City Council - Regular Meeting

You did so you can accuse us of something. So if I say I think you've been stealing money. So we're going to write that in a minute. And then actually all we have to do tomorrow. Okay. All right. You're not going to approve it. That's all. One minute left. 30 seconds. I got 6 p.m. Actually, is everybody ready? I got 60:01. Like to call the Ogalsby City Council meeting to order. Roll call, please. Here. Here. McDermott here. Here.

Here. Please stand for the pledge of allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible. Rich, do you want to move that? The approval of the table. I don't I don't want a table. Okay. Um before we I have to I think somebody wanted to move the approving of minutes to the end of the meeting. I just want to make sure that we get it done. I don't want to hold anything up tonight. Uh, is that Do you want to make that motion? Make a motion to move the minutes on the move. Okay, I will second. Okay, roll call, please. Uh, well, should we be more specific with the motion?

Oh, I'm sorry. Uh, I think we're fine with seven. Is that correct? All right. Just the opening minutes. Okay. Roll call, please. Aldridge. Hi. Hi, McDermott. I

Okay, number four. Mayor's report. Uh I don't have a whole lot tonight. I'll try to keep it short. Um just first thing was uh events are starting to spin up uh in this for the year. Uh first one is Bark in the park. Now it is May 23rd, so it's a bit of time get away, but it does take a lot of prep work um and everything for all this kind of stuff that we have for the year. Uh and it kind of relates because likely next meeting we'll discuss a little bit of an event budget. We talked a little bit about that. Um, I know that we're going to eventually get an event budget probably for the appropriations bill, but I'd like to start looking at it a little bit early to see if there's room in there to maybe create some smaller events that our event coordinators kind of recommended. So, look forward to that coming. Uh, number two, uh, IV baseball and T-ball are in their final signup. Uh, it's March 1st and softball is February 28th. So, don't let those days slip by if you have, uh, kids that you're still looking to get involved. Great programs here in Ogalsby. I've talked about them extensively. Um, number three, um, board availability. So, we're going to have a couple board availabilities, and I wanted to talk a little bit about that. Uh, first of all, the available boards are going to be ambulance board. We did have somebody that was kind of selected for it that would have been just a fantastic fit. Uh, but she's dealing with some health concerns with her mother, so she's not able to to to be part of that. So, we got one available for ambulance board. We'll have one coming up for plan commission. And then the uh 125th celebration committee that we're going to start that board tonight. Um, so far I only have one person. Wally Markwat. The reason is so Wall-E was actually on the board. He was the chair of it 25 years ago. So he said he doesn't really want to be the chair anymore, but I think it's fantastic to bring somebody back that was on this board 25 years ago. So I do have three others that have reached out to me. They're all fantastic candidates, but they don't have a lot of range of of exposure of what they represent in Oglesby. So I'd love if some more of those names, people that would be interested. We're looking forward to some um highly motivated uh energetic individuals that want to look at trying to create a great event that we have probably in about a year and a half from now. Um and then the I know a lot of people think of the plan commission as

our biggest and most important board. And I would say it has the largest impact probably overall on the community. Um but the ambulance board as well, there's a lot of big things going on for the ambulance that we're going to have to answer and and get some questions for. So that's really going to be a driving factor of how we're going to shape Oglesby. So, uh, please if if you're interested in those positions, please reach out to me, uh, or reach out to the clerk's office and then hopefully we can get a good slate of names. We'll talk about it at our next meeting and then get some good appointments for everybody. Uh, that is all I have for my mayor's report. Uh, number five, public comment on agenda items only. Seeing that there's none, we'll move on. Six is moved to the bottom. Seven, approve minutes from October 6th, October 20th, November 17th, December 1st, December 15th, 2025, and January 5th, and January 20th, 2026 executive session. So, um, if there's no additions, corrections, or modifications, can I get a motion to approve the

Make a motion to approve the executive session minutes. I'll second that motion. Roll call, please. Uh, Baldridge, hi. Cullinin, hi. McDermott, I Moy, I. Curran, I. Number eight, approve bills for payment in the amount of $118,594.70. Normally, I would just say my my standard preamble, but we've had some concerns with the bills, so I will go around and see if anybody has any questions or comments or anything to add. Austin, no. Hillary Mac. No, no. Okay. If there's no nothing further, if we can get a motion to approve the bills, please. I move we approve bills presented for payment in the amount of $118,594.74 or sorry

$118,594.70. You about overpaid for my bad. My bad. Okay, I got a second. Roll call, please. Uh Baldrich. Hi Colin. Hi McDermott. Hi Moy. Hi. Curran. Hi. Number nine. Approve payroll for February 13th, 2026 in the amount of $67,862.81. If there's no additions, corrections, or modifications, can I get a motion to approve the payroll? I move we approve payroll for February 13, 2026 in the amount of $67,862.81. I second. Roll call, please. Baldrich, I. Pullin, I. McDermott, I. Moy, I. Curran, I got it right that time. What's that?

Got it right that time. Good job. Number 10. Uh, accept resignation of Ken Fisc. So, I thought we'd go around the room if anybody had any any comments or anything like that uh before we have to accept such a terrible and and sad sad day. Uh any comments?

Uh no. I mean, I'll just offer kind of um generic thank you to Ken for all that he's done. I I mean, honestly, I I I didn't know exactly uh how long you've been around in the city and I just how how many different capacities you've served the city. Uh, and so, um, hearing about that, it kind of blew my mind. Honestly, it wasn't something that I knew. And so, um, I I think especially in today's day and age to see that kind of commitment, um, that longevity and that kind of commitment to, you know, one business or one organization or whatever, it's very rare. And so, I definitely think it's something um, to give you a fair bit of praise for. And so we certainly um I speak on behalf of myself, but I'm sure my peers share the same sentiment. Uh we thank you for everything you've done for the city.

Thank you. Appreciate it. It was very well said. I really appreciate everything you've done. And I do have a small little story is when I did sign up to be on city council before I was elected, when I was appointed, I didn't know what to expect. And honestly, this is, you know, you can see, but but I just wanted to point out how kind and welcoming that Ken was on my first night, and I really truly appreciate that. And it shows the type of character he has. So, thank you for everything you've done for Oglesby, and thanks for just being an all-around great person. Excellent,

Mac. Well, Ken, I'm going to have a problem accepting your resignation because I appreciate the knowledge and the experience that you have and all everything you've done for the city. I'll uh accept it on the grounds that if I need some information, I can come to you, right? I mean, it's valuable. I appreciate you. Thanks, Rich. Yeah, like Austin said, I don't remember when you started, but uh you've given a lot to the city and we do appreciate that. um known you a long time and I appreciate all the knowledge and experience you've given to us. Thank you, Ken.

All right. I I think this is truly a special day. I'm looking forward to uh you know, it's rare that we get to do nice fun things like this. So, I'll reserve my comments for the for the next item here a little bit. Um can we get a motion to accept uh begrudgingly accept uh Ken's resignation? I'll make a motion to grudgingly accept his resignation. Can we get the minutes to say that? Yes. Made a motion. I'll second. All right. Roll call, please. Baldridge. Hi. Cullinin. Hi. McDermott. Hi. Moy. Hi. Curran. Hi.

Okay. Number 11. Recognition of Ken Sp6 for service the city. Okay. So, um I wanted to just chat a little bit. Um I want to thank uh Ken not only for all the work and everything that he's done for the city, but when I was thinking about this, I wanted to recognize him. Um, and and when I looked at 55 years, 55 years is such a long time. It spans such I've only been on the council seven years and I can't imagine going eight times that amount. So, doing a little bit of history, a little bit of history and stuff like that. Uh, found out that there's eight different mayors that you

um I did have an opportunity to talk to Mayor George Cullinin on the phone yesterday. We actually talked for a while. Talked for about 25 minutes. um he wanted me to relay that uh he will not be able to make it tonight due to some health concerns. So just if we can keep it in our hearts, our minds and hopefully have good full recovery. Hopefully that'll be the case. Uh and then I also have Mayor uh uh Don Finley here. You'll come up that'll be great. And then Mayor Don Lavar, Mayor Mayor Car, Mayor Forez, and Mayor Scott are no longer with us here today, but I really appreciate this. To me, just represents the amount of time somebody has put forth. Um, Ken, if you could come up briefly, I' I'd love to be able to give give you something. I can't thank you enough for the amount of time that you put forth. And so this is something I wanted to kind of put together. I did a little bit of research on this and to all of our records that we found, we don't think it's been done in the city yet. Um, you'd probably be the expert on this if it was and I was wrong, but you know, so the thing is looking at what qualifies somebody for this, uh, there really is nothing written. So now you are the new gold standard and I am so honored to present you with the key to the city.

