Carbondale Reporter

City of Carbondale City Council met March 21.

Here is the minutes provided by the Council:

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

Mayor Henry expressed his thanks to Ginger Rye, the Women for Change, and Pastors Broadnax, Cawthon, and Chambers for their support of and work on starting a neighborhood organization. He then spoke of plans for additional security at the Eurma C. Hayes Center.

Mayor proclaimed Saturday, April 1, 2017, as "The Big Event - A Saluki Day of Service" and urged citizens to recognize the positive impact of service in the City and to thank those who serve.

Councilman Fronabarger announced early voting hours at the Civic Center.

Councilwoman Bradshaw announced upcoming candidate forums and announced WDBX's fundraiser "Blues and Brews" fundraiser at the Varsity Center for the Arts.

Procedural: 1.3 Citizens' Comments and Questions

Sandy Litecky announced the Keep Carbondale Beautiful spring native tree and shrub sale on Saturday and Sunday in the Arena parking lot.

Procedural, Reports, Public Hearing: 1.4 Public Hearing on a proposed Annexation Agreement between the City of Carbondale and the Southern Illinois Airport Authority

The public hearing was declared open at 7:07 p.m.

The proposed annexation agreement between the City of Carbondale and Southern Illinois Airport Authority will be necessary prior to extending the City's sanitary sewer service to the property in question.

Sandy Litecky inquired about an earlier agreement between the City and the Airport regarding property which will not be subject to annexation into the City limits.

Public hearing declared closed at 7:09 p.m.

2. Consent Agenda of the City Council

Action (Consent): 2.1 Approval of the Regular Meeting Minutes of the Carbondale City Council from March 7, 2017 Resolution: Approve the meeting minutes from the Regular City Council Meeting of March 7, 2017

Action (Consent): 2.2 Approval of Warrant for the Period Ending: 02/27/2017 FY 2017 Warrant 1295 in the amount of $883,408.08 Resolution: Accept the following report of payments made for the period ended: 02/27/2017 totaling $883.408.08 (Exhibit A-03-21-2017)

Action (Consent): 2.3 Award of Contract for the Municipal Rental Property Storage Building (PB1602) to Fager-McGee Construction of Murphysboro, Illinois in the amount of $256,900 Resolution: Award of Contract for the Municipal Rental Property Storage Building (PB1602) to Fager-McGee Construction of Murphysboro, Illinois in the amount of $256,900

Action (Consent): 2.4 Approval of Purchase of Rock Salt through the State of Illinois Joint Purchasing Program Resolution: Reaffirm that the purchase of rock salt through the State of Illinois Joint Purchasing Program is in the best interest of the City of Carbondale; move to "Approve the Purchase of Rock Salt for highway snow and ice control; and authorize the Public Works Director to submit a requisition to the State of Illinois Department of Central Management Services for 600 tons of rock salt through the Joint Purchasing Program using purchase commitment “Option 1" as outlined below."

Action (Consent): 2.5 An Ordinance Annexing Property Located at 813 West Lake Road, 847 West Lake Road and 175 Fishback Road Resolution: It is recommended that the Council “move to adopt the Ordinance annexing the properties located at 813 West Lake Road, 847 West Lake Road and 175 Fishback Road.” (Exhibit B-03-21-2017; Ordinance 2017-10)

Action (Consent): 2.6 An Ordinance Approving an Annexation Agreement between the City of Carbondale and the Southern Illinois Airport Authority Resolution: It is recommended that the City Council “move to approve the Ordinance authorizing the execution of an annexation agreement between the City of Carbondale and the Southern Illinois Airport Authority.” (Exhibit C-03-21-2017; Ordinance 2017-11)

Action (Consent): 2.7 Ordinance Authorizing Approval of a Budget Adjustment to Increase the Fire Department’s FY2017 Budget by $9,807 for the purchase of Task Force Vests from the Illinois Public Risk Fund Grant Resolution: The City Council is requested to adopt an Ordinance authorizing approval of a Budget Adjustment to increase the Fire Department’s FY2017 budget by $9,807 for the purchase of task force vests from the Illinois Public Risk Fund Grant. (Exhibit D-03-21-2017; Ordinance 2017-12)

Action (Consent): 2.8 An Ordinance Amending Title Nine of the Carbondale Revised Code As It Relates To Insurance Requirements for Taxis and Transportation Network Companies Resolution: Adopt the ordinance amending Title Nine of the Carbondale Revised Code as it relates to insurance requirements for taxis and transportation network companies (Exhibit E- 03-21-2017; Ordinance 2017-13)

Action (Consent): 2.9 A Resolution approving the Final BPL Development Plan for Don Taco located at 780 East Grand Avenue Resolution: It is recommended that the Council move “to adopt the Resolution approving the final BPL development plan for parking lot modifications and new building for Don Taco located at 780 East Grand Avenue.” (Exhibit F-03-21-2017; Resolution 2017-R-17)

