Carbondale Reporter

Carbondale City Council met Tuesday, Dec. 6.

The mission of the Mayor and City Council is to serve as the legislative and policy body of the City Government. The Mayor serves as the official head of the government. The Mayor and City Council Members are elected at-large for staggered four-year terms on a biennial basis. Regular meetings of the City Council are typically held every two or three weeks.

Here are the minutes as provided by Carbondale:

Regular City Council Meeting December 6, 2016 (Tuesday, December 6, 2016) Generated by Jennifer R Sorrell on Thursday, December 8, 2016

City Council Members present Councilwoman Jessica Bradshaw, Councilman Lee Fronabarger, Councilman Tom Grant, Councilwoman Carolin Harvey, Councilman Navreet Kang, Councilman Adam Loos, and Mayor John M Henry

Meeting called to order at 7:00 PM

1. Preliminaries to the City Council Meeting Procedural: 1.1 Roll Call

Procedural: 1.2 General Announcements and Proclamations

Councilman Fronabarger announced the 6th annual Ivas John’s Blue Christmas concert would be held at Shryock auditorium on Saturday, December 10, with proceeds benefiting the Super Splash Park.

Councilwoman Harvey announced that Santa in the Park will be at Attucks Park on Wednesday and Carol Mosely Braun Center on Thursday.

Councilwoman Bradshaw announced the Science Center will be opening a Smithsonian Exhibit on water and Carbondale Community Arts will hold annual university on water and climate change on Wednesday. She also announced the 12th annual Southern Illinois Alternative Gift Fair on Sunday, December 11.

Councilman Kang announced the sale of Christmas trees by the Carbondale Community High School Marching Band.

Mayor Henry commended Southern Illinois Symphony Orchestra’s and SIU Jazz Orchestra’s performances during “A Simply Sinatra Christmas” at Shryock.

Procedural: 1.3 Citizens' Comments and Questions

Nathan Columbo, 229 Hunt Road, noted his concern about the lack of criteria in the City’s branding RFP, expressed a desire to see an end product worthy of Carbondale’s character, and encouraged public input and direction on the project.

Nathan Fortmeyer inquired about the funding for the downtown security cameras, how the data might be used, if there was oversight in place, and how long the data is held. He read guidelines regarding public surveillance cameras from the ACLU.

Elius Reed asked if the Affirmative Action Officer position will be posted.

Sandy Litecky, 603 West Walnut, in response to the Oakland fire urged the City look at inspections for houses that have music venues.

Procedural, Reports: 1.4 Public Hearings and Special Reports

Action, Information: 1.5 Review and Acceptance of the FY 2016 Audited Comprehensive Annual Financial Report and Other Supplemental Financial Reports

Lisa Gill of Kerber, Eck, and Braeckel, who served as lead auditor, provided an overview of the City's FY 2016 audit. Council commended staff for their efforts that resulted in such a clean report.

2. Consent Agenda of the City Council

Action (Consent): 2.1 Approval of the Regular City Council Meeting Minutes from November 15, 2016 Resolution: Approve the meeting minutes from the November 15, 2016, City Council meeting

Action (Consent): 2.2 Approval of Wells Fargo Warrant for the Period Ending 09/30/2016 FY 2017 Warrant # WF 09/2016 in the amount of $148,304.43 Resolution: Accept the following report of payments made for the period ended: 09/30/2016 totaling $148,304.43 (Exhibit A-12-6-2016)

Action (Consent): 2.3 Approval of Warrant for the Period Ending: 11/07/2016 FY 2017 Warrant 1287 in the amount of $1,208,021.02 Resolution: Accept the following report of payments made for the period ended: 11/07/2016 totaling $1,208,021.02 (Exhibit B-12-6-2016)

Action (Consent): 2.4 Approval of Wells Fargo Warrant for the Period Ending 10/31/2016 FY 2017 Warrant # WF 10/2016 in the amount of $156,909.30 Resolution: Accept the following report of payments made for the period ended: 10/31/2016 totaling $156,909.30 (Exhibit C-12-6-2016)

Action (Consent): 2.5 A Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Lease Agreement with Frontier North Inc. to Continue to Lease Property on New Era Road Resolution: The City Council is Requested to approve a Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to execute a Lease Agreement with Frontier North Inc. for property on New Era Road (Resolution 2016-R-50; Exhibit D-12-6-2016)

Action (Consent): 2.6 Approve the Purchase of Replacement Pump Parts and Service from Sulzer Pumps Inc., for Cedar Lake Pump Station, in the estimated amount of $187,707.00 Resolution: It is recommended that the City Council Approve the purchase of repair parts and service from Sulzer Pumps Inc. of Brookshire, TX in the estimated amount of $187,707.00.

Action (Consent): 2.7 Resolution Appointing the Finance Director as IMRF Agent Resolution: Approve Resolution Appointing the Finance Director as the City of Carbondale's IMRF Authorized Agent (Resolution 2016-R-5; Exhibit E-12-6-2016)

Action (Consent): 2.8 Approve a Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Submit a Sign Permit Application to add Signage at the Historic Train Depot Resolution: Approve a Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Submit a Sign Permit Application to add Signage at the Historic Train Depot (Resolution 2016-R-52; Exhibit F-12-6- 2016)

Action (Consent): 2.9 Approval of Consent Agenda Items Resolution: Approval of all Consent Agenda Items which were not pulled for separate consideration

MOTION: Approval of Consent Agenda Items 2.1 – 2.9. A correction to item 3.1 in the minutes, the misspelling of a last name, was noted.

