East Central Reporter

City of Olney City Council met May 12.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

AGENDA #1 “CALL TO ORDER” The May 12, 2025, 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, Jack Eyer, Julia Eichhorst, Bryce Fehrenbacher, and Matt Miller. Also present were City Manager Allen Barker, City Treasurer Jane Guinn, City Attorney Bart Zuber, City Engineer Mike Bridges, 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 April 28, 2025”

5-B “Approve and Authorize Payment of Accounts Payable May 13, 2025” Pooled Cash $191,321.41, Manual Pooled Cash $1,530,812.28, Petty Cash $308.43, Walnut/Main Storm Sewer $555,483.66, Electronic Citation Fund $1,890.00, Foreign Fire $218.00, Tourism $14,595.00

5-C “Reschedule May 26, 2025 Council Meeting to May 27, 2025

5-D “Appointment: Matt Kirk to the Library Board”

5-E “Payment Request: Main St. Storm Sewer’”

5-F “Raffle License: Olney Firefighters Association”

AGENDA #6 “REMOVAL OF ITEMS FROM CONSENT AGENDA” Councilman Eyer requested removal of item 5-E.

AGENDA #7 “CONSIDERATION OF CONSENT AGENDA” Councilwoman Eichhorst moved to approve the remaining items on the consent agenda, seconded by Councilman Fehrenbacher. A majority affirmative voice vote was received.

AGENDA #8 “CONSIDERATION OF ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT AGENDA” After reviewing the supporting document for item 5-E, Councilman Eyer had a few questions. He noticed that some of the payment request included payment for tree removal. If he was reading it correctly, it looked as if 18 trees had been removed, but he was unaware that 18 trees were even in the area. Mr. Bridges replied that fee was for removal of 1 Bradford Pear tree with an 18-inch diameter.

Councilman Eyer’s next question was whether or not the City could re-use the temporary aggregate. Mr. Bridges indicated so.

The Councilman was also curious if the hot mix asphalt patch would be milled and used when resurfacing. Mr. Bridges affirmed.

Councilman Eyer moved to approve item 5-E, seconded by Councilwoman Eichhorst. A majority affirmative voice vote was received.

AGENDA #9 “PRESENTATION OF ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS, ETC.”

9-A “Recognition of 2025 Richland County CEO First Place Award Recipients” Mayor Lambird read aloud Certificates of Recognition for three Richland County CEO students. Mariah Livingston earned First Place in the 2025 Pitch Day Competition and was awarded the distinguished honor of 2025 Entrepreneur of the Year. Payden Buchanan earned First Place in the 2025 CEO Trade Show, received the Personal Growth Award, and was recognized for receiving Honorable Mention in the Midland Institute for Entrepreneurship’s National Pitch Competition. Lastly, Jillian Bettis had earned First Place in the 2025 Banker Day Competition and was awarded the 2025 Achievement Award.

Mayor Lambird also gifted the students with City of Olney lapel pins as he congratulated them.

9-B “Appointment: Mayor Pro-Tem” Each year, the Council should select from its members at the first regular meeting in May a Mayor Pro-Tem.

Mayor Lambird moved to appoint Councilman Eyer as Mayor Pro-Tem, seconded by Councilwoman Eichhorst. A majority affirmative voice vote was received.

9-C “Discussion/Possible Action: Additional Funding to the Chamber of Commerce” Chamber Board President Herman Zuber was present to speak with the Council.

Mr. H. Zuber thanked the City for its consistent support of the Chamber and its mission. Over the past several years, the Chamber had significantly expanded its scope of services. The City had been contributing an annual grant amount of $10,000.00, but Mr. H. Zuber was requesting that the City increase that grant amount to $20,000.00 per year. He also offered for the City to have an even more active role with supporting Chamber events and functions.

The City had not increased its annual grant amount since 2017. Since that time, the economy had seen quite an increase in costs all around. In order to keep the Chamber a viable organization, funding increases would be necessary even as they focused on reducing costs.

Mr. H. Zuber then explained how the Chamber was a value to the City. He first described its benefit to business development. He then explained the Chamber’s event leadership and tourism outreach.

A new event being offered by the Chamber this year was the Shake, Raffle & Roll Music Festival coming up in June. In addition, the Chamber planned to continue its annual golf scramble, Bicycle Classic, Ladies Night events, Moonlight Madness, and Chocolate Tour. They would also be

putting more effort into promoting after-hours events for Chamber members. Increased funding from the City would help expand these events in a variety of ways as well as investing in Olney’s future.