Oh. Mayor want to say anything or we want to bring the council up take some pictures but whatever. Laura is yours, sir.

Well, first of all, thank you and thank the council for this evening. 55 years have been a long time, but I've had the pleasure of working with eight different mayors as you mentioned and with 14 different councils and probably about different people that volunteered their time and effort and for the part of the city contributing to the growth of the city and for that I've been extremely grateful people like Jim Bernard and Watson that are currently on the board we really appreciate all the time and effort that they put in Brandy it's it's fantastic to have people who want to give their time to make the city a better city they don't sit back and complain they come and get involved and that's the thing you need you need people to come and get involved in the city and be be part of it. I forgot Rich's name. So, it's been my pleasure to do that. But you can't do any of this without the support of your family and my the wings beneath my the wind beneath my wings. Erin and Greg, Bonnie and Mark, Jen and Kevin, Mary and Mitch, my grandkids, Ethan, Tara, John's back there, Joe. They're all very, very supportive. And you can't do it without that kind of help. One last thing I want to say, most of you know I'm historical, though. And my my real my my my political idol is Governor Richard. Now, Governor Ogles was the first governor to be elected three times. And he's the only government governor in the state of Illinois to be elected in three different decades, the 1860s, the 70s,

and 1880s. And he served not only the state, but also served as US senator for over 40 years. And when he retired the first time from the governorship in 1869, they had a reception for him in Decator and he gave a speech and I'll paraphrase one of the things he said in there. He said, "If it is an honor to be selected for an office, it certainly is an honor to retire from it." So with that, thank you all very much and thanks He was always prepared.

Anybody want to say anything else extra as well or anything? You're welcome. Thank you. Thank you so much.

Do you want to take a picture of any family members? This is your night. Oh, maybe

he's been very fruitful. All right.

Thank you, Mayor. Oh, thank you so much. My pleasure. Thanks for having certainly. Thank you. Yes, of course. Yes. I appreciate everything. Thanks everybody. Have a good one. Thank you. Thanks, Kim. I need your number, by the way. All right. Wow. I got it. Thank you, everybody. All right. Well, that certainly was nice. We don't get an opportunity to do those kinds of things every day. So, thank you, Barb. Appreciate it. Thanks for all the support, too.

Feel like I had a missed opportunity. I should have had that was twice the size for Barb right after or something like that. That would have that would have been good. All right. Uh number 12 uh is Habitat for Humanity presentation. All right.

You should see us on a normal day. You know when I actually lift you up on a normal day.

You're fine. Thank you guys for having me today. Mayor, councilman, I'm Jessica Brafield with Habitat for Humanity Salv County. I just wanted to come here today to share some information with you about a potential partnership opportunity with the city of Oglesby and Habitat for Humanity. Habitat builds homes for people in need. Um they work with families to provide safe affordable housing. The common misconception is that we give away homes and we do not. So if we partner with families, they put in sweat equity. They pay an affordable mortgage and if the city were interested in exploring this opportunity, this project would involve the construction of a single family home on a lot in Opalby. Um, a lot of the benefits coming to this from a community perspective are that it adds long-term home ownership and investment into your neighborhoods, puts it back on the tax role. Um, you also have it engages the community, it it gets families involved, it gets churches involved, it gets the the schools are involved, teachers are out there on the build. It's a it's an excellent opportunity to re-engage your community. Um what it would look like for your investment in it would be a lot buildable city lot with water and sewer hookups. Um we ask that to be donated. And I'm also asking we have a family selection community or committee that gets together to pick these families um after they pre-qualify. I'd like to see OO put a couple people on that committee so you know what family's either from here that's going in this home or we're bringing in so I would I'd like that also. So if this would be something of interest I'd like for you guys to consider it. Um we're we're very interested in coming to as well and I've got some leaf behind for you guys to take a look at. Do you guys have any questions? Because if I can't answer I brought some really smart people.

Okay. Anybody have any questions from the council on anything? There any mysteries behind habitat? It always seems like I have a few of those like questions of like who are we, what do we do, how do we do this? I I guess yeah I'm just curious as to kind of how the I mean obviously I know that you said we have to provide the lot and utilities and whatnot but um as far as like the uh the actual cost associated with rehabilitation or not necessarily rehabilitation well maybe rehabilitation of a home or construction of a home do you guys like fundra for that uh and you have donors that

Absolutely. Absolutely. We just finished up um a build in Princeton and what we have is a lot of in donors and we start locally with local businesses local contractors in Princeton. We use someone's in the kitchen seven graers came in donated the heating and air town and country did all of the plumbing. Uh Todd at wet carpet did the flooring. We also had a local business there. It's called Barrel Society and it's a a bourbon bar, but they have excellent marketing and excellent following. And so we did an auction, a bourbon, like a rare bourbon auction kind of like does and we were able to fund raise almost 10 $10,000

for that. So we do do a lot of fundraising. We have, you know, different we're having a golf out that's coming up as well. But we do offset a lot of the cost with donors, income donors. And so when the home is constructed or uh rehabilitated or well I guess I see here it says they purchase the home with an affordable mortgage. So the house will be in their name and the taxes will be in their name as well.

It will absolutely you know the best way that I think we talked to Princeton city council about it was you build a home for $200,000 and you have different businesses that come in and donate their labor and their products and now you have it down to 140 and that's the mortgage that they would affordable for them to be able to build, you know, a home at 140. Lots of volunteer labor helps so much because labor is so expensive, but um so that keeps the cost down as well. So you're, you know, your donation of the lot would also be an offset of the cost so they could afford a better mortgage. And I'm assuming sweat equity would be hours that they the actual homeowner would put in towards

it. It is. So they they can do that by being on the build um and helping with the build. Of course, we have you know, people that are skilled and professional that are guiding our unskilled volunteers, but they can swing a hammer, they can paint, they can provide lunches for the other volunteers. We also have the Habitat Restore in Peru and they can do and volunteer their hours there in the restore or up in the offices doing office work. So, can anybody volunteer to be on a build? Can anyone? Yeah. Yeah. So, basically, we can all grab a hammer and hell. I was thinking you guys could use a little kumbaya moment on this film. Absolutely. Absolutely. Maybe not come the hammer day, but yeah,

maybe not make a painting day. Uh yeah, I I was just thinking it would actually I I think it would be actually pretty interesting uh mutually beneficial because uh you know uh uh handy stuff, swinging a hammer is not necessarily my forte. So maybe I can learn something. So

yeah, it's amazing how many of our volunteers walk away with a, you know, with a new skill set. And what's even more important, I see a lot of my volunteers that they walk away, you know, with new friendships, you know, and they're reinvested into a new friendship. I have three volunteers and each year we've built a home. One of them's lost their wives and they are the best friends now. And they come to every build day, anything I need volunteered, they all come together, you know, the other coffee clutch, the other but they would have never met each other. habitat. Yeah,

I I I think it's a wonderful program. I really do. Uh not only does it help bring community together when you have people trying to work towards a common goal, but the other aspect of it obviously if you look at just from the tax taxing portion of it is we would take a lot that might stay vacant for 40 or 50 years and we have something on the tax role now. So there's really a benefit to everybody. Uh the only thing I would say is my only exposure to it is maybe as a volunteer on a few rare rare very rare occasions that I've done something like that. Uh we probably need a little bit of help with some of the logistical parts of some of the stuff that Austin was talking about. I'd love to take some guidance on on how we can help approach like either what agreement what kind of things do we need to do to be able to make this super successful for you basically. And I think everybody's on board with with exploring that.

Okay. Excellent. I can send over anything you guys need. That'd be wonderful. I do have a question. It says on here a donation of a buildable residential lot. Does it have to be like just grass or is it a rehab of a house that's already there? Is it included in the demolition? We have done rehabs before. Um we found it a little bit more cost effective to and a lot of our inind donors like to come in and do something fresh. It takes a lot more labor for them and a lot more work for them to tear old stuff out and then put new stuff in. So, we've just found lately for us that the new build is really the way to go. So, yeah, it's just a residential buildable. Okay. Get some plumbing in there. Yeah. Yeah. Hookups.

