr. Colwell was the only full-time Code Enforcement Officer. The 426 Contractual Services line item had increased due to anticipated demolitions.
In 429 (City Hall Maintenance), Mrs. Guinn stated that $10,000.00 had been included for repairs and remodeling at City Hall.
The 430 (Fire Department) budget did not include funds from the IPRF grant for 2020/2021 because that grant would be going to the Police Department for next year. The Donations line item was also empty. For Capital Outlay, $6,180.00 was included for Portable Radios, $5,800.00 for Bunker Gear, and $1,400.00 for Air Pack Cylinders.
In 440 (Police Department), a line item for Cannabis Excise Tax had been included, and Mrs. Guinn budgeted to receive $7,292.00 for 2020/2021. The IPRF grant was also expected for 440 in the amount of $6,925.00. IPRF, DOJ, and FOP grant funds would be used towards the capital purchase of vests. Vests were budgeted to cost $21,450.00. The City of Olney would be contributing about $5,000.00 from General.
In 440’s spending, Contractual Services had increased because the State of Illinois would no longer be paying for Academy training. Trainings would now cost the City $7,300.00 for each trainee. Capital Outlay items, other than vests, included $38,000.00 for Police Vehicles, $5,000.00 for Tasers, $2,500.00 for Office Computer, $4,000.00 for In Car Cameras, $5,000.00 for In Car Computers, and $500.00 for Office Furniture.
The 450 (Parks & Cemeteries) budget included a $111,753.00 transfer in from the TIF for the City’s OSLAD grant match. That amount plus the $90,000.00 worth of in-house labor would make up the total $207,000.00 City match.
Capital Outlay in 450 included $22,000.00 for a half-ton pickup, $23,500.00 for riding mowers, $8,500.00 for playground mulch, $29,000.00 for Together We Play Park-Rubber Surface, and $413,500.00 for OSLAD Walking Trail/RR.
Income for 454 (Recreation) would be down for 2020/2021 because an insurance payment from storm damage had been received in 2019/2020. Supplies had been budgeted to see an increase due to chemical costs. No capital had been budgeted in this department.
The income for 460 (Street Department) was showing a significant increase due to the expected receipt of $251,685.00 in CDAP funds for repairs to the Elliott Street Bridge. The total cost for the Elliott Street Bridge Project was budgeted to come in at $638,256.00. Mr. Bridges indicated that some extra costs could be incurred for curb replacement.
Capital Outlay for 460, other than Elliott Street Bridge, included $90,000.00 for a backhoe, $22,000.00 for a half-ton pickup, $100,000.00 for the Main/Walnut Storm Sewer Project, and $40,000.00 for the Whittle Avenue Railroad Crossing Project.
Overall, Mrs. Guinn stated that the General Corporate budget for 2020/2021 was expected to come in unfavorable by ($654,420.00). To help pay for that unfavorable amount, Mrs. Guinn reported that the General Capital Improvement Fund could contribute $134,000.00 for the two half-ton pickups and the backhoe. The Perpetual Care Fund could contribute $7,850.00 for one riding lawn mower. The Main/Walnut Storm Sewer Fund would contribute $100,000.00. Reserves would be used to pay $25,999.00 for the Together We Play – Rubber Surface, and $386,571.00 for the Elliott Street Bridge.
Because the effects of the COVID-19 outbreak would greatly reduce income such as hotel/motel and sales taxes, Councilman McLaughlin felt it would be wiser to remove the budgeted funds for the half-ton pickups and backhoe, and place them into Contingencies in case those funds were needed elsewhere. Mr. Barker replied that the funds to be used towards those purchases were already restricted in the Capital Improvement Fund. Additionally, when the time came, none of those purchases could be made without getting Council approval first.
Councilman Eyer also suspected that the City could see some sort of assistance, such as what was becoming available for businesses.
Councilman Fehrenbacher agreed that some capital purchases may not be made if the funds are needed elsewhere. At any rate, she did not see the harm in budgeting for such items, but taking the current state of affairs into consideration before approving the actual purchases.
Councilman McLaughlin pointed out that it only took three Council votes to approve a purchase, and would take four Council votes to actually change the budget. Because of this, he felt having those funds in Contingencies would allow for more flexibility.
Mrs. Guinn agreed that many aspects of the budget could be affected due to the unknowns associated with COVID-19. Future budget changes would be expected.
Councilman Eyer pointed out that the equipment hoping to be replaced had already gone well past their service life. Councilwoman Fehrenbacher asked if the equipment was still running. Street Department Supervisor Tyler Kocher said the equipment was currently running, but spent much time in the Mechanic’s garage.
Councilwoman Henton was aware that new mowers were one of the first things purchased in a new budget year. She wondered if that purchase would be allowable. Mr. Bradley had located some two year old mowers that could be purchased at a reduced cost. Mr. Barker wondered if Mr. Bradley could hold off for a bit on the purchase of the mowers. Mr. Bradley was unsure, but would have a conversation with the seller.
