Carbondale Reporter

City of Carbondale City Council met June 6.

Here is the minutes provided by the Council:

City Council Members present:

Councilwoman Jessica Bradshaw, Councilman Jeffrey Doherty, Councilman Tom Grant, Councilwoman Carolin Harvey, Councilman Navreet Kang, Councilman Adam Loos, Mayor John M Henry

Meeting called to order at 7:00 pm

1. Preliminaries to the City Council Meeting

Procedural: 1.1 Roll Call

Mayor Henry proclaimed Tuesday, June 6, 2017, as K-9 Officer Viper Day in the City of Carbondale and encouraged all citizens to honor him and extend thanks for his twelve years of service.

Oaths of Office were administered to Carbondale Police Officers David Bigham, Trenton Harrison, Benjamin Jones, and Brandon Kittle.

The City Council recessed to hold the Local Liquor Control Commission meeting at 7:05 p.m.

Following the Local Liquor Control Commission meeting, the City Council returned from its recess and resumed its session at 7:22 p.m.

5. Preliminaries to the City Council Meeting

Procedural: 5.1 Roll Call

City Council Members present:

Councilwoman Jessica Bradshaw, Councilman Jeffrey Doherty, Councilman Tom Grant, Councilwoman Carolin Harvey, Councilman Navreet Kang, Councilman Adam Loos, Mayor John M Henry

Procedural: 5.2 General Announcements and Proclamations

Councilwoman Harvey announced a concert benefitting the Women's Center on Thursday at the First United Methodist Church and that on Saturday, June 17, the African American Museum will hold its annual Juneteenth service at Attucks Park.

Councilwoman Bradshaw announced an Evening with The Swamp Tigers at the Varsity Center for the Arts on June 9; a showing of the documentary “ Not Throwing In The Towel” on June 10 at the Carbondale Public Library; and the annual Dog Daze of Summer fundraising event on Sunday at Alto Vineyards.

Councilman Kang announced an event on June 10 at the Masonic Children's Home in Murphysboro which will include free medical check-ups, food, and games for children, and an event called Reveille Brew, Coffee for Veterans, on June 21 at Crown Brew Coffee in Carterville.

Procedural: 5.3 Citizens' Comments and Questions

Donald Monty thanked the Staff for being very responsive to concerns when raised and encouraged the Council to continue to promote the application SeeClickFix. Mayor Henry explained how to utilize the application.

Local business owners William Lo, Marilyn Martin, and Sarah, business manager for Manny's, asked the Council to consider reducing the food and beverage tax, noting the financial challenges their businesses are facing, and the impact the tax has on those customers who are choosing which restaurant at which to dine. Audience members demonstrated their support for the speakers' comments.

Procedural, Reports: 5.4 Public Hearings and Special Reports

None

6. Consent Agenda of the City Council

Action (Consent): 6.1 Approval of the City Council Meeting Minutes from May 16, 2017 Resolution: Approve the minutes from the Regular City Council meeting of May 16, 2017

Action (Consent): 6.2 Approval of Warrant for the Period Ending: 05/08/2017 FY 2017 and FY 2018 Warrants 1301 and 1302 in the combined amount of $1,267,443.78

Resolution: Accept the following report of payments made for the period ended: 05/08/2017 totaling $1,267,443.78

Action (Consent): 6.3 Approval of Wells Fargo Warrant for the Period Ending 04/30/2017 FY 2017 Warrant # WF 04/2017 in the amount of $115,866.00

Resolution: Accept the following report of payments made for the period ended: 04/30/2017 totaling $115,866.00

Action (Consent): 6.4 Acceptance of Approved Meeting Minutes from Boards, Commissions, and Committees

Resolution: Accept the approved meeting minutes from the Boards, Commissions, and Committees and place them on file.

Action (Consent): 6.5 Award of Purchase of Digital Radio Equipment for the Police Department

Resolution: It is recommended that the City Council approve the purchase of (8) mobile radios and (8) portable digital radios and accessories from Roy Walker Communications in the amount of $42,245.62

Action (Consent): 6.6 Approval of the Purchase of a Police Canine

Resolution: Authorize the retirement of Canine Viper by declaring Viper surplus property; transfer ownership of Viper to current handler Officer Mike Vaughn; and approve the purchase of a replacement canine and the expenses associated with the selection and training of the canine to Vohne Liche Kennels, Incorporated of Denver, Indiana in the amount of $20,344.