Do you have a place or somewhere in town you're actually looking at or No, I haven't been stalking you that much. That's good to know. Just kind of interested in all those. Everybody should be interested in Well, they should. I think that Yeah, this will definitely put you on the map even more, right? Absolutely. It's a beautiful town. All right. Any other questions for anybody? Well, I thank you so very much for coming. I look forward I I look forward to us communicating a little more and getting some more details and and seeing what we got to do for the next top. Sure. And any questions you have. I think I emailed you guys like as a group. So, just please if you just think of something later, shoot shoot it back to me. And like I said, I've got these guys that have been doing this a lot longer than I have and they can also answer for it, too. Awesome.

All right. Thank you so very much. All right, two good things in a row. Wow, this is good. Cooking with gas. All right, number 13. Old business a discussion and possible action on updated comprehensive plan. Cullinant. Uh yeah, it was attributed to me, but I I know at the last meeting uh we didn't necessarily have the the link to the comprehensive plan. So I know people have been provided with the link. They've had uh you know two weeks to review it. And so I guess we'll kind of go around the room, hear people think, and um Okay, continue around. Go ahead. This is going to sound so petty.

Can I request to have my name spelled right? Oh, what? On the uh cover page. And I usually Oh my goodness, I didn't catch that. I I don't usually correct it. It comes up often with two L's, but how how is it spelled? I'm just curious. How two L's. All right. I am gonna One correction. Absolutely. Oh, I don't know, Kevin. I don't know. Okay. All right. Thanks, Mac. Well, no, my name plates right. Yes, there's two L's on the document. Nice try. Well, at least I didn't at least I didn't do a lowercase D instead of a capital D.

Yeah, I get that all the time. Um, I guess that looks like they're going to table it until it gets resolved. Table it. I think we just fix the we just prove it with the one grammatical error. Kevin can easily fix that. What chapters were specifically reviewed? Um, because it was I wasn't on I think when we the demographics chapter, the natural hazards chapter, the goals and implementation and then we changed Couple things in just explaining what process. Okay.

Mac, do you have anything else? Not at this time. Rich, do you happen to have a list of uh any edits that you've made in like a comparison format since we weren't updated as they went along?

I could give you the old chapters to the new commission months going through the the demographic was updating to the 2020 census right when we did it last time it was 2020. in there and we went through the review of the natural hazards is based on the county communication plan assessment at that time was done. So we just inserted upates there didn't really go over here's what the plan has county level put that in there and then went through the goals and then section we didn't do we just kind of went through it during the meetings discussions didn't do a comparison before after We don't have

Yeah. So I see what I see here for the summary thing that that you sent out was uh there's there's five changes right there is uh those inter go ahead those are changes that were based upon the public hearing that was held on January. So we had the public hearing. The claim was out there in December and those were the comments from the planning commission that night of the meeting. There were a lot more changes that were made over the last nine months. Oh, is this just the last set of changes? Those were just were made at the planning commission public hearing in January. Okay. So in January there was five changes. Um surprised the dog part wasn't the first thing to get removed. It was we actually we had forgotten to take it out. Okay. Got it.

We just did not take it out. and been talked about. No, I appre I appreciate it. I know there's a lot of time and effort that went in that I know this is one of the reasons uh Ken P6 stayed on is uh he knew this you know this this document I think it what does it say? It says recommended every 5 to 10 years I think is what it says would be re updated. So important thing about this document is kind of our guiding document that we look and we reference things when we decide if something new needs to come into the city or something like that. So um I really appreciate all the time and effort people took into it uh to help give us some uh some guidance. Uh, does anybody else have anything else to add

on 122? It and I'm looking at this printed version. I don't think I have the most accurate printed one because it sounds like you've made changes to 122 after based on the public hearing the So yeah, but it says explore changing to home rule and then it says task explore the best form of government and setup for Oglesby. But home rule isn't really a government. I think they're two separate things. Yeah. So, does the goal really the task really meet the goal?

Yeah. So, that's just misformatted. If you look at the online one, they're two separate goals. So, you have goal explore the adoption home and then you have goal explore the best form of government set and then the task for that is continue to educate the citizens different forms of government. So, I think that might just be when the goal and the task include putting putting the home rule aside. When were the goal to explore and was the to continue added to this document.

So that was during the conversations that the explore the adoption of home rule was a separate goal and then it was actually the government set up was attachment or it's really not the same the one I came to I believe there's some contention here that uh I believe there were only two people at that time that wanted to explore the form and all of that and There were some things said between the members of the board there and I didn't think that it was uh agreed to be put into there. So, how did it get on there? I was at that meeting. I think it was agreed to rule on there.

No, it was agreed by the commission to put it in there because I was at that meeting. Karen was at that meeting. You know, there are quite a few people here. Sounds like we need clarification on this. Okay. So, I believe the answer I the answer is that it was the commission voted voted on it that okay this is the way and I I just want to point out that doesn't mean that city of Oglesby is changing to that it was to to to direct um that there's more education needed on these things to explore I think is my understanding I don't think we're teachers here but hey

don'tbody you want to talk about professional strengths there we go Okay. I do think Ken had spoken to this at one of the previous meetings and he just said and I agree with them. I mean I I was not a supporter of uh the effort uh the previous effort to change to the city manager form of government. But Ken said himself that you should always you know times change and you should always be you know actively contemplating whether or not the form of government that you have in the city best suits the city. And so he said that's the reason that the plan commission included it. So from what I've noticed being on this council and being in the audience prior to this,

I don't think anybody here even understands what the form of government we currently have entails. Oh, I would agree with you. Hit on all cylinders with everything that this form of government can bring to us. So my my my guess my suggestion is to figure out what we already have before we're trying to abandon ship here and and find something else. Well, it doesn't rich to abandon ship. I think the suggestion educate to explore different forms of government including the one we well let's read it explore the best form of government set up for Oglesby continue to educate the citizens of Oglesby on different forms of I guess I guess it should say all forms but

and I think that when when I'm bringing a strong complaint but different forms of government is all different that's true all forms yeah I get it I didn't doesn't say different from your current maybe put to inform the citizens of Oglesby to different forms of government rather than educate. Yeah, same thing. There's a difference between when you educate and you inform. I guess my question is if we do vote to approve it this way. You said that this doesn't mean that we're doing this. No, I mean we like tomorrow there's not going to be a charge for a teacher now to come in or we pay in Austin. I'm just kidding. I'll do a pro bono.

Yeah. No, I think what it does, it tests the the plan commission. They I mean there's all these things, right? Right. Uh encourage development off I mean all these kinds of things here. Um I don't think it means that tomorrow. I I guess they could, but I mean uh it's it's whatever. It's a it's a goal to be looked at for the next 5 to 10 years. There's there's nothing in the comprehensive plan that's binding. That's not how a comprehensive plan works. Okay. All right. Well, point is we have a recommendation from

Well, it's pass. You are on the plan commission, sir. If you'd like to come and say anything you do. Okay. three years and

we thought was most important look at now what okay yeah it doesn't itize every goal item but priority the pl we have a couple other people from the plan commission Would you like to come up and speak on anything if you if your option if you'd like? I was not at the last meeting. Okay, moving on. No, from what I remember, we never talked about whole rules the whole time.

I'm being at the meeting supposedly brought up at the last meeting, but I think 122 I feel the word wrong. 122. 12 page 12-2 home rule explor explore the adoption of home rule I'm sorry I guess I misunderstand what's what's your concern with the the way it's written well and I understand it gives the city the right to explore it

yeah that's It says rich and it was discussed at the meeting. Maybe it was the meeting you missed, right? Was it in before Kevin? The home rule thing. I believe it was I think it was 2020. It was from a while ago and I think that's why it was that it was the adoption of home rule was a separate goal and really after further conversation the explore the best form of government setup. Home rule isn't really the government setup. No, they're two different things. So the the commission decided to split them into two different goals. Yes. Explore the adoption of home rule. Explore the best form of government. Not that you're going to do that, but you know, home rule explicitly put out there

because it's a separate it's a separate item. I will say that the last administration we did talk a few discussions about home rule. A lot of it came up with uh the golf carts for example. There's a lot more limitations we have. If you were a home rule, you can get do a lot more things with it and all kinds of stuff like that. There is a lot of benefits to home rule. There's also a lot of negatives as well. It's can can scare economic development because we have a lot power to do things that could affect tax rates and all kinds of little things like that. So, I think it's a it's a great discussion to have if it's something to look into. Some of our nearby cities have have home rule. Uh there's advantages and disadvantages of all of it. And again, regardless of what anybody's individual thoughts are here, I think all I'm reading this is is the task is that there's options out there and the plan commission says we should be exploring these these things to look at the best form what what suits me. That's it. Simple as that.

