East Central Reporter

City of Olney City Council met Sept. 15.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

AGENDA #1 “CALL TO ORDER” The September 15, 2025, special meeting of the Olney City Council was called to order at 5:00 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. Mayor Lambird led the group in prayer.

AGENDA #3 “ROLL CALL” The following Council members were present: Matt Miller, Bryce Fehrenbacher, Julia Eichhorst, Jack Eyer, and Mark Lambird. Also present were City Manager Allen Barker, City Clerk Kelsie Sterchi, City Treasurer Jane Guinn, City Engineer Mike Bridges, Street Department Supervisor Tyler Kocher, Water Distribution Supervisor Brandon Williams, and Mechanic Superintendent Justin Urfer.

AGENDA #4 “PUBLIC COMMENTS/PRESENTATIONS” No one from the public wished to speak.

AGENDA #5 “DISCUSSION: PLANS FOR THE IMPROVEMENTS TO DOWNTOWN OLNEY PROJECT FUNDED BY AN ITEP GRANT” In August of 2022, an application was submitted for an Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program (ITEP) reimbursable grant administered through IDOT. Word was received in April of 2023 that the City was awarded this reimbursable grant not to exceed $2,934,580.00.

Mr. Bridges told the Council that the improvement project area would cover Main Street, from Walnut Street to Boone Street; and Whittle Avenue, from Main Street to Elm Street. Improvements would include streetscaping with new sidewalks, lighting, planters, and trash receptacles. ADA ramps would also be included.

At this point in the process, the environmental review had been completed. The next step would be the public information process. Before that step, Mr. Bridges had wished to receive comments and suggestions from the Council.

Mr. Bridges was aware that turnouts at the intersections of Main Street, with Walnut and Fair Streets, had been briefly discussed. He was also aware that stamped concrete for the sidewalks may also be desired.

Mayor Lambird felt that the turnouts could cause difficulties with snow plowing. Mr. Kocher and Mr. Bridges agreed.

Mr. Bridges then informed the Council that IDOT would require documentation that the brick sidewalk had been on Main Street for at least 20 years. He believed that the bricks were installed around 1995, but he would need documentation.

Councilman Eyer asked if stamped concrete would be more economical than brick pavers. Mr. Bridges confirmed.

Mayor Lambird was curious if the stamped concrete would cause texture problems with snow. Mr. Bridges replied that it would not be any more problematic than snow on the current brick pavers.

Councilwoman Eichhorst asked for the life expectancy of stamped concrete sidewalks. Mr. Bridges said they would last several years.

Mayor Lambird then asked about underground utilities in the project area. Mr. Williams indicated that water mains on Main Street were in good condition. Whittle Avenue’s water main was needing replaced from Main Street to Brentwood Avenue. Mr. Bridges agreed, but noted that the water main on Whittle Avenue was further into the street. That replacement would not need to be addressed until Whittle Avenue needed repaving.

Mr. Bridges and Mr. Willaims expected that some curb stops may need to be adjusted for the new sidewalks.

Mayor Lambird asked about the Whittle Avenue storm sewer. Mr. Kocher replied that it was in better condition than Main Street had been before its large drainage project earlier in the year. The problem with assessing its total condition was that there were only two manholes down Whittle. The storm sewer was brick, so altering it in any way was risky as it could turn into a domino effect of collapse.

Mr. Bridges then explained that a minimum of two ADA-compliant parking spaces would also be needed in the Main Street project area. This would be tough to accomplish because they would need a five foot cutout. Mayor Lambird suggested that one ADA parking spot be near Olney Eye Care. Mr. Bridges also suggested an area near an empty lot on the south side of Main Street.

The Whittle Avenue project area would require three ADA-compliant parking spaces. Spaces near the Post Office and City Hall seemed most desirable.

Bower Park was located along the Whittle Avenue project area. Mr. Bridges reported that Bower Park was considered a “4f property” under Section 4(f) of the U.S. Department of Transportation Act. No part of this project would be allowed to impact the property, and access to the property must be available at all times.

Mr. Kocher asked if the ADA-compliant parking for the project areas could be located on side streets in very close proximity to either Whittle Avenue or Main Street. Mr. Bridges did not believe so. The Council felt that all poles in the project area should have a unified appearance. They were also interested in the light poles having a vintage style.

It was noted that it would be appropriate to also replace pole(s) near the courthouse even though they could not be replaced using project funding. Business District funds could be used instead.

Mr. Bridges clarified that poles on the north side of Main Street would not be replaced after removal. In that case, Mayor Lambird suggested some street lamps to illuminate the sidewalk.

The Council discussed globe lighting. Mr. Kocher warned that globes yellowed quickly. Mr. Bridges added that any replacement poles would require a concrete base.

The Council discussed fluted poles with decorative baskets, but felt that pricing options should be shown before decisions were made.

Mr. Bridges then asked the Council if they wanted to only use hanging baskets or if they would be interested in new planters. It was noted that hanging baskets would require more maintenance.

Regarding benches, the Council also wished for them to have a vintage style.

Mrs. Guinn asked if a landscape architect should be consulted. Mr. Bridges had entertained the thought, but did not want to spend funds if the Council was not in favor.

