East Central Reporter

City of Olney City Council met Aug. 11.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

AGENDA #1 “CALL TO ORDER” The August 11, 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. Roger Boyd 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 July 28, 2025”

5-B “Approve and Authorize Payment of Accounts Payable August 12, 2025” Pooled Cash $164,577.44, Manual Pooled Cash $115,948.79, Petty Cash $204.77, Foreign Fire $189.55, Dog Park $1,476.05, MFT $2,214.45, IMRF $39,351.17, Tourism $295.00, Route 130 TIF $140.97

5-C “Raffle License: Rolling Thunder ® IL 3”

5-D “Raffle License: Richland Post 30 of the American Legion (1)”

5-E “Raffle License: Richland Post 30 of the American Legion (2)”

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 Miller. A majority affirmative voice vote was received.

AGENDA #8 “CONSIDERATION OF ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT AGENDA” No items were requested for removal from Consent Agenda.

AGENDA #9 “PRESENTATION OF ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS, ETC.” 9-A “Request: Class B Liquor License for S&M Patel LLC, d.b.a. B&L Package Liquor” The Council was provided with a Class B liquor license application for S&M Patel LLC, d.b.a. B&L Package Liquor.

From the audience, Mukund Patel approached the Council. He let them know that he would be one of the owners of the new corporation taking over B&L Package Liquor.

This liquor license request was necessary since the corporation name would be changing. Paperwork and background checks had been received for the new owners.

Councilman Miller moved to approve the Class B liquor license application for S&M Patel LLC, d.b.a. B&L Package Liquor, seconded by Councilwoman Eichhorst. A majority affirmative voice vote was received.

9-B “Request: Class B Liquor License for ILPatel LLC., d.b.a RK Party Supply” The Council was provided with a Class B liquor license application for ILPatel LLC., d.b.a. RK Party Supply.

This liquor license request was being presented under the same circumstances as agenda item 9-A. the same owners were applying for this liquor license under the corporation name of ILPatel LLC.

Councilman Miller moved to approve the Class B liquor license for ILPatel LLC., d.b.a. RK Party Supply, seconded by Councilwoman Eichhorst. A majority affirmative voice vote was received.

9-C “Discussion/Possible Action: Presentation & Acceptance of Fiscal Year 2024/2025 Financial Audit & 2024/2025 Tax Increment Financing Fund Audit” Earlier, the Council was provided with copies of the Fiscal Year 2024/2025 Financial Audit and the 2024/2025 Tax Increment Financing Fund Audit in their mailboxes. Representing the auditors at Kemper CPA Group, Krista McLaren was present to speak with the Council.

Mrs. McLaren indicated that the audit was conducted on public funds as of April 30, 2025. This included a compliance audit on the TIF districts. Both audits were performed on a modified cash basis of accounting. Again this year, Kemper CPA Group was able to issue a clean audit opinion. Mrs. McLaren declared that the City’s financials were in good shape and no findings were found on internal controls or processes.

The General Fund reported $10,648,049.00 in cash. Mrs. McLaren clarified that the cash number was not fully unrestricted and available for simply any purpose. For example, a total of $2,278,140.00 was formally committed to be spent on road projects, equipment, etc.

An amount of $6,811,145.00 was unassigned. This amount represented about one year’s worth of operating expenses for the City. Mrs. McLaren indicated that this was a good amount, but clarified that it was not an excessive amount. Overall, the City was in good financial shape, but no slush funds were available to be spent unwisely.

Mrs. McLaren then reported that the Business District currently held a total of $2,695,835.00. Other governmental funds such as MFT, IMRF, Social Security, Tourism, Christmas Light Display, and the TIF held a total of $3,974,008.00.

The Water Fund held a total cash amount of $6,058,220.00. The Waste Water Fund held a total cash amount of $4,258,516.00. Notes payable totaled about $285,000.00 in the Water Fund and $880,000.00 in the Waste Water Fund. Unrestricted funds in the Water Fund totaled $3,909,170.00 with unrestricted funds in the Waste Water Fund at $2,460,942.00. Mrs. McLaren said that these amounts totaled about 2 years’ worth of expenses for each fund.

Regarding the pension funds, Fire Pension held $2,831,202.00 with Police Pension at $8,095,028.00. Mrs. McLaren reminded the Council that a majority of these funds were held in the State’s investment pools per statute.

