East Central Reporter

City of Olney City Council met Sept. 9.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

AGENDA #1 “CALL TO ORDER” The September 9, 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. Jeff Bealmear led the group in prayer.

AGENDA #3 “ROLL CALL” The following Council members were present: Mark Lambird, Morgan Fehrenbacher, Jack Eyer, and Julia Eichhorst. John McLaughlin was absent. Also present were City Manager Allen Barker, City Engineer Mike Bridges, City Treasurer Jane Guinn, 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 August 26, 2024”

5-B “Approve and Authorize Payment of Accounts Payable September 10, 2024” Pooled Cash $163,682.97, Manual Pooled Cash $122,299.36, Petty Cash $516.75, Foreign Fire $689.65, MFT $16,613.00, IMRF $35,123.79

5-C “Raffle License: Olney Chamber of Commerce”

5-D “Raffle License: St. Joseph Church”

5-E “Raffle License: Olney Junior Football League”

5-F “Raffle License: OCC (Welding Department)”

5-G “Payment Request: Whittle Avenue Railroad Project”

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

AGENDA #7 “CONSIDERATION OF CONSENT AGENDA” Councilwoman Fehrenbacher moved to approve the items on the consent agenda, seconded by Councilwoman Eichhorst. Councilwomen Eichhorst, Fehrenbacher, and Councilman Eyer voted yes. Mayor Lambird abstained. The motion carried.

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 “Request/Possible Action: Olney Central College Theater Sponsorship” The Council was provided with a letter from Jon Wright and a proposed budget for Olney Central College’s (OCC) 2025 Spring musical.

Mr. Wright was OCC’s theater producer. The 2025 year would be a celebration of the OCC Theater’s 50th year in the community. Already, the theater showed success by the thousands of people that have attended performances along with participants and patrons from different counties and states. No community theater within 90 miles could say the same.

For 2025, OCC was interested in providing over-the-top events in order to celebrate. Mr. Wright was panning a dinner concert at the Parkside Event Center that would feature a Tony nominated Broadway star that had been in several Broadway shows and was part of the Marvel universe. There would also be a major Broadway show in March that would be suitable for all ages. That particular show would be directed by a Broadway director. The Summer children’s workshop has grown so much that for 2025, they would be working with 2 different casts and offering 4 shows. In the Fall, Mr. Wright expected to hold a salute to the last 50 years of OCC music. He was negotiation with another person from Broadway to aid with this event. Lastly, the play in November would be what is considered as the funniest show in the history of Broadway.

With this level of entertainment being provided, Mr. Wright admitted that it would be coming with a high price tag. Mr. Wright was asking for the City to provide a $20,000.00 sponsorship to OCC to help offset some of this cost. Mr. Wright clarified that this contribution would not be an annual request.

Councilwoman Fehrenbacher asked if other sources of funding were being sought. Mr. Wright replied that funds were also coming from IECC, donations, ticket sales, and grants.

Councilman Eyer felt that these events would draw attendees that would stay overnight. He asked for the balance of the Tourism Fund. Mrs. Guinn replied that it currently held about $330,000.00. Approximately $10,000.00 was received monthly from hotel/motel tax.

Councilman Eyer moved to approve a $20,000.00 donation from the Tourism Fund to the OCC Theater for their 50th anniversary, seconded by Councilwoman Eichhorst. Councilman Eyer, Mayor Lambird, and Councilwoman Eichhorst voted yes. Councilwoman Fehrenbacher voted no. The motion carried.

9-B “Ordinance: Rezone 4.39 Acres of 305 N. West Street from R-1 (Single-Family Residence District) to C-2 (Commercial District)” The Council was provided with a proposed ordinance to rezone 4.39 acres of 305 N. West Street to C-2 (Commercial District). The Council was also provided with a copy of the draft minutes of the Plan Commission meeting held on September 3, 2024.

At the September 3rd meeting, the Plan Commission voted to recommend this rezoning.

