City of Olney City Council met Aug. 22.
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 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. Jeff Bealmear led the group in prayer.
AGENDA #3 “ROLL CALL” The following Council members were present: Mark Lambird, Morgan Fehrenbacher, John McLaughlin, Belinda Henton, and Greg Eyer. Also present were City Manager Allen Barker, City Treasurer Jane Guinn, City Engineer Mike Bridges, and City Clerk Kelsie Sterchi.
AGENDA #4 “PRESENTATION OF CONSENT AGENDA”
4-A “Approve Minutes of the Council Meeting on August 8, 2022”
4-B “Approve and Authorize Payment of Accounts Payable August 23, 2022” Pooled Cash $91,198.33, Manual Pooled Cash $14,200.66, MFT $22,993.37
4-C “Payment Request: Cherry/Morgan Street Resurfacing Project”
4-D “Payment Request: Orchard Dr. Pipe Culvert Replacement”
4-E “Payment Request: Wastewater Treatment Plant UV Disinfection”
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 items were requested for removal form the consent agenda.
AGENDA #8 “PRESENTATION OF ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS, ETC.”
8-A “Request: Class V Liquor License for Rockstar Gaming Lounge” The Council was provided with a Class V liquor license application from Bhavesh Arora for Rockstar Gaming Lounge.
Mr. Arora was present to speak on his request. Mr. Arora had gaming locations in both Lawrenceville and Mt. Carmel. He was interested in investing in Olney with another gaming lounge.
Councilwoman Fehrenbacher was aware that either an owner or manager needed to reside in Olney. Mr. Arora was a non-resident. Mr. Arora was aware of this requirement. If his liquor license was approved, Mr. Arora believed that he would be hiring someone from Olney to manage his Olney establishment.
Councilman Eyer was absolutely not in favor of the request. He recalled that the State had legalized video gambling in order to dig out of the financial crisis of 2008. Of money lost, about 29% went to the State, 65% went to the machine owners and operators, and 5% went to the municipality. The Councilman did not feel that these funds should be esteemed because hundreds of people per month lost hundreds of thousands of dollars. As someone elected to promote and protect the welfare of the Olney community, he could not support the request.
According to the Councilman’s research, 13 establishments in Olney offered video gambling. On average so far this fiscal year, $5,500,000.00 had been lost. Also on average, only 7.9% of times played resulted in a win.
Councilman Eyer saw no tangible purpose for video gambling other than the result of an emptier pocket. Gambling problems meant fewer groceries for families and greater debt.
Since the Councilman’s 3 years on the Council, he had seen 3 new establishments get approved. Additionally, an upcoming steakhouse and entertainment venue were also on the horizon to offer gaming along with the sale of alcohol. The Councilman was not sure that this was the right direction for Olney to be going. He imagined that none of the Council members would be happy with their loved ones wasting their paychecks on gambling, so he wondered why the Council should not extend that same care to the community.
Councilman McLaughlin stopped Councilman Eyer there and told him that the Council understood his point.
Even so, Councilman Eyer felt that the only way to help control the problem was through liquor licensing. If the Council had no problem with this issue, then he wondered why such requests should even come to the Council.
Councilman McLaughlin had been on the Council for nine years and pointed out that he had never voted in favor of a Class V liquor license, and he did not plan to start today.
Councilwoman Fehrenbacher did not feel that Mr. Arora’s answer to her earlier question was clear. She wanted to be certain that Mr. Arora understood that residency was a requirement. Mr. Arora indicated so.
Councilwoman Henton was unsure that Mr. Arora needed the residency requirement. Accompanying Mr. Arora was a representative of Accel Entertainment. He confirmed that he had read that requirement in the ordinance.
Councilman Eyer asked Mr. Arora for an overview of his business plan. Mr. Arora was confused by the question. Councilman Eyer stated that a prospective business usually had a business plan in place.
Councilman McLaughlin told Councilman Eyer that looking at a private company’s business plan was not a job of the City Council. Councilman Eyer disagreed and pointed out that this business would affect the citizens of Olney.
Mr. Arora told the Council that he was not bringing in a new type of business, but instead just offering another option. If people did not visit his establishment, they would certainly go somewhere else.
Councilwoman Henton felt that there may not be enough of the “pie” to go around for all of these gaming establishments. Councilman Eyer agreed and wondered when enough would be enough. The Councilwoman felt that supply and demand would tell businesses whether or not there was room for any more.
Councilwoman Henton and Councilwoman Fehrenbacher felt that another gaming establishment would not equal more gambling. Mr. Arora agreed. He likened it to the opening of another restaurant. People wanting to go out to eat would just have another option.