I just don't think home rule should be just explore different options of government. Yeah, home rule home rule is something different though, sir. You can have any option of government rich pretty much and still you have to explore home rule on top of that. They don't go hand in hand. Yeah. It's what type of government you have and do you want home rule which is a different issue entirely. That's why they're pulled out and separated and and the reason it's complicated is if you look at just the surface of it you're like well we should all be home rule. It gives us all the authority to do things but it can scare off business. There's a lot of details with it and stuff so it needs to be exported. I think Peru is home rule and I don't think I can't I think the odd way is yeah they're so I mean they could

and those are two different forms of government so they don't have they're not tied to each other they're there's different complexities with it so again all this I read it as is is that this is a recommendation from the plan commission we can continue to talk about it if you like uh but my thoughts are if there's no other discussion what do you want to do so what I gather it's a revision from something that was in the plan in 2020 that we're just revising it just seems so foreign to me because even if we were going to explore home rule that's still a rough referendum item to to I believe that that one I'm not 100% sure. I think I think it is too though. I think it is. So, he's right.

I I guess that just seems so foreign to me that you're going to put something for task the city council with exploring these options, but it's got to be voted on by the public as a whole anyway.

So, there's two things with it. So, with with there there's so many different forms of how you can get something on a ballot, right? There's there's there is uh uh citizen-led initiative and there's ones that the council can run, right? So, let's say for those example, there's things that we we can vote to put on the ballot itself if we need something that is either binding or non-binding. Matter of fact, you saw that in Peru. They did a non-binding question about a pool. They were not required to get a pool, but they put stuff like that on that. If there's things that our plan commission comes back with that they make a recommendation for change, that doesn't mean that it changes. It means it gives us the it's the recommendation is to the council to put out a thing if we want to put a public question on a ballot someday or something like that that there's many other examples but that is that's one of them there that that would come from. Does that help answer your question a little bit?

Yeah. Yeah. It just seemed a little Let me ask Kevin is it possible we could put a clarification underneath that? Yeah. That's up to the council what you want to do make any other edits other than correction on the main. What kind of clarification do you want to put? so they could people could understand exactly what the difference is between home role and exploring our government. But that's not what the plan that's not what the comprehensive plan is. The comprehensive hand is is is saying to explore those decide you know try to figure out what they are, educate people on it, see if this is something we want to do. That's what it's saying. It's not this is not a blueprint for how all these things work. None of none of that stuff in the comprehensive

I understand that but not everybody does is what I'm getting at. If you clarify it in writing, maybe people would understand it better, be willing to I think it's neutral already, but if you have a suggestion for more neutral wording, I'm all yours. Well, I don't claim to be an expert about I I think there's some confusion here and perhaps you could have the uh planning committee if you just send it to them individually by email uh acknowledge whether they agreed to this or they didn't agree to this. And that's the only way I would pass that is if I had acknowledgement from all of them. I don't know that that all came about.

I don't understand what you're asking because that is exactly what the what the the plan commission did is they voted on it. There are minutes of that meeting and there was a vote and it was changed since the first time we had it so far. It has. How did it change? If you have a list from somebody and you put it all out there and all of a sudden something else gets added afterwards. Kevin, can I can I ask you can I ask you a question? the the version that we're having here that was sent out to everybody. Is that the version that the plan comm is that the final version that the plan commission saw even with the misspelling error that they saw and they and they voted to approve

the the list of changes that you had in front of you changes those were changes that were made at the public hearing in January based on conversation no public comment this was done they they realize, okay, we need to make these five changes based on what was put out there at the end of December. Here's the plan. Here's what we want to put out there for the public to review and make comment on. And then they voted those five changes was what was already in the plan is what they were sending to the city council for your consideration. Whether you approve it, change it, then approve it, send it back. It's your decision on what you want to do with the next editor.

Thank you, Kevin. I appreciate I guess my confusion would lie with this is what was given to the city council here on February 2nd to pass. There's one task to explore the form of government. So the format I hang on here Austin just one second one time I guess and when I went to look this up this weekend now this task is added. So if that got added where did it come from to be added that it wasn't added on there before that was on the list of changes from the for the January public hearing that we had given out. So if we had passed this on February 2nd, this wouldn't have happened is what I'm saying. No, because it's not in showing three different pages. I don't know what you're seeing on Feb. What I saw was So this is what's online right now.

So there what they have is this, which it does not list the task of continue to educate the citizens of Oglesby on different forms of government. It just says goal explore a changing to home rule task subordinate to that goal explore the best form of government setup for Ogulbyspe and so that that task there continue to educate the citizens of Oglesby is missing but at the bottom it does say Oglesby 2026 comprehensive plan so I don't know if this is like an earlier draft or so when we first wrote up the changes from the the public hearing in in January

that list of the letter six changes. Those were not implemented into the plan at that time. We were given those that list to make it simpler to say here's what was changed from what was already out there at the public hearing. So you're saying that was the physical copy. Likely those are remnants of physical copies that was handed out as they were discussing at the meeting because the only digital version I saw was the final version. So, make sense. Makes sense that if this was out here already and you're saying the way that you put it out there was you got the paperwork afterwards, then how did you put that on there on the February 2nd edition, but yet now this is the addition here with this added to it. Did you print it? Did you print it directly from their website? I printed this off the internet.

This is what we were supposed to be proposing to pass last. Yeah. So, if we passed this last meeting, this couldn't happen. That's not what I saw. I the version I saw had all that stuff in there. At the the the last meeting that you had, we had given out I believe you have in front you Jason the list. Yep. That that was given out and say those changes would be made once the final document was approved by the city council and we would put that into the plan that's in the document and that those six five six changes would be then implemented into it. Since then we've gone ahead and put it into the document. So those were part of the changes based off the public hearing in January. Okay.

So I look at it this way. At the end of the day, we have confirmed that this is this is what the plan commission voted on. They made a recommendation for it. We have the document in front of us. It's been sent out to everybody. Everybody has a digital version of it. Um I guess the question is is everybody good with that recommendation or do they want to do something different? That's the qu that's the question we need to answer today. Are you good with that recommendation or do you want to do something different? I'm fine with it. Okay, we're in the room. Can we just admit the whole section and then we could just move on? You want to admit the section that our plan commission made a recommendation

exploring changing to home rule and and well, I'm looking at the old version here. Explore the best form of government. I mean, this executive board can do whatever it likes as a as a as a majority vote, but my only question is you you you want to make a recommendation to remove something that the plank commission decided that they wanted to add that they met and talked about. They didn't really decide to add it because it was already in 2020 version. It was just modified. All right. I think what I said is accurate though. They they they decided they voted together on on what they wanted to add and put in there. There was quite a bit of conversation modified. I don't agree. Okay. All right. So,

that would be my suggestion is I feel like these are referendum items. Either that or we send it back to the board and let them I know. I heard I heard I understand that. But accuracy sometimes you got to make sure all your eyes are dotted and te's are crossed, right? Can I ask what what part what the inaccurate part that you'd like to send back? currently from what we what Rich is saying, what we received before and what we receive now. I understand what he's saying. I just want to make sure that

I understand what he is saying. What I am telling you though, and I think I've confirmed here, correct me if I'm wrong, Pat. We have confirmed that the B that the plan commission has approved those changes and that is what is before us today. So the question is I mean if you have anything concerns about how something is presented or what the plan commission recommended by all means say something but I don't I don't think the the discussion is about I I I don't even know. I got you. I can confirm that that's what the planning commission decided they wanted in there. Karen shaking her head. Yes, she was at that meeting. Kevin was at that meeting. This is what the plan commission recommended. It's up to

Do you also remember the statement that we just had an election and the taxpayers have already just previously spoken that soon before that and that's what they turned down. Do you remember that conversation? Oh, I remember what you said. So now they decided to go ahead and go against that then. I don't No, no, no, no, no. They just decided to

So hold on. I I'll I'll address I'll address that. So it wasn't my place to to to state what you you said or something like that because I believe you said something very inaccurate. It is true that there was a vote for this and and the change of form of government did not happen. where I think the problem is even the opposition was strongly in favor of saying you should vote no on this because they need more time to decide and talk about this and see if this is what people really want to do. I mean I think even our previous city clerk was up here saying very vocal about that. Uh which and that that's her right to say so. So to say that all of a sudden because there was a vote and now our plan commission has came together on it and say, "Yeah, you know what? Maybe there's at least enough information there to to look at and stuff like that." And to say you don't want to have that, I don't believe that is accurate. But again, that's your opinion. You're you're entitled to it.

