East Central Reporter

City of Olney City Council met March 27.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

AGENDA #1 “CALL TO ORDER” The March 27, 2023, 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. Steve Wingert led the group in prayer.

AGENDA #3 “ROLL CALL” The following Council members were present: Mark Lambird, John McLaughlin, Belinda Henton, and Morgan Fehrenbacher. Greg Eyer was absent. 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 March 13, 2023”

4-B “Approve and Authorize Payment of Accounts Payable March 28, 2023” Pooled Cash $119,423.65, Manual Pooled Cash $121,484.73, Utility Refunds $1,632.51, MFT $2,502.90, Tourism $10,000.00

4-C “Re-Appointment: Larry Knowlton to Board of Fire & Police Commissioners”

4-D “Raffle License: White Squirrel Saddle Club – BINGO”

4-E “Raffle License: White Squirrel Saddle Club”

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 from the consent agenda.

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

8-A “Request/Possible Ordinance: Closure of the North/South Alley Between W. North Avenue and the CSX Railroad & S. West and S. Lexington Streets” The Council was provided with a letter from Tony Zuber and a map of the alley proposed to be closed. Mr. Zuber was present to answer any questions from the Council.

Councilman McLaughlin asked if any comments had been received from adjoining property owners. Mrs. Sterchi had mailed notification and details of the request to the property owners, but no comments had been received.

Councilman McLaughlin moved to approve Ordinance 2023-05, seconded by Councilwoman Henton. A majority affirmative voice vote was received. The City Attorney would draft this ordinance.

8-B “Request: Class S Liquor License for The Fireside at the Spring Crash Demolition Derby on May 20, 2023” The Council was provided with a Class S liquor license application from the Fireside for the Spring Crash Demolition Derby to be held at the Fairgrounds on May 20, 2023. Tosha Hancock was present to speak with the Council.

Mrs. Hancock explained that this request was similar to past years. The Fireside planned to set up in the pit area to sell canned beer.

Councilwoman Fehrenbacher moved to approve a Class S liquor license for The Fireside at the Spring Crash Demolition Derby on May 20, 2023, seconded by Councilman McLaughlin. A majority affirmative voice vote was received.

8-C “Request: Class A Liquor License for Alaska Lily’s” The Council was provided with a Class A liquor license application for Alaska Lily’s. Yvette Baltzell was present to speak with the Council.

Ms. Baltzell told the Council that she wished to open Alaska Lily’s in the location of the prior Bar 209 at 209 S. Whittle Avenue. She also hoped to offer special event such as Saturday morning mimosas, Sunday Night Football, etc.

Councilman McLaughlin moved to approve a Class A liquor license for Alaska Lily’s, seconded by Councilwoman Henton. A majority affirmative voice vote was received.

8-D “Possible 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. Because item 8-C was approved, a Code amendment would be needed to authorize an additional Class A liquor license.

Councilwoman Henton moved to approve Ordinance 2023-06, seconded by Councilwoman Fehrenbacher. A majority affirmative voice vote was received.

8-E “Request: 2023 Sponsorship of White Squirrel Saddle Club Youth & Adult Programs” The Council was provided with a letter from White Squirrel Saddle Club (WSSC) President Al Zellmer. Mr. Zellmer was present to speak with the Council.

For the past few years, the City had granted sponsorship to the WSSC for their annual youth and adult programs. Mr. Zellmer expressed his appreciation for the sponsorships and was asking for another $4,000.00 sponsorship for 2023.

Councilwoman Fehrenbacher asked how many years the programs had been running. Mr. Zellmer replied that the programs had been held for multiple years. Such programs included the International and National Barrel Horse Association events which brought a great attendance.

Councilman McLaughlin moved to approve a $4,000.00 sponsorship to the WSSC for their 2023 youth and adult programs, seconded by Councilwoman Henton.

Councilwoman Fehrenbacher asked if the donation would come from the Tourism Fund. The Council confirmed. The funds would come from the Community Events line item.

A majority affirmative voice vote was made to the motion above.

8-F “Ordinance: Authorize the Sale of Items of Personal Property Owned by the City of Olney – Pickup Trucks from Various Departments” The Council was provided with a proposed ordinance that would authorize the sale of pickup trucks from various departments.

Mr. Barker explained that it was time for some of the City’s older trucks to come out of inventory. It was proposed that one truck from the Park Department and two trucks from the Sewer Department be sold by auction on GovDeals.com. Another truck from the Street Department, and one truck from the Water Distribution Department were in such poor shape that they were only suitable to scrap through Scrap Daddy, Inc.

Councilman McLaughlin moved to approve Ordinance 2023-07, seconded by Councilwoman Henton. A majority affirmative voice vote was received.

8-G “Resolution: Accept Bid for Calcium Polysulfide 29% at the Wastewater Treatment Plant” The Council was provided with a proposed resolution that would accept a bid for calcium polysulfide 29% for the Sewer Plant. Hawkins, Inc., bid $0.8085 per pound. Chemstream bid $0.8900 per pound. It was recommended to accept the low bid from Hawkins.

Councilwoman Henton moved to approve 2023-R-21, seconded by Councilwoman Fehrenbacher. A majority affirmative voice vote was received.

Councilman McLaughlin asked if the prices were similar to the year before. Mrs. Guinn said that winning bid on this chemical last year came in at $0.8500 per pound.

8-H “Discussion/Possible Resolution: Authorize Entering Into a Self-Service Kayak Rental Agreement Between the City of Olney and Rent.Fun” The Council was provided with a Self-Service Kayak Rental Proposal from Rent.Fun. Earlier in the day Councilwoman Henton had forwarded a proposed service agreement for the City from Rent.Fun.