The Council had just passed its new budget. If this request was approved, Councilman Eyer asked where the funds would be found for the amendment. Mrs. Guinn indicated that tourism funds would be used. The Tourism Fund was running soundly for the time being.

Councilman Fehrenbacher asked if the City’s contributions went towards the Director’s salary and if she had received a cost-of-living adjustment recently. Mr. H. Zuber confirmed.

Councilman Miller asked for clarification as to whether or not the requested increase would actually be more for marketing and outreach versus a salary adjustment. Mr. H. Zuber indicated so.

Mr. H. Zuber further explained that the Chamber had been functioning with a deficit budget over the past couple of years. While fundraising efforts were being made, they had not been as successful as what was being needed.

Councilman Fehrenbacher asked for information on upcoming tourism events. Mr. H. Zuber was excited for the upcoming June festival. From the audience, Chamber Director Caiti Lambird further explained that they would also be hosting some 5th Friday on Main events where there would be vendors and music. This would be an opportunity for downtown businesses to get more traffic. She also hoped to build up some sort of big festival downtown, similar to last year’s festival for the eclipse, but she was currently the only paid employee of the Chamber and was not wanting to over-promise and under deliver.

Councilman Eyer moved to approve an additional $10,000.00 funding contribution to the Chamber to total $20,000 annually, seconded by Councilwoman Eichhorst. Councilmen Eyer, Miller, Fehrenbacher, and Councilwoman Eichhorst voted yes. Mayor Lambird abstained. The motion carried.

A resolution would be on the next Council agenda to formally approve a budget amendment.

9-D “Discussion/Possible Action: Accept Liquor Liability for Alcohol Consumption on Public Property During the Shake, Raffle & Roll Music Festival on June 21, 2025” Last year, during the festival for the eclipse, the Council voted to accept liquor liability so that patrons could walk through the festival area while enjoying their alcoholic beverages. The Chamber was requesting the same approval for the upcoming Shake, Raffle & Roll Music Festival.

Councilwoman Eichhorst asked if there were any problems that occurred last year during the eclipse festival. Police Chief Bloomer said that nothing “too crazy” happened.

Councilman Fehrenbacher asked if patrons would be able to walk through the festival area with alcoholic beverages if the City itself did not approve the request. Mayor Lambird indicated they would not be able.

Councilwoman Eichhorst felt that the request was actually a good thing. She recalled the success of the eclipse festival and how patrons enjoyed all that was offered.

Councilwoman Eichhorst moved to accept liquor liability for alcohol consumption on public property, in the event area only, during the Shake, Raffle & Roll Music Festival on June 21, 2025, seconded by Councilman Fehrenbacher. A majority affirmative voice vote was received.

9-E “Discussion/Possible Action: Enterprise Zone Incentives” In conversations since the election, Councilman Fehrenbacher felt that several people were not aware of the Residential Enterprise Zone and its incentives. He was very supportive of the program and hoped for it to allow the town to invest in itself and fix up homes. The Councilman wished to discuss additional advertising for the program.

Councilwoman Eichhorst noted that receipt of information had changed over the years. The Olney newspaper only printed once per week, and many people did not own radios.

Councilman Fehrenbacher asked about the electronic billboards. Mrs. Sterchi explained that the City could use an ad spot if there was availability. Councilwoman Eichhorst and Councilman Miller commented that they never paid attention to the ads on the electronic billboards.

Mayor Lambird suggested some additional material to be placed at Hurn’s and that social media advertising may be good idea. Councilman Fehrenbacher agreed and suggested a $100.00 ad. Mrs. Sterchi asked if he wished to advertise for both Commercial and Residential Enterprise Zones. Councilman Fehrenbacher felt that the City should focus on residential.

Councilman Eyer suggested that putting notice on the water bills may also be helpful. Mrs. Sterchi said that could be done, but cautioned that had not been an effective form of advertisement.

Councilman Fehrenbacher moved to authorize a Facebook advertisement in the amount of $100.00 for the Residential Enterprise Zone program, seconded by Councilman Eyer. A majority affirmative voice vote was received.