I believe there needs to be education, but I don't believe that the taxpayers need to be put in the bill for that education. And I think that's what you did here was to put this on here for that reason. I had nothing to do with this,

please. years ago, 18 years ago when I was mayor, those have been in the planning plan for years because what happens if all of a sudden the city grows and double the size you're going to keep it the council like it is maybe you go to maybe you go to something different home rule was looked at years ago when I was on it also for the reason of hotel motel tax because you can in your general fund instead of being limited on how you can spend it. We looked at that, but it wasn't something we thought was the best of interest, but it's been in the plan that comprehensive plan

forever. It's just an option for the council to look at any time whether we do it or not. We didn't do we talked about it once. But it's always been in a comprehensive plan for the future of growing that the city's going to grow. Do you need to look at changing it? I mean, it's not saying it has to change because it's in that document, but it is something that's been in that document for years before I became Thank you, Don. Appreciate it. I appreciate that. Doesn't mean you have to do it, but it's been in there for years and years. I I feel like

I feel like there is a a fear of somehow that by taking a recommendation to explore something that that is somehow putting a stamp of saying that that is what we are supposed to do and that is not the case uh here. So I I'm not exactly sure what the issue is. I mean we we do need hold on we do need a majority vote to decide what we're doing with it. Are we passing it? We denying it? We modifying it? We sending it back? That's what we're here to decide, right? That's what's in front of us. And all I'm saying is we have a majority vote. I don't even know if it was unanimous or not, but there was at least I know it passed to recommend to approve the comprehensive plan. It was unanimous.

Okay. So the minutes up the minutes and listen to uh former mayor Finley and uh just strike apart what we need to be doing the educating. I would I would agree with 122 moving the task the goals explore the best form of government set up for move on it own goal. I would I would appreciate that, but I will not. You said something about your I'm trying to understand your motion. You said something about your motion and you had something in there with Mayor Finley. What What What do you I will I will agree with what he said. Oh, you explore the best form of government that the city should be doing that. I agree. Okay. But I don't agree that we need to be doing any educating or paying for that education. Well, I don't think it says that there. How does it not continue? It doesn't say that. I mean that's up to educate the citizen.

That's up to the plank. It doesn't say to pay it. It it it's a recommendation from the plank. So I don't understand. I mean you're reading something into something that doesn't exist there. Right. What what it No, you are because what it what it's got. You make it so hard to not try to be combative. That's not what it says. It says that the plan Hold on. the plan commission would get together and if they thought that they should have a meeting over something, if they if they recommended maybe we need to have an expert come in, maybe they don't. They make recommendations. They don't take action. So, if they made a recommendation for something like that, it would come here to either on our bills or we can approve so much money that the plan commission can spend on certain things if we want. We still have that authority. It it's it's a

we did that anyway. We had that authority and we did do that. We did. We don't need to put it in there.

Yeah. I so I kind of agree with Rich. I don't really necessarily think that we should the city itself should be spending money on educating the citizens. I I didn't I I wasn't a fan of I I appreciate the work the plan commission did, of course, but I I wasn't a fan of throwing that to the plan commission and giving them a dollar amount and I I didn't like that. Um but with that being said, I mean this I mean if we if we do it that way again then you're right. I mean it would cost money. Uh, but you could also work with an organization. You could have somebody come in. You could have somebody, you know, a high school civics teacher come in and do it pro bono, right? You you could you could explore a lot of different options to actually educate people. It doesn't necessarily have to be doing what we did this time, which I wouldn't agree with, frankly. So,

but you would agree it does not dictate what he's saying to pay for. That's not what it sounds. The big thing is this doesn't dictate anything because we don't have to follow a word in this comprehensive plan. It's just a guiding tool. Um it's it's the north star, right? We're following that. Um but it's it's not something nothing in here we're bound to. And honestly, I mean, even if you struck home rule from it, you could we could still go home rule without it being in the comprehensive plan. The comprehensive plan is merely suggestive. It's not doesn't require anything. So I I don't see I mean yeah I I mean if I think the second one would be redundant if you want to modify the second one I guess

talking about the best form of government which in essence would be educating the citizens on it while we're talking about it. So I think we should strike uh addition under new goal and we'll move on. I'll agree to pass strike. Would you say strike petition? He wants uh strike the task. Continue to educate the citizens of the last highlighted continue to educate the citiz. Can we put continue uh find ways to continue to educate the citizens of different forms of government uh in a cost-effective manner or free manner or something like could we do something like that? I think we have a lot of other worries here in this. Well, I agree. Well, we might have a lot of worries, but we're making a thing out of like somebody's afraid of what

I know games that got played in the last one, Jason. Oh, I I'm well aware of that as well. Yes, Mr. Clard. Please go ahead. Part of the reason this is in there because you people can't agree on it. So it needs to go to a broader audience for discussion. I agree. That's what we're saying. Nobody got up. Jason didn't take everybody in back rooms and say I want this. Wow.

It was done probably in sky. All right. If you look at implementation, I can't remember if I got my way or not, but I said the implementation of this should be further down the line that you can see right now the tempers still have a cool

needs to be there. People still need to be educated. Who pays for what's in there? The five of you need to be educated. The rest of the community needs to be educated. You've been talking about this for 25 minutes. Two lines in a document that's tons of pages because somebody was against and they're still against because they think somebody got their way. And then what happened? 11 people got together and decided that these kind of things need to still be discussed. The issue wasn't decided. Thank you, Jim. You appreciate that.

I agree with it. Thank you. Okay. Um All right. We still have an action we have to do. Whether it is approve, modify, send back. We I mean we got to do something. We're t I guess table because but I hate just tableling it because then nothing ever there's no direction. Doesn't this have to be approved? 60day clock is

Yeah. I I think it's I I don't think it's a particularly big deal. And like I said, I was I was against uh the move to city manager and I still wouldn't be supportive of it. Um so and I don't I don't see an issue here. So, I will uh I'll make a motion to I want to make sure everybody has an opportunity to still I'll make a motion when Okay. everyone. Does anybody Well, I mean, does anybody else want to talk about it? Hillary, do you have anything else to add? No, I said Matt. Well, I appreciate what Don said and Jim and uh I understand it's just a guideline.

Okay, Rich. So, are we going to take Austin's motion over mine then or how? Well, I haven't we haven't heard any motions yet. I haven't heard I haven't heard I just want to make sure everybody has an opportunity to speak right I don't think there's a I don't actually I don't know what the rule on that if somebody's trying to vote for something no vote who's whose motion gets first I don't know how that works for about five minutes if if somebody's willing to make a motion they're they're more than free to do so I think the floor is open if you'd like to make a motion make a motion again to exclude the task to continue to educate the citizens everything else can be passed as is okay so there's a motion on the floor to exclude the task to if educate citizens of hope different form of government. Oh, and probably to make the one spelling error correction.

Right. Hilarious. Okay. I would appreciate it. Okay. So, that's the motion. Is there a second for that motion? Kevin, if we accept, we're back to debate now. Well, it's just a question because uh Jim did mention in the implementation section the immediate implementation is investigate the pros and cons of home rule and educate the public. Was that supposed to be tied to that goal? I think so. So when you say educate the public, it didn't reference any form of government. It just referenced home rule. Home rule is not a form of government, right? Investigate the pros and cons of home rule and educate in regards to home rule. Yes. Not on the other goal. Okay.

