Illinois Valley Times

City of Oglesby City Council met Aug. 18

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The Oglesby City Council was called to order by Mayor Jason Curarn on August 18, 2025 at 6 p.m.

Rollcall: Commissioners Rich Baldridge, Austin Cullinan, Greg McDermott, Hilary Moyle, Mayor Jason Curran were present. City Attorney Pat Barry and City Clerk Becky Clinard were present as well.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Oglesby resident, Pat Flecker, to speak about residential dual metering ordinance. She presents some information regarding estimated water usage from the second water meter as well as a list of cities that her contractor has installed a dual meter for irrigation purposes. Pat also reminded the council and Commissioner Cullinan that although she would not be charged a sewer charge for the water that goes through the second meter that water will also not be going through the city sewer. Pat ended her public comment by requesting that the council consider amending the ordinance being placed on file allow for folks who invest in an irrigation system and have an additional water meter installed be grandfathered in in the event that the ordinance was repealed.

A MOTION WAS MADE BY Moyle, SECONDED BY McDermott to approve the minutes from August 4, 7 and 11, 2025 regular sessions. AYES: Baldridge, Cullinan, McDermott, Moyle, Curran. MOTION CARRIED

A MOTION WAS MADE BY Cullinan, SECONDED BY Moyle to approve the bills presented for payment in the amount of $738,804.61. AYES: Baldridge, Cullinan, McDermott, Moyle, Curran.

MOTION CARRIED

BILLS PRESENTED FOR PAYMENT:

A&B GARAGE, $2059.10; AED ESSENTIALS, INC, 625.00; ALTORFER INDUSTRIES, INC, $4,764.14; AMBROSE, LORI, $300.00; BAKER, DAKOTAH, $900.00; BARNES, JACK, $900.00; BAYCOM, INC, $219.00; BHMG ENGINEERS, $3525.01; BONNELL INDUSTRIES, INC, $100,563.00; BOUND TREE MEDICAL, LLC, $834.17; CHAMLIN & ASSOCIATES, $640.00; CITY OF SPRING VALLEY, $810.00; CLEGG PERKINS ELECTRIC, $4,097.69; CONWAY SHIELD, $48.88; CORE AND MAIN, $3,941.11; COSGROVE DISTRIBUTERS, $493.92; DEBO ACE HARDWARE, $117.43; DOUBLE M TRUCKING, $660.00; DRESBACH DISTRIBUTING, $34.95; DUTTLINGER, EVAN, $900.00; EMLING, RODNEY, $350.00; FOX RIVER AMMUNITION, LLC, $620.00; GONZALEZ JR, VICTOR H, $900.00; GORDON ELECTRIC SUPPLY, $615.50; GRAINGER, $328.90; HALM’S AUTO PARTS, $17.99; HAWKINS, INC, $2,741.43; HEARTLAND BANK VISA, $8,172.20; ILEAS, $120.00; IMEA, $555,962.59; IVRD, $8922.99; IMUA, $100.00; IV NET, LLP, $99.00; JACK’S GAS & SERVICE, INC, $174.00; JACOBS, DARLENE, $50.00; JOHN POHAR & SONS, LLC, $17,138.70; JOHN’S SERVICE & SALES, $890.60; KENDRICK PEST CONTROL, $243.00; KING TIRE, $486.00; LEEK, MICHELLA, $300.00; MARGIS, MICHAEL, $900.00; MARKETGUIDE, $1,600.00; MAUTINO DISTRIBUTING CO, INC, $47.50; MAZE LUMBER, $98.99; MENARDS, $564.88; MERTEL GRAVEL CO, $1900.13; MERTEL REPAIR, $875.00; MIDWEST SALT, $2,821.23; MISSISSIPPI VALLEY PUMP, INC, $1,110.00; NCPERS GROUP LIFE INS, $16.00; NORTHERN ILLINOIS AMBULANCE BILLING, INC, $1,934.34; NUFTUL, SCOTT, $900.00; OSCEPINSKI, RANDY, $900.00; OSF HEALTHCARE- CHICAGO, $1,229.00; PAYMENT SERVICE NETWORK, $133.90; PETERSEN, PAUL, $900.00; RIVARA, MICHAEL, $900.00; RO PROS, $23.50; SEIBACH, LINDA, $322.90; SEMACONNECT, LLC, $960.00; SHAW, SPENCER, $900.00; SHEARER TREE SERVICE, LLC, $160.00; SMITH’S SALES AND SERVICE, $206.00; T.E.S.T. INC, 24,437.21; THRUSH SANITATION, $375.00; UNIVERSAL UTILITY SUPPLY, $2,836.66; UTILITY EQUIPMENT CO, $555.00; V&S SCHULER ENGINEERING, INC, $26,497.68; VALLE, BRETT, $900.00; VERIZON, $166.02; WESTERN AGGREGATES, LLC, $464.15; WILMOT, KLAIRE, $50.00; WITMER PUBLIC SAFETY GROUP, $17.45; WRIGHT EXCAVATING, $15,000.00, TOTAL, $738,804.61

A MOTION WAS MADE BY Cullinan, SECONDED BY McDermott to approve the August 15, 2025 - payroll in the amount of $84,709.20. AYES: Baldridge, Cullinan, McDermott, Moyle, Curran.

