Carbondale Reporter

At a recent meeting, the Carbondale City Council discussed traffic safety in northeast Carbondale, as well as parking-lot safety throughout the city.

Led by the mayor, the Carbondale City Council serves as the legislative and policy body of the city.

Below are the minutes for this meeting, as provided by the council.

Regular City Council Meeting June 28, 2016 (Tuesday, June 28, 2016) Generated by Clinette C. Hayes on Wednesday, June 29, 2016

1. Roll Call

Members present: Jessica Bradshaw, Lee Fronabarger, Tom Grant, Carolin Harvey, Navreet Kang, Adam Loos, John M Henry

2. General Announcements and Proclamations

John Foster introduced a group of international students who will be visiting the City of Carbondale for four weeks through a program that is sponsored by the United States State Department. The students represent four countries: Turkey, Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan.

Councilman Fronabarger announced Wednesday’s Community Farmer’s Market from 3-6 p.m. on North Washington Street.

Mayor Henry announced the fireworks to be displayed at the Super Block on Monday, July 4. Finance Director Jeff Davis added information about parking.

Councilwoman Bradshaw announced Girls Rock Carbondale at Hangar 9 on Saturday, July 16 at 7 p.m. featuring 7 bands.

3. Citizens' Comments and Questions

Dr. M. Stalls expressed her concerns about traffic safety in Northeast Carbondale and safety in parking lots throughout the City. Dr. Stalls also suggested that the Council consider declaring certain areas of Northeast Carbondale as a historic African-American district to enhance the City’s welcoming to its African-American visitors and citizens.

Ken Rhude, Owner/President of Little Egypt Brew was present to give his thoughts about the food and beverage tax. He offered the Council possible alternatives or modifications to make the tax more acceptable.

Barry Spehn, 500 Charles Road #31, asked the City Council if there has been any follow up on the requirements of tow truck companies. Mayor Henry responded to Mr. Spehn.

Donna Gibson gave her concerns about the impact of recently passed tax increases on city senior citizens.

Lance Jack, 1026 North Bridge, asked about a possible amendment to the food and beverage tax. He also asked if there was any further communication between the City and SIU as far as the student move-in date that coincides with the 2017 Eclipse. Mayor Henry responded to both of Mr. Jack’s questions.

4. Public Hearings and Special Reports

None

5. Consent Agenda of the City Council

Action (Consent): 5.1 - Approval of the City Council Meeting Minutes from June 14, 2016 Resolution: Approve the City Council Meeting Minutes from June 14, 2016

Action (Consent): 5.2 - Approval of Warrant for the Period Ending: 06/06/2016 FY 2017 Warrant #1276 in the amount of $926,079.24

Action (Consent): 5.3 - Acceptance of Minutes of Boards, Commissions, and Committees

Action (Consent): 5.4 - Award of Contract for the City Hall/Civic Center Exterior Repairs (PB1601) to Fager-McGee of Murphysboro, Illinois in the amount of $224,000 (Pulled)

Action (Consent): 5.5 - Purchase of two (2) recycling trailers from Pro-Tainer Inc. of Alexandria, Minnesota in the amount of $35,168

Action (Consent): 5.6 - Award of Purchase MFT Maintenance Material for FY2017

Action (Consent): 5.7 - Award of Contract for the Mechanical Bar Screen Replacement at the NWWWTP (WW1002) to Fager-McGee of Murphysboro, Illinois in the amount of $338,400

Action (Consent): 5.8 - Award of Purchase of a Two (2) Single Axle Dump Trucks to Truck Centers of Mt Vernon, Illinois in the total amount of $238,676 (Pulled)

Action (Consent): 5.9 - Approval of an Ordinance and Budget Adjustment to Increase the FY 2017 Fire Department Budget (Pulled)

Approval of Consent Agenda Items 1-3, 5-7

Motion by Lee Fronabarger, second by Carolin Harvey Final Resolution: Motion Carries Yea: Jessica Bradshaw, Lee Fronabarger, Tom Grant, Carolin Harvey, Navreet Kang, Adam Loos, John M. Henry

Pulled Items:

Item 5.4 Award of Contract for the City Hall/Civic Center Exterior Repairs (PB1601) to Fager-McGee of Murphysboro, Illinois in the amount of $224,000

Council wanted the citizens to be aware of the repairs taking place at City Hall/Civic Center. Inquiries about the kinds of materials to be used for these repairs were made as well as the regularity of building maintenance to possibly lower future repair costs.

