City of Carbondale City Council met Dec. 9.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
1. Roll Call
Councilmembers present
Councilmember Nathan Colombo, Councilmember Clare Killman, Councilmember Nancy Maxwell, Councilmember Dawn Roberts, Councilmember Brian Stanfield, and Mayor Pro Tem Adam Loos
Councilmembers absent
Mayor Carolin Harvey
Meeting called to order at 6:15 PM.
2. General Announcements and Proclamations
3. Public Comments
Persons addressing the City Council included Bill Lauritzen, James Cooper, Jr., and Jarius Harvey.
4. Council Comments
Councilmember Roberts responded to a public comment regarding emergency shelter preparation and then commented on the community bonds that are developed through music and the initiation of the Civic Sessions musical series at City Hall.
Councilmember Killman shared concerns from members of the public and downtown businesses about debris and dust from construction sites.
Councilmember Colombo extended his thanks to staff for their help in navigating his first year on the Council, and sought endorsements from the other Councilmembers for discussion on the following items: downtown environmental changes, free downtown parking, developing an action plan to address homelessness, and addressing concerns regarding data sharing as it relates to cameras.
5. Public Hearings and Special Reports
6. Consent Agenda
MOTION: Approve all Consent Agenda Items not pulled for separate discussion Motion by Clare Killman, second by Nathan Colombo
Final Resolution: Motion Passed
Yea: Nathan Colombo, Clare Killman, Adam Loos, Nancy Maxwell, Dawn Roberts, Brian Stanfield
1. Approval of the Minutes from the Regular City Council Meeting of November 18, 2025.
2. Approval of Warrant 1524 for Period Ending: 11/07/2025
3. Approval of Warrant 1525 for Period Ending: 11/21/2025
4. Approval of Wells Fargo Warrant for the Period Ending 10/31/2025 FY 2026 Warrant # WF 10/2025 in the amount of $222,138.07
5. Award of Contract for Cedar Lake Trail System Development to Piney Creek Construction & Repair, Inc. of Ava, Illinois in the Amount of $49,898.00
6. Award of Contract for Stormwater Pump Station Rehabilitation to Korte & Luitjohan Const., Inc. of Highland, Illinois in the Amount of $296,300.00
7. Adopt a Resolution Authorizing Staff to Initiate a Text Amendment Relative to Minimum Surfacing Standards in All R-1, Low Density Residential, Districts, and All RR, Rural Residential, Districts Resolution 2025-R-67
7. General Business
1. An Ordinance Approving and a Resolution Denying Rezoning Property at 441 East Willow Street from R-1-5, Low Density Residential (5,000 sq. ft) to R-3, High Density Residential
It was noted that the application was made due to the desire to open a small grocery store in the facility; Councilmembers expressed support for the proposal.
MOTION: Adopt an Ordinance rezoning property at 441 East Willow Street from R-1-5, Low Density Residential, to R-3, High Density Residential
Motion by Clare Killman, second by Dawn Roberts
Final Resolution: Motion Passed
Yea: Nathan Colombo, Clare Killman, Adam Loos, Nancy Maxwell, Dawn Roberts, Brian Stanfield
Ordinance 2025-44
2. Ordinances Abating the 2025 Tax Levies for General Obligation Bonds
MOTION: Approve the Ordinances abating the 2025 Debt Service Tax Levies for the 2020A and the 2022 General Obligation Bonds
Motion by Clare Killman, second by Nathan Colombo
Final Resolution: Motion Passed
Yea: Nathan Colombo, Clare Killman, Adam Loos, Nancy Maxwell, Dawn Roberts, Brian Stanfield
Ordinances 2025-45 & 2025-46
3. Ordinance Adopting the 2025 Property Tax Levy
MOTION: Approve an Ordinance adopting the 2025 Tax Levy in the amount of $2,324,436 ($1,035,365 City Purposes, $1,289,071 Library General Operating Purposes) Motion by Clare Killman, second by Brian Stanfield
Final Resolution: Motion Passed
Yea: Nathan Colombo, Clare Killman, Adam Loos, Nancy Maxwell, Dawn Roberts, Brian Stanfield
Ordinance 2025-47
4. Ordinance Establishing the 2025 Tax Levy for the Downtown Special Services Area Number One
MOTION: Approve the Ordinance adopting the 2025 Tax Levy in the amount of $53,430.25 for the Downtown Special Service Area Number One
Motion by Clare Killman, second by Dawn Roberts
Final Resolution: Motion Passed
Yea: Nathan Colombo, Clare Killman, Adam Loos, Nancy Maxwell, Dawn Roberts, Brian Stanfield
Ordinance 2025-48
5. An Ordinance Approving and a Resolution Denying the Rezoning of Property at 2020 South Illinois Avenue from R-3, High-Density Residential, to SB, Secondary Business
Council shared their support for the proposal, remarked on the unwieldiness of the current zoning code, and noted support for a simplified zoning code.
