Ashley Baker

The Committee discussed several items requiring Council action, including a request to rezone property for Scott's Power Equipment from B-1 to B-1(P) to allow for a permanent outdoor display area, subject to conditions like installing a rod-iron fence. The committee also reviewed a request to expand Green Mount Motorsports, which included an approval recommendation for an alternative parking plan based on ITE data, and specific conditions regarding sprinklers, signage, and landscaping. Furthermore, a resolution was recommended to authorize the Mayor to enter into a contract with Fireworks Authority Inc. for an enhanced display for the City's 250th anniversary celebration, conditional on submitting a deposit by March 1, 2026. A department update provided construction statistics for January 2026, noting that the Park Place project discussion with IDOT is scheduled for February 10, 2026.

The meeting covered several informational updates, commencing with the approval of previous minutes. Key discussions included a review of the Sports Park economic impact for 2025, which estimated over $9.25 million in economic impact attributed to various baseball, softball, and soccer tournaments hosted by groups like GMBB baseball, UTSA softball, Metro Alliance soccer, Gateway Rush, and St. Louis Scott Gallagher clubs. A slight dip in visits was attributed to adverse weather conditions affecting spring tournaments. The construction update detailed progress on turf fields 9 and 10, with expected completion by late April, followed by work on field number two. The committee also discussed the Vine Street Market preparation, noting 116 initial vendor applications with 43 new ones, and setting the opening day for the main market as May 9th.

Key discussions during the meeting included the preview of the FY27 Budget and the presentation of a progress report for the Strategic Plan. New business involved the acceptance of the Healthy Environment Policy. Under unfinished business, the board voted to move forward with Phase 1 of the Capital Campaign and to make all necessary budget adjustments. The presented bills for February were also approved.

The committee meeting addressed several significant items. A resolution was sought to enter into an agreement with BSNA, a software ERP system, to replace the aging New World system, which is no longer supported by Tyler Technologies. This action was necessary to secure a place on the implementation waiting list, with billing deferred until the next fiscal year. The committee also discussed the preliminary Fiscal Year 2027 budget, highlighting a projected 20% increase primarily due to the ERP implementation costs (maintaining both old and new systems temporarily) and a five-year renewal for the video management security system. Revenue projections for the General Fund indicated an anticipated 5.5% increase, with significant discussion around sales tax increases due to legislative changes (Wayfair leveling playing field act) shifting revenue from use tax to sales tax, and projected increases in Food and Beverage tax and Hotel Motel tax. The shift from property tax relief to sales tax revenue sources for funding police and streets was also revisited.

The Public Safety Committee meeting included action items and other business. Key discussion centered on authorizing the Mayor to enter into an Intergovernmental Agreement with Osage Ambulances for the purchase of a surplus 2013 F450 Osage Ambulance for $12,500. Additionally, the committee received an Administrative and Operational Update of the O'Fallon Fire Department, during which Assistant Chief Craig Schmidt was recognized for 40 years of service and Fire Educator Sara Stockstrom was congratulated for receiving the 2025 New Horizon Award.