Metro East Sun

City of O'Fallon Public Safety Committee met Nov. 25

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

1. Opening

CALL TO ORDER: 6:12 p.m.

Item 1.1 ROLL CALL

Members Present: Ross Rosenberg, Todd Roach, Eric Van Hook, Aaron Hudson

Members Absent: Dennis Muyleart, Roy Carney

Item 1.2 Approval of Minutes – October 28, 2024.

Motion by Eric Van Hook, second by Aaron Hudson to approve the minutes.

All Ayes. Motion carried.

2. Items Requiring Council Action

Item 2.1 Resolution adopting the Bike Trail Master Plan

Staff have received the final report for the Bike Trail Master Plan. The recently adopted 2040 Master Plan identified a desire within the community to develop more bike trails throughout the city. TWM has updated the new Bike Master Plan and identified proposed corridors within the city and examine potential connection points to neighboring trails in other communities. Two public meetings were held for residents to provide suggestions and feedback regarding the plan.

Motion by Todd Roach, second by Ross Rosenberg.

Aye: Ross Rosenberg, Todd Roach, Eric Van Hook, Aaron Hudson

Final Resolution: All ayes. Motion Carried.

Item 2.2 Resolution authorizing the Mayor to execute an agreement with Thouvenot, Wade & Moerchen, Inc. for the South Cherry Street Stormwater Analysis in the amount of $175,000.00.

This project will improve the drainage, install new sanitary sewers, watermains, and reconstruct the roadways in the area of the project bound by Highway 50, South Lincoln Avenue, West 3rd Street and Oak Street. This agreement will include the full topographic survey of the project site along with a stormwater drainage analysis and exhibits.

Council Member Eric Van Hook inquired if the project would be constructed during the summer. Staff replied we are looking at construction starting in 2026. It will be difficult to complete the entire project in the summer months. These types of projects have been taking about five months to complete with all of the infrastructure. Staff will have to plan staging and phasing for the least impact on the schools in this area.

Council Member Jim Cambell encourages the study of Ward 6 due to previous flooding and open ditches. 

Dave Pfeifer spoke for 1 minute and 8 seconds.

Staff replied this is part of the Engle Creek watershed. This project is for a specific location.

Council member Ross Rosenberg said Engle Creek has been studied.

Motion by Todd Roach, second by Aaron Hudson.

Aye: Todd Roach, Eric Van Hook, Aaron Hudson, Ross Rosenberg.

Final Resolution: All ayes. Motion Carried.

Item 2.3 Ordinance Amending the Code of Ordinances of the City of O'Fallon, Chapter 78, Parking Schedules, Schedule IV, Snow Routes.

Staff is updating the snow route list due to ongoing development of existing and new subdivisions.

Our snow removal policy has not changed. Proposed changes are adding Lake St. Ellen Drive to loop through to Autumn Pine Drive now that Lake St. Ellen Phase 2 has been completed. Including all of Armsleigh Place in Braeswood Forest. Staff looks for areas that service 50 homes or more.

Armsleigh Place has 49 homes.

Council member Todd Roach said Streamview and Woodstream do not have 50 homes and provides a loop. He stated that he wanted to have Marbleton Circle added to the snow route due to the incline of the road.

Staff will have to check the incline of the road. Staff proposed eliminating the additional part of Terracotta Place and switching it to Marbleton Circle.

Council member Todd Roach said he also wants the addition of Marbleton Circle and leaving all of Terracotta Place. He wants to make a motion to amend the ordinance.

Council member Ross Rosenberg suggested just going to the bump out on Terracotta Place and turning the snowplow around and including Marbleton Circle.

Council member Eric Van Hook suggested possibly taking the ordinance to the Public Safety meeting giving staff time to look at it and move forward. The committees have intertwined items.

City Administrator Walter Denton said you can vote on the amendment from Todd and if it passed it would go to council. If it fails you could go with the suggestion from Ross and could make another motion to amend the ordinance.

Council member Jessica Lotz echoes Eric’s suggestion. She is hesitant to change it on the fly. Other neighborhoods would also like streets added.

Council member Andrea Fohne also agrees with Jessica and the policy.

Motion to amend the ordinance as proposed by council member Todd Roach.

Aye: Todd Roach, Aaron Hudson

No: Ross Rosenberg, Eric Van Hook

Motion failed.

If council members have specific locations, they would like to have considered please send them to Jeff Taylor.

Motion by Eric Van Hook, second by Aaron Hudson

Aye: Eric Van Hook, Aaron Hudson, Ross Rosenberg, Todd Roach.

Final Resolution: All ayes. Motion Carried.

Other Business

Item 3.1 Ogles Creek Bike Trail - The Ogles Creek Bike Trail Project is currently out to bid. The bid opening has been set for December 5th at 8:30am. Assuming the bids come back within budget the plan would be take the construction contract directly to the City Council meeting scheduled for December 16th. This would allow for construction to begin after the first of the year. Staff have received a MERPD grant for $300,000.00. Estimated cost is $1.5 million.

Item 3.2 Public Works Monthly Report

4. Public Comments

Ron Zelms spoke for 29 seconds.

Ed Burns spoke for 27 seconds.

Staff responded that there is a study currently underway to analyze Engle Creek at the Deer Creek Subdivision.

Dave Pfeifer spoke for 32 seconds.

Staff responded that the tree blockage located at the sewer line on Engle Creek near Seven Hills Road will be removed by the City.

Vern Malare spoke for 2 minutes and 30 seconds.

Staff responded that the concrete invoice was for work related to the UV Structure at the WWTP.

Staff also responded that a tree inventory was recently completed by the Parks Department and that all tree maintenance is also completed by the Parks Department.

Staff responded about the water purchase credit that was mentioned in the audit. The City has an agreement with Illinois American Water Company (IAWC) which specifies a rate per 1,000 gallons of water purchased. This rate increases annually at the same CPI index as the City’s customer rates.

This agreement also states that the City’s rate should never be higher than IAWC’s tariff rate. Due to this portion of the agreement, the City had previously been on the tariff rate. Last year when IAWC’s tariff rate increased they did not revert the City back to the agreement rate. This resulted in the City been overcharge for water purchase. The rate was reverted back to the agreement rate which produced a credit and was applied towards future bills.

5. Adjournment

Motion by Aaron Hudson, second by Eric Van Hook. All Ayes. Motion carried.

https://go.boarddocs.com/il/ofallon/Board.nsf/files/DBEL4454AC71/$file/241125PWMinutes.pdf