Which should be the other forms of government. Okay. That's just educating on home rules. No, it is not. That is not what it's a different one at a time. All right. I heard a motion. I have not heard a second. Do you have a motion you want to make, Austin? Yes. I I I mean, I don't I would make a motion that we accept the comp or we approve the comprehensive plan as presented. Okay. Is there a second for that? Okay. I'll second it because the implementation

say as presented. Let me amend my motion. As presented with the correction uh of uh Hillary's name being spelled capital H I L A R Y. Two L's. Okay. No, no, no. Okay. There's a motion and a second. Roll call, please. Baldrich. No. Cullinin. Hi. McDermott. I Moy I and Curran I

Okay 13B discuss an impossible action on 125th 125th celebration committee ordinance. Um so we talked about this last time. This is just to get the uh on the books to be able to create this uh this um um this committee. We do have one person that has agreed. I didn't want to necessarily start nominating and appointing people yet, but uh it is Mr. uh Wally Markbot. Um and I I said in my mayor's report, I'd like to see if we can get some more names. I do have three people that have approached me. They're all fantastic uh individuals. Um but I would like to get a much wider cross-section of opportunities out there. So uh but for now, this is talking about uh creating the committee. Um go around the room if anybody has anything to add.

No, I just look forward to seeing what they put together. Okay. Nope. Mac. Looking forward to getting it going. Okay, Rich. All right. If I can get a motion to approve the uh the ordinance, that'd be great. Uh I I'm feel like I always do. All right. My name's spelled wrong in that, too. Does somebody have something like like like say like Have you ever done that before? Like you save something in your spell check wrong and then it's like forever. It's wrong in almost all the ordinances, but I've never said anything. It's probably in the table. Yeah.

Okay. All right. We got a first and a second. Can I get a motion? Uh, I'll make the motion now. I was looking up the ordinance number. Uh, I motion that we approve ordinance number 1310-022426, an ordinance establishing a 125th anniversary celebration committee for the city of Ogal Spiel, South County, Illinois. I'll second that. Roll call, please. Sorry. Baldridge. Hi. Colin, hi. McDermott. Hi. Moy. Hi. And Kern.

Hi. And again, I'll just say I have three names right now. They're all great candidates. uh but if you could either reach out to myself or the clerk's office and that'd be really nice if next meeting we'd be able to sit and and and talk in close session and find really four solid uh people to really help out uh uh Wall-E and come up with something fantastic for for what's going to happen next administration. So, uh, C, discussion and possible action on body art studio studio special permit ordinance cullin.

Uh, yeah. So, I I I know that Pat had drafted up an ordinance to actually um after we directed him at the last meeting to um do so uh to grant um this uh special use permit to the body art studio that wants to go in down the street. So, um I really don't have anything else to say about it. So, it was placed on file, I think, right? Is that correct? Uh, no. We voted on it the last time, and this just formalizes of the special needs. Okay. Yeah. Hillary, do you have anything? Nope. Mac. Nope. Rich.

All right. I don't have anything else on it. So, let's uh let's get her moving. If I can get a motion to uh approve it, it'd be great. We'll motion that we approve ordinance number 138-022426, an ordinance granting a special use permit to Mike Lock and say Asani for property located at uh 116 West Walnut Street in the city of Oglesby. That's the correct address. Okay, take a second. Well, hold on. Okay.

Because I'm looking in the ordinance right now and it does say in the uh an ordinance granting, so the part directly under the ordinance title, it does say 116 West Walnut, but in the uh whereas the city of Oglesby received a request for a special use permit from Mike Lock for property located at 114 West Walnut. Correct. It came it came in like that on the application, but then they they changed it correct course of the hearing in the process. Okay. So, the actual they also made the owner of the property sign which is why the second name is only Mike Lock petition but they decided they wanted the owner of the property sign as well. So, both of those things were corrected.

So, just the actual uh address the physical address is 116. It's the west half of that building. Okay. So, should that whereas paragraph say 116 or should it say 114? It should say 114 because that's what the petition said that you filed. Oh, yeah. Okay. You're right. Yep. I I'm misread. Yeah. Received a request from Mike Glock for Okay. Got it. Got it. Got it. Did you finish your motion? Yep. I'm I'm sorry. I I misunderstood. Is there a second? Uh I'll second that. Roll call, please. Bald. Hi. Colin. Hi. McDermott. I. Moy. I. Curran.

I. 14. New business. A. Discussion and possible action on contract with North American Midway Entertainment. So, I had this on here hoping we'd have it back by now. Um, there was a lot of discussion back and forth on on the uh the contract. There was some stuff in there with food related things and I think the only thing that was for the year. They they went I thought one year too long. We wanted to only go into the next the same length as time that went into this one. Uh they have not gotten that back to us by this morning yet. So, um unless anybody has anything they want to add on, I say we just table it for now and we'll get it we'll get it approved. Make a motion to table the North American Midway Entertainment Contract. I second that motion. Roll call, please. Baldridge. Thanks, Rich. Coleman. Hi. McDermott. Hi. Moy. Hi. Curran.

Hi. B. Discussion and possible action on adding open discussion topic. Current. Okay. So, the last couple meetings I I had something on there at the end of commissioner reports to be able to make some public comments. The first the first time it it did say mayor's final comments. The feedback I got from the council was there was concern about equable time or anything like that. So the next time I put it to say uh discussion um by any you know council member on a topic and then it kind of got removed. So I told Austin and uh Mac that I was just going to put that back on there because this there needs to be a section for this and and and Austin was kind of against it. He says what how about instead you put on there something that we can have a thing to discuss. So that's what this is here for. So my thoughts are I am not opposed to the idea of separating people's reports that they do that focus on their departments solely to other discussion items that whether they're open or their comments because of somebody came up on public comment or something like that. I think that's actually fine. So my thoughts are there needs to be a section somewhere in there to where anybody can respond. Let's say we have somebody come up here and come up talking about some kind of crazy topic. You know, none of us necessarily want to engage them during their public comment time. You could. It's not recommended, but I think there needs to be a section on there that any coun any commissioner, any may whoever can talk openly about whatever topic it is. That doesn't necessarily mean they get the last word. None of that kind of stuff is the case. Uh but it it opens something up and I think there's value in there. So, I thought I'd put that on there and then give everybody an opportunity to talk about that. Austin.

Okay. Um, I think there's merit to what you're saying. Um, and I'm fine with discussing this as I told you. Um, but I I just don't like constantly revisiting the structure of the agenda. Um, I don't think that we should have moved mayor's report to the beginning of the meeting. I think it should have stayed where it was at. It's been that way. I think there's value and stuff staying the same from council to council. I mean certain things of course and I think this will be one of them. I don't want to have a kind of snowball effect uh where we just this becomes like a a kind of runaway thing and we're just constantly modifying every little last aspect of the agenda. So, um I I don't want any further modifications and if anything to I mean my suggestion was actually if you really wanted something at the end of the meeting and the commissioners didn't want you to go last, put the mayor's report first or something like that and leave it as is. I leave it like that. I I I just I don't like constantly moving stuff or adding new things. I I don't think it's good practice. So, okay, I'll leave it there.

Thanks, Hillary. couple things and I did tell you this when you told me you were going to put it on the agenda that this is the to me the appropriate way to put it an agenda long-standing agenda change because the agenda is controlled by the body and we all have to vote just like if we were to remove an item we all have to vote on it. Um I do have some concerns that the open discussion topic like wouldn't that kind of be an OMA violation? I mean technically you're supposed to be pretty clear what you're putting on your agenda and you're leaving it open. What are we going to talk about? It's no different, Hillary, than commissioner right for bring.

Yeah, I think if you were to say open discussion and action on I think if you said something like we're going to try to take action on a new topic, that's that's a problem. But you can discuss anything. So I think that's all it is is just a discussion opportunity. Well, would you want to put this before I want to make sure you give her opportunity to finish. I just like Austin said, I'm just not real supportive in making any changes to that. I think it's fine the way we've been going for the last few meetings and again to respond to public comment. You have an opportunity to respond and I don't think it's best practice to let somebody come up here who's bold enough to make public comment and wait for them to sit down and then I don't know argue with them from their chair like Okay, Matt.

