Carbondale Reporter

City of Carbondale City Council met Nov. 7.

Here is the minutes provided by the Council:

Council Members present Councilwoman Jessica Bradshaw, Councilman Jeff Doherty, 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

Councilwoman Harvey announced Zeta Amicae’s 5th annual Friends and Family Community Dinner will be held at the Victory Dream Center on November 17.

Councilwoman Bradshaw announced the “Business After Hours” event at Murdale True Value on Wednesday, November 8, and Sparrow Coalition’s In-Service on advocating for needs in southern Illinois on November 9 at the First Christian Church.

Procedural: 1.3 Citizens' Comments and Questions None.

2. Public Hearings and Special Reports Information: 2.1 Presentation by Carbondale Junior Sports

Jo Gulley Ancell, President of Carbondale Junior Sports (CJS), remarked on the changes and improvements in Carbondale and gave a presentation on a proposal which has been submitted by CJS. She noted the growth in participation and the organization, opportunities through increased utilization of the Superblock, and the ability to draw in tournaments. She itemized improvements and additional amenities needed to support this growth.

Councilmembers commented on the proposal and the history of the property, requested additional details, and expressed support for the project. It was suggested that a meeting between the City and Park District might be necessary and that the City’s approval may not be necessary in order to execute the plans.

Public Hearing: 2.2 Public Hearing on the Extension of the Downtown Special Service Area Number One Tax Levy

The Public Hearing was declared open at 7:32 p.m.

Carbondale Main Street has requested that the Downtown Special Service Area Number One be extended for another five years, that its boundaries be retained, that the maximum tax levy rate be set at $.48 per $100 of equalized assessed valuation, and that the tax not exceed a rate necessary to provide an annual sum of $41,869 and additional funds in an amount not to exceed that necessary to keep up with inflation as measured by the Consumer Price Index from year to year during the duration of the SSA. The required public notice was published in the Southern Illinoisan newspaper on October 22, 2017, and a total of 133 property owners within the district were notified of the public hearing by certified mail, as required by State statute. The City received two phone calls requesting general information about the SSA no correspondence in opposition to the extension of the SSA.

Meghan Cole, Director of Carbondale Main Street, expressed support for the extension of the Special Service Area tax levy.

Chandrakant Patel, owner of Old Town Liquors, expressed opposition to the extension of the taxes.

Scott Thorne, owner of Castle Perilous, expressed support for the extension of the SSA.

Dan Terry voiced support for the extension of the tax levy.

Cordy Love expressed support for Carbondale Main Street.

The Public Hearing was declared closed at 7:41 p.m.

Reports: 2.3 2017 GFOA Distinguished Budget Presentation Award

Mayor Henry presented the GFOA Distinguished Budget Presentation Award to Finance Director Jeff Davis and expressed his gratitude for the department's efforts.

3. Consent Agenda of the City Council Action (Consent): 3.1 Approval of Regular City Council Meeting Minutes from October 17, 2017 Resolution: Approve the Regular City Council Meeting Minutes from October 17, 2017

Action (Consent): 3.2 Approval of Warrant for the Period Ending: 10/09/2017 FY 2018 Warrant 1314 in the Amount of $3,316,717.62 Resolution: Accept the following report of payments made for the period ended: 10/09/2017 totaling $3,316,717.62

Action (Consent): 3.3 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: 3.4 An Ordinance Authorizing the Extension of the Downtown Special Service Area Number One

Action (Consent): 3.5 A Resolution Approving the Amended Final BPL Development Plan for Parking Lot Modifications at the Wal-Mart Supercenter at 1450 East Main Street Resolution: Adopt a resolution approving the amended final BPL Development Plan for parking lot modifications at the Wal-Mart Supercenter at 1450 East Main Street

Action (Consent): 3.6 Award of Contract for CIP SW1502 Lewis Lane Sidewalks (College to Walnut) to Samron Midwest Contracting of Murphysboro, Illinois in the Amount of $77,801.00 Resolution: Award the Contract for CIP SW1502 Lewis Lane Sidewalks (College to Walnut) to Samron Midwest Contracting in the Amount of $77,801.00

Action (Consent): 3.7 Approval of Consent Agenda Items Resolution: Approval of all Consent Agenda Items which were not pulled for separate consideration

MOTION: Approval of all Consent Agenda Items which were not pulled for separate consideration

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

Action: 3.4 An Ordinance Authorizing the Extension of the Downtown Special Service Area Number One Pulled by J. Doherty

This item was pulled so that the tax levy extension would not be considered under the Consent Agenda.

MOTION: Adopt an ordinance authorizing the extension of the Downtown Special Service Area Number One.

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

4. General Business of the City Council Action: 4.1 Review of 2017 Proposed Tax Levy, Truth in Taxation Act Determination and Public Library Board's Tax Levy Requirements

There was no public comment or questions on this matter. City Council consensus was to direct staff to submit a tax Levy Ordinance for the November 28, 2017, City Council Meeting containing the recommended Tax Levy and Tax Levy Abatements that will result in a net 2017 Tax Levy in the amount of $2,082,242.

5. Council Comments for the City Council Information: 5.1 An opportunity for City Council members to offer general comments

Councilwoman Harvey asked citizens to earnestly pray for families impacted by the shooting in Texas and to pray for the country.

Councilman Kang commented on the arrival of the new garbage cans and how the cans are being utilized.

Councilwoman Bradshaw commented on how to address old garbage cans. The repurposing of the old waste bins was also discussed.

6. Executive Session

None.

7. Adjournment of the City Council Meeting Procedural: 7.1 Adjourn meeting

There being no further business to come before the public body, the meeting was declared adjourned at 8:04 p.m.

http://explorecarbondale.com/sites/default/files/Council%20Minutes/2017CouncilMinutes/2017-11-07%20Regular%20City%20Council%20Meeting%20Minutes.pdf