City of Oglesby City Council met May 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, MAYOR RIVARA, AND CITY CLERK AMY EITUTIS. ABSENT: COMMISSIONER EUTIS AND ATTORNEY BARRY.
A MOTION WAS MADE BY CURRAN, SECONDED BY ARGUBRIGHT to approve the regular meeting minutes from May 2, 2022. AYES: ARGUBRIGHT, CULLINAN, CURRAN, RIVARA. ABSENT: EUTIS
Public comments on agenda items only: Kathy Fredrick addresses the council and gives her opinions about why she feels a parking lot is necessary at the East end of town. Her opinion is that the need is being ignored. Ms. Fredrick gives examples of businesses that need parking. Ms. Frederick states she was told by Mayor Rivara that a parking lot would be built. Ms. Fredrick states there is no parking at the East end of town and asks the Council to consider the need of those residents and business owners on the East end of town.
Charles Cusick addresses the council in regards to his concerns for parking for the axe throwing businesses he is in the process of opening and he agrees that it would be a benefit to have a parking lot at the East end of town.
A MOTION WAS MADE BY ARGUBRIGHT, SECONDED BY CURRAN to approve bills as presented for payment. AYES: ARGUBRIGHT, CULLINAN, CURRAN, RIVARA. ABSENT: EUTIS
A MOTION WAS MADE BY ARGUBRIGHT, SECONDED BY CURRAN to table 1196-051622 and Ordinance Modifying the Terms of Employment for the Oglesby Chief of Police. AYES: ARGUBRIGHT, CULLINAN, CURRAN, RIVARA. ABSENT: EUTIS. Mayor Rivara suggests tabling the ordinance until the next city council meeting.
A MOTION WAS MADE BY CURRAN, SECONDED BY CULLINAN to approve the façade application recommendation from the Façade Committee for payment. AYES: CULLINAN, CURRAN, RIVARA. ABSTAIN: ARGUBRIGHT ABSENT: EUTIS Commissioner Curran states he was hoping to modify the program in regards to existing businesses and new businesses that plan on coming to town. Commissioner Curran would like to see a separation for the two in the future.
A MOTION WAS MADE BY CURRAN, SECONDED BY NONE to approve 1197-051622 an ordinance authorizing the sale of property located at 246 East Walnut Street, Oglesby Illinois as B1 downtown commercial property. MOTION DIES, NO ACTION TAKEN. Mayor Rivara states comments have been made by residents regarding the matter. Commissioner Curran appreciates the comments and finds flaw with the statements that were made. Commissioner Curran questions why when in the past and there were more businesses open was there not an issue with parking? Commissioner Curran also states a lot with 12-16 spaces will not solve the parking issue. Commissioner Curran feels a parking lot would be a good idea, but would like to list the lot for 45 days to see if a potential buyer comes forward. Mayor Rivara states that part of the problem is that there are no parking spaces for tenants in the area. Mayor Rivara is also not opposed to a parking lot and understands the needs but also agrees in the need to put the lot up for sale. Mayor Rivara states the City has the right to refuse the bids for any reason. Commissioner Argubright asks what the sale price would be? And if a realtor will be used? Commissioner Argubright states he feels it would not be worth it to sell it and agrees with the need for a parking lot. Commissioner Curran states there is no harm with listing the lot for 45 days. Mayor Rivara believes by listing the property it will satisfy both needs about listing the property and if it doesn’t sell, they can move forward with a parking lot. City engineer Jim Clinard states there would be approximately 12-16 parking spots once built.
George Cullinan addresses the council with his concerns regarding the proposed parking lot. Mr. Cullinan states that there is an issue regarding those that live in the East side of town versus those that live on the West side of town. Mr. Cullinan believes it has nothing to do with economics that “everything goes west of Dale Street.” Mr. Cullinan states it is a matter of principle. Mayor Rivara agrees with Mr. Cullinan.
Commissioner Curran that once 45 days have passed and no offers have come forth that the City should look at the options for a parking lot. Commissioner Argubright feels by announcing it at a council meeting earlier that should serve as publishing the lot for sale. Commissioner Curran questions that and is told it was just made public by a news article.
A MOTION WAS MADE BY ARGUBRIGHT, SECONDED BY CURRAN to approve the purchase of a squad car for the Oglesby Police Department. AYES: ARGUBRIGHT, CULLINAN, CURRAN, RIVARA. ABSENT: EUTIS
A MOTION WAS MADE BY CURRAN, SECONDED BY ARGUBRIGHT to approve and set IMEA Electric Efficiency Program usages for year 2022. AYES: ARGUBRIHT, CULLINAN, CURRAN, RIVARA. ABSENT: EUTIS Commissioner Curran states last year the City set aside $16,000.00 and $7000.00 for businesses. The companies took out applications and one applied but then decided against it. Commissioner Curran recommends setting aside $8000.00 and if is not used within 90 the City will use all of the funds for the lighting program. Mayor Rivara states that for every light that is replaced the city saves 40%.
A MOTION IS MADE BY CURRAN, SECONDED BY ARGUBRIGHT to table the discussion to central purchases for the City. AYES: ARGUBRIGHT, CULLINAN, CURRAN, RIVARA. ABSENT: EUTIS
Old Business: Commissioner Curran would like to get the plan for load shedding approved at the next council meeting.
Public Comments: Charles Cusick addresses the council in regards to the zoning for the future axe throwing business. Commissioner Curran believes the council agreed to send the matter to the Zoning Committee. Mr. Cusick asks if there is a time when it will be done as he would like to open by the time Summer Fun Fest happens in June and would like to have his business open by then. Mayor Rivrara believes the matter will be squared away by then.
George Cullinan asks if the City of Oglesby has any input with Comcast? Mr. Cullinan has issues with the programming packages and asks if the city can get a meeting with the company? Mayor Rivara states he has a number and will reach out to the company.
Commissioner Reports:
Argubright: none
Eutis: absent
Cullinan: LP Cavaliers will be hosting the IHSA baseball tournament on 05/25/2022 and the championship game will be played on 05/28/2022.
Curran: hydrant flushing will begin on May 31, 2022 and will run until June 3, 2022. The Electric Department has several things happening behind the scenes: 2nd feed, solar sights, EV charging stations and a cooling center at City Hall.
Mayor’s report: announces the accident with the Ambulance Department and gives details of the accident. Complaints have been made about golf carts/dirt bikes/etc and reminds that owners will be ticketed. Mayor Rivara asks for volunteers for Summer Fun Fest and reminds residents of the 50/50 drawing. Mayor Rivara thanks GTI for their donation of $1,000 towards the thermal imaging camera. Mayor Rivara thanks the American Legion Colorguard for their participation for the Mayor’s Day parade and also congratulates Holy Family students for their achievement at the recent track meet. Mayor Rivara discusses the status of abandoned properties. Mayor Rivara states those that are tied up in estates take time to clear up the issue.
A MOTION TO ADJOURN REGULAR SESSION WAS MADE BY ARGUBRIGHT, SECONDED BY CURRAN. AYES: ARGUBRIGHT, CULLINAN, CURRAN, RIVARA. ABSENT: EUTIS
http://www.oglesby.il.us/newsite/regular-meeting-minutes-may-16-2022/
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