Action (Consent): 2.10 Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Professional Services Contract with HealthLink and IPMG to Provide Health Insurance Coverage for City Employees, Retirees, and Their Dependents and a Professional Services Contract with AmWINS to Provide Health Insurance Coverage for Retirees Over the Age of 65 and Their Dependents Resolution: It is recommended that the City Council approve a Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a Professional Services Contract with HealthLink and IPMG to provide Health Insurance coverage for City employees, retirees, and their dependents to be effective May 1, 2017, through April 30, 2018. It is recommended that the City Council approve a Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a Professional Services Contract with AmWINS to provide Health Insurance coverage for City retirees over the age 65, and their dependents to be effective May 1, 2017, through April 30, 2018. (Exhibit G-03-21-2017; Resolution 2017-R-18)

Action (Consent): 2.11 Ordinance Accepting a Seized Vehicle for the Police Department and Approving a Budget Adjustment to Increase the Police Department's FY2017 Budget Resolution: It is recommended that the City Council approve an Ordinance accepting the vehicle so that it may be input into the City’s fixed asset accounting system and approve a budget adjustment for the Police Department’s FY2017 budget in the amount of $5,000. (Exhibit H-03- 21-2017; Ordinance 2017-14)

Action: 2.12 A Request to Bring a Carnival to the University Mall from April 17 - May 2, 2017 This item was pulled to make the public aware of the event and Council inquired about the collection of taxes and the carnival's location on the parking lot.

Agenda item 2.12 was pulled by N. Kang for separate consideration.

Action (Consent): 2.13 Appointments and Reappointments to Boards and Commissions Resolution: The Council is requested to concur with the Mayor's recommended appointments and reappointments to Boards and Commissions

Action (Consent): 2.14 Approval of Consent Agenda Items Resolution: Approve Consent Agenda items 2.1 - 2.13

Motion: Approve Consent Agenda items 2.1 - 2.11 and 2.13

Motion by Adam Loos, 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: 2.12 A Request to Bring a Carnival to the University Mall from April 17 - May 2, 2017

This item was pulled to make the public aware of the event. The City Council inquired about the collection of City taxes and the proposed location on the mall’s parking lot.

Motion: Adopt a Resolution approving KevaWorks, LLC’s request, on behalf of Swyear Amusements, for a special permit for a carnival from April 17 through May 2, 2017

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 (Exhibit I-03-21-2017; Resolution 2017-R-19)

3. General Business of the City Council 

Discussion: 3.1 Discussion Regarding Novak Consulting Group's Key Policy Recommendations from the Final Organizational and Management Review

Civic Center Cost Recovery and Policy

Council questions, comments, and suggestions included inquiries about which events are causing losses, establishing a policy about waiving fees and whether to subsidize the cost overruns, for which events or organizations fees should be waived, the public intent when the Civic Center was proposed, fixed expenses versus adjustable fees, elimination of advertising costs, considering an energy audit for the facility, and concerns about the City’s liability versus event insurance policies for each organization or individual.

Delora Bell noted that not every organization has insurance and stated that the center should be open for civic events/finding a way to manage costs. Donald Monty inquired about the number of hours the Civic Center was utilized for City functions and about the total of insurance claims made. He noted the location is important and Council needs to set a solid policy regarding fee waivers. Jeff Doherty provided historical background regarding the intent in building the Civic Center and about the handling of waivers and transfers of funds. Nathan Colombo offered suggestions for structuring charges and commented on the increase in event spaces. A resident at 500 Saluki Boulevard remarked that rents should be sufficient to cover costs and discontinuing waivers.

Community Policing and Police Staffing Expectations

Council questions, comments, and suggestions included concerns about the recommendation for 12-hour work shifts, thoughts regarding the number of sworn officers employed by the City over the years and reorganization of the structure, defining and the effects of proactive/community policing, the costs of and challenges in implementing Novak’s recommendations, whether the department had started implementing any of the report’s suggestions, an interest in seeking increased visibility in the community, reallocating staff prior to hiring additional officers, what the current authorized staffing level is, in what ways residents will see active community policing, assigning some duties to civilian staff, inquiries about software that is not meeting current needs, utilization of a phone tree, and the routing of emergency calls. Police Chief Grubbs and City Manager Williams responded to the City Council’s comments and questions.

Delora Bell agreed with the concern about 12 hour shifts, commended the service she had received, and inquired about a denial to her request for the police department’s attendance at Thomas School and what programming geared towards the youth would look like. Elius Reed suggested keeping a police car parked in the Eurma C. Hayes lot from 3:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., as well as at Attucks Park. Ginger Rye suggested that officers attend community activities and engage more socially.

4. Council Comments for the City Council 

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

Councilman Fronabarger noted that the Chamber of Commerce’s Home and Garden Show would be held at the Arena this weekend.

Councilman Kang suggested the decoration of waste receptacles. Councilwoman Bradshaw and Mayor Henry responded to his suggestion.

5. Executive Session

None

6. Adjournment of the City Council Meeting 

Procedural: 6.1 Adjourn meeting

The City Council meeting adjourned at 9:14 p.m.

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