Councilwoman Henton also understood some of Councilman Eyer’s concerns, but noted that money spent was for entertainment. It would be similar to someone paying to visit a theater. At the end, there was nothing tangible to show. The people paid for the entertainment experience.
Councilwoman Henton moved to approve a Class V liquor license for the Rockstar Gaming Lounge, seconded by Councilwoman Fehrenbacher. Councilwomen Fehrenbacher, Henton, and Mayor Lambird voted yes. Councilmen McLaughlin and Eyer voted no. The motion carried.
8-B “Request: Class A Liquor License for The Vault Gaming Lounge” The Council was provided with a Class A liquor license application from Elaine Racklin for The Vault Gaming Lounge (The Vault), and a copy of Section 5.12.060 (Classification of licenses.) of the City of Olney Municipal Code.
Mrs. Racklin’s son, Jon Racklin, spoke to the Council on her behalf. Mr. Racklin told the Council that The Vault would be located at 103 E. Market Street where Citizens National Bank was currently located. The bank would be moving to another location on Route 130. A Class A liquor license was being applied for because the establishment would offer more than video gambling. The Vault would have vintage arcade games, shuffleboard, beer pong, etc. Each office inside of the current bank would be designed with a theme. The back area would be where the video gaming would take place. The Vault would also like to have a drive-up window off of the alley on the east side in order to sell small, package items.
Councilman Eyer wondered if the Racklins felt it necessary to offer video gambling. Mr. Racklin believed so.
Mrs. Racklin then told the Council that she would be sure that the establishment was a good establishment. She had been in business for over 45 years and would ensure that everything was handled properly while offering a “cool” place for people to visit.
Councilwoman Henton moved to approve a Class A liquor license for The Vault Gaming Lounge, seconded by Councilwoman Fehrenbacher. Councilwomen Henton, Fehrenbacher, Councilman McLaughlin, and Mayor Lambird voted yes. Councilman Eyer voted no. The motion carried.
8-C “Ordinance: Amend Section 5.12.070 (Restriction on Number of Licenses Authorized) of the City of Olney Municipal Code” The Council was provided with a proposed ordinance that would amend Section 5.12.070 (Restriction on number of licenses authorized.) of the City of Olney Municipal Code.
Mr. Barker reminded the Council that the Olde Tyme Steakhaus had recently gone out of business and therefore relinquished their liquor license. The Class C liquor licenses authorized should be reduced from six to five. Additionally, since a Class V and a Class A liquor license had been approved this evening, authorized numbers of those licenses should also be adjusted to reflect five Class V liquor licenses instead of four and three Class A liquor licenses instead of two.
Councilwoman Henton oved to approve Ordinance 2022-26, seconded by Councilwoman Fehrenbacher. A majority affirmative voice vote was received.
8-D “Request: Sponsorship for Rotary Oktoberfest on October 1, 2022” The Council was provided with a flyer for the 2022 Oktoberfest event. Representing the Olney Rotary Club and the Oktoberfest Committee, Lauren McClain approached the Council.
Mrs. McClain reminded the Council that for last year’s Oktoberfest event, the Council had authorized a $2,500.00 sponsorship out of the Tourism Fund. Both Rotary Clubs appreciated the sponsorship and wished to request the same sponsorship amount for this year’s event. A $2,500.00 sponsorship would be at the Platinum level and would include the City’s logo on stage signage, 20 tickets, and a mention in all marketing.
Councilwoman Henton asked how last year’s Oktoberfest had gone. Even though it had rained that day, Mrs. McClain indicated that the event still made money.
Councilwoman Henton then asked how the Clubs would utilize the proceeds. Mrs. McClain replied that 50% of proceeds would go into a fund for improvements and maintenance at Rotary Park. The other 50% would be donated to a local cause. For 2022, 25% of proceeds would go to Fall Kids Mall and the other 25% would go to the Olney Public Library.
Mrs. McClain then told the Council that funds were being saved in hopes to create an amphitheater at Rotary Park. This year, some of the saved funds would go towards a concrete pad and more electrical upgrades.
Councilman Eyer moved to approve a $2,500.00 sponsorship for the 2022 Oktoberfest, seconded by Councilwoman Henton. Mayor Lambird, Councilman Eyer, Councilwomen Fehrenbacher and Henton voted yes. Councilman McLaughlin abstained. The motion carried.
