Illinois Valley Times

City of Oglesby City Council met Jan. 2.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

A regular meeting of the Oglesby City Council was held on Tuesday, January 2, 2024. The meeting was called to order at 4:17 pm by Mayor Jason Curran.

PRESENT: Mayor Jason Curran, Commissioners Richard Baldridge, Terry Eutis, Gregory McDermott, Tony Stefanelli, City Clerk Becky Clinard and Attorney Pat Barry and IML President, Brad Cole.

It was agreed that the Pledge of Allegiance would be recited when the meeting is resumed after executive session.

A MOTION WAS MADE BY McDermott, SECONDED BY Stefanelii to enter into executive session for the purpose of 5 ILCS 120/2 (c)(16) Self-evaluation, practices and procedures or professional ethics, when meeting with a representative of a statewide association of which the public body is a member; to be conducted by the Illinois Municipal League. AYES: Baldridge, Eutis, McDermott, Stefanelli, Curran. MOTION CARRIED.

The regular meeting of the Oglesby City Council resumed at 7 p.m.

PRESENT: Mayor Jason Curran, Commissioners Richard Baldridge, Terry Eutis, Gregory McDermott, Tony Stefanelli, City Clerk Becky Clinard and Attorney Pat Barry.

Brad Cole, IML President, read a short statement recognizing that the council entered into executive session under authority granted by 5 ILCS 120/2 (c) (16) which allows for self-evaluation, practices and procedures when meeting with a representative of the IML. Cole said that no action was taken during the closed session and no actionable item arose from the closed session. Curran thanked Cole for his attendance and assistance.

Public Comment on Agenda Items: There was no comment.

A MOTION WAS MADE BY McDermott, SECONDED by Stefanelli, to approve the minutes from the December 18, 2023, meeting. AYES: Baldridge, Eutis, McDermott, Stefanelli, Curran. MOTION CARRIED.

A MOTION WAS MADE BY Stefanelli, SECONDED by Eutis to approve the bills presented for payment in the amount of $113,395.86. AYES: Baldridge, Eutis, McDermott, Stefanelli, Curran. NAYS: None MOTION CARRIED.

BILLS PRESENTED. TOTAL: Air One Equipment Inc., $865.00; Allen, Kelly, -$148.80; Ameren Illinois 23130-02101, $584.80; Ameren Ip-01159-82892, $4,321.70; Anke, Madeline, $100.00; Arrow Sales & Service Inc, $135.00; Bobs' Business Inc, $54.78; Bradley, Diquan, -$136.91; Castillo, Edgar, -$105.81; Cendejas, Jose, -$201.01; Chapman And Cutler Llp, $500.00; Comcast Business, $174.73; Connecting Point, $930.00; Conway Shield, $424.25; Core & Main, $2,265.00; Cortilenos, $873.00; Dalton, Kelly, $15.34; De Lage Landen Financial Services, $345.27; Double M Trucking, $528.00; Emergency Medical Products Inc, $177.87; Emmett, Cody, -$1.07; Feece Oil Co, $2,149.57; Fender Menders, $221.11; Frost, Lauren, -$32.18; Grainco Fs Inc., $303.16; Hawkins, Inc, $1,532.05; Heartland Bank And Trust, $500.00; Holcim-Mamr Inc., $407.90; Hy-Vee, Inc, $200.40; Il Public Risk Fund, $8,327.00; Il Valley Regional Dispatch, $7,210.56; Illinois State Police, $28.25; Impact Networking Llc, $128.00; Jenkins, Cynthia, - $129.27; John Senica Jr., $156.89; Karpinski, Autumn, -$35.09; King, Vicky, -$71.67; Martinez, Alex, - $165.70; Mautino Distributing Co Inc, $100.00; Mclaughlin, Barbara, -$56.12; Menards, $63.70; Mertel Gravel Co, $760.76; Ncpers Group Life Ins, $16.00; Osf Saint Elizabeth Medical Center, $607.74; Ottawa Office Supply, $260.12; Ottosen Dinolfo, $165.00; Pelka, Julianna, -$21.68; Power, Robin, -$91.80; Republic Services -- Allied Waste, $31,635.60; Santiago, Irene, -$32.38; Sedlacek, Stephanie, -$48.17; Sinetos, Jordan, -$20.35; Skidmore, Mark, -$18.07; Smart Source Llc, $3,443.52; Smith, Luke, -$54.75; Standard Insurance-Life, $881.58; Stryker Sales, Llc, $478.55; Sunrise Supply, $246.44; T.E.S.T Inc., $200.00; Tang, Jordan, -$13.72; Tension Envelope Corp, $1,879.71; Thurman Truevalue Hardware, $171.75; Tussey, Jeffery, -$300.00; United; Healthcare Insurance, $32,486.90; United States Postal Service, $869.89; Utility Equipment Co., $1,569.00; Verizon, $807.84; Western Aggregates Llc, $435.37; Wex Bank, $3,577.26; Woodburn, David, $149.39; Workman, Rebekah, -$18.82; Wozniak, David, - $190.53 TOTAL $113,395.86

A MOTION WAS MADE BY Stefanelli, SECONDED BY McDermott to approve the December 22, 2023, payroll in the amount of $110,631.06. AYES: Baldridge, Eutis, McDermott, Stefanelli, Curran. NAYS: None MOTION CARRIED.

A MOTION WAS MADE BY Stefanelli, SECONDED BY McDermott to place on file the recommendations from the Plan Commission regarding the Bellino Watson Street vacation request and the Illinois Valley Community College request to annex, special use, and zoning change to M1 on two parcels. AYES: Baldridge, Eutis, McDermott, Stefanelli, Curran. NAYS: None MOTION CARRIED.

