East Central Reporter

City of Olney City Council met Jan. 10.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

AGENDA #1 “CALL TO ORDER” The 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 Pro-Tem John McLaughlin presiding.

AGENDA #2 “PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG-PRAYER” Council members and visitors joined in the pledge of allegiance to the flag. Steve Wingert led the group in prayer.

AGENDA #3 “ROLL CALL” The following Council members were physically present: Greg Eyer, John McLaughlin, Morgan Fehrenbacher, and Belinda Henton. Also present were City Manager Allen Barker, City Treasurer Jane Guinn, City Attorney Bart Zuber, and City Clerk Kelsie Sterchi. Several State of Illinois Executive Orders allowed for attendance to take place via video, audio, and/or telephonic means as the COVID-19 crisis continues. Attending by audio/video was Mayor Mark Lambird.

AGENDA #4 “PRESENTATION OF CONSENT AGENDA”

4-A “Approve Minutes of the Special Council Meeting on December 21, 2021”

4-B “Approve and Authorize Payment of Accounts Payable December 27, 2021, & January 11, 2022” Pooled Cash $245,832.42, Manual Pooled Cash $337,113.79, Adjustments $64.11, Utility Refunds $1,241.23, Petty Cash $45.70, Foreign Fire $144.77, Elliot Street Bridge $18,810.00, MFT $63,893.77, IMRF $101,466.03, Liability Insurance $50,188.10, Workers Compensation $63,390.11, Tourism $2,611.42, Christmas Light Display $1,473.35, Route 130 TIF $103,152.19

AGENDA #5 “REMOVAL OF ITEMS FROM CONSENT AGENDA” No items were requested for removal from the consent agenda.

AGENDA #6 “CONSIDERATION OF CONSENT AGENDA” Councilwoman Henton moved to approve the items on the consent agenda, seconded by Councilwoman Fehrenbacher. Councilman Eyer, Councilwomen Fehrenbacher, Henton, Mayor Pro-Tem McLaughlin, and Mayor Lambird voted yes. There were no opposing votes. The motion carried.

AGENDA #7 “CONSIDERATION OF ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT AGENDA” No items were requested for removal from the consent agenda.

AGENDA #8 “PRESENTATION OF ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS, ETC.”

8-A “Discussion/Possible Ordinance: Amend Paragraph B of Section 5.40.040 (Filing of Application and Fee Provisions) of the City of Olney Municipal Code” The Council was provided with a proposed ordinance that would amend Paragraph B of Section 5.40.040 (Filing of application and fee provisions.) of the City of Olney Municipal Code. The Council was also provided with a Fact Sheet from IML regarding updates to video gaming laws.

Mayor Lambird told the Council that Public Act 102-0689 allowed municipalities to now charge a video game terminal fee of $250.00 per terminal, per year, compared to the previously allowed amount of $25.00 per terminal, per year. That fee should be paid for equally from the terminal operator and the licensed establishment. The Mayor recommended that the Council authorize increasing the terminal fee to the $250.00.

Councilwoman Henton moved to amend Paragraph B of Section 5.40.040 (Filing of application and fee provisions.) of the City of Olney Municipal Code, as presented.

Councilman Eyer asked if the Council would be willing to exempt not-for-profit organizations from the fee increase. The Council seemed willing to allow for that exemption as long as it was allowed by the statute.

Councilwoman Henton withdrew her motion.

City Attorney Zuber would research the statute before the next meeting to see if not-for-profit organizations could be exempt from increases.

8-B “Resolution: Authorize Execution of an Engineering Services Agreement Between the City of Olney & Charleston Engineering, Inc., for the Silver Street Reconstruction Project” The Council was provided with a proposed resolution that would authorize the execution of an Engineering Services Agreement between the City of Olney and Charleston Engineering, Inc., for the Silver Street Reconstruction Project. The Council was also provided with a copy of the proposed agreement.

Mr. Barker told the Council that since MFT funds would be used for the Silver Street Reconstruction Project, an Engineering Services Agreement was required.

Councilwoman Fehrenbacher moved to approve 2022-R-01, seconded by Councilman Eyer. Councilwomen Henton, Fehrenbacher, Mayor Pro-Tem McLaughlin, Mayor Lambird, and Councilman Eyer voted yes. There were no opposing votes. The motion carried.

8-C “Ordinance: Authorize the City of Olney, Richland County, Illinois, to Borrow Funds from the Water Pollution Control Loan Program” The Council was provided with a proposed ordinance that would authorize the City to borrow funds from the Water Pollution Control Loan Program.

