City of Oglesby City Council met Aug. 16.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
A Regular Meeting Of The Oglesby City Council Was Held At City Hall. The Meeting Was Called To Order At 7:00 P.M.
Present: Commissioners Argubright, Cullinan, Curran, Lijewski, Mayor Rivara, Attorney Barry And City Clerk Eitutis
A MOTION WAS MADE BY LIJEWSKI, SECONDED BY CURRAN to approve the regular meeting minutes from August 2, 2021. AYES: ARGUBRIGHT. CULLINAN, CURRAN, LIJEWSKI, RIVARA.
Public comments on agenda items only: Drew Merriman addresses the council on item #13 on the agenda. Merriman asks the Mayor if the new Patrolman is his grandson? Mayor Rivara confirms that he is. Drew Merriman states that this is nepotism. Drew Merriman believes that veterans were turned down for a job in order to give someone a job within the City. Merriman also gives his opinion on the current head of the Electric Department and how he feels he is not qualified and has no lineman training. Commissioner Lijewski responds by stating there have been no veterans that she is aware of that have been applied, let alone turned away since she has bene on the City Council. Lijewski states there is an application process and there seems to be less and less people that are entering the Police field. Commissioner Lijewski states the officer hired has his bachelor’s degree and feels he is well prepared to accept the position of Patrolman. Chief Hayse addresses Merriman’s comments and explains that the Police Commission does the testing and the results are available for review and states the majority of the points come from a written exam. Chief Hayse explains that if nepotism were the case that the new hire would have been placed in the number one position not the number three position. Chief Hayse also explains that the new hire had the same qualifications as the others on the list and that none of the candidates had experience. Chief Hayse states the decision was made by score and recommendation. Drew Merriman tries to respond (Mayor Rivara bangs his gavel) to the Chief by stating the position is picked by the Police Chief to which Commissioner Lijewski states it is not. Lijewski states the position is not chosen by the Chief.
A MOTION WAS MADE BY ARGUBRIGHT SECONDED BY CURRAN to approve bills as presented for payment. AYES: ARGUBRIGHT, CULLINAN, CURRAN, LIJEWSKI, RIVARA.
Anixter $ 338.00, Apple Press $ 262.50, Barnes, Jack $ 920.00, Beck Oil Co. $ 57.53, BHMG Engineers $2,084.39, Chamlin & Associates Inc. $ 424.00; Chemco Industries Inc $ 317.91, City Of Oglesby $ 28.00; Connecting Point $174.00; Conway Shield $441.38; Core & Main $ 2,515.30; $ De Lage Landen Financial Services $ 195.11; Debo Ace Hardware $ 426.49; De’vine Florals $ 114.00; Dresbach Distributing $ 231.75; Duttlinger, Evan $ 900.00; Edens, Cathie $ 84.56; Eitutis, Amy $ 296.16;; Fender Menders $ 2,623.15; Ficek Electric $ 90.00; Fire Catt Llc $ 2,310.40; Gonzalez, Hugo $ 900.00; Grainger $ 148.40; Grosenbach’s Auto Repair $ 45.63; Halm’s Auto Parts $ 217.95; Hawkins $ 2,314.26; Hayse, Doug $ 900.00; Hygienic Institute $ 355.55; Hy Vee,M Inc $ 71.63; Il Dept Of Innovation & Tech $ 252.87; Il Municipal Ele Agency $ 410,062.52; Iv Cellular $ 1,220.88; Ileas $ 60.00; Illini State Bank $ 6,351.86; Imua $ 200.00; John Senica Jr. $ 204.46; Johnson, Anna $ 300.00; Kittilson’s Garage $ 2,494.46; Knoblauch Advertising $ 80.00; Mandujano, James $ 900.00; Margis, Michael $ 900.00; Martin Equipment $ 46.61; Mautino Distributing $ 7.50; Menards $ 700.21; Mississippi Valley Pump, Inc. $ 1,440.00; Monte’s Riverside Inn $ 105.00; Motion Industries $ 334.68; Motorola $ 324.00; MTCO $ 294.32; Myer Equipment & $ 670.56; Naas, Jacqueline $ 120.76; Newstribune $ 85.00; Nick’s Emergency Lighting & More $ 161.00; Oscar’s Automotive $ 43.55; Serafini, Donald $ 50.00; Sherwin Williams $ 49.87; Simply Modern Homes $ 2,500.00; Slimko-Leininger, Randy $ 900.00; Smart Source LLC $ 3,247.75; Springfield Electric Supply $ 5,238.85; Starved Rock Media, Inc $ 100.00; T & R Electric Supply $ 16,000.00; T.E.S.T Inc. $ 19,310.66; Universal Utility Supply $ 10,700.00; Valle, Brett $ 910.00; Velasco, Anai $ 142.93; Verizon $ 443.77; Weiden, David $17,638.13 Totals : $ 517,222.01
A MOTION WAS MADE BY LIJEWSKI SECONDED BY ARGUBRIGHT to Approve 1173-081621 an ordinance pertaining to the Coronavirus Fiscal Recovery Fund for the City of Oglesby, Lasalle County, Illinois. AYES: ARGUBRIGHT, CULLINAN, CURRAN, LIJEWSKI, RIVARA. Mayor Rivara states the City of Oglesby is set to receive $436,000 and there are federal guidelines the City has to adhere to. Attorney Barry states that the guidelines require the City have a conflict of interest in place in order to receive the funds.
