City of Marion City Council met Feb. 9.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
Minutes of a Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of Marion held in the Council Chambers at 5:30 P.M. Mayor Absher called the meeting to order at 5:30 P.M. The City Clerk called the roll, and the response was as follows:
PHYSICALLY PRESENT: COMMISSIONERS PATTON, BARWICK, AND STOECKLIN AND MAYOR ABSHER.
ABSENT: COMMISSIONER WEBB
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Absher led the pledge of allegiance.
PUBLIC COMMENT
There were no public comments this evening.
CONSENT AGENDA
Commissioner Stoecklin made a motion to approve the consent agenda as presented. Commissioner Patton seconded the motion.
ON ROLL CALL VOTE COMMISSIONERS PATTON, BARWICK, AND STOECKLIN AND MAYOR ABSHER ALL VOTED YEA. COMMISSIONER WEBB ABSENT.
NEW BUSINESS
POLICE DEPARTMENT
Ordinance 4094 Approving to Trade Three Old Vehicles for a Newer Vehicle Commissioner Barwick made a motion to approve Ordinance 4094 approving the recommendation of Chief Fitts to trade in three old vehicles with a value of $4,000 for one newer vehicle paying a difference of not more than $42,540.63. Commissioner Stoecklin seconded the motion.
Police Chief David Fitts told the Council this vehicle is to replace an undercover narcotics vehicle that has been in the fleet for quite some time and has outlived its usefulness. It will be purchased with narcotics funds.
Hearing no discussion, Mayor Absher called for the vote.
ON ROLL CALL VOTE COMMISSIONERS PATTON, BARWICK, AND STOECKLIN AND MAYOR ABSHER ALL VOTED YEA. COMMISSIONER WEBB ABSENT.
WASTEWATER DEPARTMENT
Purchase Replacement Return Pump for the East Plant for $22,799
Commissioner Stoecklin made a motion to approve a replacement return pump for the east plant for $22,799, a budgeted item. Commissioner Barwick seconded the motion.
ON ROLL CALL VOTE COMMISSIONERS PATTON, BARWICK, AND STOECKLIN AND MAYOR ABSHER ALL VOTED YEA. COMMISSIONER WEBB ABSENT.
McBride Sales Bid for 2026 Mack Granite 64FR Base for $174,839
Commissioner Stoecklin explained this is for a new Mack truck to replace an older one.
Commissioner Stoecklin made a motion to approve the low bid by McBride Sales to order a 2026 Mack Granite 64FR Base for $174,839, and securing the financing upon the delivery expected in July 2026. He stated there will be a $10,000 trade-in credit to be deducted from the purchase price. He said this truck is the tractor without the bed. Commissioner Patton seconded the motion.
ON ROLL CALL VOTE COMMISSIONERS PATTON, BARWICK, AND STOECKLIN AND MAYOR ABSHER ALL VOTED YEA. COMMISSIONER WEBB ABSENT.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND MUNICIPAL PLANNING
Resolution 2026-08 a Vacant Property Redevelopment Grant for 407 South Liberty
Mayor Absher stated there is one more Vacant Property Redevelopment Program application with JM Vision, LLC for 407 South Liberty.
Mayor Absher made a motion to adopt Resolution 2026-08, a Vacant Property Redevelopment Program application with JM Vision, LLC for 407 South Liberty. Commissioner Barwick seconded the motion.
ON ROLL CALL VOTE COMMISSIONERS PATTON, BARWICK, AND STOECKLIN AND MAYOR ABSHER ALL VOTED YEA. COMMISSIONER WEBB ABSENT.
FY26 TIF Grant Applications Received Through February 6, 2026 Mayor Absher stated there is one Hub TIF grant application tonight.
Mayor Absher made a motion to approve FY26 TIF Grant Applications received through February 6, 2026. Commissioner Patton seconded the motion.
ON ROLL CALL VOTE COMMISSIONERS PATTON, BARWICK, AND STOECKLIN AND MAYOR ABSHER ALL VOTED YEA. COMMISSIONER WEBB ABSENT.
PUBLIC AFFAIRS
Ordinance 4093 Authorizing the Ceding of Private Activity Bonding Authority Mayor Absher explained the city does this annually. Each municipality has certain taxing authority of a certain amount per capita. The Southern Illinois Economic Development Authority requests that municipalities that are not using the allocation to give it to them by ceding the private activity bonding authority to them. This allows them to do larger economic development projects by aggregating bonding authority from municipalities. If the city does not obligate their bonding authority or cede it then it goes back to the state.
Mayor Absher made a motion to approve Ordinance 4093 Authorizing the Ceding of Private Activity Bonding Authority. Commissioner Barwick seconded the motion.
ON ROLL CALL VOTE COMMISSIONERS PATTON, BARWICK, AND STOECKLIN AND MAYOR ABSHER ALL VOTED YEA. COMMISSIONER WEBB ABSENT.
COMMISSIONER REPORTS
Commissioner Patton
Commissioner Patton had no report.
Commissioner Barwick – Public Health & Safety
Commissioner Barwick read the January 2026 Police Department report. He reported 1,816 dispatched calls; 1,445 emergency calls; 2,272 non-emergency calls; and 153 ambulance calls.
Commissioner Stoecklin – Public Property
Commissioner Stoecklin read the Water Department report since the last meeting. He reported the Water Department employees assisted the Street Department with plowing roads and parking lots.
Commissioner Webb – Streets & Public Improvements
Commissioner Webb was absent.
MISCELLANEOUS
Marion resident Carmen Allen-Adeoye told the Council that after the snow, there was nowhere for the kids to stand and wait for the school bus on College Street behind the Civic Center. Mayor Absher explained the city does not have enough physical labor to shovel every sidewalk in town. He recommended the city get a list of bus stops to ensure that those areas are clearer in the future. He also suggested that Carmen contact the city when this happens in the future so that areas near bus stops can be cleared.
CLOSED/EXECUTIVE SESSION
Mayor Absher stated he did not have a need for executive session this evening and asked if any of the Commissioners had a need for executive session. No one had a need for executive session.
Commissioner Barwick made a motion to adjourn the Regular Meeting. Commissioner Stoecklin seconded the motion.
ON ROLL CALL VOTE COMMISSIONERS PATTON, BARWICK, AND STOECKLIN AND MAYOR ABSHER ALL VOTED YEA. COMMISSIONER WEBB ABSENT.
Meeting Adjourned at 5:46 P.M.
Council Agendas and Minutes