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

3. General Business of the City Council

Action: 3.1 Ordinance Establishing the 2016 Tax Levy for the Downtown Special Services Area Number One

MOTION: Approve the Ordinance adopting the 2016 Tax Levy in the amount of $41,868.75 for the Downtown Special Service Area Number One. (Ordinance 2016-62; Exhibit G-12-6-2016)

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

Action: 3.2 Ordinances Abating the 2016 Tax Levies for General Obligation Bonds

MOTION: Approve the Ordinances abating the 2016 Debt Service Tax Levy for the 2010A and 2010B, both 2011, 2013, and 2015 General Obligation Bonds. (Ordinances 2016-63 through 2016-68; Exhibits H- through M-12-6-2016)

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

Action: 3.3 Ordinance Adopting the 2016 Property Tax Levy

MOTION: Approve an ordinance adopting the 2016 Tax Levy in the amount of $2,067,238.

($1,035,289 City Purposes and $1,031,949 Library Purposes). (Ordinance 2016-69; Exhibit N- 12-6-2016)

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

Action: 3.4 Ordinance amending Title 1 of the Carbondale Revised Code as it relates to public discussion at City Council meetings

Council asked about the availability of a countdown for the audience members who participate, noted that this is a codification of a custom, whether the Mayor should be able to extend the time at his or her discretion, whether to increase the time allowed, and expressed either support or opposition to the item.

Don Monty, 418 South Giant City Road, expressed approval for the subject matter of this item, how it is worded, and commented on the Attorney General's opinion.

Sandy Litecky, 603 West Walnut, asked how four minutes was arrived at for the allotted time period.

Nathan Columbo, suggested a possible headcount rule that would allow for an increase or decrease in speaking time depending on the number of individuals interested in speaking on an item.

MOTION: Approve an ordinance amending Title 1 of the Carbondale Revised Code as it relates to citizen comments (Ordinance 2016-70; Exhibit O-12-6-2016)

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

Discussion: 3.5 Discussion of the Illinois Avenue Streetscape Project

This matter was brought before the City Council to receive feedback prior to the final design. Council asked questions regarding the specifics on the design presented, including parking; bicycle rental locations; appearance and contents of planters; design, placement, and materials for benches; removal of curb cuts; utilization of spaces which provide access to parking behind storefronts; placement of security cameras when new light poles are installed; inclusion of public art and landscaping; continuation of Stars on Main; utilization of other materials besides concrete; following CPTED standards; adding additional greenery at major intersections; future use of City-owned property on Illinois Avenue; making crosswalks very obvious; and the placement and spacing of trees and lights.

Meghan Cole, Carbondale Main Street Director, recommended doing a trial section and suggested clustering the placement of benches, garbage receptacles, and bike racks.

Elius Reed asked what the total cost of this project will be and if the City’s Affirmative action plan will apply.

Donald Monty inquired about the access to the sidewalks with the placement of planter boxes, suggested that the Council have fortitude regarding the inclusion of trees as business owners may want them cut down to prevent blocking of signs, and noted concern about benches being used by loiterers and panhandlers.

Sandy Litecky remarked on the wonderful design and suggested utilizing stamped, stained concrete, or bricks which do not get slick upon freezing.

Discussion: 3.6 A Discussion Regarding a Proposed Text Amendment to Title 15 and Title 5 of the Revised Code of the City of Carbondale, Illinois Relative to the Creation and Regulation of the Vacation Rental Unit Land Use

City Council members noted their approval for or opposition to certain aspects of the proposed Ordinance. Their questions and comments covered the following subject matters: Special uses versus permitted uses, use of accessory dwelling unit (ADU) on a parcel where the homeowner occupies the primary structure, additional parking requirements, use of signage to designate a properly licensed unit, concerns about allowing the use of rental properties where the owner does not live on-site, comments about the restrictiveness of the standards for a permitted use, clarification about the limitation of time of rental as it relates to the individual renter, and inquiries about the issuance of licenses. The matter of requiring an on-site manager or allowing this use for rental properties was deliberated.

Sandy Litecky indicated opposition for utilizing rental properties for vacation rental units. Chandrakant Patel, 1075 East Park Street, expressed concern about security and safety. Donald Monty, 418 South Giant City Road, conveyed apprehension about the impact of a house utilized for short-term rental on a single-family neighborhood.

4. Council Comments for the City Council

Information: 4.1 An opportunity for City Council members to offer general comments

Councilman Loos expressed thanks to Mr. Monty and Mr. Fortmeyer for their comments and asked that the matter of Accessory Dwelling Units be revisited.

Councilman Grant suggested that the recent nuisance housing ordinance may address some of the concerns raised in the discussion of vacation rentals. He indicated that this would be a good topic for a Work Session.

Mayor Henry asked City Attorney Snyder about the quorum and minute requirements for a Work Session. He noted his preference to limit the number of Work Sessions and suggested that many

matters could be addressed during standard Council meetings as they were during this meeting.

Councilwoman Bradshaw noted the vacation rental topic has been through the Planning Commission. She indicated her agreement with Councilman Loos’ comments regarding security cameras and recommended codifying the usage of such footage. Councilman Fronabarger asked if the security camera footage is subject to FOIA.

5. Executive Session None

6. Adjournment of the City Council Meeting

The Carbondale City Council adjourned at 9:33 p.m.

Submitted by: Approved: