O’Fallon City Council honors volunteers, designates Jan. 13 as Brian Keller Day
Volunteers who do not seek out glory but take community involvement seriously were the focus of a recent O’Fallon City Council meeting.
“They don’t get paid a cent. They don’t do it for the praise but to help build a solid community,” Mayor Herb Roach said.
Members of the O’Fallon Historic Preservation Commission were recognized with city liaison Justin Randall, Community Development assistant director, making the introduction: Steve Brown, chairman; Robert Jordan, secretary; and members Mark Kampen, Andrea Fohne, Brian Keller and Shannan Mason, with her son. Not present were Julie Spengler, Susan Herlich and Timi McMillin
The commission was established to recommend action on places having significant historical, architectural or aesthetic features as city landmark sites, and to recommend measures to protect those portions of the city. They can hold public hearings on issues affecting proposed or designated landmark sites or structures.
The commission’s 10 voting members are appointed by the mayor, with advice and consent of the council. These are volunteers with interests in history, education, architecture, urban planning and other areas of expertise.
Brian Keller, president of the O’Fallon Historical Society, was singled out for his tireless work to promote the city, and his dedication to preserve the history of O’Fallon and the surrounding area. He helps maintain the O’Fallon Historical Society Museum, located at 101 W. State St., in downtown. OHS membership information and meeting schedules are available on their website: www.ofallonhistory.net.
Roach presented Keller with a proclamation declaring Jan. 13 as Brian Keller Day.
“He doesn’t brag about the things he does all around the community. At almost all the city activities, he is there. He is always there to help others. This man is not only telling us about what’s happening now, but will record today’s history for future generations to come,” Roach said. “I don’t know if we can ever say thank you enough.”
When asked to say a few words, Keller said, “I’m pretty speechless. I don’t feel that I deserve this at all but I appreciate the sentiment. I love history and I love this community.”
During an evening of recognition, Police Chief Eric Van Hook introduced introduced Matt Plassman, recently promoted to sergeant, and Brandon Michel, who was a community resource officer and is now entering the police academy.
A community service officer provides supplemental support to the respective divisions of the O’Fallon Police Department. Such daily tasks include vehicle maintenance, nuisance complaints, prisoner care, vehicle lock-outs, child safety seat installation, stray animal complains, public fingerprinting and community engagement events.
The CSO program provides individuals 18 years of age of older who are interested in the field of law enforcement an opportunity to experience and grow within the law enforcement field and work side-by-side with full-time law enforcement officers.
For more information regarding the O’Fallon Police Department’s CSO program, please call 618-624-4545, ext. 9576, or email Lt. Rob Schmidtke at rschmidtke@ofallon.org.
Professional cleaning services hired
In brief action at the Jan. 6 meeting, without any ordinances up for first or second readings on the agenda, the council adopted resolutions about professional cleaning services.
Based on staff recommendations, two contractors were hired to perform cleaning: Maids My Way for cleaning at the smaller facilities and Buildingstars for the larger facilities.
Combining the two contracts together will result in an overall monthly expense of $10,576 in the first year of the contract. This is $1,285 per month less than the previous contract. The contract is for five years.
The smaller facilities are Chamber of Commerce, Information Technology Building, Public Works Compound, Public Works Sewer Facility, Wastewater Treatment Plant, Rock Springs Nature Center, Grange Log Cabin, Parks & Recreation Office/Katy Cavins Community Center and O’Fallon Station.
The larger facilities are O’Fallon City Hall, Public Safety Building, and the O’Fallon Public Library.
Other council action, town hall meeting, mayor’s hours
In other action, the O’Fallon Fire Department’s 1996 Ford F-Series Water Tanker was sold directly to the Bourbon (Missouri) Fire Protection District for $28,000.
Alderman Kevin Hagarty, chair of the Public Safety Committee, said this item had not gone through the Public Safety Committee, but the Bourbon Fire Protection District had an immediate need for the tanker and OFD’s new replacement tanker/pumper was already in service.
A town hall meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 15, at O’Fallon City Hall, 255 S. Lincoln Ave. The purpose of the town hall meeting is to provide updates on city business and answer questions from the community. All are invited to attend and participate.
In addition to questions from the community, other topics that will be covered at the town hall include the annual financial audit, budget process, and accomplishments of 2019.
The meeting will be aired live and available following the meeting “on demand” at the city’s website. Several O’Fallon’s elected officials and city staff will attend to answer questions and present updates.
Because Martin Luther King Jr. Day is Monday, Jan. 20, the O’Fallon City Council meeting is moved to Tuesday, Jan. 21. Additionally, mayor’s Saturday hours are from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Jan. 25.
This story was originally published January 14, 2020 at 12:42 PM.