Carbondale Reporter

City of Carbondale City Council met Sept. 24.

Here is the minutes provided by the council:

Council Members present

Councilwoman Carolin Harvey, Councilman Adam Loos, Councilwoman Jessica Bradshaw, Councilman Jeff Doherty, Councilman Lee Fronabarger, Councilman Tom Grant, and Mayor John M. Henry

A Local Liquor Control Commission Meeting immediately preceded this Council meeting.

Meeting called to order at 7:03 PM

5. Preliminaries to the City Council Meeting

5.1 Roll Call

5.2 Citizens' Comments and Questions

Sandy Litecky representing Keep Carbondale Beautiful announced the semi-annual tree and shrub sale on October 5 at Town Square.

Chuck Paprocki of Carbondale Spring inquired about the possibility of having public input into the budget determination process.

Skip from Southern Illinois Classical Guitar announced that classical guitarist Ioana Gandrabur will be performing at the Varsity Center for the Arts on October 12.

Beau Henson of Carbondale Spring expressed concern regarding militarizing City Hall. He asked how many Council members went through the security check before entering into Council Chambers.

Josh L. of Carbondale asked Council to take a look at lifting the ban on glass pipe sales with the legalization of cannabis approaching.

Garrett Ellingsworth echoed the concerns made earlier by Beau Henson regarding militarizing City Hall and the increase of police presence.

Cindy Snare expressed concern about the required start-up fees for Ameren electricity activation.

Dan of Carbondale Spring expressed his views on the legalization of cannabis and how it will affect the City.

Chuck Paprocki suggested that the City Council do some investigation on the earlier comments regarding Ameren Illinois electricity start-up costs.

5.3 Council Comments, General Announcements, and Proclamations

In response to earlier inquiries about the budget, Mayor Henry announced that preliminary talks regarding the budget will begin at the next Council meeting on October 8.

Councilman Loos asked for a public update on the information request sent to the Carbondale Park District. City Manager Gary Williams responded and stated that the Park District will discuss the matter at their next meeting on October 14.

Councilman Loos also commented on the upcoming budget preparation season, community organizations, when the Title 1 rewrite will come back to Council, the security check before Council meetings, and the earlier comments regarding Ameren electricity.

Councilman Fronabarger announced the next SIU football game on October 12 which is also the Mayor's Cup challenge.

Councilwoman Harvey announced a fundraising event for the African American Museum on September 28 at the Carbondale Elks club.

Councilwoman Bradshaw announced the SalukiCon being held this weekend on SIU campus and “An Evening with Hikaru” presented by Carbondale Community Arts. She also made mention of the Citizens Utility Board (citizensutilityboard.org) with regards to the earlier comments regarding Ameren and also encouraged the public to visit the City’s website to review previous year’s budgets and community investment programs in preparation for the upcoming budget discussions.

5.4 Proclamation for Saluki Con

Mayor Henry proclaimed September 28 and 29, 2019 as Saluki Con Days in Carbondale.

6. Public Hearings and Special Reports 

None

7. Consent Agenda of the City Council

7.1 Approval of Minutes from the Regular City Council Meeting of September 10, 2019

Resolution: Approve the minutes from the Regular City Council meeting of September 10, 2019

7.2 Approval of Warrant for the Period Ending: 09/06/2019 for the FY 2020 Warrant 1363 in the Total Amount of $872,836.67

Resolution: Accept the following report of payments made for the period ended: 09/06/2019 totaling $872,836.67 (Exhibit A-09-24-2019)

7.3 Acceptance of Approved Meeting Minutes from Boards, Commissions, and Committees

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

7.4 Appointment to Boards and Commissions

Resolution: Council is requested to concur with the Mayor's recommended appointment to Boards and Commissions

7.5 Resolution to Permit Open Container/Public Possession/Public Consumption of Alcohol in a Defined Area for Carbondale Halloween Event

Resolution: Adopt a Resolution to allow the public consumption of alcohol in nonglass containers within a defined area of the Carbondale downtown beginning 11:00 a.m. October 26, 2019, through 2:00 a.m., October 27, 2019 (Resolution 2019-R-51; Exhibit B-09-24-2019)

Action (Consent): 7.6 Award of Contract for Grand Avenue Water Main Extension CIP No. WS1807 to Dean Bush Construction Co. of Carbondale, Illinois in the Amount of $176,177.00

