Carbondale Reporter

City of Carbondale City Council met Nov. 14.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

Council Members present

Councilmember Adam Loos, Councilmember Nancy Maxwell, Councilmember Ginger Rye Sanders, Councilmember Jeff Doherty, Councilmember LaCaje Hill, Councilmember Clare Killman, and Mayor Carolin Harvey

Meeting called to order at 6:01 PM

1. Preliminaries to the City Council Meeting

Procedural: 1.1 Roll Call

Procedural: 1.2 Citizens' Comments and Questions

Citizens addressing the City Council during the Citizens’ comments section included James Mayer, Marcella Woodson, and James Cooper, Jr.

Procedural: 1.3 Council Comments, General Announcements, and Proclamations Councilmember Rye Sanders highlighted cities that took steps to promote and adopt policies of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Councilmember Killman expressed thanks to the assembly for their attendance and participation.

Councilmember Hill announced the 25th anniversary of the Victory Dream Center and community Thanksgiving Dinner.

Mayor Harvey declared November 18, 2023, as Victory Dream Center day in the city of Carbondale.

2. Public Hearings and Special Reports

Report: 2.1 Presentation to the City Council Regarding the One Fair Wage Initiative

Richard Rodriguez, in person, Saru Jayaraman and Mikey Knab, by video attendance, presented information about the history of tipped workers in the United States, some of the challenges and treatment the workers face, and the goals of the One Fair Wage Initiative.

Speakers in favor of the One Fair Wage Initiative included Jessica Harris, Van Ikner, and Victor Ludwig,

Speakers expressing opposition included William Lo, Estrella Godinez, Sally Carter, Emily Hanson, Aaron Chapman, and Barbara Phillips.

Tipped workers sharing their experience and opinions included Emily Hanson, Aaron Chapman, Barbara Phillips

Those in attendance expressed their support for the opposing viewpoints by standing following the respective commenters.

Councilmembers shared their viewpoints and experiences.

3. Consent Agenda of the City Council

Action (Consent): 3.1 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes from October 24, 2023 Resolution: Approve the minutes from the regular City Council meeting of October 24, 2023

Action (Consent): 3.2 Approval of Warrant for the Period Ending: 10/27/2023 for the FY 2024 Warrant 1471 in the Total Amount of $2,893,164.75

Resolution: Accept the following report of payments made for the period ended: 10/27/2023 totaling $2,893,164.75 (Exhibit A-11-14-2023)

Action (Consent): 3.3 Acceptance of Approved Meeting Minutes from Boards, Commissions, and Committees

Resolution: Accept the approved meeting minutes from Boards, Commissions, and Committees and place them on file.

Action (Consent): 3.4 Award of Contract for City Hall Restroom Improvements to J & L Robinson Construction Co., Inc. of Carbondale, Illinois in the Amount of $170,000 Resolution: Award the Contract for City Hall Restroom Improvements to J & L Robinson Construction Co., Inc. of Carbondale, Illinois in the Amount of $170,000

Action (Consent): 3.5 Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Enter into a Code Compliance Tax Increment Financing Agreement with JK & LC, LLC for a Redevelopment Project at 717 and 717 1/2 South University Avenue

Resolution: Approve a Resolution Dedicating $223,178.50 in Motor Fuel Tax (MFT) Funds to Pay for the Rehabilitation of College Street between Wall Street and Piles Fork Creek(CIPST2002) (Resolution 2023-R-76; Exhibit B-11-14-2023)

Action (Consent): 3.6 Accept Permanent Easements for Stormwater Replacement Project (CIP 9902) Resolution: Accept easements for CIP project SS9902

Action (Consent): 3.7 Approval of Consent Agenda Items

Resolution: Approve all Consent Agenda items not pulled for separate consideration Item 3.4 - inquiry about a gender-neutral restroom

MOTION: Approve all Consent Agenda items not pulled for separate consideration

Motion by Clare Killman, second by Adam Loos.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries

Yea: Adam Loos, Nancy Maxwell, Ginger Rye Sanders, Jeff Doherty, LaCaje Hill, Clare Killman, Carolin Harvey

4. General Business of the City Council

Action: 4.1 Ordinance Exercising the City of Carbondale's Home Rule Authority in Regard to the Illinois Paid Leave for All Workers Act

Council inquired about the intent of the Ordinance, noted their concerns about the impact and their support for or opposition to the proposed Ordinance, and inquired about the effect, whether the Ordinance was adopted or not adopted, on paid time off.

Ayla Amadio disagreed with a comment about unions utilizing this as a leveraging tool and expressed support for the Act.

MOTION: Approve an Ordinance exercising the City of Carbondale's home rule authority in regard to the Illinois Paid Leave for All Workers Act

Motion by Jeff Doherty, second by LaCaje Hill.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries

Yea: Adam Loos, Jeff Doherty, LaCaje Hill, Clare Killman, Carolin Harvey

Nay: Nancy Maxwell, Ginger Rye Sanders (Ordinance 2023-45; Exhibit C-11-14-2023)

Action: 4.2 Review of 2023 Proposed Tax Levy, Truth in Taxation Act Determination and Public Library Board's Tax Levy Requirements

Council remarked on the City’s rate being lower than in 1999, the number of years that the City has deferred increasing taxes compared to other taxing bodies, the City’s percentage of a real estate tax bill, commented that the City will always catch the blame, noted those who pay the food and beverage tax versus real estate tax, and remarked on the unpaid real estate taxes for landlords.

The City Council, by consensus, directed staff to submit a Tax Levy Ordinance for the December 12 City Council meeting containing the recommended Tax Levy and Tax Levy Abatements that will result in a net 2023 Tax Levy in the amount of $2,235,843 for General Government and Library purposes.

Action: 4.3 Ordinance Amending Title One Chapter Two Article B as it Relates to City Council Meetings

Councilmembers noted changes they would like incorporated, requested a memorandum that would explain the differences in voting present and abstentions, reiterated opinions from the previous discussion in October, and indicated their intended vote.

Don Monty itemized specific sections in the proposed Ordinance with which he disagreed. Van Ikner inquired about the current practice with regard to extending citizen comment time limits.

MOTION: Adopt an Ordinance Amending Title One Chapter Two Article B as it Relates to City Council Meetings, with amendments to the exhibit, specifically to amend 1-2B-1.J.9 to read "consent of a majority of...," and to remove the strikethrough to the formerly numbered 1-2B-1-E relating to the recording of meetings.

Motion by Adam Loos, second by Jeff Doherty.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries

Yea: Adam Loos, Jeff Doherty, LaCaje Hill, Clare Killman, Carolin Harvey Nay: Nancy Maxwell, Ginger Rye Sanders (Ordinance 2023-46; Exhibit D-11-14-2023)

5. Adjournment of the City Council Meeting

Procedural: 5.1 Adjourn meeting

There being no further business to come before the Local Liquor Control Commission, the meeting was declared adjourned at 8:02 p.m.

https://go.boarddocs.com/il/coc/Board.nsf/files/CXMRVS6FDF85/$file/Regular%20City%20Council%20Meeting%20Minutes%2014%20November%202023.pdf