Carbondale Reporter

Marion City Council met September 11.

Here is 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 City Hall September 11, 2017. Mayor Butler called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. The Deputy City Clerk was instructed to call the roll and the response was as follows:

Physically Present: Commissioners Rinella, Hightower, Webb And Goss And Mayor Butler. Absent: None.

The minutes of the 08/2S/2017 Regular Meeting and 08/31/2017 Special Meeting were approved as presented.

Bill Shanks of the Marion Rotary told the council about a fundraiser for Marion first responders sponsored by the Rotary. The fundraiser will be held Saturday, December 2nd at Kokopelli at 5:00 pm. There will be no fundraising at the event that night, but there will be a sit-down, semi- formal dinner and an hour and a half concert after dinner.

Elaine Melby of the Marion Rotary told the council about a free Family Fun Night sponsored by the Rotary on Saturday, October 21st at 6:30 pm at the Marion Rotary Amphitheater at the Crisp Sports Complex. There will be a 5K run and a family movie. The Secret Life of Pets. Water and popcorn will be provided at no charge. There will be a food truck on site for those wishing to purchase soft drinks and other food.

New Business

Code Enforcement

Bob Bradley of Fifth Season Assisted Living appeared before the Council requesting a variance at 1301 East DeYoung Street. He would like to place a small directional sign for his business on the corner of Radcliffe Street and East DeYoung Street. He presented to the council a drawing of what his sign would look like. He indicated that he had already contacted Illinois Department of Transportation regarding the placement of the sign and that he needed council approval before submitting his application to them. Commissioner Rinella made a motion to approve the request for the variance at 1301 East DeYoung Street. Commissioner Webb seconded the motion.

On Roll Call Vote Commissioners Rinella, Hightower, Webb And Goss And Mayor Butler All Voted Yea.

Jordan Bird appeared before the Council requesting a variance for a fence at 902 West Boulevard Street. Mr. Bird was requesting to place his fence 15' north from the southeast corner of his property instead of the full 30' required by Ordinance 114S. Commissioner Webb made a motion to approve the request for the variance at 902 West Boulevard Street. Commissioner Goss seconded the motion.

On Roll Call Vote Commissioners Rinella, Hightower. Webb And Goss And Mayor Butler All Voted Yea.

Commissioner Rinella made a motion to accept the resignation of Enrico "Chico" Castellano from the Zoning Board effective September 8, 2017. Commissioner Goss seconded the motion.

On Roll Call Vote Commissioners Rinella, Hightower, Webb, And Goss And Mayor Butler All Voted Yea.

Commissioner Rinella made a motion to appoint Doug Patton to fill the Zoning Board vacancy created by the resignation of Enrico "Chico" Castellano. Commissioner Hightower seconded the motion.

On Roll Call Vote Commissioners Rinella, Hightower, Webb, And Goss And Mayor Butler All Voted Yea.

City Treasurer Steve Hale presented to the Council information from Jeff Schuppel of Bridgeport Partners on refunding outstanding General Obligation Bonds Series 2008. Treasurer Hale explained the bonds have a recall feature which allows the City to pay them off after a certain date. This would allow the City to then borrow from Morgan Chase at a lower rate over a 10- year period which will save the City money. Treasurer Male's recommendation is that the City go with refunding option A, for an estimated savings of $255,125 over a 10-year period. Treasurer Hale explained that if this is approved tonight, a letter will be sent authorizing the bond agent to notify bond holders of the City's intent to recall the bonds. At the next council meeting, an ordinance will need to be passed to authorize the new bond issue. Commissioner Rinella made a motion to approve authorizing Jeff Schuppel to proceed with the refunding of outstanding General Obligation Bonds Series 2008, Option A. Commissioner Goss seconded the motion.

On Roll Call Vote Commissioners Rinella, Hightower, Webb, And Goss And Mayor Butler All Voted Yea.

Ordinance 3402 Amending Water Tap Fees Commissioner Anthony Rinella explained that the costs of doing business in the Water Department have increased and the City's water tap fees need to increase to cover those costs. He explained that the City has not increased fees for taps in the last five years. Water Superintendent Scott Council explained that currently fees for water taps are barely covering the costs of materials to make the taps. This does not include the cost of labor or boring, if necessary. He doesn't anticipate the need to raise fees again for another two or three years unless there is a drastic increase in the cost of materials. Commissioner Rinella explained that some of the changes to this ordinance were made in accordance with the Illinois Plumbing Code. Commissioner Rinella made a motion to approve Ordinance 3402 as amended. Commissioner Goss seconded the motion.