Well, I agree with uh what Hillary just said. Um, and like Austin was saying, I don't know if there's any really need to change. Would you want to put this before the commissioner report or after that? Put it after, if you're asking me, my question is it's after all reports because I I do support the idea of separating whatever your departmental reports might be on any topic with being able to bring up an open thing. And my thing is sometimes there's things that come up like for example uh last meeting I I I shouldn't I forgot to put it in my one today but I didn't even realized that the change that Austin made to uh with uh the building inspection stuff and all that stuff like that and I would have made a comment on that but

under two and a half hours and I don't think that that's that's that's ridiculous. Okay. Uh first of all well I don't think Austin said he he said he doesn't want to keep constantly changing the agenda. I didn't think that that's not what I read what you said about adding this as a possible item that if you thought it was valid. I was fine with discussing this. Yeah. Okay. Um and as far as two and a half hour, we spent 25 minutes talking about what the plan commission made a recommendation for unanimously. Um that was tonight.

Yeah, that was tonight. Um I I just don't understand and the fact that you just two two people here's again said something about last last word but again you have said that that's not what it's about. So I know different. I think everybody knows different. There needs to be a section in here where people can be able to talk and open and communicate. I I don't know what else to say about it. I really don't. To me it is it is the wildest thing that I'm even having this. I've had other conversations with other mayors and they just go I cannot believe that. It's it's it's wild. So, I I think we need there needs to be an opportunity where somebody can talk about any discussion item that they that they feel like. I mean, we talk about transparency and wanting to be able to open communicate, but yet we're going to take it out. So, that's all I have to say on it. Does anybody else have any thoughts on that? So, we're not going to we're not going to add anything extra to that. We're just going to allow it to be that way. Okay. Like I said, my my ideal way to approach things would be to go back to the way it was, but I know that's not going to happen. So,

okay. Well, I'm just going to tell you right now, every single meeting for the rest of time, I'm going to have that on there, and you can vote to remove it if you want because you're afraid of somebody having open communication. That's up to you. So, okay. Uh B.

Does anybody else have anything else you want to say about that? Nothing else. B. discussion and possible action on adding open disc. Oh, that was me. Done. See, appoint plan commission chairman Kyle Vitigar. Current um so we have to appoint at least a chairman for it. Uh Ken Fisc had a recommendation of Kyle Vitigar. Um he is a very uh tempered individual. He is incredibly smart and he's an engineer and he does great work. Um so I am all for taking that um recommendation. So, I'd like to nominate Kyle Vitigar uh for the appointment of plan commission chairman. Anybody else have anything to add on that they'd like to add? Hillary Mac. No, I don't have anything. Rich,

we have a few members from the committee. Would you guys be willing that? Yes. Okay. All right. If I can get a motion, then I'll move that we appoint plan commission or Kyle Viger as the plan commission chairman. Second. Roll call, please. Thanks, Rich. Baldridge. Hi Colin. Hi McDermott. Hi. Moy. Hi. Curran. Hi. Number 15. Public comment on any topic. Seeing that there's none, we'll move on. Did I miss one? Okay. What number did we

uh we move number six down to right before adjournment. So number 16. Uh commissioner reports. Commissioner Colin.

Yeah. Um I don't have much uh for this meeting. The one thing that I will say is I had an off day um Monday. Uh right. Yeah, was it was Monday, I think. Yeah. Uh or actually, no, it was uh Friday, not Monday. I was off Monday, but I came in here on on Friday. I had an off day and we were in the office, so I'm getting my days mixed up. But I I came in uh and one of the things I I had talked about before that I kind of want to get done uh is we have a number of forms available online on our website and I would really uh like to actually start to get those digitized. Um so obviously if somebody wants a you know something as simple as like you know a form to request uh to use the Dickinson House I'd like to digitize as many forms as we can. um obviously still offer paper copies, still accept paper copies, etc. But I do know, especially, you know, speaking of myself, I am somebody who prefers um one to submit things digitally, and I also prefer a digital paper trail for things. Uh and so I uh I'm looking into using uh I actually have the documents set up, but I need to have a meeting with a representative from uh Jot Form, but uh they have a government uh product that we're going to be perhaps looking at using. uh Adobe as a product to perhaps look at that. Um but as far as Jot Form is concerned, that's kind of the the tentative choice. Um but all of our forms that we have um we'll be looking to uh provide a electronic copy of those to people that they can fill out in the form of a fillable PDF. So that was the one thing I was kind of working on on uh Friday uh when I came in here. Um other than that though, um there's a few things in motion um but I don't have anything else to actually report tonight. So that's it.

Thanks. Um, which one? That one.

Okay, perfect. Thursday, March 5th at 10 o'clock is our first instruction. And I just wanted to show off our beautiful flyer that the girls in the clerk's office put together. Um, also mark your calendar for April 2nd. The police department's putting don't be a victim of a scam on. So just make a good effort to come. I think this is going to be really great for the community. And then I'm really excited on behalf of We Are Oaksby and MP um automotive. I want to announce February's first responder of the month. So Randy Azapinsky has been selected as city's first responder of the month in recognition of her dedication, professionalism, and continued leadership within the Oglesby Police Department. Randy joined the department in 2021 and has consistently demonstrated a strong work ethic, sound judgment, and a commitment to serving the community. Through her initiative and leadership abilities, she earned a well-deserved promotion to the rank of sergeant in 2025. In her supervisory role, Sergeant Ozapinsky leads by example, supports her fellow officers, and upholds the high standards of the department. Her positive attitude and steady presence have made a meaningful impact both within the department and throughout the community. Ry's ability to balance compassion with professionalism exemplifies the values we strive to maintain in public service. Outside of her duties, Randy is married to her husband Austin, who works for the Obby Electric Department. She is also a proud mother to her daughter Emerson. Her dedication to family and community reflects the character she brings to her role each day. Congratulations to Sergeant Randy Ozapinsky. And I do want to say I have always said her last name wrong. I grew up in town and I always said it was Ozapinsky. So I hope I said it right today. Randy.

All right. Thank you, Commissioner McDerman. Well, I don't have much. Um the wastewater treatment plant work is going well. We're on schedule. Um we do have some projects coming up in town that we'll bring out later. That's all I have for right now. Okay. Commissioner Baldridge,

the electric department reports that in the last two weeks, the guys have passed and gotten certified by the Illinois pesticide safety education program from the U of I extension for both the general applicator standards and the rightways pesticide applicator state certification. They also have been working on their substation certification program from the Northwestern Lineman College during the harsh weather days that we had. They will continue this program of study when possible. They've also been trimming trees out of the lines in order to limit any problems that we can perceive as well as working on some bad underground wiring by the Mallet Road intersection. Electric Department employees and parks department employees have had and completed completed the Illinois Flagger Training Certification Program at their shop. This was put on through IMEA in conjunction with the National Safety Council. It looks like they finally have an agreement with GTI for the Malak Road uh utility easement on a portion of their property which will facilitate the installation of the second 345 ft. Malik road substation. Once completed, this will allow for future electric expansion as well as give the city another way to keep and restore our distribution center system much quicker as well as add redundancy. We are working with our engineer along with Cameron in order to finalize the design so we can get all materials ordered. Thank you.

Okay. Number 17, uh, executive session for collective negotiating matters between the public body and its employees or the representatives or deliberations concerning the salary schedules for one or more classes of employees. 5 LCS120C2 discuss the purpose of lease of real estate 5 LCS120 C5 the employment compensation discipline performance or dismissal of specific employees 5CS120C1 uh and discussion of minutes of meetings lawfully closed 5 ILCS120 C21. Can I get a motion to go? I'll make a motion to go in executive session. Second. Roll call, please. Baldrich. Hi. Cullinin. Hi. McDermott. I. Moy. I. Currin.

I. The only um active item we have after close session is the item we moved, which is approving the uh the basic uh minutes. Uh again, not saying we will approve them. It's just it it's moved down there. So, thank you everybody. Have a great night. Enjoy the rest of Fat Tuesday.

for Washington. Oh, you are. You know, the funny thing is there's so many people in my company that go to these kinds I I should just go and call it company time. I should there's so many things that people go to. It's crazy. It's wild.

Let's get this done. Okay. Um Oh, we're just That's okay. All right, we're back in open session. Roll call, please. Uh Baldridge here. Colin, here. McDermott here. Moy here. Here. Uh number six got moved down. Uh number six is approved minutes from December 15, 2025, January 5th, 2026, January 20th, 2026, and February 2nd, 2026 regular meeting. Okay. So, sorry. Go ahead. Go around. Apparently, there was some concerns with it. So, I I think people wanted to wait to talk about what's going on.

Do you want to see what's going on so we can fix whatever? I'm like, God, I did say something about celebrating because Oh, I said something about celebrating Fat Tuesday the last few hours we have here and all of a sudden now I'm being told talk to not allowed. Okay. All right. All right, I'll wait till Austin gets back here.