Mayor Lambird asked for the project timeline. Mr. Bridges stated that Main Street would be repaved next year, and this project would need to be completed after the repaving project. The grant stated that the project would need to be completed by April of 2027, but Mr. Bridges was confident that an extension could be given.

Mayor Lambird asked when the public hearings would need to be held. Mr. Bridges expected that those could take place in October.

Mayor Lambird wanted to be sure that infrastructure under sidewalks would be secure before placing the new sidewalk. Mr. Bridges agreed that color would be difficult to match up after the new sidewalks were placed.

Mr. Williams told the Council that a water main did cross under the sidewalk on Whittle Avenue near Bower Park. It also ran under the sign shop and serviced Pizza Fast and the Bower Park fountain. Mr. Williams recommended decommissioning that water main and tying on Pizza Fast and the fountain to the existing eight-inch line that serviced the area.

Mayor Lambird hoped to be able to video the Whittle Avenue storm sewer as far down as possible. Councilman Fehrenbacher asked if storm sewer work was included under the grant. Mr. Bridges said it was not.

Regarding benches, a number of 26 were expected to be included in the project. The Council felt that amount sounded excessive. They were curious if there was a requirement on the number of benches.

Mr. Barker exited the meeting at 5:38 p.m.

Mayor Lambird asked how much effort it would take to add manholes along Whittle Avenue. Mr. Kocher again cautioned that any disruption to the brick storm sewer could be detrimental.

Mr. Barker returned to the meeting at 5:40 p.m.

The Main Street project area would go east until Boone Street. Mayor Lambird felt that Chilly Willy’s and the Carnegie Library were also staples of downtown. He wished to go ahead and extend the project down to Morgan Street also utilizing Business District funds. He understood that grant funds could not be used. The Council agreed.

Mr. Barker asked if banner brackets should be included on light poles. The Council believed so and also expressed interest in flag brackets.

AGENDA #6 “DISCUSSION: FISCAL YEAR 2025/2026 BUDGET REVIEW” Mayor Lambird wished to review portions of the budget for the two new Council members. The Council was provided with a packet of spreadsheets created by Mrs. Guinn.

Mrs. Guinn reported that the first two columns detailed all active projects. She pointed out that the Main Street Drainage Project was complete, but final invoices had not yet been received. It was expected that this project would come in under budget.

Mrs. Guinn then explained that while the Sanitary Sewer Relining Project had also been completed a while ago, they were having trouble getting the final invoices. She expected to still owe about $500,000.00 on that project.

The next 5 columns were projects expected to take place next summer and included the resurfacing Main Street, from Route 130 to Van Street, at an estimated cost of $3,300,000.00; reconstruction of the East Street intersection at an estimated cost of $300,000.00; replacement of curb along Main Street at an estimated cost of $600,000.00; resurfacing of Main Street, from Van Street to Route 50, at an estimated cost of $810,000.00; and the removal and reconstruction of the concrete island along Main Street, near Route 50, at an estimated cost of $750,000.00. Funds for these projects were scheduled to come from the Business District.

The next page gave detail regarding the North Avenue waterline and reconstruction work. The waterline work would cost approximately $825,000.00 and would be paid for out of reserves in the Water Fund. The reconstruction work would utilize $1,115,532.00 of STU funds and $278,883.00 of MFT funds.

The Improvements to Downtown Olney Project had $2,289,014.00 coming from grant funds. The City’s match would consist of $395,566.00 out of the Business District and $250,000.00 from reserves that had been set aside specifically for this project.

The East Street Bridge should total $876,222.00 and would be paid out of MFT funds.

Mayor Lambird asked if there were any updates on the bridge project. Mr. Bridges indicated that the most recent submittal had not been rejected, but changes were requested. Once the changes had been made, Mr. Bridges believed that CSX would be satisfied. He hoped to begin work yet this fall.

The Elliott Street Bridge Project was still not complete with $376,243.00 still expected, and this would be paid out of General reserves.

IDOT would be resurfacing Route 130 in the near future. Because the City had submitted a long range sidewalk plan to IDOT for sidewalks from Parker Street to WalMart, IDOT would be required to install the sidewalk when resurfacing work came about. Even so, the City would have a match of $230,000.00 that would be paid for out of MFT. Without this long-range plan in place, adding sidewalk in that difficult area could have cost the City about $2,500,000.00. All of this work was expected to take place in 2026.

Mrs. Guinn then reminded the Council that the City was still waiting to see if it would be awarded a $4,700,000.00 grant that would reconstruct Walnut Street. This grant would not require a match.

Next, Mrs. Guinn went over a summary of tax receipts. Corporate Replacement Tax had gone down ($23,225.48) from the prior year. Income Tax had increased by $42,552.41. MFT was trending on the same pace as the prior year. Sales tax was up by $174,677.75, and Use Tax was down by ($97,029.98). The Business District revenue was up by $13,550.26. Telecommunications Tax was down by ($2,156.22). Hotel/Motel Tax was up by $4,597.11. Video Gaming Tax was up by $13,183.63, and Cannabis Excise Tax was trending towards the same pace as the prior year. Mrs. Guinn pointed out that the Electric Aggregation Fee would not be generating any revenue as the City had not renewed its electric aggregation contract.

