City Council Briefs

City Departmental Reports

Department heads for the City of Olney presented monthly operational updates for February during the March 23 City Council meeting.

Olney Police Department Police Chief Bryan Barrett reported that the department handled 85 calls for service during February, a level he said was consistent with typical monthly activity.

Chief Barrett told the Council the OPD plans to increase enforcement of city ordinances in areas including debris, abandoned vehicles, weeds and tall grass, which often become more prevalent during the spring and summer, he said.

City officials also discussed improvements to coordination between code enforcement and the police department. The city recently integrated code enforcement staff into the department’s records management system, which will allow officers and code enforcement personnel to track reports and responses more efficiently.

The new system will make it easier to monitor activity by address and track enforcement trends over time, city officials said.

Mayor Rue Rogers said the updated system should also help the city measure productivity and outcomes from code enforcement efforts moving forward.

Public Works Department

Public Works Director Michael Jacoba reported that February was a relatively routine month for city operations but included several infrastructure and maintenance projects.

Public works crews graded all alleys on the north and south sides of town, continued tree trimming and general maintenance work, and picked up 12 poly carts and delivered 13 new carts to residents.

Public works also repaired 609 potholes during street maintenance work as part of ongoing roadway repairs.

Mr. Jacoba reported that the city’s water system produced 10.3 million gallons of water during the month, while 9.9 million gallons were billed, leaving a difference of about 139,900 gallons, which is within a normal range for system loss.

The city repaired 12 water leaks during the reporting period.

Lake Olney was reported at 1,138.5 feet, leaving the reservoir approximately 82 percent full.

The wastewater treatment system processed 6.51 million gallons of wastewater, with about 4,000 gallons reused at the Olney Country Club through the city’s reuse system.

Utility operations also included 1,596 active water meters, 15 new connections, 15 disconnects, and 17 meter rereads, he said.

Mr. Jacoba also reported that the city’s annual cleanup week went well overall, though crews had to make additional sweeps after some residents placed items out after collection had already occurred.

City staff also continue preparing for summer mosquito control operations, with the Council and Mr. Jacoba discussing plans to ensure spraying equipment and certifications are ready before the season begins.

In addition, two vendors are currently preparing equipment at Lake Olney as part of an upcoming pilot water study for the new water treatment plant.

Municipal Court

City Secretary Tammy Hourigan presented several reports to the council covering municipal court activity, permitting, and city finances.

The municipal court reported 53 violations during the month, including 40 traffic violations, 1 penal code violation, and 12 other violations.

Court collections included: $2,576.16 in state fees; $2,023.84 in court costs; $4,215.20 in fines; $24.54 for the technology fund; and $30.07 for building security fees.

Total collections for the month were $8,869.81.

The court also issued 25 warrants, nine of which were later closed. During the reporting period, 27 cases were paid, four were dismissed, and three appeals were filed.

Inspections, permits

City staff conducted three fire marshal inspections and 20 general inspections during February. Many of the inspections were related to work underway at the hospital.

Additional activity included: 13 animal registrations, seven permits issued, five new contractor registrations.

Ms. Hourigan said the contractor registration system appears to be working well and helping the city better track work being performed locally.

Financial update

Ms. Hourigan also provided a financial update, noting the city recently began working with a financial consultant to assist with accounting and reporting through the city’s Fund-View software system.

The city’s revenue bond account earned $42,750.99 in interest during the most recent month, bringing total earnings since January to $90,596.65.

The bond fund currently totals approximately $14.68 million, which is earmarked for the new water treatment plant.

The city also made a $402 payment from bond proceeds, the first such payment in some time, indicating activity beginning on projects funded through the bond progra m.