Resolution: Award the Contract for the Grand Avenue Water Main Extension CIP No. WS1807 to Dean Bush Construction Co. of Carbondale, Illinois in the Amount of $176,177.00

7.7 Resolution Approving a Special Use Permit for a Professional Office Located at 305 South Oakland Avenue

Resolution: Adopt the Resolution approving a Special Use Permit for a Professional Office located at 305 South Oakland Avenue (Resolution 2019-R-52; Exhibit C-09-24-2019)

7.8 Approval of a Change Order for the Oakland Avenue Watermain Replacement CIP# WS0203 in the amount of $43,400.30

Resolution: Approve the Change Order for the Oakland Avenue Watermain Replacement CIP# WS0203 in the amount of $43,400.30

7.9 Resolution Declaring Fair Days for the 618 Fall Music Fest Held at Lenus Turley Park

Resolution: Approve a Resolution declaring Fair Days for the 618 Fall Music Fest held at Lenus Turley Park on Saturday, October 12, 2019, from 5:00 p.m. through 10:00 p.m. (Resolution 2019-R-53; Exhibit D-09-24-2019)

7.10 Approval of Consent Agenda Items

Resolution: Approve all Consent Agenda items not pulled for separate consideration MOTION: Approve all Consent Agenda items not pulled for separate consideration

Motion by Adam Loos, second by Carolin Harvey.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries

Yea: Tom Grant, Carolin Harvey, Adam Loos, Jessica Bradshaw, Jeff Doherty, Lee Fronabarger, John M Henry

8. General Business of the City Council

8.1 Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Enter Into an Agreement with the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to Closeout the Revolving Loan Fund

MOTION: Approve a Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Enter Into an Agreement to Closeout the Revolving Loan Fund

Motion by Adam Loos, second by Jeff Doherty.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries

Yea: Tom Grant, Carolin Harvey, Adam Loos, Jessica Bradshaw, Jeff Doherty, Lee Fronabarger, John M Henry (Resolution 2019-R-54; Exhibit E-09-24-2019)

8.2 City Council Discussion Regarding Recreational Cannabis

Prior to discussion on the topic, Economic Development Director Steven Mitchell made a brief presentation covering the process of recreational cannabis licensing and site locations for dispensaries.

City Council comments and questions: Where will the dispensary will be located; how will zoning be affected with the location of the dispensary; will current zoning regulations be too restrictive for its potential location; commercial districts vs. regular business districts; should there be taxes implemented on recreational cannabis, if so how much; if taxed, how will the monies collected be utilized (i.e. parks, CIP’s, community restoration, other special projects); possibly use tax for substance abuse programs or illegal drug testing; will cannabis tax be too much of a burden when combined with other City taxes; potential for the increase in tourism; odor control; and smoking rooms/lounges.

Although it is not required, it was suggested that Council take a vote at the next meeting to officially opt-in for recreational cannabis dispensaries.

Clerk note: Several audience members declined to provide their last name and in some cases, the names were not clear.

Dennis Smith of New Beginnings Community Church of the Nazarene spoke in opposition.

Members of the public who are in support of recreational cannabis dispensaries and echoed the questions and concerns of the City Council included Scott Gilbert, Joshua L., Pat Kelly, and Leah.

Other members of the public in support with additional comments include the following: M. Randall suggested the consideration of a cannabis retail shop in downtown Carbondale.

Jason Winnell encouraged Council to take advantage of this opportunity sooner rather than later to avoid missing out on tourism opportunities.

Nathan Genzi stated that if cannabis is going to be taxed then it should be a low tax.

Amber suggested that some of the tax monies could go towards free social services for addiction.

Adrienne suggested the idea of possibly holding off on a cannabis tax until after a year has passed.

In addition to commenting on social services for addiction, Robin Reed mentioned that there are clean needle exchanges available at the Flyover Social Center.

Donald Monty gave additional insight to the zoning issues regarding the location of the dispensary.

9. Executive Session None

10. Adjournment of the City Council Meeting

10.1 Adjourn meeting

There being no further business to come before the public body, the meeting was declared adjourned at 8:09 p.m.

https://www.explorecarbondale.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_09242019-1019