City of Oglesby City Council met Feb. 7.
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, 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 January 24, 2022 AYES: CURRAN, LIJEWSKI, RIVARA. ABSENT: ARGUBRIGHT , CULLINAN
Mayor Rivara states that Commissioner Cullinan is absent due to health issues.
Public comments on agenda items only: none
A MOTION WAS MADE BY CURRAN, SECONDED BY LIJEWSKI to approve bills as presented for payment. AYES: CURRAN, LIJEWSKI, RIVARA. ABSENT: ARGUBRIGHT, CULLINAN
Anixter $464.70; Argubright, Justine $ 135.48; BPC Inc. $ 284.20; Brueggen, Christine $ 30.00; City Of Oglesby $ 28.18; Connecting Point $ 28.75; Daley’s Super Service $ 102.00; Debo Ace Hardware $21.15; Dresbach Distributing $ 341.55; Feece Oil Co. $ 2153.27; Fulmers Towing & Service $ 150.00; Halm’s Auto Parts $ 418.78; Hawkins, Inc $ 541.01; ID Networks Inc $ 1995.00; John Senica Jr. $ 26.46; John’s Service & Sales $ 844.04; Kendrick Pest Control $ 260.00; Kessel, Kyle $ 250.00; Kittilson’s Garage $ 2043.63; Klein, Thorpe & Jenkins $ 1242.00; Konczak, Kevin $ 170.57; Laffarage Aggregates $ 173.33; Landcomp Landfill $ 917.19; LaSalle Office Supply $ 179.14; Mautino Distributing $ 22.00; Maze Lumber $ 136.20; Menards $ 1016.86; Nighthawk Total Control $ 7728.96; On Site Repair $ 976.23; Peepless Network $ 3826.79; Republic Services $29500.76; Standard Life Insurance $ 867.46; Test Inc. $ 18.00; Tang, Jordan $ 13.72; USPS $ 772.64; USA Bluebook $ 1129.69; Water Products Company $ 259.00; Wex Fleet Services $ 4210.83 Totals: $ 62,779.57
A MOTION WAS MADE BY LIJEWSKI SECONDED BY CURRAN to approve raffle license for Support Oglesby School. AYES: CURRAN, LIJEWSKI, RIVARA. ABSENT: ARGUBRIGHT, CULLINAN
A MOTION WAS MADE BY CURRAN SECONDED BY LIJEWSKI to approve raffle license for Illinois Valley Association of Realtors. AYES: CURRAN, LIJEWSKI, RIVARA. ABSENT: ARGUBRIGHT, CULLINAN
A MOTION WAS MADE BY LIJEWSKI SECONDED BY CURRAN to approve raffle license for Starved Rock Runners, LTD. AYES: CURRAN, LIJEWSKI, RIVARA. ABSENT: ARGUBRIGHT, CULLINAN
A MOTION WAS MADE BY LIJEWSKI SECONDED BY CURRAN to approve raffle license for Dickinson House Foundation. AYES: CURRAN, LIJEWSKI, RIVARA. ABSENT: ARGUBRIGHT, CULLINAN
A MOTION WAS MADE BY CURRAN, SECONDED BY LIJEWSKI to approve the engineer’s estimate for IDOT to Advanced Asphalt in the amount of $218,020.82. AYES: CURRAN, LIJEWSKI, RIVARA. ABSENT: ARGUBRIGHT, CULLINAN. Commissioner Curran states this is for work that was performed in 2021. Commissioner Curran that is why there is approximately $500,000.00 in the Motor Fuel Fund.
A MOTION WAS MADE BY LIJEWSKI, SECONDED BY CURRAN to Approve 020722R1 a Resolution of the City of Oglesby, LaSalle County, Illinois Authorizing the City Attorney to Institute Condemnation Proceedings for LaSalle County, IL Parcel #18-25-416-000. AYES: CURRAN, LIJEWSKI, RIVARA. ABSENT: ARGUBRIGHT, CULLINAN. Attorney Barry explains that he has reached out to the property owner, with no response and would like to move forward with this matter as the City is under a deadline.
A MOTION WAS MADE BY CURRAN, SECONDED BY LIJEWSKI to place on file a Pole Attachment Agreement, Right of Way Agreement, Water Tower License for Broadband Fiber and Wireless Facilities and Understanding and Cooperation Agreements and between Surfair Wireless, LLC and the City of Oglesby. AYES: CURRAN, LIJEWKSI, RIVARA. ABSENT: ARGUBRIGHT, CULLINAN. Commissioner explains states this agreement does not put the City in an agreement it is merely to establish a means to be paid for pole attachment fees or right of ways. Commissioner Curran said there is a pole attachment and an agreement to access the right away. Attorney Barry states there are four agreements to be placed on file and explains what some of the specifics are.
