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2021/01/11 - Walter's Blog: Best of 2020

Democracy on the Front Lines
City Administrator’s Blog
Walter Denton

As we enter a new year, it is common to see “Best of” lists in newspapers, magazines, and web sites. Given the nature of this past year, I think it would be inappropriate to discuss the “best of” anything. 2020 was a sad and difficult year, so I will just summarize some of the notable things that happened over the past year (not necessarily ranked in priority order).

COVID-19: The world as we knew it ended in March 13-20, 2020.

What changed

  • Businesses closed
  • City Hall closed
  • Library closed
  • Park leagues/programs cancelled
  • Work from home
  • Call centers from home
  • Online utility payments
  • Inspectors dispatched from home
  • Virtual inspections.

What didn’t change

  • Excellent service!
  • All City services were still provided online, virtually, and at home
  • First responders were still on job (although with new protocols, PPE, and shift modifications)
  • Public Works and Parks were still maintaining infrastructure with safety modifications.

Relief for O’Fallon businesses

  • $750,000 in relief grants distributed by the City of O’Fallon
  • Business License renewals deferred
  • Liquor license renewals prorated and deferred
  • Video Gaming license renewals prorated and deferred
  • Amusement/Vending License renewals deferred
  • Food & Beverage Tax payments deferred
  • Liquor allowed to be sold curb-side and delivery by restaurants
  • Water disconnections postponed and late fees waived.

Budget: COVID-19 caused several budget challenges. Hotel/Motel Tax and Food/Beverage Tax revenues plummeted during the pandemic. Tournament and recreation program cancellations also reduced revenues for the Parks budget. However, revenues from the online sales tax increased significantly. As a result of the revenue declines, City departments made numerous cuts to their budgets.

Economic Development: Despite the pandemic, economic development continued in O’Fallon:

  • Rieder Road development: The I-64 interchange at Rieder Road opened in 2017, which will provide a new economic development corridor just outside the gates of Scott Air Force Base. Plans are underway to extend a sewer line down to the interchange and commercial construction should begin in 2021.
  • St. Elizabeth’s Hospital Cancer Center: The new cancer center opened and provide state-of-the-art cancer treatments to the Metro East.
  • Fairfield Inn: The new hotel is open on Central Park Drive.
  • The Drake Sports Bar and Grill: The new restaurant is open next to the new Fairfield Inn.
  • Shops at Richland Creek: Construction is underway on this commercial development that will include restaurants, retails, office buildings.
  • Keystone Place Senior Living Project: A large senior living complex is open on Frank Scott Parkway that will include memory care, assisted living, and independent villas.
  • Downtown Redevelopment: In addition to O’Fallon Station, downtown O’Fallon continues to thrive with new stores. The City’s new Façade Improvement Program resulted in some nicer storefronts in 2020.

Public Infrastructure: 2020 was another busy year for construction. Here are some highlights:

  • Seven Hills Road Resurfacing: The road will be repaved from State Street to Troy-O’Fallon Road.
  • Pavement Management Program: $1.7 million will be spent to repave and repair O’Fallon streets. This is a multi-year project that will address the maintenance of all city streets.
  • Presidential Street stormwater improvements: Phase 4 will include drainage and road improvements through the older part of town. This is funded through the voter-approved Proposition S ½-cent sales tax.
  • Holliday Drive Drainage Improvements: There are numerous drainage issues in the Southview Gardens subdivision and this project will address a bottleneck behind Holliday Drive.

Recreational Cannabis: An advisory question was on the March 17 election whether there should be cannabis businesses in the city limits. The vote was close, with 52.7% in favor of allowing adult-use cannabis business establishments and 47.3% against. In the end, the City Council decided to prohibit retail cannabis stores in O’Fallon but allows other cannabis businesses listed in the state law (manufacturing, distribution, cultivation, etc.). To date, no cannabis businesses have located in O’Fallon.

We live in an attractive and safe community with great neighborhoods, schools, and parks. We are hopeful that 2021 will see an end to the pandemic and residents will be able to enjoy the many community amenities in O’Fallon. We will continue to work hard to provide exceptional services and to maintain O’Fallon’s superior quality of life.