East Central Reporter

City of Olney City Council met Dec. 9.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

AGENDA #1 “CALL TO ORDER” The December 9, 2024, rescheduled 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 Burkhartt 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 November 25, 2024”

5-B “Approve and Authorize Payment of Accounts Payable December 10, 2024” Pooled Cash $63,415.90, Manual Pooled Cash $179,916.87, Walnut/Main Storm Sewer $180,133.40, Foreign Fire $1,913.30, Dog Park $19,648.46, IMRF $23,666.05, Christmas Light Display $3,435.17, Route 130 TIF $63,873.77,

5-C “Payment Request: Main Street Storm Sewer Project”

5-D “Resolution: Cancel the December 23, 2024, City Council Meeting” 2024-R-97

5-E “Raffle License: Richland County CEO”

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 Councilwoman Fehrenbacher. 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 “Ordinance: Tax Levy” The Council was provided with a proposed ordinance that would establish the next tax levy.

Mrs. Guinn reminded the Council that following discussion at the last Council meeting, she had drafted the tax levy based on Option 2 that had been presented. The total tax levy would be $2,384,132.11 and would lower the overall tax rate by (0.0890) compared to the prior year.

Councilman McLaughlin asked if the $78,327.00 listed for Personnel Services in the Police Department would come from property taxes. Mrs. Guinn confirmed that of the budgeted amount of $1,500,608.00, only $78,327.00 would be levied from property tax.

Councilman McLaughlin moved to approve Ordinance 2024-43, seconded by Councilwoman Fehrenbacher. A majority affirmative voice vote was received.

9-B “Resolution: Authorize an Additional IMRF Payment” The Council was provided with a proposed resolution that would authorize an additional $100,000.00 IMRF payment.

Mrs. Guinn explained that there was sufficient cash available in the City’s IMRF account to make this additional contribution, and IMRF recommended additional contributions when funds were available.

Councilwoman Fehrenbacher moved to approve 2024-R-98, seconded by Councilwoman Eichhorst. A majority affirmative voice vote was received.

9-C “Ordinance: Grant a Special Use Permit for Placement of a Manufactured Home at 1233 N. Silver Street” The Council was provided with a proposed ordinance that would grant a Special Use Permit for placement of a manufactured home at 1233 N. Silver Street. The Council was also provided with a copy of the draft minutes from the Plan Commission meeting held on December 2, 2024.

Mr. Barker told the Council that the Plan Commission had voted to recommend approval of this Special Use permit.

Councilman McLaughlin wished to take action on agenda items 9-C through 9-E together.

Councilman McLaughlin moved to approve Ordinance 2024-44, Ordinance 2024-45, and 2024-R-99, seconded by Councilman Eyer. A majority affirmative voice vote was received.

9-D “Ordinance: Rezone 212 N. Jefferson Street & 1112 E. Butler Street from R-2 (Single Family Residence District) to C-2 (Commercial District)” The Council was provided with a proposed ordinance that would rezone 212 N. Jefferson Street and 1112 E. Butler Street to C-2 (Commercial District). The Council was also provided with a copy of the draft minutes from the Plan Commission meeting held on December 2, 2024.

Action on this item was taken under 9-C.

9-E “Resolution: Approve Final Plat of Parkside Plaza North” The Council was provided with a proposed resolution that would approve the final plat of Parkside Plaza North. The Council was also provided with a copy of the final plat and a copy of the draft minutes from the Plan Commission meeting held on December 2, 2024.

Action on this item was taken under 9-C.

AGENDA #10 “REPORTS FROM ELECTED AND APPOINTED OFFICIALS”

10-A “Status Report-City Manager” Mr. Barker told the Council that work continued on the storm sewer project. The York Street portion should be completed by the end of the week. Additionally, a new police squad vehicle had been received and was being outfitted in Danville, Illinois.

Councilman McLaughlin asked if the storm sewer project on the York Street section would be similar to work performed along Main Street. Mr. Bridges indicated so but the Main Street area should not be as large. After finishing York Street, the Walnut Street section would be completed and then move to Main Street.

Mr. Bridges added that problems had been experienced along that section of York Street. Banks were caving off before the contractors could install the trench box, so the construction area was wider than expected.

Councilman McLaughlin asked how the road would be repaired after the storm sewer work. Mr. Bridges replied that a concrete base would be laid first. It was too late in the year to get asphalt, so a temporary aggregate would be added until they could get asphalt in the Spring.

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

10-C “Chamber of Commerce Report” Councilwoman Eichhorst said that the past Friday’s Moonlight Madness was fabulous. The Chamber’s next event would be Trivia Night on January 30th at the Parkside Event Center.

Councilman McLaughlin thanked Mrs. Sterchi, the Police Department, and Street Department for their assistance with the Christmas Parade. This year’s parade had snow and cold temperatures, but the parade went on with only three entries cancelling.

Councilwoman Eichhorst was impressed with the entry by Read’s Hearting & Air. She also saw the float traveling down the highway to Vincennes recently.

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 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 6:09 p.m.

AGENDA #12 “RECONVENE OPEN SESSION” Councilwoman Eichhorst moved to enter back into open session, seconded by Councilwoman Fehrenbacher. A majority affirmative voice vote was received. Open session resumed at 6:14 p.m.

12-A “Approve Minutes of Closed Sessions on November 25, 2024” Councilwoman Fehrenbacher moved to approve the minutes of closed session on November 25, 2024, seconded by Councilman Eyer. A majority affirmative voice vote was received.

12-B “Ordinance: Establish Wage Rates for Paid-On-Call Firefighters, Part-Time Employees, and Summer Recreation Employees with the City of Olney” The Council was provided with a proposed ordinance that would establish wage rates for paid-on-call firefighters, part-time employees, and summer recreation employees.

Councilman McLaughlin moved to approve Ordinance 2024-46, seconded by Councilwoman Fehrenbacher. A majority affirmative voice vote was received.

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 6:15 p.m.

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