East Central Reporter

City of Olney City Council met Feb. 26.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

AGENDA #1 “CALL TO ORDER” 

The February 26, 2024, 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. Tim Loomis led the group in prayer.

AGENDA #3 “ROLL CALL” 

The following Council members were present: Mark Lambird, John McLaughlin, Morgan Fehrenbacher, Jack 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 February 12, 2024”

5-B “Approve and Authorize Payment of Accounts Payable February 27, 2024” Pooled Cash $120,029.70, Manual Pooled Cash $18,150.94, Utility Refunds $929.46, Cannabis Excise Tax $19,600.00, Tourism $20,000.00

AGENDA #6 “REMOVAL OF ITEMS FROM CONSENT AGENDA” 

No items were requested for removal from the consent agenda.

AGENDA #7 “CONSIDERATION OF CONSENT AGENDA” 

Councilman McLaughlin moved to approve the items on the consent agenda, seconded by Councilwoman Eichhorst. A majority affirmative voice vote was received.

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

AGENDA #9 “PUBLIC HEARING: PROPOSED ANNEXATION AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF OLNEY AND DOLL REAL ESTATE LLC. FOR THE ANNEXATION OF NORTHFIELD SUBDIVISION WITH PARCEL IDENTIFICATION NUMBER 06-27-400- 004” 

The purpose of this public hearing was to consider the terms of the proposed Annexation Agreement. Mayor Lambird asked if anyone from the public wished to speak. Seeing none, the public hearing was closed.

AGENDA #10 “PRESENTATION OF ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS, ETC.”

10-A “Ordinance: Authorize an Annexation Agreement Between the City of Olney and Doll Real Estate LLC. for the Annexation of Northfield Subdivision with Parcel Identification Number 06-27-400-004” The Council was provided with a proposed ordinance that would authorize an Annexation Agreement between the City and Doll Real Estate LLC. (Doll’s) for the annexation of Northfield Subdivision. A copy of the proposed Annexation Agreement and referenced Residential Development Agreement were also provided.

Doll’s had submitted a Petition for Annexation of the new Northfield Subdivision. Mr. Zuber indicated that the Council could approved the proposed ordinance and documents, as submitted, or they could choose to continue negotiating the agreement terms.

Councilwoman Eichhorst moved to approve Ordinance 2024-09, seconded by Councilman McLaughlin. A majority affirmative voice vote was received.

10-B “Ordinance: Annex Certain Territory to the City of Olney, Richland County, Illinois – Northfield Subdivision – 19.04 Acres” The Council was provided with a proposed ordinance that would annex Northfield Subdivision into the City of Olney.

Councilwoman Fehrenbacher moved to approve Ordinance 2024-10, seconded by Councilman Eyer. A majority affirmative voice vote was received.

10-C “Discussion/Possible Action: Postponement of April 8, 2024, Council Meeting Due to the Eclipse” Mayor Lambird told the Council that the first scheduled meeting for April was on the 8th and that would be the same date as the solar eclipse. He suggested moving the date of this meeting.

Councilman McLaughlin moved to postpone the April 8, 2024, Council meeting until Tuesday, April 9, 2024, seconded by Councilman Eyer. A majority affirmative voice vote was received.

10-D “Resolution: Amend the 2023-2024 Tourism Budget for Eclipse Festival” The Council was provided with a proposed resolution that would amend the Tourism budget for the Eclipse Festival.

Mr. Barker reminded the Council that at the last Council meeting, a $20,000.00 payment was approved to the Chamber for the upcoming Eclipse Festival. Because of this, a budget amendment was needed and would take the additional $20,000.00 out of Tourism reserves.

Councilwoman Eichhorst moved to approve 2024-R-15, seconded by Councilman McLaughlin. A majority affirmative voice vote was received.

10-E “Resolution: Amend the 2023-2024 Budget for Utility Line Locator” The Council was provided with a proposed resolution that would amend the budget for a utility line locator.

The Water Distribution Department had originally planned on including a utility line locator in next year’s budget. However, it appeared that all currently budgeted funds in the Water Main Replacement line item would not be used this fiscal year. Because of this, Mr. Barker and Mrs. Guinn suggested purchasing the locator this year and then removing it out of next year’s budget plans.

Councilman McLaughlin moved to approve 2024-R-16, seconded by Councilwoman Fehrenbacher. A majority affirmative voice vote was received.

10-F “Discussion/Possible Ordinance: Authorize the Sale of Municipally Owned Real Property – 200 N. Lexington Street and 207 N. Saratoga Street” The Council was provided with a proposed ordinance that would authorize the sale of 200 N. Lexington Street and 207 N. Saratoga Street.

Mr. Barker explained that the City had recently acquired both of the properties and demolished the structures that were sitting on those properties. The City had no need to keep these properties, so the recommendation was to go through the proper channels for sale.

Councilman Eyer moved to approve Ordinance 2024-11, seconded by Councilwoman Eichhorst. A majority affirmative voice vote was received.

10-G “Discussion/Possible Action: Waiver of Requirements in Chapter 12.52 (Special Event Permits) of the City of Olney Municipal Code for the DePaul University Solar Eclipse Event on April 8, 2024” The Council was provided with a solar eclipse event flyer, and a copy of Chapter 12.52 (Special Event Permits) of the City of Olney Municipal Code.

