East Central Reporter

City of Olney City Council met Nov. 12.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

AGENDA #1 “CALL TO ORDER” The November 12, 2024, rescheduled meeting of the Olney City Council was called to order at 6:01 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. Joel Harrison 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 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 October 28, 2024”

5-B “Approve and Authorize Payment of Accounts Payable November 13, 2024” Pooled Cash $188,356.52, Manual Pooled Cash $132,897.62, Foreign Fire $1,069.00, Dog Park $56,138.07, IMRF $24,612.22, Tourism $478.91, Christmas Light Display $2,006.23

5-C “Raffle License: Olney Firefighters’ Association”

5-D “Resolution: Authorize the Execution of Mutual Aid Agreement Between the Christy Fire Protection District & the Olney Fire Department” 2024-R-90

5-E “Appointment: Carol Potter to the Board of Fire & Police Commissioners”

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 Eichhorst moved to approve the items on the consent agenda, seconded by Councilman McLaughlin. 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 “Discussion/Possible Ordinance: Provide for the Prohibition of the Stopping, Standing or Parking of Vehicles on the East Side of N. Lincoln Street, from the Driveway of 114 N. Lincoln Street to E. Locust Street, Between the Hours of 7:00 A.M. and 4:00 P.M on Days When School is in Session” The Council was provided with a proposed ordinance that would provide for the prohibition of stopping, standing or parking of vehicles on the east side of N. Lincoln Street, from the driveway of 114 N. Lincoln Street to E. Locust Street, between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. on days when school was in session. The Council was also provided with an e-mail comment from Pamella Hahn. The City Clerk had also received a phone comment from Sheila Ritter. Both comments understood the school’s request, but pointed out that certain services needed to park on N. Lincoln Street during the proposed no parking times in order to services certain properties.

Councilman McLaughlin felt that it was a good compromise to only restrict parking in that area during school hours versus at all times. Councilman Eyer and Councilwoman Eichhorst voiced agreement.

Councilwoman Fehrenbacher moved to approve Ordinance 2024-41, seconded by Councilman Eyer. A majority affirmative voice vote was received.

9-B “Request: East Fork Bassmasters Exceptions for Fishing Tournaments at East Fork Lake” The Council was provided with a memo from the City Clerk detailing exception requests for fishing tournaments at East Fork Lake for the East Fork Bassmasters.

Mrs. Sterchi explained that the exception requests for the East Fork Bassmasters for 2025 were the same as in years past.

Councilman Eyer moved to allow a 60 boat tournament on April 26, 2025, a 40 boat tournament on May 17, 2025, and 7 tournament dates for 2025, seconded by Councilman McLaughlin. A majority affirmative voice vote was received.

9-C “Resolution: Estimated Amount of 2024 Tax Levy” The Council was provided with a proposed resolution that would estimate the amount of the 2024 tax levy.

State statute required the Council to establish the estimated amount of tax levy at least 20 days prior to passage of the tax levy ordinance. Mrs. Guinn reminded the Council that if the estimated tax levy or the actual tax levy increased 5% or more above the previous year’s tax extensions, a Truth in Taxation hearing would be required. She noted that the EAV was estimated at an 8% increase, so she felt there would be no problem coming in under 5% for the City.

Councilwoman Fehrenbacher moved to approve 2024-R-91, 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 told the Council that the leaf collection program had begun. The Street Department would also take bagged leaves.

The Main Street Storm Sewer Project had also just started. Mr. Barker did not expect to see excavation until Thursday, but wanted the Council to be aware that the contractor had arrived. The project would begin on York Street near the VFW.

Councilman McLaughlin asked if the timeline of the project moving towards Main Street would affect the route of the Christmas Parade. Mr. Barker did not believe so.

Councilman McLaughlin asked if sections of Main Street would be closed and worked on all winter. Mr. Barker believed that the contractor would work around weather as best that they could. Work was expected to continue through July.

After this project, Councilman McLaughlin asked if Main Street would be resurfaced. Mr. Barker replied that was the idea.

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

10-C “Chamber of Commerce Report” Councilwoman Eichhorst said that there would be a ribbon cutting in Noble for Rinstrum on Thursday. Mane Salon in Olney would have a ribbon cutting on November 19. Lastly, Ladies Night would be held on Friday at the Eagles.

Mayor Lambird pointed out that the Bower Park Tree Lighting was also coming up on November 27.

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

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 Eichhorst 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 Fehrenbacher. A majority affirmative voice vote was received.

The meeting adjourned to closed session at 6:11 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 6:30 p.m.

12-A “Approve Minutes of Closed Sessions on October 28, 2024” Councilman McLaughlin moved to approve the minutes of closed session on October 28, 2024, seconded by Councilwoman Fehrenbacher. A majority affirmative voice vote was received.

12-B “Discussion/Possible Action: Employee Compensation” Mr. Barker stated that Christmas bonuses this year were proposed at $100.00 for full-time employees, and $30.00 in SOS Bucks for paid-on-call firefighter and janitorial employees.

Councilman McLaughlin moved to approve Christmas bonuses, as presented, seconded by Councilwoman Eichhorst. A majority affirmative voice vote was received.

Mr. Barker then told the Council that he was working on introducing a Field of Flags program with the Elks, VFW, Rolling Thunder, American Legion, and Eagles. Due to concerns about lighting, it was proposed to place the flags around the Carle Trail this next year on Veteran’s Day and Memorial Day. A minimum of 200 flags would be placed, but Mr. Barker felt that area could accommodate 400.

The Council was pleased with the idea.

Councilman McLaughlin reminded the Council that his term on the Council would end in April 2025. He advised them that he did file his petition for the IECC Board of Trustees election.

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

The meeting adjourned at 6:33 p.m. k

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