The IMRF Fund held $873,014.00, and this was about 2.5 years’ worth of annual expenditures. Kemper CPA’s guidance is to keep 2 to 3 years’ worth of cash on hand in these levied funds.

Levied insurance held $403,470.00 which was about 4 years’ worth of expenses, but Mrs. McLaren pointed out that insurance costs were raising significantly.

The Route 130 TIF Fund held $695,344.00, and these funds were required to have plans in place for their use.

Lastly, Mrs. McLaren reported that MFT held $1,426,033.00.

The Council had no additional questions.

Councilwoman Eichhorst moved to accept the Fiscal Year 2024/2025 Financial Audit and the Fiscal Year 2024/2025 Tax Increment Financing Fund Audit, seconded by Councilman Fehrenbacher. A majority affirmative voice vote was received.

9-D “Discussion/Possible Action: Alternate Plan for Tennis Court Parking Lot Improvements” Mr. Barker reminded the Council that at the last meeting, the Council approved plans for asphalt upgrades to the tennis court parking lot. It had since been discovered that the upgrades could be done utilizing concrete and City crews, and this would result in a lower project cost.

Councilman Fehrenbacher asked if the City’s labor was included in the estimate totals. Mr. Barker replied that was not included in this particular project, but could be done. This was not something the City typically included. The work would be done as the Street Department had time available, so this would be done over the next few months.

Councilman Miller noted that the Street Department had saved the City a “stupendous” amount of money over the years.

Councilman Fehrenbacher wondered if parking curbs would be added. Mr. Bridges stated that parking blocks would be included.

Councilman Fehrenbacher moved to approve the alternate tennis court parking lot improvements, as presented, seconded by Councilwoman Eichhorst. A majority affirmative voice vote was received.

9-E “Resolution: Accept Quote for Repair of the Wayne Street Lift Station & Waive Formal Bidding Procedures” The Council was provided with a proposed resolution that would accept a quote for repair of the Wayne Street lift station and waive formal bidding procedures. The Council was also provided with a $12,950.00 quote from Straeffer Pump & Supply, Inc., of Chandler, Indiana.

One of the pumps on the Wayne Street lift station had a pipe with a hole rotted through. This meant that currently, that pump could not be used and the lift station was running on only one pump.

Mr. Barker told the Council that the second pump of the lift station also had piping of the same age. Because of this, the Sewer Department Supervisor recommended replacing it at the same time.

Councilwoman Eichhorst asked if the City had used Straeffer Pump & Supply before. Mr. Barker replied that the City had used them several times.

Councilman Miller clarified if the $12,950.00 replaced both. Mr. Barker confirmed.

Councilman Fehrenbacher asked if any other companies offered this type of service. Mr. Bridges said that this was Straeffer Pump & Supply machine, so it was appropriate for them to conduct this work.

Councilman Fehrenbacher moved to approve 2025-R-49, seconded by Councilwoman Eichhorst. A majority affirmative voice vote was received.

9-F “Resolution: Accept Bid for Demolition of 1009 E. Chestnut Street” The Council was provided with a proposed resolution that would accept a bid for the demolition of 1009 E. Chestnut Street. The Council was also provided with a Request to Demolish from Code Enforcement Officer Dallas Colwell. Mr. Colwell was present to speak on this topic.

Mr. Colwell stated that on August 6, bids were opened for the demolition of the single-family residence located on this property. Hemrich Excavating bid $15,500.00, Travis Excavating bid $17,298.50, and Enlow Inc. bid $24,999.00.

This property had been problematic with Code Enforcement since 2020. While the demolition was more expensive than normal, Mr. Colwell indicated that it was a large, 2-story home with a basement. The last 2-story home demolished was last year at a cost of $13,700.00.

Mr. Colwell then informed the Council that an additional $10,000.00 would be spent on asbestos abatement. Following all expenses paid on this property, Mr. Colwell would have about $13,000.00 remaining in his budget for demolitions.

Councilman Miller asked if the basement would be removed. Mr. Colwell indicated so and that the property would be completely flat.

Councilman Fehrenbacher asked if the demolition budget was typically spent this quickly. Mr. Colwell said no. He could normally pay for two demolitions for the price of this one. Additionally, one demolition from last year could not be completed before the end of the prior fiscal year, so it rolled over into the new fiscal year.

Councilwoman Eichhorst asked for an account of how many other properties were going towards the need of demolition. Mr. Colwell replied that he had about seven properties that he was currently working on for this. Homeowners would sometimes complete the demolition on their own, but the City would end up averaging about three to four demolitions per year.

