East Central Reporter

City of Olney City Council met May 8.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

AGENDA #1 “CALL TO ORDER” The May 8, 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. Jeff Bealmear led the group in prayer.

AGENDA #3 “ROLL CALL” The following Council members were present: Mark Lambird, John McLaughlin, Morgan Fehrenbacher, Greg Eyer, and Julia Eichhorst. Also present were City Manager Allen Barker, City Treasurer Jane Guinn, City Engineer Mike Bridges, City Attorney Bart Zuber, and City Clerk Kelsie Sterchi.

AGENDA #4 “PUBLIC COMMENTS/PRESENTATIONS” No one from the public wished to speak.

AGENDA #5 “PRESENTATION OF CONSENT AGENDA”

5-A “Approve Minutes of the Council Meeting on April 24 2023”

5-B “Approve and Authorize Payment of Accounts Payable April 27, 2023, & May 9, 2023” Pooled Cash $265,274.10, Manual Pooled Cash $959,507.14, MFT $2,363.40, IMRF $20,181.24, Tourism $18,000.00, Route 130 TIF $11,181.92, South Olney TIF $28,405.38

5-C “Ordinance: Municipal Band” 2023-09

5-D “Appointments/Various Re-Appointments to City Boards & Commissions” 5-E “Raffle License: Olney VFW Post #4226”

AGENDA #6 “REMOVAL OF ITEMS FROM CONSENT AGENDA” No items were requested for removal from the consent agenda.

AGENDA #7 “CONSIDERATION OF CONSENT AGENDA” Mr. Barker told the Council that due to how dates fell this year, the Cummins Band would actually have its first performance on May 31st instead of a date in June.

Councilwoman Fehrenbacher asked if there was any reason that Councilwoman Eichhorst could not be re-appointed to the Library Board. Mr. Zuber did not believe there would be any big issue.

Councilman Eyer moved to approve the items on the consent agenda, seconded by Councilwoman Fehrenbacher.

Councilman Eyer asked if all ordinances would require a roll call vote under Robert’s Rules of Order. Mayor Lambird replied that all ordinances would not require a roll call vote. Should there be a tie, a division of assembly could be called at that point. The Mayor said that roll call votes would be needed on budget amendments or items that required a super-majority vote.

A majority affirmative voice vote was received to the motions above.

AGENDA #8 “CONSIDERATION OF ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT AGENDA” No items were requested for removal from the consent agenda.

AGENDA #9 “PRESENTATION OF ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS, ETC.”

9-A “Discussion/Possible Action: Access to 916 Teddy Street” The Council was provided with a GIS map of the vicinity around 916 Teddy Street, and a plat of Lots 42 to 67 in Stephen L. Shields’ Addition to the City of Olney.

At the last Council meeting, Marty Ellison spoke with the Council about the conditions of the “street” leading to his residence at 916 Teddy Street. At that meeting, the Council wished to table the topic until this meeting in order to view the area themselves and so that the City could do more research.

The plat showed that the “street” was actually a platted alley. There were no documents found that would indicate that the City dedicated the alley into a street. It appeared that the area was actually an alley and not a City street. It was likely that the 9-1-1 address given to Mr. Ellison’s property named it as Teddy Street because 9-1-1 addresses are not given as alleys.

Mayor Lambird suspected that the 9-1-1 address was given as Teddy Street because the east/west Teddy Street was originally platted to extend further west. If it had done so, Mr. Ellison’s property would have been at the corner of Teddy Street and the alley.

Councilman Eyer asked what the City’s responsibility was on maintenance of alleys. Mayor Lambird told him that alleys were platted all over town. Some alleys were gravel, asphalt, or just grass.

From the audience, Street Department Supervisor Tyler Kocher told the Council that the Street Department dragged gravel alleys every few months. The Teddy Street alley was maintained more frequently at Mr. Ellison’s request.

Councilman Eyer had visited this alley earlier in the day. In his opinion, the alley seemed fairly passable.

No action was taken on this topic.

9-B “Appointment: Mayor Pro-Tem” Each year, the Council should select from its members at the first regular meeting in May a new Mayor pro-tem.