9-F “Resolution: Support & Commitment of Funds for Services Provided by the Greater Wabash Regional Planning Commission” The Council was provided with a proposed resolution that would support and commit funds for services provided by the Greater Wabash Regional Planning Commission (GWRPC).

Mrs. Guinn explained that the City worked with the GWRPC for grant writing and administration of Economic Development Administration grants, DCEO grants, and all other state and federal grants deemed necessary by the City. Each year, the GWRPC asked for the City to pass this resolution to make its commitment for the next year and authorize the matching funds in the amount of $2,500.00.

Councilwoman Eichhorst moved to approve 2025-R-30, seconded by Councilman Eyer. A majority affirmative voice vote was received.

9-G “Ordinance: Authorize the Sale of Public Real Estate Owned by the City of Olney – 207 N. Saratoga Street” The Council was provided with a proposed ordinance that would authorize the sale of 207 N. Saratoga Street by public auction.

Mayor Lambird stated that no bids were received for the sale of this property last month. The next step in the process of selling the property would be to have the Council authorize a public auction.

Councilman Fehrenbacher had noticed that real property sales made by the City typically resulted in low dollar sales. He asked if that was typical. Mayor Lambird confirmed. Additionally, this particular piece of property was very small and may be of interest to a neighbor. If not sold, the City would need to continue mowing the grass.

Mrs. Sterchi asked if the Council wished to establish the starting bid amount at $100.00 as offered in the proposed ordinance. The Council confirmed.

Councilman Eyer moved to approve Ordinance 2025-25, seconded by Councilwoman Eichhorst. A majority affirmative voice vote was received.

9-H “Resolution: Accept Quote for Riding Lawn Mower for the Park Department & Waive Formal Bidding Procedures” The Council was provided with a proposed resolution that would accept a quote for a Park Department riding mower and waive formal bidding procedures. The Council was also provided with a recommendation memo from Park Department Supervisor Frank Bradley and copies of quotes.

Mr. Barker told the Council that a new riding mower was needed in the Park Department. An amount of $11,000.00 was budgeted and the proposed mower to purchase came in lower than that amount.

Mr. Bradley confirmed. Weston’s Lawn Equipment quoted $17,322.00 for an Exmark mower, Sloan Equipment quoted $14,086.38 for a John Deere mower, and Stanley’s Mower Repair & Sales quoted $10,800.00 for an Altoz mower. Mr. Bradley recommended accepting the low quote from Stanley’s and waiving formal bidding procedures.

Councilman Eyer asked if it was correct that Mr. Bradley had been using Stanley’s for quite some time and continued to be pleased with service. Mr. Bradley affirmed.

Councilman Eyer moved to approve 2025-R-31, seconded by Councilwoman Eichhorst. A majority affirmative voice vote was received.

9-I “Resolution: Accept Quote for Park Department Rubber Mulch & Waive Formal Bidding Procedures” The Council was provided with a proposed resolution that would accept a quote for rubber mulch in the Park Department and waive formal bidding procedures. The Council was also provided with a recommendation memo from Mr. Bradley, and a $113,560.00 quote from Jelly Bean Rubber Mulch.

Mr. Bradley reminded the Council that funds were budgeted in the Park Department, Lake Department, and TIF budgets for this purchase. This rubber mulch was also a sole-source product and meant that no one else sold the same mulch. Because of this, he recommended to accept the quote and waive formal bidding procedures. The purchase would replace wood mulch for the Musgrove Park, Rotary Park, Borah Lake, and City Park playgrounds.

Mayor Lambird noted that the mulch would last at least 20 years. Mr. Bradley agreed but felt it would last closer to 30 years.

Councilman Miller calculated that this should result in a cost savings to the City. Mr. Bradley estimated that he would spend about $100,000.00 over the next 20 years on wood mulch by using today’s numbers.

Councilman Fehrenbacher read that Mr. Bradley had tested this mulch in the small playground near the Musgrove Park ball diamonds. Mr. Bradley had done so and was very pleased. He added that the mulch did not float.

Councilman Fehrenbacher asked how Mr. Bradley would keep weeds from growing through the mulch. Mr. Bradley indicated that they would use a good-quality landscape fabric underneath the mulch.

Councilman Fehrenbacher asked if this type of mulch would get dirty from trees and debris. Mr. Bradley replied that the Department would need to continue removing debris. That task would not change.

