East Central Reporter

City of Olney City Council met Oct. 28.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

AGENDA #1 “CALL TO ORDER” The October 28, 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. Jason Burckhartt 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 Engineer Mike Bridges, City Treasurer Jane Guinn, City Attorney Bart Zuber, and City Clerk Kelsie Sterchi.

AGENDA #4 “PUBLIC COMMENTS/PRESENTATIONS”

4-A “Rodney Linder” Mr. Linder told the Council that he felt as if the current state of Vance and Brian Drives was a health and safety issue. Mr. Linder stated that speeding was a problem in the area and that a speed bump was needed.

The area had been oiled and chipped as part of the road maintenance program in August. There was extra loose gravel in the area, and he believed that was a safety issue for those on bikes and for pedestrians. He indicated that he had called the police on three occasions with no assistance and that he had complained to the Street Department and saw even fewer results.

Mr. Linder continued to say that the dust from the gravel also coated residents’ vehicles, did not allow for them to enjoy open windows, affected solar devices, etc.

Mr. Linder then presented a petition for re-pavement of Vance and Brian Drives that was signed by 53 individuals. He felt that residents in that area paid top-tier property taxes and that the condition of the road was now lowering their property values.

Next, Mr. Linder complained that Olney was not thriving. He felt that other small towns were flourishing. Mr. Linder feared that Illinois would continue losing its tax base, and he felt that Olney would be paying a small price to asphalt Vance and Brian Drives.

Councilman McLaughlin admitted that oil and chip road repair took some getting used to. He explained that over time, the dust and gravel would diminish. He informed Mr. Linder that most of Olney’s roads were made of oil and chip.

The Councilman then said that the City was interested in upgrading the roads. A study had been completed that determined approximately $11,000,000.00 would be needed to upgrade the roads away from oil and chip. An additional 1% sales tax, reserved specifically for these road upgrades, was put out to referendum. The referendum failed. Because of this, the City’s best option to continue with any road maintenance was to mostly utilize oil and chip because of cost.

Mr. Linder felt that his neighborhood was in better condition before the oil and chip work. Councilman McLaughlin replied that the neighborhood roads would be in much better condition than several other roads in town.

Regarding Mr. Linder’s property taxes, the Councilman informed him that approximately 20% of that tax bill went to the City. Of the amount received by the City, approximately 60% went to pensions. The remainder would then be used to help with regular day-to-day functions, such as road work.

Councilman McLaughlin then asked Police Chief Bloomer if he had opinions on speeding in Mr. Linder’s neighborhood. Chief Bloomer said that officers had sat and ran radar in the area. During those times, vehicles were not seen going more than seven miles per hour over the speed limit. The area was small and did have a curve, so the Chief understood that vehicles probably did appear to be going faster than they actually were traveling. The Chief himself had also been out to the area and did not see any egregious driving. During a lunch hour, he did not see a single vehicle. Even so, the Chief was aware that Brain Drive was a shortcut for many high school kids and understood that other times of day may see more traffic.

Mr. Linder then told the Council that a neighbor had gone out to check his mail and had been hit by a speeding vehicle. The incident shattered several bones, and the individual’s head went through the windshield.

Mr. Barker indicated that the Street Department had been aware about needing to clear up some of the loose gravel, but a good rain was needed before that could be done. Without the rain, the area would see severe dust as the work was performed. Olney had seen hardly any rain in over 30 days.

AGENDA #5 “PRESENTATION OF CONSENT AGENDA”

5-A “Approve Minutes of the Council Meetings on October 14, 2024, & October 24, 2024”

5-B “Approve and Authorize Payment of Accounts Payable October 29, 2024” Pooled Cash $133,096.63, Manual Pooled Cash $5,092.48, Utility Refunds $733.21, IMRF $122.66, Tourism $3,800.00, Route 130 TIF $4,524.93

5-C “Reschedule the November 11, 2024, Council Meeting to November 12, 2024”

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. 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 “PRESENTATION OF ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS, ETC.”

9-A “Resolution: Accept Quote for Water Plant Air Compressor, Waive Formal Bidding Procedures, & Amend the 2024-2025 Budget” The Council was provided with a proposed resolution that would accept a quote for an air compressor, waive formal bidding procedures, and amend the 2024-2025 budget. The Council was also provided with a $16,519.99 quote from Kaeser Compressors of Fredricksburg, Virginia.

The Water Plant was responsible for lake maintenance. An air compressor at East Fork Lake had gone down and needed replaced. Funds would come out of Water Fund reserves to amend the budget.

Councilman McLaughlin moved to approve 2024-R-88, seconded by Councilwoman Fehrenbacher. A majority affirmative voice vote was received.

9-B “Resolution: Amend the 2024-2025 Budget for Tree Maintenance” The Council was provided with a proposed resolution that would amend the 2024-2025 budget for tree maintenance.

Mr. Barker explained that a large and dangerous tree in the City Park had recently been removed. The tree was split from top to bottom and posed a significant safety issue. Funds would come out of Contingencies for this budget amendment.

Councilman McLaughlin moved to approve 2024-R-89, seconded by Councilwoman Eichhorst. A majority affirmative voice vote was received.

9-C “Ordinance: Authorize Handicapped Parking Space in Miller’s Grove” The Council was provided with a proposed ordinance that would authorize a handicapped parking space in Miller’s Grove.

Mr. Barker stated that this handicapped parking space would be located in Miller’s Grove, but would also serve the nearly-completed dog park.

Councilman McLaughlin asked if the handicapped parking space would be concrete. Mr. Barker confirmed.

Councilman McLaughlin moved to approve Ordinance 2024-40, seconded by Councilwoman Fehrenbacher. A majority affirmative voice vote was received.

AGENDA #10 “REPORTS FROM ELECTED AND APPOINTED OFFICIALS”

10-A “Status Report-City Manager” There was no report.

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

10-C “Chamber of Commerce Report” Councilwoman Eichhorst said that Ladies Night would take place on November 15th. The Friends of Olney would also be hosting the Tree Lighting in Bower Park on November 27th.

10-D “Tourism Board Report” There was no report.

Councilman McLaughlin reminded all that the Christmas Parade would be held on November 30. There would be no parking allowed on the parade route.

Mr. Barker asked if the Councilman was aware that the route may need changed due to the potential of construction on Main Street. Councilman McLauglin was aware.

AGENDA #11 “CLOSED SESSION: SALE OR LEASE PRICE OF REAL PROPERTY; ACQUISITION OF REAL PROPERTY; AND APPOINTMENT, EMPLOYMENT, COMPENSATION, AND PERFORMANCE OF SPECIFIC EMPLOYEES” Councilwoman Fehrenbacher 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 Eichhorst. A majority affirmative voice vote was received.

The meeting adjourned to closed session at 6:16 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 7:11 p.m.

12-A “Approve Minutes of Closed Sessions on October 14, 2024, & October 24, 2024” Councilwoman Fehrenbacher moved to approve the minutes of closed sessions on October 14, 2024, and October 24, 2024, seconded by Councilman McLaughlin. A majority affirmative voice vote was received.

At the last Council meeting, the Council discussed a request from RCCU #1 about extending no parking on the east side of N. Lincoln Street. Councilman McLaughlin stated that RCCU #1 was agreeable to have any additional no parking areas be during school hours only.

Mrs. Sterchi indicated that letters had been sent to residents that would be affected by the potential parking change. The letter notified them of RCCU #1’s request and that the Council was considering having the additional no parking areas be during school hours only. The letter also gave information on how residents could express any concerns or opinions.

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

The meeting adjourned at 7:13 p.m.

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