On Roll Call Vote Commissioners Rinella, Hightower, Webb, And Goss And Mayor Butler All Voted Yea.

Water Department Director Tracey Lowe made a presentation to the Council explaining the advantages of outsourcing the monthly water billing to Infosend. She presented an example of a water bill prepared by Infosend. She also presented a breakdown of current costs associated with preparing and mailing monthly bills in house vs. monthly costs as quoted by Infosend. Commissioner Rinella stated that City Attorney Steve Green was reviewing a contract proposal from Infosend. There was no action taken as this item was not on the agenda.

Commissioner Hightower made a motion to approve the low bid of $29,212.00 from Skuta Construction for the Madison Street Sewer Extension. Commissioner Rinella seconded the motion.

On Roll Call Vote Commissioners Rinella, Hightower, Webb And Goss And Mayor Butler All Voted Yea.

Commissioner Goss made a motion to approve a $10,000.00 Downtown Restoration Loan to Melise's Boutique, Melise Oakley, 928 West Main Street. Commissioner Hightower seconded the motion.

On Roll Call Vote Commissioners Rinella, Hightower, Webb And Goss And Mayor Butler All Voted Yea.

Commissioner Goss made a motion to approve a $10,000.00 Downtown Restoration Loan to Pookie's, Inc., Daniel Tondini, 111 North Madison Street. Commissioner Hightower seconded the motion.

On Roll Call Vote Commissioners Rinella, Hightower, Webb And Goss And Mayor Butler All Voted Yea.

Commissioner Goss made a motion to approve a down payment of $11,500.00, one half of the total $23,000.00 to Covenant Manufacturing for restoration of the Goddard Chapel pews noting that this is being paid with donations from their recent fundraising project. Commissioner Webb seconded the motion.

On Roll Call Vote Commissioners Rinella, Hightower, Webb And Goss And Mayor Butler All Voted Yea.

Commissioner Goss recognized Clarence DeMattei, Bob Jackson, Sam Lattuca and Sharon Vansaghi of the Williamson County Museum for their fundraising efforts for this project.

Hub Recreation Center

City Administrator Gail West recommended the Council approve hiring Larrisa Bond as a Part- time Fitness Attendant for the Hub Recreation Center at $9.00 per hour. Commissioner Rinella made a motion to approve hiring Larrisa Bond as a Part-time Fitness Attendant at $9.00 per hour. Commissioner Goss seconded the motion.

On Roll Call Vote Commissioners Rinella, Hightower, Webb And Goss And Mayor Butler All Voted Yea.

Commissioner Hightower made a motion to approve the Agreement for Contract for Services with Lifeline Emergency Medical Response Services Corporation (Lifeline Ambulance Service) for a period of twelve months (12). Commissioner Rinella seconded the motion.

On Roll Call Vote Commissioners Rinella, Hightower, Webb And Goss And Mayor Butler All Voted Yea.

Commissioner Rinella made a motion to appoint Anthony Franks to the Boyton Street Community Center Board. Commissioner Goss seconded the motion.

On Roll Call Vote Commissioners Rinella, Webb And Goss And Mayor Butler All Voted Yea. Commissioner Hightower Abstained From The Vote As He Is Related To Mr. Franks.

Commissioner Rinella made a motion to pay the monthly bills as funds become available. Commissioner Goss seconded the motion.

On Roll Call Vote Commissioners Rinella, Hightower, Webb And Goss And Mayor Butler All Voted Yea.

Commissioner Rinella made a motion to approve and pay the Consent Agenda dated September 11, 2017 as funds become available. Commissioner Goss seconded the motion.

On Roll Call Vote Commissioners Rinella, Hightower, Webb And Goss And Mayor Butler All Voted Yea.

Commissioner Webb presented the Marion Police Department Activity Report for August 2017.

Commissioner Goss presented the Cemetery Report for August 2017.

Commissioner Goss made a motion to adjourn the Regular Meeting. Commissioner Rinella seconded the motion.

On Roll Call Vote Commissioners Rinella, Hightower, Webb And Goss And Mayor Butler Voted Yea.

Meeting adjourned at 7:35 p.m.

http://cityofmarionil.gov/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Council-Minutes-0911201720170927_10291794.pdf