O’Fallon City Hall to reopen for appointment-only access

With the state progressing into Phase 3 of the Restore Illinois Plan, the city will begin reopening City Hall, first on an appointment-only basis Monday, June 8.

Then, if the region moves to Phase 4, it will be open to the public Monday, July 6.

Mayor Herb Roach informed the O’Fallon City Council on June 1 about the plan, which will still observe safety guidelines for the protection of staff and residents.

On June 8, the main doors will be closed for walk-in access. However, services will be provided by appointment. When visitors comes to City Hall, they will need to practice social distancing and wear an appropriate face covering.

“We are still encouraging that business continue to be conducted online or over the phone,” Roach said.

The first hour of each day, from 8-9 a.m., will be for the elderly and vulnerable population who need to transact business.

When Gov. J.B. Pritzker moves the region into Phase 4, O’Fallon plans to open City Hall on July 6, but will still comply with occupancy limitations for visitors and staff.

“If all goes well and the Governor moves the southern region to Phase 4, then we plan to open City Hall to the public on July 6, 2020. However, we will still comply with occupancy limitations for visitors and staff,” Roach said.

At the meeting June 1, the council approved establishing a special use permit to allow expanded outdoor dining for local restaurants. Those with private parking lots can use up to 50 percent for more tables, and for those using public parking lots, downtown areas were reconfigured to allow for expansion.

The council advanced a zoning request from Four Paws Veterinary Hospital for approval at the June 15 meeting.

Applicant James Jessen of Four Paws Veterinary Hospital Inc. filed a planned use application to operate a veterinary clinic and dog grooming/day camps at 208 Hartman Lane.

The existing 10,010 square-foot building is on a 1.44-acre site recently developed by Holland Properties. The original building was constructed with the intent to find a medical user. The proposed development will use the building to provide veterinary services, including exams, imaging, routine surgeries, and overnight boarding associated with veterinary procedures.

Associated with Kennelwood Pet Resorts, the services would include grooming, training and day camps for dogs. No outdoor animal runs will be provided. However, there will be dedicated dog-walking areas enclosed with a 6-foot vinyl privacy fence and will include artificial grass to facilitate proper waste removal.

The Community Development staff recommended approval but with several conditions, including that the dedicated dog-walking areas must be fenced with a 6-foot vinyl fence and hours would be limited, with a closing time of 11 p.m. The Planning Commission had forwarded the proposal after a 9-0 vote.

O’Fallon council takes additional action

In other action, the council agreed to pay L.W. Contractors $550,320 for the North Oak Street Area Phase 1 infrastructure improvements. The area has aging sanitary sewer infrastructure that needs replacement. The project involves a gravity sanitary sewer replacement from the trunk main north of the cemetery to the intersection of Oak and Madison Streets.

The council also approved paying HMG Engineers $22,880 for engineering services related to the Juniper ditch drainage. Erosion is occurring along the ditch, which is owned by the city, and effecting private property adjacent to the ditch.

HMG will prepare plans and specifications for bank stabilization on both sides. They will coordinate and consult with the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers. They will prepare and submit joint permit applications to the Corps and the state, provide bidding assistance, construction staking, and construction guidance services.

Another drainage project advanced too. An agreement with Millennia Professional Services of Illinois for engineering services related to the Milburn Estates drainage project for $39,300. The drainage study has been completed and three areas have been recommended for improvements to alleviate drainage issues within the subdivision. Millennia will provide a design survey, plans, specifications, permits and construction staking.

Aldermen approved an intergovernmental agreement with O’Fallon Township Road District for a North Seven Hills Road resurfacing project between the O’Fallon-Troy Road and State Street/Old Vincennes Trail. Last year, the city acquired a federal surface transportation grant to fund $434,250 of this project’s construction. This agreement will outline the remaining local cost share for the construction between the city and the township road district.

Three highway construction and maintenance agreements have been worked out between St. Clair County, O’Fallon Investment Partners and the city for the Shops at Richland Creek development and the county, city and EROP Llc for the Rainstorm Express carwash development.

Service agreements, electricity update

Another agreement between the city, county and Aberdeen Village for the development’s maintenance outlines the responsibilities as it relates to the improvements to Scott-Troy Road and access to Aberdeen Village.

The council OK’d a service agreement with the lowest responsible bidder for the supply of electricity for residential and small commercial retail customers who do not opt out of such a program.

After the passing of a referendum in November 2012, the city established an opt-out electricity aggregation program. The city has offered this to residents as an alternative to their electrical supplier since April 2013.

Aggregation is an opportunity for municipality to negotiate competitive pricing to help lower electric supply rates and provide budget stability for the residents and small businesses. O’Fallon’s current electric supply contract with Homefield Energy expires in December.

The current municipal rate is 5.596, which is currently higher than the default Ameren rate of 4.707. Their consultants, Good Energy, recommend going out for bids soon in order to secure rates. The consultants are confident that the new rates will be more competitive than currently.

Since electricity is a commodity, the city must act promptly to accept any desired bid in order to guarantee a per kilowatt hour electric rate for its residential and small commercial customers.

Regency Conference Center, Fair Housing Policy

A revision that amends the Regency Conference Center lease was on the meeting agenda but the attorneys aren’t ready with the legal document both parties can agree upon, but will be posted when it is. The mayor said it would be ready at the next meeting.

Since the governor’s emergency declaration, the center has not received any income. The tenant, D&D Lodging, is asking the city for relief from the lease agreement terms to withstand the shutdown. They have furloughed sales and service staff and made substantial cuts to reduce expenses.

The new agreement states the tenant can use the capital reserve fund to pay operating cost deficits but must maintain at least a balance of $140,000 in the reserve account. They must provide a quarterly accounting of activity and the reserve account must be replenished to the current balance, as of May 21, of $280,000 by May 1, 2026.

The council also adopted a Fair Housing Policy, which is necessary for some federal and state funding. The public works department is working on submitting a $5 million Rebuild Illinois grant for improvements to the wastewater treatment plant, and one of the requirements for the grant submittal is a fair housing policy.

The state has allowed municipalities the ability to adopt such a policy in line with federal and state laws, and the proposed ordinance mirrors Illinois’ law.

Mayor praises police chief, other council business

The mayor publicly commended Police Chief Eric Van Hook for his letter, posted on social media, issued in response to the George Floyd killing in Minneapolis.

“He showed the importance of our training of officers and our philosophy,” the mayor said.

Roach announced the hiring of two police officers, both with previous experience — one from the city of St. Louis and the other from Honolulu.

The mayor canceled the June 29 Committee of the Whole meeting.

In public comments, Charlie Pitts asked the city wait on its decision for cannabis sales until residents and aldermen can meet again in a public meeting space. He said he was more confused by the minutes of the May 26 Community Development Committee, which was to guide staff in drawing up legislation. He said they should wait until they could go into detail about the seven specific categories.

“What’s the rush?” he said. “Zoom is a wonderful tool, but it does not foster good interaction. I ask you to reconsider. It would be wise to have this time to deal with all the intricacies.”