MOTION CARRIED

A MOTION WAS MADE BY McDermott, SECONDED BY Baldridge to approve the purchase of a VFD pump for well #3 for $60,649.09 less $20,286.63 grant from the IMEA. AYES: Baldridge, Cullinan, McDermott, Moyle, Curran. MOTION CARRIED

A MOTION WAS MADE BY McDermott, SECONDED BY Moyle to reappoint Billy Walter to the Park Board, appoint Mimi Borio to the Ambulance Board and Rebecca Clinard to the Zoning Board. AYES: Baldridge, Cullinan, McDermott, Moyle, Curran. MOTION CARRIED

A MOTION WAS MADE BY Moyle, SECONDED BY Baldridge to table Ordinance No. 1295-081825, which sets the wages and benefits for two fulltime paramedics allowing Attorney Barry to make corrections as directed. AYES: Baldridge, Cullinan, McDermott, Moyle, Curran.

MOTION CARRIED

A MOTION WAS MADE BY McDermott, SECONDED BY Cullinan to table Ordinance No. 1296-090225, Dual metering allowing Attorney Barry to make corrections as directed. AYES: Baldridge, Cullinan, McDermott, Moyle, Curran. MOTION CARRIED

Mayor Curran presents the topic of events to discuss and decide adding further events for the remainder of 2025. Cullinan stated that he doesn’t believe this is something for the council to discuss since the City Clerk’s ordinance names her Event Coordinator and in the past, this was done at her direction. Cullinan states that Summer Fun Fest spending tends to be “piece mailed” but does not recall what was actually budgeted for this event but does believe the spending total for SFF was $110,000.00. Baldridge states that he does not recall the council approving any budgetary limits on events in Oglesby. He references “staggering” and states that he understands it as being a way of spending a large sum of money by spending smaller amounts to ultimately obtain the larger spending goal. Baldridge states that he believes this is done in the planning of SFF. Attorney Barry states that he does not ever recall a discussion about event budgeting. Clinard provided information regarding appropriations for events that the council voted to approve in the appropriations ordinance. She believes that, specifically for SFF, spending was kept below the appropriated funding amount. Curran feels that the council should have oversight as to what events are added, specifically oversight on spending. Cullinan feels that events are best left to the folks who are actually doing the events along with consultation with the council. Moyle asks what the objective is to add events since she has counted a total of 14 events each year between Oglesby and other organizations. Curran mentions the economic opportunity. Baldridge and Curran discuss the council’s level of involvement in past event planning. Cullinan reiterates that he thinks the details of events should be delegated to the people who are actually tasked with planning and carrying out the events. In regards to economic development, he feels that it is bad framing to say that every event has to be about economic development. They could also be used as a way to better the quality of life in the community as well as providing other amenities for residents, as long as the spending is not out of control. Moyle asks if the goal of the conversation is to add events since there are now two administrative assistants when there was only one in the past. Curran states that that is not the case but that if there are an abundance of events being discussed, the council should have input on what is being planned. He states that last year an email was sent out with event ideas, the council was given the opportunity to give their opinion and at that time the City Clerk was able to proceed with planning and executing the events she saw fit. After much discussion with no consensus, A MOTION IS MADE BY Cullinan to close the discussion. Motion dies for lack of a second. Curran asks for input on ideas for how the council should remain involved in the conversation regarding future events. McDermott states that a decision was made to give full authority to the City Clerk because there had been issue with members directing the office staff on what direction they wanted events to go in and asks if that decision is now changing. Baldridge states that the item was placed in the agenda by Curran so he would ask how Curran believes the council should have consensus on events going forward. Curran states that if an email is sent out to the council with events ideas and there is no response then it should be brought to the council as a whole. Moyle states that she would like to see no additional events, outside of the currently scheduled events, added this year. Baldridge states that he agrees. Curran asks if everyone is in agreement that the administrative/event staff should have no additional events tasked to them at this time. The general consensus was that the staff would move forward with the events that are in the works for 2025.