8-E “Resolution: Accept Qualification Statement for Engineering Services for the Main Street Storm Sewer Removal & Replacement Project” The Council was provided with a proposed resolution that would accept a Qualification Statement for Engineering Services related to the Main Street Storm Sewer Removal & Replacement Project, and a copy of the Qualifications Statement for Engineering Services as provided by Charleston Engineering.
Mr. Barker told the Council that the Qualifications Statement had been reviewed as required. Based on Charleston Engineering’s familiarity with the history of this project, the work already done in the area, and its existing relationship with the City of Olney, Mr. Barker recommended acceptance of the Qualifications Statement and authorization to negotiate a contract with Charleston Engineering for the Main Street Storm Sewer Removal & Replacement Project.
Councilman McLaughlin moved to approve 2022-R-66, seconded by Councilwoman Fehrenbacher. A majority affirmative voice vote was received.
8-F “Discussion/Possible Action: Application for ITEP Grant Funds for Improvements to Downtown Olney” Mr. Barker reminded the Council that the City had applied for a Rebuild Downtowns & Main Streets Capital Grant through the DCEO. Unfortunately, the City’s application was not chosen for funding.
The City was now aware that grant funds were available for the same type of project through the Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program (ITEP). Mr. Barker was seeking the Council’s permission to submit an application for an ITEP grant. The grant would be reimbursable, so it would require the City to pay all costs up-front with reimbursement after proper documentation and paperwork was submitted.
Councilwoman Fehrenbacher moved to authorize application for ITEP grant funds for improvements to downtown Olney, seconded by Councilman Eyer. A majority affirmative voice vote was received.
8-G “Discussion/Possible Action: Application for Construction Permits Needed for the Glenwood & Franklin Waterline Replacement Project” Mr. Barker told the Council that this year’s budget included $300,000.00 to replace portions of the water mains on Glenwood Avenue and Franklin Street. Charleston Engineering had completed the specifications for the project, and the next step would be to submit an application to the IEPA for construction permits.
Councilwoman Henton moved to authorize the application for construction permits needed for the Glenwood & Franklin Waterline Replacement Project, seconded by Councilman Eyer. 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 a bid opening was held on August 18, 2022, for the concrete improvements at the Whittle Avenue railroad crossing. Unfortunately, no bids were received. The project should rebid next year.
Mr. Barker then reported that the mobile restroom facility had sold on GovDeals.com for $20,200.00. He asked Mrs. Sterchi to share with the Council the story about the purchase. Mrs. Sterchi told the Council that the buyer owned what used to be Mr. Drucker’s store on Green Acres. They had refinished the store to look exactly the way it had on the show, and it was now a tourist attraction. The State of California required public restrooms to be available with ADA accessibility, and requirement would not work in the layout of the store. The buyer had been searching for a mobile restroom facility for quite some time that would meet this requirement.
9-B “RCDC Report” Mrs. McClain reported that the County Board had approved funding for RCDC to hire a grant writer. The grant writer would also work with the City on grants that the Greater Wabash Regional Plan Commission could not handle.
9-C “Chamber of Commerce Report” Councilwoman Fehrenbacher reminded the Council that the Chamber’s Bicycle Classic was coming up on September 10th.
9-D “Parks & Recreation Board Report” There was no report.
9-E “Tourism Board Report” Councilwoman Henton told the Council that her most recent Tourism Board meeting had given the good news that the State would be giving more grant funding than expected.
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” Councilman McLaughlin moved to adjourn to closed session to discuss the 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.
The meeting adjourned to closed session at 6:34 p.m.
AGENDA #12 “RECONVENE OPEN SESSION” Councilwoman Henton moved to enter back into open session, seconded by Councilwoman Fehrenbacher. A majority affirmative voice vote was received. Open session resumed at 6:50 p.m.
The Council briefly discussed a complaint they had received from a resident regarding weeds. The Council did not seem interested in lowering the height on weed nuisances.
12-A “Business District Discussion” The Council was provided with a listing of annual BD revenue projections at different multiplier rates and a listing of BD FAQs.
Mayor Lambird thought the Council should discuss their thoughts on the sales tax increase to start with on establishment of the BD. The Council hoped to take action on adopting a BD plan ordinance at the next meeting.
Councilwoman Henton felt that if the City was going to establish a BD, then it should go all in at 1%. Councilman Eyer agreed, especially since revenue would also be used for economic development and maintenance of public buildings.
Mrs. McClain believed that there was a misconception in the community about how BD funds would be used on economic development. She clarified that BD revenue was City money and was not promised to anyone or anything specific. As revenue grew, any project would first be discussed.
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 6:55 p.m.
https://cms2files.revize.com/olneynew/cc%20Aug%2022%202022.pdf
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