Councilwoman Eichhorst used to live in a community that utilized this type of mulch. She affirmed that the results were as expected, and that the mulch was safer and more economical.

Councilwoman Eichhorst moved to approve 2025-R-32, seconded by Councilman Eyer.

Councilman Fehrenbacher asked if the purchase had been budgeted for this fiscal year. The Council confirmed. Mr. Bradley added that additional funds were also budgeted to purchase the landscape fabric, border, and any other necessary supplies.

A majority affirmative voice vote was made to the motions made above.

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 stated that the Main Street Storm Sewer Project was moving along smoother at this point. The project should be completed by July 1st and could be completed even earlier.

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

10-C “Chamber of Commerce Report” Councilwoman Eichhorst said that the Chamber’s first 5th Friday event would take place later in the month and that they were actively working on the June music festival.

10-D “Tourism Board Report” Councilwoman Eichhorst reported that the most recent Tourism Times mentioned Olney on eight of its pages.

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” Councilman Eyer 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 Councilman Fehrenbacher. A majority affirmative voice vote was received.

The meeting adjourned to closed session at 6:31p.m.

AGENDA #12 “RECONVENE OPEN SESSION” Councilwoman Eichhorst moved to enter back into open session, seconded by Councilman Eyer. A majority affirmative voice vote was received. Open session resumed at 6:36 p.m.

12-A “Approve Minutes of Closed Session on April 28, 2025” Councilman Eyer moved to approve the minutes of closed session from April 28, 2025, seconded by Councilwoman Eichhorst. A majority affirmative voice vote was received.

Before adjourning, Fire Chief Harmon asked to speak with the Council. The Council had been distributed with a memo regarding the purchase of a Fire Chief squad vehicle and vehicle information from three dealerships.

An amount of $50,000.00 had been included in this year’s budget for this purpose. Chief Harmon had received a $47,400.00 quote from Faulker Automotive for a 2022 Dodge Ram 2500, a $49,159.00 quote from Eagleson Automotive for a 2025 Chevrolet 2500, and a $47,800.00 quote from Lemonds Ltd. For a 2025 Chevrolet 2500.

A few months ago, the Council had passed 2025-R-06 which would allow the City Manager to purchase new or used vehicles that had been budgeted in a current fiscal year. After speaking with Mr. Barker, they felt that they should extend a professional courtesy to the new Council members about this before making the purchase. If the full Council still agreed with that resolution, Chief Harmon would move forward in the purchase process.

Chief Harmon told the Council that this purchase would replace the 2013 Impala that he had been using. The vehicle was the squad car of the previous Police Chief. The previous Fire Chief had been utilizing an Expedition, but Chief Harmon had transferred that vehicle for use of the Assistant Fire Chief.

He further explained that a heavy-duty truck was needed because the Impala was not suitable for going off-road. In fact, the vehicle had recently gotten stuck twice. In addition, the Fire Department had a few trailers that could not be hauled by the Expedition as it had a transmission issue.

Chief Harmon recommended accepting the quote from Faulker for the Dodge Ram.

Councilman Miller told the Council that the fleet vehicles in his business were also diesel engines because they lasted so long. While he understood the cost seemed more on the front end, he felt it would be beneficial for the future. Chief Harmon agreed. The Department had a 2008 diesel engine vehicle that had been consistently used since 2008. If he would be using the vehicle for decades, he wanted the ability for it to last. Fuel mileage was also a consideration.

Councilman Fehrenbacher asked about hauling equipment. Chief Harmon explained that OSHA preferred a clean cab. He was also investigating covers and/or shells.

The Council indicated that they wished to stand by 2025-R-06.

Mr. Bridges then approached the Council and explained that IDOT had just announced a funding opportunity that would grant $400,000,000.00 state-wide for transportation-related projects. Mr. Bridges estimated 200 awards at an average of $2,000,000.00 per project. No funding match would be required.

Mayor Lambird asked Mr. Bridges what type of project he had in mind. Mr. Bridges replied that the initial application would be simple to submit, but would need to include project type and the current phase of the project. If the project was further into the completion phase, he believed there would be a better chance of award. Even so, IDOT said that they would fund a project at any stage.

Councilman Eyer asked if the funds could be used on the Main Street project. Mr. Bridges said no.