Mayor Lambird asked Mr. Urfer if there were any pressing equipment needs. Mr. Urfer replied that most needs were scheduled in departments’ 5-year plans. In the Street Department, he felt that a street sweeper, backhoe, and bucket truck were the top needs. A used street sweeper would cost between $390,000.00 and $420,000.00. If the City’s current street sweeper was sold today, it may sell for between $75,000.00 and $100,000.00.

Mr. Kocher told the Council that the Street Department tried to keep backhoes for at least 20 years. Some budgets had cut this rotation, so the need was growing. This particular backhoe had 10,000 hours.

Mr. Urfer said the bucket truck was a 1997 International model. Good, used bucket trucks would be appropriate for replacement, but Mr. Kocher told the Council that purchase opportunities were few and far between.

Mayor Lambird felt that if a good bucket truck was found, then it should be purchased from reserves set aside for equipment.

Mr. Urfer then said the Water Distribution Department needed a leak truck. The current leak truck was not capable of pulling the new hydrovac trailer. Because of this, the Department needed to keep borrowing a truck from the Street Department to pull the trailer. This was not efficient because the truck needed was used for salt spreading. Equipping and unequipping the truck for salt spreading was not a quick job. Conflicting needs could also arise. The question could come up as to what would be more important: quick repair of a water leak or salt spreading for safety.

Mr. Urfer next told the Council about the Fire Department’s need for a ladder truck with pump. Interim Chief Harmon would be able to give more detail, but the current snorkel truck was aged and did not have a pump, so a pumper truck was also needed to accompany the snorkel on certain calls. Mr. Urfer expected that a ladder truck with pump could be found for about $650,000.00. Mrs. Sterchi was also aware that there would be a fair amount of cost to equip the truck, as well.

Mr. Urfer was aware that a vehicle had been budgeted for the Police Department at $55,000.00. He stated that replacement schedules were getting off track due to budget cuts, and mileage was racking up. Out of the 13 Police Department vehicles, only 5 of those had under 100,000 miles.

Mayor Lambird asked if a vehicle had been found for the Police Department yet. Police Chief Bloomer said that the vehicle budgeted for this year was for the Detective. The current vehicle was a 2013 model with 135,000 miles. Some appropriate replacements were available. He had been talking to Chicago Motors which was also the same company that the County had been using.

Councilman Miller asked how long the Department had been trying to purchase a vehicle. Chief Bloomer replied that they had been trying since May. In that case, Councilman Miller did not understand why a vehicle was not being authorized for purchase if the purchase was included in the budget.

Mr. Barker said the vehicles from Chicago Motors were used. Mr. Urfer reminded him that the amount budgeted was for a used vehicle.

Councilwoman Eichhorst exited the meeting at 6:04 p.m.

Chief Bloomer clarified that while the Detective used his vehicle daily, it was not like a patrol car which would be online almost all day.

Mayor Lambird felt that the City needed to get moving on purchasing the vehicle for the Police Department. If Chief Bloomer found one he liked, he requested that it be brought to the Council. He also recommended budgeting for two vehicles in the next fiscal year.

Councilwoman Eichhorst returned to the meeting at 6:06 p.m.

Mr. Barker asked if it would take a while to receive the vehicle after purchase. Chief Bloomer did expect some lead time.

Mr. Barker stated that he had been speaking with Eagleson Automotive and some other dealerships about this vehicle.

Mayor Lambird again said that this needed to be taken care of sooner rather than later. The Council agreed.

AGENDA #7 “CLOSED SESSION: SALE OR LEASE PRICE OF REAL PROPERTY; AND ACQUISITION OF REAL PROPERTY” Councilman Miller moved to adjourn to closed session to discuss the sale or lease price of real property; and acquisition of real property, seconded by Councilwoman Eichhorst. A majority affirmative voice vote was received.

The meeting adjourned to closed session at 6:10 p.m.

AGENDA #8 “RECONVENE OPEN SESSION” Councilwoman Eichhorst moved to enter back into open session, seconded by Councilman Fehrenbacher. A majority affirmative voice vote was received. Open session resumed at 6:17 p.m.

AGENDA #9 “DISCUSSION/POSSIBLE RESOLUTION: AUTHORIZE A LETTER OF INTENT WITH ROOFCONNECT LOGISTICS, INC., D.B.A. SOLARCONNECT FOR A ROOF LEASE AGREEMENT” The Council was provided with a proposed resolution that would authorize a letter of intent with RoofConnect Logistics, Inc., d.b.a. SolarConnect for a roof lease agreement. The Council was also provided with a copy of the proposed agreement and accompanying non-disclosure agreement.

Mayor Lambird explained that these documents would initiate the process of investigating a potential roofing project on a City-owned building.

Councilman Eyer moved to approve 2025-R-55, seconded by Councilwoman Eichhorst. A majority affirmative voice vote was received.

AGENDA #10 “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 6:18 p.m.

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