Mayor Lambird told the Council that DePaul University and the Champaign-Urbana Astronomical Society would be coming to Musgrove Park on April 8, 2024. Food would be available for purchase, there would be a foam party for kids, a weather balloon launch, and telescope viewing. The Mayor was not interested in having the organizers go through the Special Event Permit process because he felt that they were providing a service to the community.

Councilwoman Fehrenbacher asked if there was an application fee. Mayor Lambird replied that there was no application fee. The Code would also require the organizers to submit proof of insurance. He did not believe this was necessary and felt that the universities would be well-covered. He added that he felt that the requirements were ridiculous and would make the endeavor more difficult for the organizers.

Councilwoman Fehrenbacher did not feel that any part of the process was difficult or ridiculous.

Mayor Lambird moved to waive the requirements in Chapter 12.52 (Special Event Permits) of the City of Olney Municipal Code for the DePaul University Solar Eclipse Event on April 8, 2024, seconded by Councilman McLaughlin. A majority affirmative voice vote was received with Councilwoman Fehrenbacher voting no.

10-H “Discussion/Possible Action: Waiver of Requirements in Chapter 5.48 (Food Truck Vendors) of the City of Olney Municipal Code for the DePaul University Solar Eclipse Event on April 8, 2024” The Council was provided with a copy of Chapter 5.48 (Food Truck Vendors) of the City of Olney Municipal Code.

If the DePaul University Eclipse Event was an approved Special Event per the Municipal Code, food trucks would not be required to get licensed to vend on City property as part of the Special Event. Otherwise, food truck vendors would need to be licensed to vend on City property. Because of this, Mayor Lambird also wished to see the requirements in Chapter 5.48 (Food Truck Vendors) waived in order to help accommodate the event.

Councilman Eyer asked if the concession stand would be open. Mayor Lambird indicated so. The concession stand operator was not worried about competition.

Councilman McLaughlin had someone ask him about setting up a food truck at the boat docks for the eclipse. He felt that if the requirements were waived at Musgrove Park on that day, perhaps they could be waived elsewhere.

Mayor Lambird felt that as long as they submitted a health inspection permit, then that should be fine.

Councilman Eyer moved to waive requirements in Chapter 5.48 (Food Truck Vendors) of the City of Olney Municipal Code on April 8, 2024, as long as a health inspection permit was submitted, seconded by Councilwoman Eichhorst. A majority affirmative voice vote was received.

10-I “Discussion/Possible Action: Accept Liquor Liability for Alcohol Consumption on Public Property During the White Squirrel Blackout 2024 Street Festival” Instead of having alcohol vendors set up within the festival area, it was suggested that bars within the festival area could be open with customers being allowed to carry their beverages out onto public property within the festival area only. Without a vendor with a Class S liquor license and liquor liability coverage, the City would assume liquor liability from the consumption on public property. Mayor Lambird stated that it would be similar to what was allowed during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Councilwoman Fehrenbacher asked if areas would be barricaded off with snow fencing and if I.D.s would be checked. Mayor Lambird felt it would be up to the bars to check the I.D.s.

Councilman McLaughlin moved to accept liquor liability for alcohol consumption on public property during the White Squirrel Blackout 2024 Street Festival on April 6, 2024, seconded by Councilwoman Eichhorst. A majority affirmative voice vote was received.

AGENDA #11 “REPORTS FROM ELECTED AND APPOINTED OFFICIALS”

11-A “Status Report-City Manager” Mr. Barker reported that the Park Department would soon be adding 25 trees to public property. The Department was also working with Ameren on lighting upgrades at the ball fields.

Mr. Barker then told the Council that a Sounds of Silence tribute show would be taking place at the OCC theater on March 5, 2024. The OCC theater was also preparing for their upcoming performances of “Fiddler on the Roof.”

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

11-C “Chamber of Commerce Report” Councilwoman Eichhorst said that a ribbon cutting was recently held for Hometown Appliance. Also, the Ladies Night event was completely sold out, and vendors were still being sought for the White Squirrel Blackout 2024 Street Festival.

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

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

AGENDA #12 “CLOSED SESSION: SALE OR LEASE PRICE OF REAL PROPERTY; ACQUISITION OF REAL PROPERTY; AND APPOINTMENT, EMPLOYMENT, COMPENSATION, AND PERFORMANCE OF SPECIFIC EMPLOYEES; AND COLLECTIVE NEGOTIATING MATTERS”

Councilwoman Eichhorst 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 6:17 p.m.

AGENDA #13 “RECONVENE OPEN SESSION” Councilwoman Eichhorst moved to enter back into open session, seconded by Councilman McLaughlin. A majority affirmative voice vote was received. Open session resumed at 7:45 p.m.

13-A “Approve Minutes of Closed Session on February 12, 2024” Councilwoman Eichhorst moved to approve minutes of closed session from February 12, 2024, seconded by Councilman Eyer. A majority affirmative voice vote was received.

Before adjourning, Councilman Eyer expressed distress with the fiber optic boring work that was taking place around town. The workers were tearing up the streets and had been hitting utility lines.

Councilman McLaughlin noted that the companies were supposed to be responsible for repairing the roads after work was completed.

Councilman Eyer then asked if the Park Department had plans to fill in the retention pond near Musgrove Park. Mayor Lambird did not believe so. He believed that the Department would be clearing out the retention pond.

Councilman Eyer was aware that the area was a habitat for redwing blackbirds. If the area was going to be eliminated, he would not be in favor.

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

The meeting adjourned at 7:48 p.m.

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