10-B “Miscellaneous Funds” Mrs. Guinn ran through a slideshow of Miscellaneous Funds’ proposed budgets for 2020/2021.
Mrs. Guinn told the Council that the Police Pension Board had to cancel their meeting due to the COVID-19 outbreak and therefore had not formally voted to recommend approval of the Police Pension Budget. Even so, Mrs. Guinn did not expect that there would have been any issue with the proposed budget.
For 2020/2021, Mrs. Guinn expected the Police Pension budget to end favorably by $209,892.00. Councilman Eyer wondered why Interest/Dividend Income was projected at $210,793.00 for 2019/2020, but only $48,000.00 for 2020/2021. Mrs. Guinn replied that the line item was typically budgeted low because some recordings are not made until the auditors perform their review.
The Fire Pension budget was expected to come in favorably by $15,827.00.
For MFT, the budget was expected to come in unfavorably by ($214,300.00). Mrs. Guinn pointed out that the project incomes could also greatly change based on the effect of COVID-19 on travel and gas purchases. Contractual Services included $175,000.00 for the regular road maintenance program, $19,800.00 for equipment rental, $19,000.00 for street grading, $2,500.00 to paint traffic lines, $300,000.00 for the reconstruction of the 300 and 400 blocks of N. Silver Street, and $82,000.00 for the remaining balance on the Whittle Avenue Project.
Even though the MFT budget was expected to come in unfavorable, Mrs. Guinn pointed out that the MFT bank balance still held $537,475.00.
The Route 130 TIF District budget was expected to end unfavorably by ($275,553.00). Mrs. Guinn indicated that the Route 130 TIF District Account had a balance of $309,797.00. Total fund commitments also totaled $412,753.00 for expenses in 2020/2021.
Because of the VFW’s plans for a memorial wall/fountain in the City Park, Councilwoman Henton wondered if the $20,000.00 could be removed from the budget for City Park fountain repair. Because the Council had not taken formal action on approving the VFW’s project, Mrs. Guinn had left that line item in place.
If the VFW’s project was approved, Councilwoman Henton felt that the $20,000.00 could instead be used for repairs to the tennis courts. Mr. Bradley stated that courts four through six should not be resurfaced. The proper course of action for those courts would be a complete rebuild at an estimated cost of $150,000.00 to $200,000.00. Courts one through three could be crack sealed and resurfaced.
Mrs. Guinn told the Council that the public hearing for the 2020/2021 budget would take place at the Council meeting on April 13, 2020. Changes could also be made at that time. She hoped to have the budget passed at the April 27, 2020, Council meeting.
Before moving on to closed session, Mr. Barker reported that the Street Department was in the process of power washing downtown sidewalks. Mr. Barker had also been receiving some different opinions on what should happen with the downtown planters. Options discussed were to either remove the planters or offer them to businesses to own.
Councilwomen Fehrenbacher and Henton preferred having businesses own the planters. Councilman Eyer thought that businesses already adopted planters. Councilwoman Fehrenbacher replied that planter issues had changed several times over the years. At one point, a particular organization was taking care of them all. Now, some businesses were taking care of planters, and others were not.
Councilman Eyer did not recommend removing the planter in front of Ivy’s Cottage. Neither did the rest of the Council.
Mr. Barker planned on sending a letter to downtown businesses to either paint their planters by May 15, 2020, or request to have the planter removed.
Councilwoman Fehrenbacher asked if weeds could be sprayed immediately after the power washing of downtown sidewalks. Mr. Kocher replied that the weeds were sprayed several times per year. The excess rain would make the killing of weeds take longer.
AGENDA #11 “CLOSED SESSION: SALE OR LEASE PRICE OF REAL PROPERTY; ACQUISITION OF REAL PROPERTY; APPOINTMENT, EMPLOYMENT, COMPENSATION, AND PERFORMANCE OF SPECIFIC EMPLOYEES; AND COLLECTIVE NEGOTIATING MATTERS” Councilwoman Fehrenbacher 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; and collective negotiating matters, seconded by Councilman Eyer. A majority affirmative voice vote was received.
Councilman Eyer, Councilwoman Fehrenbacher, Mayor Lambird, City Manager Barker, City Treasurer Guinn, and City Clerk Sterchi left the Council Chambers at 3:16 p.m. Councilman McLaughlin, Councilwoman Henton, and City Attorney Zuber would attend the closes session meeting via video/audio conference.
AGENDA #12 “RECONVENE OPEN SESSION” Upon return of those who were in closed session to the Council Chambers, Councilman Eyer moved to enter back into open session, seconded by Councilwoman Fehrenbacher. A majority affirmative voice vote was received. Open session resumed at 3:31 p.m.
Councilman McLaughlin asked who would be leading the application process for the downstate small business stimulus program that was expected to be released the next day. Small businesses wishing to apply would need to do so in conjunction with the City.
Mayor Lambird expected that more information would be known when the specifications were released. He also felt that the Greater Wabash Regional Planning Commission would play a role.
Mr. Barker indicated that interested businesses could contact him.
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 3:37 p.m.
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