A MOTION WAS MADE BY ARGUBRIGHT, SECONDED BY CURRAN to Approve 1174-081621 an ordinance approving and authorizing the execution of a redevelopment agreement between the City of Oglesby and David and Laura Weiden AYES: ARGUBRIGHT, CULLINAN, LIJEWSKI, CURAN, RIVARA.
A MOTION WAS MADE BY CURRAN, SECONDED BY LIJEWSKI to approve Resolution R081621 Authorizing the Mayor to Execute a Release, Indemnification and Use Agreement with JLN Holdings, LLC for the Continued use of the Salt Storage Facility. Place on file purchase of bulk water meters. AYES: ARGUBRIGHT, CULLINAN, LIJEWSKI, CURAN, RIVARA. Commissioner Curran states the resolution is put in place to allow the City to store their salt in the storage facility located on JLN Holdings LLC property and places them exempt from liability.
A MOTION WAS MADE BY CURRAN, SECONDED BY ARGUBRIGHT to approve placing on files the purchase of bulk water meters. AYES: ARGUBRIGHT, CULLINAN, CURRAN, LIJEWSKI, RIVARA. Commissioner Curran explains that the City will receive a 10% discount by buying them in bulk. Commissioner Curran state the goal is to make the meters be more efficient. Commissioner Argubright states the meters are really outdated. The cost will be $69,625.00.
A MOTION WAS MADE BY ARGUBRIGHT, SECONDED BY LIJEWSKI to approve the award for sealed bid for the 2014 Ford Explorer from the Oglesby Police Department. The City received six bids in total. The highest bidder was from Troy Dale in the amount of $4,100.00. AYES: ARGUBRIHT, CULLINAN, CURRAN, LIJEWSKI, RIVARA.
A discussion is held by the Council in regards to the Safe Route to School Program. Commissioner Curran explains that grant is for $250,000.00 if awarded and the City would ideally use it for sidewalks. Commissioner Curran said the grant would help solve some of the problems the City has; however, the City is responsible for 20% of the grant award. Commissioner Curran said it is a great step in moving forward and makes it safer for the kids to get to and from school.
The Oath of Office is given to newly hired Patrolman Michael Rivara by Commissioner Lijewski. (applause).
Old Business: none
Public Comments: Rich Baldridge questions the Council as to what is going to be done with the vacant lot on Walnut Street that the City had the house tore down? Mayor Rivara states nothing at this time, that it is a council decision. Mayor Rivara states there are other things that need to be done first. Rich Baldridge asks why there was a rush to tear it down that was bringing in tax paper funds? Baldridge asks why the tear down wasn’t put out for bid? Mayor Rivara states the property is in the TIF and the money has to be used before the TIF expired. Commissioner Curran also states it had to be done before the TIF expires. Commissioner Curran states that certain things in the TIF have to be done or earmarked before the TIF expires. Rich Baldridge asks again why the tear down wasn’t bid out? And why the urgency? He gives his opinion about how the project was handled.
Commissioner Reports:
Argubright: none
Lijewski: none
Curran: due to the storm damage the Street Department will be out on August 19th & 20th with the chipper. Commissioner Curran gives explanation about the outage on August 8, 2021 and how the events unfolded (fire, underground damage, status updates, Code Red) and explains that it took quite a bit of time to locate all of the damage. The City was then operating on two circuits and a call was put out to Wire Mesh and the agreed to stop production on their second shift until the next day and thanks them for their cooperation in assisting the city and the residents for their patience
Cullinan: IVCC has terminated the intergovernmental agreement between the City regrading the use of Gandolfi field. Commissioner Cullinan thanks them and wishes them luck.
Mayor’s report: reads an email from Alzheimer’s Support about free services that are offered to the residents. Mayor Rivara states he has received complaints about poison ivy on private property and also complaints about properties that are in a state of disrepair. Mayor states it is a nightmare as it runs through the legal system. Mayor Rivara also states the outage on Sunday was also a nightmare but thanks the Electric Department for all of their hard work.
Mayor Rivara addresses Drew Merriman in regards to the derogatory comments he makes at the City Council meetings. Mayor Rivara states Mr. Merriman is a bully and will not tolerate it anymore and that he promotes himself as an expert on everything and his actions and comments are not acceptable anymore and that he needs to substantiate his comments by the next meeting.
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-monday-august-16-2021/
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