Perfect. Okay. Um, so I we did move it down so that way we didn't I do appreciate that at least we didn't impact everybody else here because we did have a relatively nice beginning of the council meeting. So we'll go around the room if anybody has any concerns, questions, whatever the concern is about. So I my suggestion I don't have any concerns but my suggestion would be just that I mean if we want to put them up here and then we want to whatever issues there are if we just want to look at them together that way I think that'd probably be the best way to address I think we should do it one at a time like each Yeah. Is there one at a time? Well let's go around comments first. Hillary thoughts. Yeah I think we should look at each one one at a time. Absolutely. One at a time. Right. Sure. Okay. So we'll do Hold on.

Oh, sorry. I'm sorry. Please, please, please. I know I know you're excited. I just, you know, I haven't shared a meeting in so long. I just can't help myself. You'll have an opportunity in a few months. Calm down. Uh, anyways, so I just want to say that my understanding is these minutes are the exact Is that correct? They're the exact same as what they were from two week two weeks ago. And and one of the questions I asked here, and I'm not trying to make a stink, but I asked the question, hey, we're not approving minutes.

What seems to be the issue? we need to get some kind of direction. The the clerk needs to get some kind of direction whether it's an email or or this is a problem or I think this is incorrect or inaccurate, whatever it is. So, here we are two weeks later. Granted, it's at the end of the meeting, which is a little better, but this is not something I want to continue doing. I mean, you say you don't want to have public comments on things or public discussion, but yet we c we spend 25 minutes on meetings every every week. So, all right, let's go through what the problem is. So, for this is for December 15th. Rich, is that the first one? Yeah. Okay. Uh, what part of it? I guess we're accused of discussing the meeting prior to uh where is that at

Jason's report? And Jason's report. Okay. Where was I at that point? Uh, mayor's report. Okay. Okay. Right there. Karn said he believed that some of the agenda items were discussed before the meeting. Balders called the point of order. First of all, these are minutes. Is that not accurate? Is that needed to be put in there? I mean, if I accused you of extortion, would that stay on the record? You You called the point of order. I don't care. You legitimately called the point of order. I think that is a But you accused the council of something that we didn't do. And obviously, we didn't do it because it didn't pass.

Okay, first of all, I'm not going to get into this with you. You obviously did. So, let's not play that game. Let's not play. All right, guys. Come on. Hold on. Hold on. So, regardless if you did that or not, that's not what the minutes are. The minutes are hold I'm speaking. The minutes are a recollection of what happened at the meeting. I said something. Whatever it was, you can you could blank that out. It doesn't make a difference. You called a point of order. That's an actual thing that happened. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I was making sure the live in there, but the words about what Curran said could you could say something like Uh, thought you said all the quotes were removed.

Well, it does look all the quotes are removed. There's no quotations there. Well, yeah, because then thank the Dickinson House for hosting. I mean, that is something that he said, but it's not a quote. Yeah, those are I think it's you. You are confusing what minutes are for. I'll make accusations from now on that are unfounded and I'll I'll stand. You can make accusations all you want. I mean, you do it all the time anyways. Yeah. Name one. Name one. Um, okay. Okay, guys. Yeah, I'm not kidding right now. Point of order. I I would say with it though, like I do think it would be awkward in the minutes to have Baldridge called the point of order and there'd be no context for what the point of order was about.

How about the mayor made a claim? You could Yeah, you may. You're so I mean that's what I trying to We're trying to make it generic. Before Bald the mayor mayor made a claim point of order on it. I I don't care. It doesn't bother me. I really don't care about these things because it doesn't matter how true they are in here. It doesn't seem like anybody seems to care. So, whatever you want to say. And also, the other thing is now we're in 2026. All these meetings are on video. So, I mean, I I don't really know

how big of an issue the minutes are. Um, as far as the exact wording, I mean, I don't know. I I don't care if you want to whitewash it down to say Kern made a statement. Mayor made a statement. I don't know. I did actually I have a correction to that I just noticed. Um the Sanders mail box closed on December 17th, not September 17th. Well, yeah, that's but is that that's in my report. Did I say the wrong date though? Maybe. So, that's the thing. Yeah, the I mean, don't get me wrong, we should make sure they're accurate and stuff like that, but if I said the wrong date, the minutes are what happened in the meeting. So, if I was wrong, meetings are wrong. I mean, well, you can fix them, though. I don't

I don't have a problem putting the right date in there, but my I was just trying to make the point. All right, so we're making that one change. Got it. What's the next date? January 5th. Can you bring that one up, Austin? Oh, yeah. We'll knock this out and just January 5th. I had a problem because it said that I stated that he had that Rich Baldridge had a background in concrete and I did not say that. I said construction again. Is it really that important? Probably not. Moy said current. Sorry. I'll just go crazy. Oh, hold on. I'm gonna ratch my neck here.

I hit the microphone. Okay, where we at? Uh there Moy said Colin and spreadsheet was great administrative stuff but she believed it would be better to have Ballbridgeidge oversee it if there are problems because background background in concrete. What's because you could just leave it. What's wrong with background? I never said concrete. What did you say? Construction. Construction. But Becky and you said it. This is where I make this is But this is the thing is like Becky and you said it. I didn't say that and it got put into my words and that's the problem which I think will be fixed when we start stop putting so many specific things putting hairs too much they should not have all the specific stuff

I don't have a I don't have a care but I mean I could make the same argument if you said if you said construction I would I would say you're accur you're right on concrete he knows a lot about concrete I would say he knows hardly anything about construction you wouldn't know I think I have more certifications than you do show me Jason here certifications He's in a lot of we don't even area is when you put so much detail in there to say that it's accurate or not. That's what we're I know. But I So here's the thing I would say about it though. You did say construction, right? Yes. So I do think Why don't you just put construction and move on?

Well, yeah, that's that's what I'm suggesting. I'm just saying though I do think because of is relevant because you took a stance and you you uh gave a reason for your stance and so I think there is merit in having because of his background in construction in it. So, I'm fine with changing the construction if that's starting isolator then they give up. Okay. Yeah. That doesn't bother me. I mean, if you generalize them, I don't I don't care. I don't have a problem. But you already agreed to that before. I'm using now. I mean, I have to craft a bunch of things. I don't think that's too specific. I I think I fine if you if you want that one word to construction. We say we do that. Move on. All right. Is there anything else? You had a problem with that? I didn't.

Okay. Next one. Okay. Jan J. Sorry. January 20th. What's the issue with this one? Who had an issue? I don't. Nobody. No issue. Moving on. Issue. Okay. Uh, February 2nd. February second. February 2nd. Is there anyone on that? Is this the last meeting? No. Any issues? No. The only other issue I have is uh why a copy of the very first minutes that we didn't approve and rejected were in the file thing over there for the public to that I can absolutely not tell you because I the ones where I was getting salted in there

before meetings I do put them in there. I don't think I would have printed out January 5th and put them in there but I I don't think I think it was February but it was okay. So no problems with this one though. So, in other words, there's no issues with the minutes. Uh, you have a concern about how something was handled, but it was still technically open session minutes. So, it's not like there was a violation, but there was probably something that some some notes went out to the public that shouldn't have is what what the argument is. And okay, we'll just double check it doesn't happen again. Yeah. To me, I don't think there's a violation of that anyways. I mean, it's I mean, it's not good practice you want to do, but it's open minutes.

Okay. So, can I get a motion from somebody with the changes for December 15th uh and January 5th as discussed uh and then to approve January 20th and February 2nd as read? I get that motion to change make all appropriate changes to approve the we need more specific motion for the dates. He he can say he can say anything. I can I can reorder it. Okay, got it. Okay. So,

I'm just going to reword what I think he understood and then everybody can agree. Uh, making the modifications as discussed December 15th, modifications discussed January 5th and as read for January 20th and February 2nd. Is that pretty accurate what you said? That's the motion. Can we get a second? I'll second. Roll call, please. I number 14. Adjournment. Can I get a motion to adjurnn? I move we adjourn the meeting. I second. Roll call, please. Hi. Hi. Hi. Hi. Hi.

All right, everybody. Have a wonderful remaining 3 hours and 20 minutes left of Fat Tuesday. Have a great one. Bill, did you know that I've actually done three days