A MOTION WAS MADE BY Stefanelli, SECONDED BY Eutis to approve the vacation of the portion of Watson Avenue that abuts the Bellino property. AYES: Baldridge, Eutis, McDermott, Stefanelli, Curran. NAYS: None MOTION CARRIED.

Attorney Barry told the council that the vote on the IVCC annexation request would be taken after an agreement is reached between the city and the college about the terms of the annexation.

A MOTION WAS MADE BY McDermott, SECONDED BY Baldridge to approve raffle licenses for Holy Family School and the Dickinson Foundation. AYES: Baldridge, Eutis, McDermott, Stefanelli NAYS: Curran. MOTION CARRIED.

The MOU with the FOP was brought before the council again, with Curran again expressing his concerns about offering a benefit to a bargaining unit without getting something back in return. Both he and Eutis read portions of an email from the labor attorney that appeared to support their case.

A MOTION WAS MADE BY Eutis, SECONDED BY Stefanelli to “go forward with the MOU with the changes requested by the labor attorney in subsection C. “ AYES: Baldridge, Eutis, McDermott, Stefanelli. NAYS: Curran MOTION CARRIED.

OLD BUSINESS:

• Stefanelli updated the council on the ruling by the Attorney General’s office on the complaint filed by Curran against the four commissioners alleging that they violated the Open Meetings Act by signing and sending a letter to the city’s attorneys. The AG’s office ruled in favor of the commissioners, saying there was no violation of the Open Meetings Act. Stefanelli provided copies of the documents on the video screen and a timeline.

• Curran had asked that the sewer check value ordinance be placed on the agenda, noting that the council had tabled the item months ago with the intent to bring it back up the first of the year. McDermott asked for more time to review the sewer check valve ordinance and expressed his concerns about some of the language.

A MOTION WAS MADE BY McDermott, SECONDED BY Baldridge to table discussion on the sewer check value ordinance. AYES: Baldridge, Eutis, McDermott, Stefanelli NAYS: Curran. MOTION CARRIED.

• Curran talked about the difference between Roberts Rules of Order and the Open Meetings Act requirements for meeting minutes. He acknowledged that the most recent minutes appear to meet the criteria of the OMA and called the issue “dead” at this point. Stefanelli defended the clerk and offered her the opportunity to defend herself. Clinard said that she felt the earlier discussion in executive session had “vindicated” her, and she had nothing more to say.

NEW BUSINESS

• Mayor Curran read a slate of candidate for open positions on various committees and boards which he had earlier emailed to the commissioners. Stefanelli said that he didn’t have a problem with the appointment of McDermott to the IVRD board, but wished for more discussion on the other appointments as he was aware of others who might be interested.

A MOTION WAS MADE BY Stefanelli, SECONDED BY Baldridge to appoint Gregory McDermott as the co representative to the IVRD board. AYES: Baldridge, Eutis, McDermott, Stefanelli Curran. MOTION CARRIED.

Curran then asked about the other appointments, with Stefanelli saying that he wished to wait to vote until after discussing the appointments in executive session.

A MOTION WAS MADE BY Stefanelli, SECONDED BY McDermott to table the nominations. AYES: Baldridge, Eutis, McDermott, Stefanelli ABSTAIN: Curran. MOTION CARRIED.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

• Drew Merriman continued voicing his concerns about a resident who he describes as a “a paranoid schizophrenic.” Merriman also lamented that the police department doesn’t take his concerns seriously.

COMMISSIONER REPORTS:

Tony Stefanelli, Accounts and Finance

❖ Thanked the city clerk’s office staff

❖ Wished Oglesby residents a happy New year

Terry Eutis, Public Health and Safety

❖ Read a statement from Chief Margis about the “Shop with a Cop” program, thanking the many donors and reiterating the many benefits of the program Gregory McDermott, Streets, Water and Sewer

❖ Encouraged residents to fill out the Lead Line surveys Rich Baldridge, Public Property

❖ Addressed an accusation made at the last council meeting concerning work at Mallick Substation.

❖ Announced Skills and Drills basketball camp sign up is ongoing

MAYOR’S REPORT:

❖ Discussed Code Red and the opportunity to sign up for special alerts.

❖ Talked about some of the good things the city is working on for 2024.

❖ Shared a quote by John F. Kennedy: “The great enemy of truth is very often not the lie– deliberate, contrived and dishonest–but the myth–persistent, persuasive and unrealistic. Too often we hold fast to the cliches of our forebears. We subject all facts to a prefabricated set of interpretations. We enjoy the comfort of opinion without the discomfort of thought.” Then encourage the council to be “honest and moral” in their dealings with one another.

A MOTION WAS MADE BY Stefanelli, SECONDED BY McDermott to enter into executive session at 7:37 p.m. to discuss “discuss (1) the operation by a municipality of a municipal utility or the operation of a municipal power agency or municipal natural gas agency when the discussion involves (i)contracts relating to the purchase, sale, or delivery of electricity or natural gas or (ii) the results or conclusions of load forecast studies. 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(23). (2) The appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees, 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1). AYES: Baldridge, Eutis, McDermott, Stefanelli Curran. MOTION CARRIED.

A MOTION WAS MADE BY Eutis, SECONDED BY Baldridge to resume the regular city council meeting at 8:35 p.m. AYES: Baldridge, Eutis, McDermott, Stefanelli Curran. NAYS: None MOTION CARRIED.

A MOTION WAS MADE BY Baldridge, SECONDED BY McDermott to adjourn at 8:36 p.m. AYES: Baldridge, Eutis, McDermott, Stefanelli, Curran. NAYS: None MOTION CARRIED.

https://oglesby.il.us/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/010224MINUTES-R2.pdf