Councilman Eyer asked if it could be used towards overlay, traffic signals, sidewalks, and ADA accessibility. Mr. Bridges indicated so. From the audience, Street Department Supervisor Tyler Kocher said that the ADA ramps that would be installed on Main Street would total close to $700,000.00 alone.

Mayor Lambird wondered if Walnut Street would be appropriate. Mr. Bridges believed so and added that Butler Street would also be appropriate.

Councilman Fehrenbacher asked if funds could be used on the upcoming East Street Bridge Project. Mrs. Guinn said that grant funds were already in place for that project.

Councilman Miller felt that Walnut would be the best choice and pointed out that the Fire Department was also located on that road.

If Walnut Street was to be the target project, Mr. Kocher told the Council that a waterline would need to be replaced from Scott Street to Butler Street. Mr. Bridges added that utility adjustments were also allowable under this grant opportunity.

Mayor Lambird was also in favor of Walnut Street. He pointed out that Business District funds could not be used on most of Walnut Street and STU funds would be tied up for at least 10 years.

Councilman Miller asked what cost the City would accrue to put its hat in the ring for the grant. Mr. Bridges replied it would just be paying for his time.

Councilman Eyer asked if Walnut Street, from Main Street to Mack Avenue, would be targeted. Mayor Lambird felt that from Butler Street north would be ideal. The area south of Butler Street could utilize the Business District.

Councilman Eyer pointed out that the northern part of Walnut Street greatly reduced in width. He wondered if that could be expanded. Mr. Bridges replied that there was no good way to widen that area without storm sewer or attaining right-of-way (ROW). Getting ROW would be difficult and hurt the City’s chances. Mr. Kocher actually felt that ROW was about 70-foot. They would look into the conditions.

Mrs. Guinn asked if the grant would cover engineering work. Mr. Bridges stated that engineering could go towards pre-construction activities or construction within the grant award. In this case, he assumed that the Council would want to pick construction. The Council agreed.

Councilman Eyer asked if the new culvert under Walnut Street would need to be re-done. Mr. Bridges said no.

Mayor Lambird asked for a cost estimate for doing the work from Butler Street to Mack Avenue. Mr. Kocher estimated a cost of $2,630,000.00, and that would not include waterline work. He expected that the waterline replacement could cost $1,000,000.00 alone.

For example, Mrs. Guinn explained that the City could apply for an amount of $5,000,000.00 but only be granted $3,000,000.00. In that case, the City would need to be able to come up with the additional $2,000,000.00 and be responsible for engineering costs. Engineering typically came in around 15% of an entire project cost.

Councilman Fehrenbacher asked about adding sidewalk on Mack Avenue. Mr. Kocher said that sidewalks on Mack Avenue would be a huge challenge due to power poles and lack of ROW.

Mr. Barker asked about Whittle Avenue. Mayor Lambird felt that Business District funds could be used instead.

Councilman Miller was in favor of applying for the grant for Walnut Street. If the City expected that it could not fulfill its obligation, it could always back out.

Councilman Fehrenbacher agreed and felt that other grants could be used for sidewalk improvements. He then asked about the possibility of working on N. Holly Road. Mr. Bridges indicated that most of N. Holly Road was actually owned by the Township. The only area owned by the City was from Hall Street to Gadde Bridge Lane.

The Council was in support of applying for this IDOT grant for funds to be used on Walnut Street.

Mr. Kocher then told the Council that there was a large sinkhole in Taylor Lakeside that was caused by a storm sewer that ran from Shawn Lane to East Fork Lake. The pipe was crushed and curled inward. The storm sewer was about 12-feet deep and his department did not have the correct equipment to handle something at that depth. Shores Builders was the current contractor on the Main Street Storm Sewer Project and would be in town for a while longer. They would be willing to provide a daily rate as long as they were in town, and Mr. Kocher expected that the work would last 2 to 3 days. He expected the cost to come in just over $10,000.00. If the City waited too long and went out for bids, he doubted the City could come in under that amount. Additionally, by utilizing Shores, the contractor would allow the City to purchase the parts and only get charged the labor rate.

Mayor Lambird felt this issue was close to an emergency. Mr. Kocher agreed and pointed out that the sinkhole was growing quickly.

The Council felt that addressing this issue now while utilizing a contractor already staged in town would be wise.

Mr. Kocher would get pricing information to Mrs. Sterchi.

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

The meeting adjourned at 7:02 p.m.

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