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2015/07/13 - Walter's Blog: Inside O'Fallon

A Blog from O'Fallon's City Administrator

Welcome to the first issue of “Inside O’Fallon!” This online newsletter is an effort to keep O’Fallon residents informed on local issues and stay up-to-date on community events and projects. With so many things going on, this is a great time to be living in O’Fallon. Here is a summary of various goings-on around town:

  • The Venita Overpass is open: This project has been in the planning stages for over ten years and now allows for a west side railroad overpass.
  • Gander Mountain is open: your one-stop shop for all things outdoor. The store’s opening weekend in O’Fallon was one of the best ever for the company.
  • St. Elizabeth’s Hospital is under construction: The project will include a full service hospital, medical office building, and professional jobs.
  • Plocher office building is under construction: This is a five-story office building at the corner of Green Mount Road and Regency Park Drive (the project is separate from St. Elizabeth’s Hospital).
  • CarMax is under construction: The latest car dealer in O’Fallon is building on Central Park Drive.
  • McKendree Sports Complex is approved: Two ice rinks and an indoor competitive aquatic center will soon be built at the Hwy. 50/Scott-Troy Road intersection. It will be the home for the McKendree University hockey and swimming teams, but also will be available for youth leagues and recreational use.
  • Central City TIF is approved: Needed economic incentives to help the downtown area and redevelop the dilapidated Southview Plaza shopping center.

 

Actions from the July 6, 2015 City Council Meeting:

Passed - Resolution for an annexation agreement at 7710 Haury Road: The property owners want to connect to the City's water system and City policy requires they sign an annexation agreement.

Passed - Resolution for engineering services for Milburn School Road Phase 4: The City received a state grant to reconstruct Milburn School Road and this contract is with Rhutasel and Associates for construction management at a cost not to exceed $40,000.

Passed - Resolution for engineering services for Milburn School Road Phase 3: The City received a state grant to reconstruct Milburn School Road and this contract is with Rhutasel and Associates for engineering design at a cost of $16,400.

Passed - Resolution for engineering services for the Old Collinsville Road roundabout: The City received a state grant to construct a roundabout at the Old Collinsville Road/Milburn School Road intersection and this contract is with Rhutasel and Associates for engineering design at a cost of $17,800.

Passed - Resolution for engineering services for the Eagle Drive detention basin: The detention pond is near the new Venita Road railroad overpass and is in disrepair and does not drain properly. The contract is with Millennia for engineering design at a cost of $38,500.

Passed - Resolution for engineering services for 2nd Street improvements: The street between Vine and Cherry is in disrepair and does not drain properly. The contract is with Millennia for engineering design at a cost of $23,700.

Passed - Resolution for engineering services for the Public Safety detention pond and related drainage improvements: This is the continuation of a multi-year project to improve drainage in the Smiley, Estate, and Howard neighborhood. The contract is with Gonzalez Companies for additional engineering design at a cost of $43,440.

Passed - Ordinance establishing a Fire Fighter's Pension Fund (First Reading): The City is required to join the Downstate Fire Pension Program to provide a pension for the fire chief.

Passed - Ordinance approving the Reserves of Timber Ridge Final Plat (Second Reading): This allows the developer to begin construction of Phase 1 of this new subdivision off of Simmons Road.

Passed - Ordinance authoring bonds for the St. Elizabeth's Hospital project (Second Reading): As part of the TIF agreement to bring the hospital to O'Fallon, the City committed to pay the up-front costs of mine remediation (to be reimbursed over time by the TIF). The ordinance allows the City to issue bond not to exceed $10 million to pay for the remediation.

Passed - Special Event Permit for Frieze Harley-Davidson: This is for the store's Customer Appreciation Day on July 18.

Passed - Special Event Permit for the Knights of Columbus: This allows the organization to hold various charitable events on their property without having to file numerous Special Event requests throughout the year.

Note: Ordinances must pass two (2) readings.

O'Fallon City Council Meetings are held at 7 p.m. at City Hall on the first and third Monday of each month.