Mayor Lambird moved to appoint Councilman McLaughlin as Mayor pro-tem, seconded by Councilwoman Fehrenbacher. A majority affirmative voice vote was received.

9-C “Adoption of a Resolution for Maintenance of Streets and Highways by Municipality Under the Illinois Highway Code” The Council was provided with a proposed IDOT resolution for the summer MFT program. The resolution would appropriate $130,000.00 of MFT funds for the oil and chip program.

Mr. Barker told the Council that he had met with Mr. Bridges, Mr. Kocher, Mrs. Guinn, Mrs. Sterchi, Councilman McLaughlin, and Councilwoman Fehrenbacher to discuss a three-year plan for road work. The meeting produced a recommendation to use budgeted funds to soil cement Ludlow, Monroe, and Glenwood Streets. From there, those same streets, plus a portion of W. Cherry Street, would be oiled and chipped this year using MFT funds.

Councilman McLaughlin added that funds would also be set aside over the next few years to repair N. Elliott Street. No large road projects would be done during that time so that the City could save up necessary funds. Instead, the summer MFT oil and chip program would be the only other road work done during those years. He hoped to make plans and save funds to tackle N. Boone Street after N. Elliott Street was complete.

Councilman McLaughlin also felt that engineering work could begin now for N. Elliott and N. Boone Street project plans.

Councilwoman Fehrenbacher moved to approve 2023-R-32, seconded by Councilman McLaughlin.

Councilwoman Eichhorst stated that she was a resident of N. Boone Street and wondered if she should abstain from the vote. Mrs. Sterchi stated that the resolution would only be appropriating the funds for this year’s MFT program, so voting would be fine.

A majority affirmative voice vote was received to the motions above.

9-D “Ordinance: Amend Chapter 5.12 (Liquor Control) of the City of Olney Municipal Code” The Council was provided with a proposed ordinance that would amend Chapter 5.12 (Liquor Control) of the City of Olney Municipal Code.

Mayor Lambird told the Council that he had been working with Mrs. Sterchi on cleaning up this portion of the Code. The proposed changes would clear up some wording and make certain application processes easier. Additionally, establishments were finding staffing to be more of a challenge, and removing the requirement for a local owner or manager should help.

Mrs. Sterchi added that two authorized, responsible contacts for each liquor establishment would still need to be kept on file.

Councilman Eyer was not in favor of eliminating the requirement for a local owner or manager. He felt that the City could have more control over alcohol and gaming by having a strict liquor ordinance. Additionally, he liked knowing that the local manager or owner would be spending most of their dollars in Olney.

Councilwoman Eichhorst felt that would be difficult to police. She stated that a license could be granted because of a local manager, but that person could move out of town the next day and the City may never know.

Councilman Eyer then asked why Section 5.12.010 (Definitions) was proposed for change. Mayor Lambird replied that the wording change simply made the provision clearer. Some people were confused by the term “consideration.”

Councilman McLaughlin moved to approve Ordinance 2023-10, seconded by Councilwoman Eichhorst. A majority affirmative voice vote was received with Councilman Eyer voting no.

9-E “Resolution: Amend the City of Olney Annual Budget for Fiscal Year 2023-2024 in the Fire & Park Departments” The Council was provided with a proposed resolution that would amend the budget in the Fire and Park Departments.

Mrs. Guinn explained that the Fire Department had some air pack cylinders ordered out of the 2022-2023 budget that were not received in time to invoice in the same fiscal year. The proposed amendment would move the unused budget amount from the 2022-2023 budget into the current fiscal year in order to offset the cost.

The Fire Department had also ordered some gloves and hoods out of the prior budget, but these items were also not received in time to invoice in the same fiscal year. The proposed amendment would move the 2022-2023 budgeted amount to the 2023-2024 budget.

The Fire Department then had money budgeted in the 2022-2023 year to repair 12 doors at the Fire Station. No quotes were received in that fiscal year. A request was made to carry over these capital funds into the 2023-2024 budget so that the repairs could be made. This project was not included in the 2023-2024 budget planning as it was anticipated that the project would be completed before the end of the fiscal year.