Representing the petitioner as his civil engineer, Allison Aldag was present to speak on the topic. Ms. Aldag explained that if the land was rezoned, the developer hoped to place a 2,500 square foot Starbucks restaurant with drive-thru. They planned to have to access points off of N. West Street and hoped to connect to the Parkside Plaza in the future.

Councilman Eyer asked if Parkside Plaza was zoned C-2. Ms. Aldag confirmed.

Mayor Lambird clarified that institutions such as community colleges, schools, and churches could all be in a residential zone. That was why the OCC property was currently zoned at R-1.

Councilman Eyer thought it was a shame to lose the prairie at OCC, but understood the need for progress.

Ms. Aldag stated that the developer hoped to break ground around Spring of 2025. IDOT had tentatively approved the 2 access points, but nothing formal had been submitted until the developer knew that the rezoning was approved.

Councilman Eyer moved to approve Ordinance 2024-37, seconded by Councilwoman Eichhorst. A majority affirmative voice vote was received.

9-C “Resolution: Accept State Bid for a 2025 Ford Police Interceptor Utility AWD for the Police Department & Waive Formal Bidding Procedures” The Council was provided with a proposed resolution that would accept a State bid for a 2025 Ford Police Interceptor AWD for the Police Department and waive formal bidding procedures. The Council was also provided with a copy of the State bid and a squad car inventory/mileage sheet.

Police Chief Bloomer was ready to purchase the squad car that had been budgeted for in this fiscal year. Ford Square of Mt. Vernon, Illinois, had provided a State bid of $49,091.00. Due to vendor issues last fiscal year, a squad was not purchased. The Chief had a suitable vendor this year and was ready to move forward.

Mayor Lambird asked if there were any issues with the Department skipping a year on its replacement cycle. Chief Bloomer replied that there were minor issues, but now that two new officers were out of the Academy, there needed to be enough vehicles for the officers.

Mayor Lambird asked if more than one squad should be needed this year. Chief Bloomer replied that would be a welcomed purchase.

Mr. Barker noted that the Chief’s squad was a 2009 vehicle and would also need upgraded in the near future.

Councilwoman Fehrenbacher moved to approve 2024-R-74, seconded by Councilwoman Eichhorst. A majority affirmative voice vote was received.

9-D “Resolution: Accept Quote for the Installation of a Chlorine Emergency Shutoff at the Water Plant & Waive Formal Bidding Procedures” The Council was provided with a proposed resolution that would accept a quote for the installation of a chlorine emergency shutoff at the Water Plant and waive formal bidding procedures. The Council was also provided with a copy of the $30,496.60 quote from Sidener Environmental Services of St. Louis, Missouri.

Mr. Barker explained that OSHA had extended a requirement of installation of a chlorine emergency shutoff at the Water Plant. The purchase of this shutoff was not expected but was also non-negotiable. A budget amendment would be presented at a future meeting.

Councilwoman Eichhorst moved to approve 2024-R-75, seconded by Councilwoman Fehrenbacher. A majority affirmative voice vote was received.

9-E “Resolution: Accept Quote for the Installation of a Variable Frequency Drive at the Sewer Plant & Waive Formal Bidding Procedures” This item was tabled.

9-F “Resolution: Accept Quote for Installation of Light Fixtures at Musgrove Park & Waive Formal Bidding Procedures” The Council was provided with a proposed resolution that would accept a quote for the installation of light fixtures at Musgrove Park and waive formal bidding procedures. The Council was also provided with a $18,500.00 quote from Hinterscher HVAC & Electric LLC., of Noble, Illinois.

Councilwoman Fehrenbacher asked if Hinterscher had performed the installation on the first phase of the project. Mr. Barker said that City staff had completed the first installation, but the Park Department Supervisor was not comfortable in having his staff complete this next round of installation.

Councilwoman Fehrenbacher moved to approve 2024-R-76, seconded by Councilman Eyer. A majority affirmative voice vote was received.