Mr. Barker reminded the Council that in September of 2020, the Council had approved a similar ordinance that authorized the City to borrow $600,000.00 from the IEPA’s Water Pollution Control Loan Program for the addition of UV disinfection at the Sewer Plant. Due to increased project costs, it was necessary that a new ordinance be approved that would authorize the City to instead borrow $750,000.00 from the IEPA loan program.

Mayor Pro-Tem McLaughlin asked if the loan was low interest. Mr. Barker confirmed and added that part of the loan would also be forgiven.

Councilwoman Fehrenbacher moved to approve Ordinance 2022-01, seconded by Councilwoman Henton. Mayor Pro-Tem McLaughlin, Mayor Lambird, Councilman Eyer, Councilwomen Fehrenbacher, and Henton voted yes. There were no opposing votes. The motion carried.

8-D “Resolution: Authorize Points of Contact for the SLFRF Reporting Related to the Coronavirus State & Local Fiscal Recovery Funds” The Council was provided with a proposed resolution that would authorize points of contact for the SLFRF reporting related to the Coronavirus State & Local Fiscal Recovery Funds.

Mrs. Guinn told the Council that as a part of the SLFRF established by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) award administration, each SLFRF recipient must designate individuals to serve as official points of contact for SLFRF reporting to the Treasury. As a recipient, the City would need to designate an individual for the roles of Account Administrator, Point of Contact for Reporting, and Authorized Representative for Reporting.

Mrs. Guinn suggested herself to be designated as the Account Administrator and Point of Contact for Reporting, and to have Mayor Lambird be designated as the Authorized Representative for Reporting.

Councilwoman Henton moved to approve 2022-R-02, seconded by Councilwoman Fehrenbacher. Mayor Lambird, Councilman Eyer, Councilwomen Fehrenbacher, Henton, and Mayor Pro-Tem McLaughlin voted yes. There were no opposing votes. The motion carried.

8-E “Resolution: Amend the Fiscal Year 202-2022 Budget for Camp Street Repair” The Council was provided with a proposed resolution that would amend the budget for the repair work on Camp Street.

Mrs. Guinn reminded the Council that the Camp Street resurfacing work had not been included in this year’s budget. A budget amendment was needed to create an expense line item in the Street Department for Camp Street Repair in the amount of $187,855.00. The project would be funded from reserves in the General Fund.

Mayor Pro-Tem McLaughlin moved to approve 2022-R-03, seconded by Councilwoman Henton. Councilwomen Fehrenbacher, Henton, Mayor Pro-Tem McLaughlin, Mayor Lambird, and Councilman Eyer voted yes. There were no opposing votes. The motion carried.

8-F “Resolution: Amend Resolution No. 2018-R-70 Accepting Public Improvements Constructed in Lots 61-86 of Southcove Subdivision” The Council was provided with a proposed resolution that would amend 2018-R-70 accepting public improvements constructed in lots 61-86 of Southcove Subdivision.

In 2015, Doll Real Estate, LLC., executed an undertaking in lieu of completion bond as part of their construction of lots 61-86 in Southcove Subdivision. All subdivision improvements were completed in an acceptable manner and all necessary personnel signed off on the acceptance. From there, 2018-R-70 was created that formally accepted those improvements.

Mr. Zuber told the Council that title insurance underwriters for some recent transactions requested some language changes in the resolution from 2018. The proposed resolution added language to state that the undertaking in lieu of completion bond was also formally released.

Councilwoman Fehrenbacher moved to approve 2022-R-04, seconded by Councilman Eyer. Councilwomen Henton, Fehrenbacher, Mayor Pro-Tem McLaughlin, Mayor Lambird, and Councilman Eyer voted yes. There were no opposing votes. The motion carried.

AGENDA #9 “REPORTS FROM ELECTED AND APPOINTED OFFICIALS”

9-A “Status Report-City Manager” Mr. Barker told the Council that the grant application for the Rebuild Downtowns & Main Streets Capital Grant had been submitted. The City requested $2,500,000.00 with a commitment of $328,185.00. Mr. Barker hoped to soon hear word regarding other grant applications.

Mrs. Guinn updated the Council regarding donations for the pickleball complex. The General Fund currently held $66,000.00 for that project. Included in that amount was a $42,000.00 donation from the White Squirrel Pickleball Association (WSPA). Mrs. Guinn was not sure why the WSPA had given those funds to the City since no invoices were ready to be paid.

The capital planning meeting had also been scheduled for January 25, 2022, at 6:30 p.m. The meeting was typically held at the Fire Department each year but due to scheduling conflicts, the meeting would be held at City Hall. Since scheduling that meeting, Mrs. Guinn had a few people ask if the meeting could be held any earlier. The Council agreed that the meeting could be held at 4:00 p.m. instead.