Lastly, Mrs. Guinn told the Council that the City Park Drainage Ditch Project was unable to be completed in 2022-2023 due to weather. The riprap had been purchased, but had not yet been placed. The proposed amendment would move the remaining, unused budget funds from the 2022-2023 budget to the 2023-2024 budget for this purpose.

Councilwoman Fehrenbacher moved to approve 2023-R-33, seconded by Councilman Eyer. A majority affirmative voice vote was received.

9-F “Resolution: Accept Quotes for Riding Lawn Mowers for the Park and Water Plant & Waive Formal Bidding Procedures” The Council was provided with a proposed resolution that would accept quotes for riding lawn mowers for the Park and Water Plant. The proposed resolution would also waive formal bidding procedures.

Mr. Barker explained that Park and Water Plant Supervisor Frank Bradley had received quotes from Stanley Mower Repair & Sales for the purchase of these mowers. Stanley’s had quoted $23,300.00 for two Alto riding mowers for the Park Department and $11,650.00 for an Alto riding mower for the Water Plant.

Councilman McLaughlin asked why bids were not solicited for these mowers. Mr. Barker replied that in addition to being a local business, Stanley’s provided excellent customer service that made City repairs a top priority. This also saved the City time that may be needed to haul mowers out of town where they would need to be left for a week or so before repair was complete.

Even so, Councilman McLaughlin felt that bids should be sought. He felt that locality could be a determining factor when awarding a bid.

Councilman Eyer agreed with Councilman McLaughlin, but understood the value of local service. He also wondered if Stanley’s would even service mowers that were not purchased from the business.

Councilman Eyer was aware that John Deere and Husqvarna mowers had been used in the past. He wondered about the newly proposed Alto brand. Mr. Barker was with the understanding that Stanley’s was now dealing Alto brands. Mr. Bradley had also done his research and was comfortable with the mowers. Mr. Barker assumed the warranties would also be similar to that of the other brands.

Councilwoman Fehrenbacher moved to approve 2023-R-34, seconded by Councilman McLaughlin. A majority affirmative voice vote was received.

AGENDA #10 “REPORTS FROM ELECTED AND APPOINTED OFFICIALS”

10-A “Status Report-City Manager” Mr. Barker had nothing to add.

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

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

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

10-E “Tourism Board Report” Councilwoman Eichhorst reported that she and Debi Phillips had attended their first Tourism Board meeting in April where they appointed a new director and that director’s salary.

The two women would soon be returning to Swansea for additional training.

Councilwoman Eichhorst then pointed out that Olney’s ad in the Spring/Summer Tourism Times was right inside the front cover.

AGENDA #11 “CLOSED SESSION: SALE OR LEASE PRICE OF REAL PROPERTY; ACQUISITION OF REAL PROPERTY; APPOINTMENT, EMPLOYMENT, COMPENSATION, AND PERFORMANCE OF SPECIFIC EMPLOYEES; COLLECTIVE NEGOTIATING MATTERS; AND LITIGATION 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; collective negotiating matters; and litigation matters, seconded by Councilwoman Fehrenbacher. A majority affirmative voice vote was received.

The meeting adjourned to closed session at 6:27 p.m.

AGENDA #12 “RECONVENE OPEN SESSION” Councilman McLaughlin moved to enter back into open session, seconded by Councilwoman Fehrenbacher. A majority affirmative voice vote was received. Open session resumed at 7:46 p.m.

12-A “Discussion/Possible Action: Utility Billing Procedure” No action was taken on this item.

12-B “Possible Ordinance: Authorize the Execution of a Redevelopment Agreement Transfer” No action was taken on this item.

12-A “Ordinance: Establish Wages for Employees of the City of Olney” The Council was provided with a proposed ordinance that would establish wages for non-bargaining employees.

Mayor Lambird moved to approve Ordinance 2023-11, seconded by Councilwoman Eichhorst. A majority affirmative voice vote was received.

Councilman Eyer asked if the City would be selling the 410 E. Main Street property any time soon in order to recuperate some of the demolition costs. The Council declared interest in selling the property.

Mr. Barker added that there were also some other properties that the City could solicit bids for along with 410 E Main Street.

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

The meeting adjourned at 7:49 p.m.

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