Motion by Carolin Harvey, second by Jessica Bradshaw Final Resolution: Motion Carries Yea: Jessica Bradshaw, Lee Fronabarger, Tom Grant, Carolin Harvey, Navreet Kang, Adam Loos, John M. Henry

Item 5.8 Award of Purchase of a Two (2) Single Axle Dump Trucks to Truck Centers of Mt Vernon, Illinois in the total amount of $238,676

This item was pulled for it to be declared as surplus property along with two previously purchased dump trucks (1985 Ford F800 Dump Trucks).

Motion by Tom Grant, second by Navreet Kang Final Resolution: Motion Carries Yea: Jessica Bradshaw, Lee Fronabarger, Tom Grant, Carolin Harvey, Navreet Kang, Adam Loos, John M. Henry

Item 5.9 Approval of an Ordinance and Budget Adjustment to Increase the FY 2017 Fire Department Budget

Item was pulled for public awareness.

Motion by Navreet Kang, second by Lee Fronabarger Final Resolution: Motion Carries Yea: Jessica Bradshaw, Lee Fronabarger, Tom Grant, Carolin Harvey, Navreet Kang, Adam Loos, John M. Henry

6. General Business of the City Council

6.1 A Resolution Adopting the Carbondale Bicycle Master Plan

Development Services Director, Chris Wallace gave a presentation of the Carbondale Bicycle Master Plan. Council gave their input about the Carbondale Bicycle Master Plan moving forward and its effects on the City. It was asked if anything was being done to attract adventure cyclist to the area with the national bicycle route that runs through Carbondale. Chris Wallace responded to questions.

Motion by Lee Fronabarger, second by Carolin Harvey. Final Resolution: Motion Carries Yea: Jessica Bradshaw, Lee Fronabarger, Tom Grant, Carolin Harvey, Navreet Kang, Adam Loos, John M Henry

6.2 Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Execute Consulting Agreement with Kaskaskia Engineering for Streetscape on Illinois Avenue

Councilmembers shared their enthusiasm with the project and would like to be kept apprise of its progress.

Motion by Navreet Kang, second by Jessica Bradshaw. Final Resolution: Motion Carries Yea: Jessica Bradshaw, Lee Fronabarger, Tom Grant, Carolin Harvey, Navreet Kang, Adam Loos, John M Henry

6.3 Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a consultant agreement with Novak Consulting Group to complete an Organizational & Management Review of city-wide departments

After the agenda item was read aloud with a recommendation to approve, councilmembers expressed their approval to authorize the City Manager to execute a consultant agreement with Novak Consulting to complete an organizational and management review of city-wide departments.

Yea: Jessica Bradshaw, Lee Fronabarger, Tom Grant, Carolin Harvey, Navreet Kang, Adam Loos, John M Henry

7. Comments from the City Council

Mayor Henry announced that the refuse pick up schedule will be moved up a day because of the holiday on Monday, July 4.

Councilman Loos responded to comments and criticisms regarding the recently passed taxes that were printed in the newspaper and online.

Councilman Fronabarger thanked the visiting students from Turkey, Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan for attending the City Council meeting.

Councilwoman Bradshaw gave her perspective about the recently passed taxes and moving in a positive direction alongside the Downtown Master Plan and the Carbondale Bicycle Master Plan.

Councilman Kang stated that he would like to bring back the food and beverage tax ordinance for discussion before implementing it on August 1.

Councilwoman Bradshaw noted previously abated property taxes and its current effects on the City.

Councilman Fronabarger reminded everyone about the State mandate that requires all municipal fire and police pension funds to be 90% funded by the year 2040 and how it impacts the need for additional revenue.

Mayor Henry gave his opinion about the use of social media.

8. Adjournment

Meeting adjourned at 8:25 p.m.