Action (Consent): 6.7 Award of Contract for the Layout, Composition, and Printing of the Carbondale Communique to Thomas Publishing in the amount of $35,700

Resolution: The City Council is requested to Award a Contract for the Composition, Layout, and Printing of the Carbondale Communique for FY2018 and FY2019 to Thomas Publishing in the amount of $35,700.00

Action (Consent): 6.8 Award of Purchase of an Outdoor Security Camera System for the Police Department

Resolution: Approve the purchase of an outdoor security camera system for the police department to Thomas Security Inc., Carbondale, Illinois, in the amount of $13,101.

Action (Consent): 6.9 Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Contract with the Southern Illinois Regional Landfill (SIRL) for Disposal of Solid Waste

Resolution: The City Council is requested to approve a Resolution authorizing the City Manager to enter into a 5 year Agreement with the Southern Illinois Regional Landfill Inc. for the disposal of municipal solid waste (Resolution 2017-R-34; Exhibit C-06-06-2017)

Action (Consent): 6.10 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 6.1 – 6.8

Motion by Carolin Harvey, second by Adam Loos.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries

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

7. General Business of the City Council

Action: 7.1 A Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Enter into an Agreement with American Bands Entertainment to Provide Entertainment Production for the Downtown Solar Eclipse Festival

Mayor Henry clarified the events which led to the end of the contract with DZP and a new contract with American Bands Entertainment. He noted that additional details about the entertainment will be forthcoming.

Motion: Adopt the Resolution authorizing the City Manager to enter into an agreement with American Bands Entertainment to provide entertainment production for the downtown solar eclipse festival

Motion by Navreet Kang, second by Jessica Bradshaw.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries

Yea: Jessica Bradshaw, Jeffrey Doherty, Tom Grant, Carolin Harvey, Navreet Kang, Adam Loos, John M Henry (Resolution 2017-R-35; Exhibit D-06-06-2017)

Action: 7.2 Resolution Authorizing the purchase of an Aerial/Pumper Fire Truck for the Fire Department and a Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Enter into a 10-year Fixed Rate Loan with the Bank of Carbondale

Council inquired if the truck would fit in the new station, when payment from the City was to be remitted, whether the City had any liability from the time the truck left the assembly line until it is in our possession, inquired about the terms of the 10 year note, and clarified the motion.

Motion: Take exception to the formal contract procedure, adopt a Resolution to authorize the purchase of a Pierce Enforcer Ascendant 107' Ladder Truck from Pierce Manufacturing Inc. in the amount of $977,698.00, declare the 1985 Grumman 102' Bearcat Ladder Truck surplus property and remove it from service, and adopt a Resolution authorizing the City Manager to enter into a 10-year fixed rate loan for the funding of the fire truck.

Motion by Navreet Kang, second by Carolin Harvey.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries

Yea: Jessica Bradshaw, Jeffrey Doherty, Tom Grant, Carolin Harvey, Navreet Kang, Adam Loos, John M Henry (Resolutions 2017-R-36 & - 37; Exhibits E- & F-06-06-2017)

Action: 7.3 Ordinance Amending Title Two of the Carbondale Revised Code by Creating a Liquor License Classification for Senior Living Facilities

Council inquired if there was a cap on this new sub-classification.

Motion: Adopt the ordinance amending Title Two of the Carbondale Revised Code by creating a liquor license classification for senior living facilities

Motion by Jeffrey Doherty, second by Navreet Kang.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries

Yea: Jessica Bradshaw, Jeffrey Doherty, Tom Grant, Carolin Harvey, Navreet Kang, Adam Loos, John M Henry (Ordinance 2017-23; Exhibit G-06-06-2017)

Action: 7.4 A Resolution Approving and a Resolution Denying Jeff Williams' Request for a Special Use Permit for a Rooming House in a PAR, Professional Administrative, Residential Zoning District at 806 West Main Street

Councilman Kang abstained from the vote as he owns neighboring property.

The applicant, Jeff Williams, commented on the history of the structure, how he wants to utilize it in the future, and further spoke in favor of the application. Council asked the applicant about who he would target as a renter, how the rooms would be divided up, sharing of common areas, parking, the historical use of the house, and his plans for the location. No one in the audience spoke in opposition to the application.

