City of Oglesby City Council met Oct. 19.
Here is the minutes provided by the council:
A REGULAR MEETING OF THE OGLESBY CITY COUNCIL WAS HELD ON MONDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2020 AT CITY HALL. THE MEETING WAS CALLED TO ORDER AT 7:00 P.M.
PRESENT: COMMISSIONERS ARGUBRIGHT, CULLINAN, CURRAN, LIJEWSKI, MAYOR RIVARA, ATTORNEY EATTONI AND CITY CLERK EITUTIS.
A MOTION WAS MADE BY LIJEWSKI, SECONDED BY CURRAN to approve the regular meeting minutes from October 5, 2020. AYES: ARGUBRIGHT, CULLINAN, CURRAN, LIJEWSKI, RIVARA.
Public comments on agenda items only: Sam Tillman addresses the council in regards to TIF V expiring. Tillman feels any monies not spent should be returned to the taxing district. Tillman also questions that the library has not received a TIF report for 2019 and 2020. Mayor Rivara states there is no money left in TIF V. Commissioner Argubright states that the TIF attorney handles repairing said report.
Commissioner Curran reads an email from a resident in regards to the no parking signs that have recently gone up on Jones Avenue. Commissioner Curran states the parking issues will be monitored.
A MOTION WAS MADE BY ARGUBRIGHT, SECONDED BY CURRAN to approve bills as presented for payment. AYES: ARGUBRIGHT, CULLINAN, CURRAN, LIJEWSKI, RIVARA. TOTALS $ 737,350.29
A MOTION WAS MADE BY ARGUBRIGHT, SECONDED BY LIJEWSKI to approve quarterly building permits totaling $ 183,083.00. AYES: ARGUBRIGHT, CULLINAN, CURRAN, LIJEWSKI, RIVARA.
A MOTION WAS MADE BY LIJEWSKI, SECONDED BY CURRAN to approve 1132-101920 an ordinance authorizing the execution of a settlement agreement and mutual release between the city of Oglesby and Officer Hugo Gonzalez. AYES: ARGUBRIGHT, CULLINAN, CURRAN, LIJEWSKI, RIVARA. Commissioner Lijewski states a discrepancy was identified and the amount to be paid to Officer Gonzalez is $6,471.24.
A MOTION WAS MADE BY ARGUBRIGHT, SECONDED BY CURRAN to approve 1133-101920 an ordinance approving the termination of the Oglesby Tax increment Financing (TIF) District V Redevelopment project area, plan and projects. AYES: ARGUBRIGHT, CULLINAN, CURRAN, LIJEWSKI, RIVARA.
A MOTION WAS MADE BY CURRAN, SECONDED BY LIJEWSKI to approve 1134-110220 an ordinance establishing a social media policy for the city of Oglesby. AYES: ARGUBRIGHT, CULLINAN, CURRAN, LIJEWSKI, RIVARA. Commissioner Curran states the policy removes comments on social media posts. Commissioner Curran feels it will limit misinformation on Facebook. Curran feels it should be used for informational purposes only. Commissioner Lijewski asks if it for the city’s Facebook page and not the Police Department’s? Commissioner Curran reads that it is for both departments. Commissioner Lijewski has an issue with a part of that in that they should be able to contact the Police Department. Chief Hayse states that Officer Pellino attended a class and an attorney in the class stated it was unconstitutional to limit comments on a social media page. Commissioner Curran disagrees. Commissioner Lijewski states that when input is requested through the Police Department it is advised to call the police department, not contact them through social media. Mayor Rivara gives examples of things that have caused issues on the Facebook page. Commissioner Curran said that by limiting it the city no longer has to monitor it for profanity, libelous statements, misinformation or have to archive the comments. Commissioner Curran does not want to stifle anyone’s first amendment rights and encourages residents to attend city hall. Commissioner Lijewski feels as long as private messaging is used or phone calls that would be ok.
A MOTION WAS MADE BY CURRAN, SECONDED BY ARGUBRIGHT to place on file 1131-100920 an ordinance authorizing the execution of an agreement for the purchase of electricity from the city of Oglesby by GTI Oglesby, LLC. AYES: ARGUBRIGHT, CULLINAN, CURRAN, LIJEWSKI, RIVARA. Commissioner Curran discusses the details in the agreement between the city and GTI, LLC.
Mayor Rivara makes the nomination of Mayoral nomination of Chief of Police, W. Douglas Hayse. A MOTION WAS MADE BY LIJEWSKI, SECONDED BY ARGUBRIGHT to accept the nomination. AYES: ARGUBRIGHT, CULLINAN, CURRAN, LIJEWSKI, RIVARA.
Commissioner Lijewski swears in W. Douglas Hayse as the Oglesby Chief of Police.
A MOTION WAS MADE BY ARGUBRIGHT, SECONDED BY LIJEWSKI to Place on file Ordinance 1135-110220 establishing the terms of employment, including the wage structure for the Oglesby Chief of Police. AYES: ARGUBRIGHT, CULLINAN, CURRAN, LIJEWSKI, RIVARA.
A MOTION WAS MADE BY CURRAN, SECONDED BY LIJEWSKI to place on file 1136-110220 an ordinance amending Chapter 10.24.050, stopping, standing and parking of Title 10, vehicles and traffic of the Oglesby city code. AYES: ARGUBRIGHT, CULLINAN, CURRAN, LIJEWSKI, RIVARA. Commissioner Curran discusses the issue of one-way parking on specific streets.
A MOTION WAS MADE BY CURRAN, SECONDED BY LIJEWSKI to table the discussion on Communications, Hazards and Outages Plan and potential reporting criteria. AYES: ARGUBRIGHT, CULLINAN, CURRAN, LIJEWSKI, RIVARA. Commissioner Curran brings up a few things that he wanted to get feedback on from other council members. Commissioner Argubright’s concerns were the use of Code Red. Commissioner Curran asks the council if there are any glaring issues to discuss, if not it can be discussed at the next working meetings. The council decides to table discussions to the next working meeting. Mayor Rivara reminds residents that sometimes the city doesn’t have the opportunity to send put Code Reds.
Old Business: none
Public Comments: Melanie Cullinan asks if something can be done about the tornado testing that is done? She asks if the time can be changed? Commissioner Lijewski states she will have to get back to her on the issue.
Commissioner Reports:
Argubright: none
Lijewski: congratulates Chief Doug Hayse on his appointment.
Curran: the water tower painting has begun. Street dept- repairing the asphalt on Walnut Street after the water main break. Curran reminds residents that leaf vac begins today and encourages residents to not burn the leaves. Electric Dept.-re-engineering the main switches within the city.
Cullinan: advises that all 2020-2021 winter rec programs will be cancelled due to concerns over safety during the COVID 19 pandemic. Park and Rec department have begun to winterize the parks.
Mayor’s report: City has met with IVCC to begin the talks to have the city of Oglesby supply its electrical power. A solar facility may also be constructed. A recycling event is tentatively scheduled for the first Saturday in April. Trick or treat drive thru will be 10/31/2020 from 2-4. Trick or Treat within the city is from 5-7. The Mayor reads guidelines for the event.
A MOTION TO ADJOURN WAS MADE BY ARGUBRIGHT, SECONDED BY CURRAN, AYES: ARGUBRIGHT, CULLINAN, CURRAN, LIJEWSKI, RIVARA.
http://www.oglesby.il.us/newsite/regular-meeting-minutes-october-19-2020-2/
Alerts Sign-up