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O'Fallon council approves cleaning, EMS and zoning measures, hears objections to occupancy-inspection fees
Summary
The O'Fallon City Council approved contracts for janitorial services and EMS patient-care reporting software, advanced an ordinance changing occupancy fees on first reading, and approved a large warrant. Public commenters urged the council to abandon mandatory occupancy inspections and questioned recent expenditures.
The O'Fallon City Council voted to approve several contracts and ordinances and heard public criticism of the city's occupancy inspection program during a regular meeting.
In roll-call votes the council approved a resolution authorizing the mayor to execute an agreement with Maids My Way for professional cleaning services, approved a five-year contract with ESO for EMS patient-care reporting software, advanced an ordinance amending city occupancy-fee rules on first reading, and approved warrant number 5.51 totaling $7,248,756.65.
Why it matters: The votes move multiple city operations forward — facility maintenance, EMS reporting, and a proposed change to occupancy fees — while public commenters pressed the council about the constitutionality and cost of the occupancy inspection program and sought explanations for large city expenditures.
Votes at a glance
- Resolution 7.1: Authorize mayor to execute agreement with Maids My Way for professional cleaning services. Motion proposed by Mister Albrecht; second recorded. Roll-call recorded unanimous affirmative votes (names recorded in meeting roll call). Outcome: approved.
- Resolution 7.2: Authorize mayor to execute a five-year contract with ESO for EMS patient-care reporting software. Motion proposed by Mister Morse; second recorded. Outcome: approved (roll-call affirmative).
- Ordinance (first reading), item 8.1: Amend Title 15, Chapter 158, Section 227 (occupancy fees). Motion by Mister Campbell; second recorded. Council approved the ordinance on first reading. During public comment a resident said the proposed fee would rise "from 50 to $75," a detail attributed to a speaker and not specified in the ordinance text on the agenda.
- Ordinance (second reading), item 9.1: Amend Ordinance 623 to rezone a development called Ridgewine Motorsports Court at 129 Auto Court. Motion by Mister Campbell; second recorded. Outcome on second reading: approved.
- Warrant approval (Item 15.1): Motion to approve warrant number 5.51 in the amount of $7,248,756.65. Outcome: approved by roll call.
Public comment and budget questions
Several residents used the public-comment period to criticize the city’s occupancy inspection program and to ask for more transparency on city spending. Doug Gaines, who identified himself as "board 5," told the council the mandatory inspections infringe on constitutional protections and called the program "unconstitutional," saying, "We The People do not consent." Gaines urged the city to replace mandatory inspections with voluntary safety checks, incentives for compliance and targeted inspections for problem properties.
Another commenter who identified himself as Vern Miller, Ward 3, said he filed a public-records request and is reviewing invoices paid to outside firms, including Holland Construction and architecture services. He asked the council to explain expenditures and said he planned to follow up: "I would really entertain to have a meeting for that. I don't have enough time to go into where the papers are at. That is gonna come up in the next time I have the talk." A separate speaker identified as Vern Weier again raised concerns about paving materials at a cemetery and questioned why items appeared to have been discarded.
Mayor’s report and staff notes
The mayor announced a town-hall meeting on the 22nd at 6 p.m., saying the finance director will discuss the recently completed audit and staff will update residents on budget planning for the upcoming fiscal year. The mayor introduced Greg Anderson as the city's new director of community development and said departments will review emergency plans ahead of a March 31 review and a later town-hall briefing in April.
What’s next
The occupancy-fee ordinance was approved on first reading and will return for a subsequent reading before final adoption. Council committees announced upcoming meetings; the finance committee moved the warrant approval. Residents who raised questions during public comment indicated they will seek further review and follow-up with staff.