Mayor Lambird and Councilwoman Henton recently had a conference call with Rent.Fun about setting up self-service kayak rental. The endeavor would cost the City $18,000.00 up front. Any additional expansion should be at no cost to the City, and the City would share 50% of the revenue.

Mayor Lambird then explained that the City could create its own fee structures. He and the Councilwoman had discussed $10.00 to unlock a kayak for the first hour and then $1.25 for an additional 15 minutes. Family memberships could come in at $100.00 per year, or $50.00 per year for a single membership.

Councilwoman Fehrenbacher was aware that the City Attorney had pointed out a couple of sections in the agreement that the City should explore. One of those questions related to insurance.

Mrs. Sterchi had forwarded the proposed agreement to the City’s insurance carrier earlier in the day, but had yet to receive a response on their opinions.

Councilwoman Fehrenbacher then said that she did not have time earlier in the day to take a good look at the proposed agreement. Because of this reason and the fact that the City had not yet heard back from its insurance carrier, she proposed that the Council wait before taking any action.

Mayor Lambird pointed out that the City could be responsible for damages to the cages due to natural disasters and/or acts of vandalism.

No action was taken on this item.

AGENDA #9 “REPORTS FROM ELECTED AND APPOINTED OFFICIALS”

9-A “Status Report-City Manager” Mr. Barker did not have anything additional.

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

9-C “Chamber of Commerce Report” There was no report.

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

9-E “Tourism Board Report” Councilwoman Henton told the Council that Karen Bell had resigned from the Tourism Board.

AGENDA #10 “PUBLIC COMMENTS/PRESENTATIONS”

No one from the public wished to speak.

AGENDA #11 “2023/2024 BUDGET DISCUSSIONS”

11-A “General Corporate” Earlier in the week, Mrs. Guinn had put proposed budget worksheets for General Corporate into the Council’s mailboxes. She had also just received the Library’s proposed budget earlier in the day, so she had provided that to the Council before the meeting.

On paper, the General Corporate budget appeared to be ($961,150.00) unfavorable. Mrs. Guinn explained that several items from the 2022/2023 budget were being carried over into 2023/2024. Some other budget items were included that would also use money from reserves. Keeping these considerations in mind, the 2023/2024 General Corporate budget would actually be about $19,000.00 favorable.

Since the last review by the Council, a few items had been changed. An amount of $10,000.00 had been added for tree replacement, $300,000.00 had been added for a road project, $25,000.00 had been added to expand the Enterprise Zone, and $10,000.00 had been added for the addition of lighting at the intersection of Route 130 and S. Whittle Avenue.

Discussions had also been taking place as to whether or not the East Fork Lake parking lot should be asphalted this year. No estimates had yet been received on that topic. An amount of $40,000.00 was already included in the proposed budget to oil and chip that parking lot.

11-B “Miscellaneous Funds” Earlier in the week, Mrs. Guinn had put proposed budget worksheets for miscellaneous funds into the Council’s mailboxes.

Mrs. Guinn told the Council that both the Fire and Police Pension Boards had voted to present their proposed budgets to the Council. Both Fire and Police Pension budgets would be similar to the 2022/2023 year.

The MFT budget appeared to be ($398,064.00) unfavorable, but Mrs. Guinn explained that reserved funds would be used on the East Street Bridge Project.

The Tourism budget would likely be about $50,000.00 favorable in 2023/2024, and the Christmas Light Display budget was projected to be $27,600.00 favorable.

The Route 130 TIF budget appeared to be ($135,313.00) unfavorable, but Mrs. Guinn stated that was because project funds would be rolling over into the next fiscal year in order to complete the Route 130 Sidewalk Project and signal upgrades.

The South Olney TIF budget showed unfavorable by ($57,727.00), but funds were being banked in order to reimburse the City and to cover reimbursements to Love’s.

The Olney Business District budget showed to be $1,000,891.00 favorable. This was because no projects were anticipated for the 2023/2024 year that would utilize Business District funds. She believed it would be wise to first see how much revenue would truly be generated.

AGENDA #12 “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”

Councilman McLaughlin 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 Councilwoman Fehrenbacher. A majority affirmative voice vote was received.

The meeting adjourned to closed session at 6:19 p.m.

AGENDA #13 “RECONVENE OPEN SESSION”

Councilwoman Fehrenbacher moved to enter back into open session, seconded by Councilman McLaughlin. A majority affirmative voice vote was received. Open session resumed at 6:55 p.m.

13-A “Resolution: Health Insurance Premium Allocations for Non-Bargaining Employees” The Council was provided with a proposed resolution that would approve health insurance premium allocations for non-bargaining employees.

Councilwoman Henton moved to approve 2023-R-22, seconded by Councilman McLaughlin. A majority affirmative voice vote was received.

Councilman McLaughlin had been approached by a resident that was interested in donating concrete and a swing set for Rotary Park in memory of his late son. Mr. Barker felt that could be accommodated, and requested that information on the proposed equipment be submitted. Councilman McLaughlin would give the resident Mr. Barker’s contact information.

Councilman McLaughlin also suggested that he and another member of the Council sit down with the Street Supervisor, City Engineer, and City Manager in order to create a three-year road improvement plan for residential areas. The Council was agreeable, and Councilwoman Fehrenbacher may be able to join Councilman McLaughlin.

AGENDA #14 “ADJOURN” With no further business to discuss, Councilman McLaughlin moved to adjourn, seconded by Councilwoman Henton. A majority affirmative voice vote was received.

The meeting adjourned at 6:58 p.m.

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