MOTION: Adopt an Ordinance Rezoning Property at 2020 South Illinois Avenue from R-3 to SB
Motion by Nathan Colombo, second by Dawn Roberts
Final Resolution: Motion Passed
Yea: Nathan Colombo, Clare Killman, Adam Loos, Nancy Maxwell, Dawn Roberts, Brian Stanfield
Ordinance 2025-49
6. Final Selection of the Firm to Develop and Initiate the City’s Strategic Marketing Plan and a Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Enter Into a Professional Services Agreement in an Amount Not to Exceed $120,000 With the Firm Selected by Council
Council conducted a straw poll to identify which of the three consultants they preferred through a show of hands. Four supported Zo Agency, one supported Dovetail. They shared their rationales for the entity that they supported and commented on the interview process, as well as expressed their expectations.
Eric Sparks asked if any local entities were approached.
Elva Prince concurred with the Mayor Pro Tem’s assessment.
MOTION: Select Zo Agency to develop and initiate the City’s Strategic Marketing Plan; and Adopt a Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to enter into a Professional Services Agreement, in an amount not to exceed $120,000
Motion by Dawn Roberts, second by Brian Stanfield
Final Resolution: Motion Passed
Yea: Nathan Colombo, Clare Killman, Adam Loos, Nancy Maxwell, Dawn Roberts, Brian Stanfield
Resolution 2025-R-68
7. A Resolution Approving and a Resolution Denying a Special Use Permit to Elizabeth Erin Ashley for a Community Center Operation in a R-3, High Density Residential Zoning District at 441 East Willow Street
Council expressed thanks for the applicant’s work on this endeavor and noted a dislike for the special use permit process.
Sandy Litecky spoke on behalf of the Special Use process.
Jarius Harvey addressed the City Council on matters not related to the Special Use application, but rather on an unrelated procedural matter.
MOTION: Adopt a Resolution approving a Special Use Permit to Elizabeth Erin Ashley for a Community Center Operation at 441 East Willow Street
Motion by Nathan Colombo, second by Clare Killman
Final Resolution: Motion Passed
Yea: Nathan Colombo, Clare Killman, Adam Loos, Nancy Maxwell, Dawn Roberts, Brian Stanfield
Resolution 2025-R-69
8. An Ordinance Amending Title Five By Adding Chapter Nineteen of the Carbondale Revised Code Creating A License for Massage Establishments
Council inquired about how the licensing process will work and exceptions for medically approved facilities, asked about licensing fees, expressed the hope that this will help to address concerns about human trafficking, suggested the possibility of charging no fee for the license, shared their experience with and understanding of operating legitimate massage therapy establishments, the importance of passing the ordinance to protect vulnerable individuals, and a suggested a fee of $25 per establishment and an additional $5 per therapist.
Don Monty noted that there previously was a license in Carbondale and inquired how much the current proposed language mirrored that prior Ordinance.