Development Services Director Wallace outlined the reasoning for Staff's recommendation. Council asked Mr. Wallace about the calculation for the parking, what special requirements could be placed on the Special Use Permit, allowable uses for the zoning, and the application. Council asked if the request could be amended from a rooming house to a two unit dwelling.

Sandy Litecky shared her understanding of the application, the availability of permitted parking, ability to place limitations on special uses, and issues with rooming houses in neighborhoods.

The applicant will bring back the application as a request for a two-unit dwelling instead of a rooming house.

Motion: Adopt a Resolution denying Jeff Williams' request for a Special Use Permit allowing a Rooming House in a PAR, Professional Administrative Office, Residential Zoning District." (Resolution 2017-R-38; Exhibit H-06-06-2017

Motion by Tom Grant, second by Jeffrey Doherty.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries

Yea: Jeffrey Doherty, Tom Grant, Carolin Harvey, Adam Loos, John M Henry

Nay: Jessica Bradshaw

Abstain: Navreet Kang

Action: 7.5 An Ordinance Amending Title 10 of the Carbondale Revised Code to Institute the use of City Provided Refuse Containers

Sandy Litecky asked if properties rented to groups of people could be required to have the largest size cart. Susan Jones spoke in opposition to the larger sized cans and suggested providing larger recycling bins. Donald Monty indicated he believed the 45 gallon cart would be adequate, shared his observations in his neighborhood, and noted his concern about the regulations for additional bags. Sarah Heyer recommended utilizing just one size of can, reduction of waste disposal and litter, and not losing sight of the primary motivation which is the reduction of injuries.

Council comments and questions included whether additional recycling bin can be provided at no charge, if there would be a grace period in order to switch container sizes, when the program will begin, how continual additional volume charges will be addressed, inquiry about the motion, the reduction in the maximum allowance, if persons who set an additional bag next to a 45 gallon cart will have an extra charge, concerns about fairness as it relates to additional charges for volume below the maximum allowance, whether customers with private haulers can use plastic bags in lieu of garbage cans, requiring private hauler customers to utilize garbage cans, that issues will work themselves out over time, and opposition to a monthly charge for a second 45 gallon cart even when said cart is not set out for collection.

Motion: Approve an Ordinance Amending the Carbondale Revised Code to Institute the use of City Provided Refuse Containers

Motion by Adam Loos, second by Navreet Kang.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries

Yea: Jessica Bradshaw, Jeffrey Doherty, Tom Grant, Carolin Harvey, Navreet Kang, Adam Loos, John M Henry (Ordinance 2017-24; Exhibit I-06-06-2017)

8. Council Comments for the City Council

Information: 8.1 An opportunity for City Council members to offer general comments

Councilman Loos used a personal dining experience to convey his frustration with the different requirements for a beer garden and outdoor café, asking that these issues be addressed. City Manager Williams responded to his comments.

Councilwoman Bradshaw asked City Staff to look at a rooming house that was discussed the Planning Commission meeting. She then noted support for earlier comments requesting the reduction of sales tax, suggested allowing the two sun-setting sales taxes to expire, and encouraged the City to look into signing the Climate Mayors agreement.

Councilman Loos expressed his opposition to allowing the two sales taxes to expire as the City would lose $2,060,000 per fiscal year. He encouraged his fellow public officials to educate the public about the impact of the 1% sales tax increase for schools in Jackson County.

Councilman Doherty indicated it was a little late to take a stand against the 1% countywide sales tax, disagreed with Councilman Loos' remarks regarding irresponsibility in cutting the sales tax, and suggested that City government may need to look at cutbacks.

Councilman Loos explained why he had not commented on the sales tax referendum last year, but that the remedy for it was another referendum next year.

Mayor Henry noted that approximately 70% of the 1% tax is generated in Carbondale, but that Carbondale schools will receive only 37%. He indicated that he did not want Carbondale revenues to support Murphysboro schools. He then expressed that the City is now trying to catch up with issues that should have been addressed earlier and that this is our last opportunity to promote Carbondale. Councilman Loos endorsed Mayor Henry’s comments.

Councilwoman Bradshaw stated that she wanted to find additional ways of increasing revenues including taxing plastic bags and bottles and banning the use of Styrofoam.

Charlie Howe indicated that he would like to see a study to locate the break-even point for restaurants so that they might increase sales.

9. Adjournment of the City Council Meeting

Procedural: 6.1 Adjourn meeting

The City Council meeting adjourned at 9:23 p.m.

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