Curran gives an update on the We Are Oglesby Car Show. He mentions a conflict with allowing alcohol in the street during the car show while Boots, Brew, & BBQ will be later selling alcohol at that event in Senica Square. Curran states that there would be leniency with open alcohol in the street during the car show but when that event is over that leniency will not be afforded and open containters should remain within the boundaries of the establishments unless purchased from the beer garden at Boots, Brew, & BBQ and consumed at Senica Square.

A MOTION WAS MADE BY McDermott, SECONDED BY Moyle to approve travel expenses for IML Conference September 18-20 at a cost not to exceed $13,500.00 (8 officials). AYES: Baldridge, Cullinan, McDermott, Moyle, Curran. MOTION CARRIED

Cullinan asks how the cost compares to last year. Clinard states that the amount is close. Curran states that this year there is an additional official attending since there is a Deputy Chief this year.

Discuss need for additional storage for equipment and materials. McDermott states that if the vactor truck is purchased it will need storage and that there is other equipment lacking proper storage. He’d like input from the council for the direction that they would like to go in. Baldridge states that the appropriations ordinance was already approved and feels that an additional cost of this size requires much more thought and information. Cullinan agrees. Moyle states that she is touring the city buildings to see what the need might be. Curran speaks about the deficits in the road salt storage garage and the plan he wanted to put in place while he was a commissioner but the cost was quite high to erect a new building.

Cullinan recognizes City Clerk, Rebecca Clinard, on her final day before retirement. He expresses his gratitude for all of her hard work and dedication to the city and the Clerk’s office. Cullinan presents Clinard with gifts of gratitude. Moyle congratulates Clinard on her well- earned retirement and thanks her for everything she’s done for the City of Oglesby. McDermott thanks Clinard for everything she’s done. Baldridge acknowledges Clinard for being invaluable at a time when many of the council members were new to city government and for the guidance during this time. Curran thanks Clinard for coming out of retirement to help the council get things back on track and will always be appreciative of that. Curran mentions some of Clinard’s accomplishments and her roll in many great ideas that, he believes, have been a benefit to the City of Oglesby.

PUBLIC COMMENT

Ken Ficek, Oglesby resident, states that on behalf of the Plan Commission they appreciate all that Clinard has done. Ficek reviews the agenda for the upcoming PC meeting in regards to the Comprehensive Plan and invites residents to attend.

Rebecca Clinard, City Clerk and resident, speaks to McDermott in response to a question he had asked about her retirement and states that she is retiring because that is what she wants for herself. Clinard thanks the Clerk’s office staff and her fellow city employees. Becky addresses commissioners McDermott and Baldridge for the trust that they’ve had in her and recognizes them for their hard work and dedication to Oglesby and the roll they play as commissioners. Clinard thanks Moyle, as a new commissioner, for sacrifice and dedication to being involved. Clinard acknowledges Cullinan for working well with the office and with her in her roll as city clerk. Clinard addresses Curran in his roll as mayor and gives her impression on the importance of working together and being a good leader. Clinard continues to address the council as a whole and encourages them to work together, be kind and to be cognizant as they leave their mark on Oglesby.

COMMISSIONER REPORTS

Austin Cullinan, Accounts and Finance

• Thanks, Ken Ficek, for speaking on the upcoming Plan Commission meeting. He encourages residents to stay involved in Oglesby by attending meetings.

Hilary Moyle, Public Safety

• Moyle mentions an upcoming fundraiser in September. She also acknowledges the Night Out in August that was an event put on to bring the community together with the emergency service personnel, not only in Oglesby but other areas as well. Moyle thanks the Electric Department for their response time in a recent outage. Recognizes First Responder Of The Month, Derek Vicich.

Greg McDermott, Public Works

• McDermott encourages residents to attend the upcoming PC meeting. He thanks the Water and Street Departments for their work on a recent watermain break. Richard Baldridge, Public Property

• Baldridge thanks the Electric Department for their work on the outage and mentions continued work to be sure that they are ready when these things occur. He mentions an available scholarship, Line Worker and Technical Education Scholarship, from the American Public Power Association.

MAYORS REPORT

• Curran states that the Clerk’s position in Oglesby is complex and difficult but after receiving many great applications, the council will be ready to appoint a new clerk at the next meeting. Curran thanks the residents for their patience as we navigated the Teamsters strike with Republic Services. He also thanks the Street Department for opening up an opportunity for lawn waste disposal while the garbage service was unable to collect those bags.

A MOTION WAS MADE BY Cullinan to enter into executive session but with a lack of a second the motion dies.

:A MOTION WAS MADE BY Baldridge, SECONDED BY McDermott to adjourn at 7:09 p.m. AYES: Baldridge, Cullinan, McDermott, Moyle, Curran. MEETING ADJOURNED.

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