Mrs. Guinn also reminded the Council that pizza and soda were typically provided at the planning meeting. She thought perhaps it would not be necessary to have the pizza and soda this year. The Council agreed.

Councilwoman Fehrenbacher asked if the WSPA had yet received their 501(c)3. No one present knew if that had been received.

Councilwoman Fehrenbacher felt that Mrs. Guinn should get a hold of WSPA to remind them of how the donations should be handled and to find out the status of the 501(c)3.

Mayor Pro-Tem McLaughlin asked if the grant portion of the City Park improvements had been completed. Mr. Barker said that most of the grant portion had been completed. The trail and pavilion roofing had been completed in 2021. The remaining improvements included restrooms and lighting. The restroom facility was part of the OSLAD grant. Mr. Barker would soon be pushing hard to get additional proposals on bathroom options since that would need to be completed by August.

Councilman Eyer asked if the Silver Street Reconstruction Project was paused for the winter. Mr. Barker replied that the contractor would work as weather permitted.

The City Engineer had compiled a listing of proposed road projects and estimated pricing. Mayor Pro-Tem McLaughlin felt that the Council should review the information for discussion at a future Council meeting.

9-B “RCDC Report” There was no report.

9-C “Chamber of Commerce Report” Councilwoman Fehrenbacher reported that Ladies’ Night Out was scheduled for March 10, 2022. The theme would be Ladies’ Night Out on Bourbon Street. Tickets would go on sale soon.

Mayor Pro-Tem McLaughlin had also heard that tickets were on sale for the Chocolate Tour coming up on February 11, 2022. Councilwoman Fehrenbacher agreed, but noted that was a Friends of Olney event.

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

9-E “Tourism Board Report” There was no report.

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; APPOINTMENT, EMPLOYMENT, COMPENSATION, 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; appointment, employment, compensation, and performance of specific employees, seconded by Councilwoman Henton. Mayor Pro-Tem McLaughlin, Mayor Lambird, Councilman Eyer, Councilwomen Fehrenbacher, and Henton voted yes. There were no opposing votes. The motion carried.

The meeting adjourned to closed session at 7:20 p.m.

AGENDA #12 “RECONVENE OPEN SESSION” Councilwoman Henton moved to enter back into open session, seconded by Councilwoman Fehrenbacher. Councilwomen Fehrenbacher, Henton, Mayor Pro-Tem McLaughlin, Mayor Lambird, and Councilman Eyer voted yes. There were no opposing votes. The motion carried. Open session resumed at 8:15 p.m.

12-A “Discussion/Possible Ordinance: Authorizing Execution of a Development Agreement Between the City of Olney and Brad A. Ederer & Rebecca S. Ederer, Individually, and as Authorized Agents of B&B Transport, LLC, and Execution of a Warranty Deed and a Mortgage and Acceptance of a Promissory Note Between the City of Olney and Brad A. Ederer and Rebecca S. Ederer” This item was tabled.

12-B “Discussion/Possible Action: Road Work Near Industrial Parks” This item was tabled.

Thinking about the upcoming Main Street Resurfacing Project, Mayor Pro-Tem McLaughlin asked if the City could explore a low interest loan or sale of bonds to make up the difference on funding. A loan with interest lower than inflation costs would make sense and get the project completed sooner.

Mr. Barker thought that the IEPA may have money to loan. He also felt that CDBG grants would be helpful on the sewer work. The storm sewer work would be done in phases, and then all of Main Street would be resurfaced in one shot.

Mayor Lambird told the Council that he had spoken with Keith Moran who advised him that a business district could be created starting on Route 130 at WalMart. The district could run south to Main Street and then run down a portion of Main Street. According to Mr. Moran’s calculations, the district could generate about $1,000,000.00 per year. The creation of such a business district would impose an additional 1% sales tax on businesses within the district on certain purchases. Mayor Lambird said that several communities have such a district. The Council felt a business district was worth researching.

Regarding the option of selling bonds, Mr. Bridges’ opinion should be received first. If he felt it was a good plan, then the City’s bond attorney could be contacted about the process.

Councilwoman Fehrenbacher asked the Council if they would be interested in having the Council meetings take place earlier in the evening. Overall, the Council felt that a start time of 6:00 p.m. would be appropriate. The topic would be on the next meeting’s agenda for action.

Councilwoman Henton had discovered that the WSPA had given the City the $42,000.00 check because they were not yet a 501(c)3 and needed to do so for tax purposes.

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

The meeting adjourned at 8:35 p.m.

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