Mayor Rivara initiates a discussion on the City’s COVID policy. Mayor Rivara states he has put together a policy to be discussed amongst the Council. Mayor Rivara reads the policy presented to the Council. Mayor Rivara states that approximately half of the employees have little to no sick time and feels this policy is fair to keep the employee’s safe. Mayor Rivara understands he upset people when City Hall had to close after Christmas when an outbreak happened. Commissioner Lijewski states she is incensed and insulted. Commissioner Lijewski states there is a mask mandate in place. Commissioner Lijewski feels that giving sick time away is not being fiscally sound. Commissioner Likewski states everyone needs to be doing the same thing and following the same orders and is truly against everything in the policy. Commissioner Lijewski doesn’t believe it is a job injury. Commissioner Lijewski doesn’t feel it is on the City to pay for an employee contracting COVID as there is no way to contact trace it. Commissioner Curran states he agrees with Commissioner Lijewski. Commissioner Curran is happy to hear that City Hall is open but has an issue with masks not being worn in City Hall. The City Clerk states that masks are being worn and Commissioner Curran states that is not true. Commissioner Curran feels that administrative leave should not be given and it should be bargained for. Commissioner Lijewski states she values every City worker but questions the tax payors. Mayor Rivara states he can not mandate that the public wear a mask when out in public, not just in City Hall. Commissioner Lijewski states if a mask is worn a person is semi-protected. Commissioner Curran wants to make sure good policies are in place. Commissioner Curran states he was in City Hall and masks were not being worn. Commissioner Curran recommends not giving any employees any free time unless it is bargained for and makes people safer. Commissioner Curran states this was already voted on and even though there was a quorum the previous policy was not passed. Commissioner Curran states they are just discussing the issue and spinning their wheels. Mayor Rivara agrees. Commissioner Lijewski asks if the employees agreed to work for their wages? Commissioner Lijewski feels that this issue is for a small portion of people. Mayor Rivara feels we have to provide the best services we can and Commissioner Lijewski states it has nothing to do with giving them free sick days. Commissioner Curran states if the Mayor has to make an immediate decision and it is in everyone’s best interest, he is in favor of it. Commissioner Curran questions where the City stands since the last policy did not pass. Commissioner Curran asks the City Attorney if the City is currently under their contract which does not allow for free sick does. Attorney Barry states that is correct. Mayor Rivara agrees with the statement but states the contract also does not state the City cannot advance sick days to their employees to which Commissioner Lijewski states that is something that should be bargained for to get something in return. Mayor Rivara asks what Commissioner Lijewski wants in return? Commissioner Lijewski feels there were items during the bargaining process that didn’t sit well and this might be the time to bargain. Commissioner Curran feels the time off that was given by the Mayor was not authorized but he would be ok with it as long as a policy is established and feels it would be fair. Mayor Rivara asks if they want to bargain while the ship is going down? Commissioner Curran is willing to support the past decision but needs a plan going forward and doesn’t feel the City should be giving something without giving something in return. Mayor Rivara states he does not want to be fiscally irresponsible. Commissioner Lijewski asks what is not being addressed? Mayor Rivara feels that those that don’t have sick time are more apt to come to work being sick. Mayor Rivara feels that if we protect our employees the rest will fall in to place and gives Ameren as an example of a company that gives their employees 10 sick days. Commissioner Curran reads the proposed policy and doesn’t feel there is anything in the policy making the City or employees safer. Commissioner Lijewski gives an example of given administrative leave that could be given. The Mayor and Commissioners debate different scenarios. Mayor Rivara states we need to move on then.
Old Business: Commissioner Curran states a net metering policy will have to be updated in March and the Council will need to decide on how to charge people in the future and if certain people would be grandfathered in under the policy. Attorney Barry states there are 2 different polices: net metering and net billing and gives explanation about the different policies. Attorney Barry has spoken to the engineer at BHMG and they recommend using the net billing system. Commissioner Curran states there is an issue with two things that are not authorized by law and goes on to discuss the issues (the load limit and the matter of paying residents if they generate electricity). Attorney Barry states it is a credit that is to be issued, not actual checks to be issued to residents. Attorney Barry states he will work with BHMG to work on a new net billing policy and present it to the council once it’s ready.
Public Comments: none
Commissioner Reports:
Argubright: absent
Lijewski: Fire Department had 17 calls this month, ambulance had 67 calls and 13 were transfers. The Police department reminds about not parking on the streets when there are 2” of snow or more. In January 33 citations were issued and so far in February 27 citations were issued. Commissioner Lijewski questions Assistant Chief Margis on the figures. Patrolman Leininger will be taking a 40-hour class on School Resource Officer training in Peoria. Patrolman Jack Barnes was the Officer of the Month for January. Commissioner Lijewski announces she is declining her position as Commissioner and this will be her last council meeting and wishes her successor well. Mayor Rivara asks if she is resigning to which she answers yes. Mayor Rivara thanks her for her service and Commissioner Curran states he does not want to give his Commissioner report after hearing that and would like to discuss Commissioner Lijewski reconsidering and acknowledges all that she brings to the position and Commissioner Lijewski thanks him for the comment.
Curran: thanks, the Street Department for their snow removal. Engineering estimates are happening for street maintenance for the upcoming year.
Cullinan: absent
Mayor’s report: The Reizner building is being demolished and the contractor will continue to clean up all debris around the building. Thanks, the City workers for a great job on the snow removal. The IBEW hosted a seminar on safety and thanks them. Cites solar installations need to be looked at to make sure they were installed correctly. Mayor Rivara asks Commissioner Lijewski about scheduling an Ambulance Board meeting and Commissioner Lijewski states she will contact Cathie Edens about handling it.
Mayor Rivara asks if Commissioner Lijewski if she would reconsider her resignation and asks the Council if they recommend not going in to closed session to which they decide not to.
A MOTION TO ADJOURN WAS MADE BY LIJEWKSI, SECONDED BY CURRAN to adjourn regular session. AYES: CURRAN, LIJEWSKI, RIVARA ABSENT: ARGUBRIGHT, CULLINAN
http://www.oglesby.il.us/newsite/regular-meeting-minutes-february-7-2022/
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