Councilman Fehrenbacher asked about the asbestos abatement. Mr. Colwell indicated that asbestos abatement costs varied depending on what was found during inspection. The structure at 1009 E. Chestnut also had asbestos siding which contributed to the cost.

Councilman Fehrenbacher moved to approve 2025-R-50, seconded by Councilman Miller. A majority affirmative voice vote was received.

9-G “Resolution: Accept Bid for the Replacement of the HVAC System at City Hall” The Council was provided with a proposed resolution that would accept a bid for the replacement of the HVAC System at City Hall. Mr. Colwell was present to speak on this topic.

Bids for the replacement of the City Hall HVAC system were also opened on August 6. Dan’s Electric shop bid $8,428.57, Hinterscher HVAC & Electric bid $8,450.00, Merz Heating & Air Conditioning bid $8,889.00, Homes by Scheutz bid $10,850.00, Nettleton Plumbing bid $11,000.00, and Read’s bid $13,075.50.

Mr. Colwell indicated that the low bid came in under budget, and this system needed replaced as soon as possible.

Councilwoman Eichhorst moved to approve 2025-R-51, seconded by Councilman Miller. A majority affirmative voice vote was received.

9-H “Resolution: Accept the Qualifications Statement for Engineering Services for the North Avenue Reconstruction Project” The Council was provided with a proposed resolution that would accept the Qualifications Statement for Engineering Services from Charleston Engineering for the North Avenue Reconstruction Project. The Council was also provided with a copy of the Qualifications Statement for Engineering Services from Charleston Engineering.

Mr. Barker told the Council that the City requested Statements of Qualifications from engineering firms for this project. These requests were sent by certified mail to four engineering firms.

Of those firms, two submitted Statements of Qualifications; Charleston Engineering and Hampton, Lenzini, & Renwick (HLR).

The Statements were graded on August 7 with Charleston Engineering coming in with the highest score.

Councilman Miller moved to approve 2025-R-52, seconded by Councilman Fehrenbacher. A majority affirmative voice vote was received.

9-I “Discussion/Possible Action: Enterprise Zone Advertisement & Cost Sharing” A few months ago, the Council took action to run a social media campaign to advertise for its Residential Enterprise Zone. Results were mixed. Councilman Fehrenbacher thought that perhaps some businesses in town that provided building materials could help advertise both the Residential and Commercial Enterprise Zones by placing permanent signage outside of their locations. He suggested that the business and the City could split the signage costs by half.

Mayor Lambird asked how big of a sign that the Councilman envisioned. Councilman Fehrenbacher felt that a 4-foot by 4-foot sign would be sufficient.

Mayor Lambird asked if Councilman Fehrenbacher had any cost estimates or if any businesses were talked to about it. Councilman Fehrenbacher did not have such information because he wanted to first see if the Council had any interest.

The Council wished to see more information.

Councilman Miller moved to table this topic, seconded by Councilwoman Eichhorst. A majority affirmative voice vote was received.

AGENDA #10 “REPORTS FROM ELECTED AND APPOINTED OFFICIALS”

10-A “Status Report - City Manager” The Council was provided with a Status Report. Mr. Barker added that the Storm Sewer Project, the Elliott Street Bridge Project, and the East Street Bridge Project were all see some slight forward movement.

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

10-C “Chamber of Commerce Report” Councilwoman Eichhorst said the Sounds of Summer concert series had ended for the season. The Elks would be hosting a Chamber After Hours event on August 26. The Chamber’s Bike Classic was also coming up in September, and the upcoming 5th Friday event would be held on August 29. Lastly, she noted that the city-wide garage sale dates for Fall had been set for September 19 and 20.

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

AGENDA #11 “CLOSED SESSION: SALE OR LEASE PRICE OF REAL PROPERTY; ACQUISITION OF REAL PROPERTY; APPOINTMENT, EMPLOYMENT, COMPENSATION, AND PERFORMANCE OF SPECIFIC EMPLOYEES; AND LITIGATION 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 litigation matters, seconded by Councilman Miller. A majority affirmative voice vote was received.

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

AGENDA #12 “RECONVENE OPEN SESSION” Councilman Miller moved to enter back into open session, seconded by Councilwoman Eichhorst. A majority affirmative voice vote was received. Open session resumed at 7:32 p.m.

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

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

The meeting adjourned at 7:33 p.m.

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