Elva Prince requested clarification about Councilmember Stanfield’s comments.
MOTION: Adopt an Ordinance amending Title Five by adding Chapter Nineteen to the Carbondale Revised Code, Creating a License for Massage Establishments, with a modified fee structure, as amended at the table
Motion by Clare Killman, second by Dawn Roberts
Final Resolution: Motion Passed
Yea: Nathan Colombo, Clare Killman, Adam Loos, Nancy Maxwell, Dawn Roberts, Brian Stanfield
Ordinance 2025-50
9. An Ordinance Amending Title Five of the Carbondale Revised Code By Adding Chapter Twenty, Licensing And Regulation Of Retail Establishments that Sell Tobacco and Hemp Derived THC Products Within the City of Carbondale and An Ordinance Authorizing A 3% Tax on Hemp Derived THC Products And Other Intoxicating Cannabinoids.
Council shared a story relating to the adoption of an Ordinance regulating cannabis some years ago, noted that there is a difference between those who do business the right way and those who do not, and remarked on the need for oversight.
Jacob Buckman, owner of Legal Smile, indicated that his business does what it can to operate legally, noted the challenges that the City may have in enforcement, asked about the proposed license fee, and expressed concern about the cost of the license fee.
Don Monty indicated that the agenda item doesn’t make it clear that vape products are to be regulated, commented that upcoming federal regulations may impact the sellers, and suggested establishing some equity in fees for large and small entities.
Eric Sparks asked about the intent of the Ordinances, as it relates to the protection of youths through the proposed regulations, and associated that with allowing underage individuals in bars.
Jarius Harvey addressed the City Council about matters not relating to the Ordinances in question.
Council conversed with the owner of Legal Smile about the items his business sells and what fee would be more acceptable. There was a friendly amendment to the initial motion to adopt the licensing ordinance, modifying the license fee from $1,000 to $500.00.
MOTION: Adopt an Ordinance Establishing Licensing of Establishments that sell, at retail, Tobacco, Vape, and Hemp-Derived Cannabinoid products, with a modified license fee, as amended at the table; and Adopt an Ordinance imposing a 3% municipal tax on the retail sale of Hemp-Derived Cannabinoid products
Motion by Nathan Colombo, second by Brian Stanfield
Final Resolution: Motion Passed
Yea: Nathan Colombo, Clare Killman, Adam Loos, Nancy Maxwell, Dawn Roberts, Brian Stanfield
Ordinances 2025-51 and 2025-52
10. An Ordinance Amending Title Fourteen, Chapter Seven, As It Relates To The Possession and Sale of Drugs Within The City of Carbondale, By Adding Kratom To The List Of Prohibited Drugs.
Council commented on the lack of regulatory oversight in the manufacture of kratom; expressed opposition to the ban, as presented; remarked that the ban would not eliminate the availability of the drug; noted that there is an kratom regulatory oversight bill pending at the state level; commented that only seven of fifty states have banned the substance, leaving the drug easily available; suggested bringing back less restrictive regulations; shared personal stories about their challenges in accessing pain management options; support for federal and state regulation; suggested deferring any action until federal or state regulations are adopted; expressed concern about criminalization of possession, which is not the intent of the Ordinance; and shared the feedback that they had received from the public.
Jacob Buckman asked if the Council was aware of what kratom was and thanked the Council for the comments that they had made. He responded to Council questions and comments as it related to best practices on regulation and the feasibility and challenges in regulating 7-OH and other synthetics separately from natural substances.
Eric Sparks noted there were vast differences between synthetic and powdered kratom. He shared his story about how kratom has helped him manage chronic pain.
There was no action taken on the proposed Ordinance.
8. Executive Session
9. Adjournment
There being no further business to come before the City Council, the meeting was declared adjourned at 8:43 p.m.
https://www.explorecarbondale.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_12092025-2616