9-G “Discussion/Possible Action: City Park Fencing” Mayor Lambird reminded the Council that $150,000.00 was included in the TIF budget for City Park fencing. He had spoken with Master Halco about the addition of some steel fencing, and planned to have black metal bars that would stand about 6-feet tall. He hoped to fence the perimeter of the park with 50-feet of fencing along Parker Street, then south along N. West Street, and another 50-feet of fencing along St. John Street. He anticipated a cost of approximately $270,000.00, and the TIF Fund was in good shape.

Councilman Eyer recalled that the prior fencing had been chain link and had been removed a few years ago. He asked if there had been any incidents from the removal of fencing. Mayor Lambird indicated that a cow had escaped from the Fair a few years ago

Councilwoman Fehrenbacher pointed out that the Fair only happened one week per year. Mayor Lambird agreed but noted that fencing would also make the City Park more attractive.

Councilman Eyer felt that parks were more attractive with green space and that would have better aesthetic than a fence.

Mr. Barker exited the meeting at 6:21 p.m. and brough in a sample of the fencing being proposed.

Mayor Lambird asked if the City would have any liability if a cow got hit by a car. Mr. Zuber was unsure but noted that entities could have lawsuits filed for several reasons.

Councilwoman Fehrenbacher felt that spending almost $300,000.00 on a fence seemed like a lot of money for a fence following the escape of one cow. Mayor Lambird countered that 2 cows had escaped.

As an alternative, Councilwoman Fehrenbacher suggested that temporary fencing could be placed during the week of the Fair. She felt that there were better ways of spending that kind of money than on a fence that would help the Fair for one week per year.

Councilman Eyer asked for the unrestricted balance of the Route 130 TIF Fund. Mrs. Guinn reported that account had an approximate total of $600,000.00, but $100,000.00 would be utilized to pay TIF payments this year.

Councilman Eyer asked how quickly it would take that TIF Fund to replenish $270,000.00. Mrs. Guinn estimated that this year approximately $300,000.00 could be received. However, she reminded the Council that they did have TIF obligations.

Councilman Eyer requested to see a full mock up of the fence design. Mayor Lambird indicated that he could provide that, but first wanted to see if there was interest from the Council.

Councilman Eyer was also interested in looking at another quote.

AGENDA #10 “REPORTS FROM ELECTED AND APPOINTED OFFICIALS”

10-A “Status Report-City Manager” The Council was provided with a Status Report from the City Manager. Mr. Barker had nothing additional to add.

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

10-C “Chamber of Commerce Report” Councilwoman Eichhorst said that the next Chamber Luncheon would be held on September 17th at Smoke Rise Steakhouse with Air Evac as the presenter. The Friends of Olney also continued work on the Scarecrow Contest. Lastly, Ladies Night would be held on November 15th.

10-D “Tourism Board Report” Councilwoman Eichhorst stated that the Bluegrass Festival held over the previous weekend had been successful.

AGENDA #11 “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” 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 6:25 p.m.

AGENDA #12 “RECONVENE OPEN SESSION” Councilwoman Fehrenbacher moved to enter back into open session, seconded by Councilwoman Eichhorst. A majority affirmative voice vote was received. Open session resumed at 7:33 p.m.

12-A “Approve Minutes of Closed Session on August 26, 2024” Councilwoman Fehrenbacher moved to approve the minutes of closed session from August 26, 2024, seconded by Councilwoman Eichhorst. A majority affirmative voice vote was received.

12-B “Discussion/Possible Resolution: Authorize Letter of Intent for Potential Real Estate Agreement” The Council was provided with a proposed resolution that would authorize a letter of intent for potential real estate agreement regarding the installation of a solar farm.

Councilwoman Eichhorst moved to approve 2024-R-77, seconded by Councilwoman Fehrenbacher. A majority affirmative voice vote was received.

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

The meeting adjourned at 7:34 p.m.

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