Carbondale Reporter

City of Carbondale City Council met Nov. 12.

Here is the minutes provided by the council:

Council Members present

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

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

Meeting called to order at 6:07 PM

5. Preliminaries to the City Council Meeting

Procedural: 5.1 Roll Call

Procedural: 5.2 Citizens' Comments and Questions

Anne Gaylord thanked Zeta Amicae for the hot beverages they provided at the Veterans Day service.

Elius Reed presented a handout for the Council. Mr.Reed asked if the City will contact E.T. Simonds EEO Officer Laura Wilson to discuss and plan for another union apprenticeship workshop. Further, Mr. Reed asked if the Affirmative Action plan has been updated and if the Affirmative Action plan requirement applies to the police department.

Valerie Muhammad commented on an increase in violence and recommended a satellite police station in the northeast side.

Donald Monty commended the City for obtaining funding for the multimodal station.

Toussaint Mitchell encouraged taking a proactive approach in engaging youth and suggested the utilization of Eurma C. Hayes Center for youth-oriented programs.

Emily [last name not discernable] encouraged placing small, local businesses in the multimodal station.

Procedural: 5.3 Council Comments, General Announcements, and Proclamations

Councilman Doherty recognized the City Manager's work on obtaining the grant funds for the multimodal station, inquired about Attucks Community Services Board, and the possibility of Boys and Girls Club having programming at the Eurma C Hayes Center.

Councilwoman Harvey announced a community meeting at the African American Museum to discuss gun violence solutions, a free community dinner at the Victory Dream Center, and shared a request from the Salvation Army for bell ringers.

Councilman Grant expressed his thanks to McDonald's for the fundraiser benefitting the warming center. Councilwoman Harvey noted that donations are still being sought.

Councilwoman Bradshaw announced a discussion regarding SIU would be held at Township offices on November 21 and a fundraiser benefitting local shelters "Pupcorn and a Movie" at Liberty Theater in Murphysboro.

6. Public Hearings and Special Reports

Action, Information: 6.1 Review and Acceptance of the FY 2019 Audited Comprehensive Annual Financial Report and Other Supplemental Financial Reports

Mark Dallas and Amber Lesley gave an overview of the FY 2019 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report.

MOTION: Accept and place on file the audited Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2019.

Motion by Tom Grant, second by Carolin Harvey.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries

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

7. Consent Agenda of the City Council

Action (Consent): 7.1 Approval of Minutes from the City Council Meeting of October 22, 2019 Resolution: Approve the City Council meeting minutes from October 22, 2019

Action (Consent): 7.2 Approval of Wells Fargo Warrant for the Period Ending 09/30/2019 FY 2020 Warrant # WF 09/2019 in the amount of $158,758.79

Resolution: Accept the following report of payments made for the period ended: 09/30/2019 totaling $158,758.79 (Exhibit A-11-12-2019)

Action (Consent): 7.3 Approval of Warrant for the Period Ending: 10/18/2019 for the FY 2020 Warrant 1366 in the Total Amount of $2,899,473.36

Resolution: Accept the following report of payments made for the period ended: 10/18/2019 totaling $2,899,473.36 (Exhibit B-11-12-2019)

Action (Consent): 7.4 Approval of Warrant for the Period Ending: 11/01/2019 for the FY 2020 Warrant 1367 in the Total Amount of $524,160.19

Resolution: Accept the following report of payments made for the period ended: 11/01/2019 totaling $524,160.19 (Exhibit C-11-12-2019)

Action (Consent): 7.5 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.

Action (Consent): 7.6 Resolution of Commitment Of $209,440 in Local Funds to Provide Matching Funds for a $711,200 Southern Illinois Metropolitan Planning Organization (SIMPO) Project Award for Roadway Improvements on East College Street

Resolution: Approve a Resolution of Commitment Of $209,440 in Local Funds to Provide Matching Funds for a $711,200 Southern Illinois Metropolitan Planning Organization (SIMPO) Project Award for Roadway Improvements. (Resolution 2019-R-58; Exhibit D-11-12-2019)

Action (Consent): 7.7 Award of Contract for the Sycamore Street Watermain Replacement, Oakland Avenue to Glenview Drive (CIP#WS1301a), to Wiggs Excavating Inc. of Benton, Illinois in the amount of $519,412.50

Resolution: Award the Contract for the Sycamore Street Watermain Replacement, Oakland Avenue to Glenview Drive (CIP#WS1301a), to Wiggs Excavating Inc. of Benton, Illinois in the amount of $519,412.50

Action (Consent): 7.8 Initiate a Text Amendment to Expand the Vacation Rental Unit Ordinance to Allow Non-Owner/Leasee Occupied Units in the BPR, Primary Business District

Resolution: Direct staff to Initiate a text amendment to expand the Vacation Rental Unit Ordinance to allow non-owner/leasee occupied units in the BPR, Primary Business District

Action (Consent): 7.9 Resolution Permitting the Public Possession and Consumption of Alcohol in a Defined Area During Specific Hours during Carbondale Tourism's "The Jingle Crawl" on Friday, December 6, 2019

Resolution: Adopt a Resolution Suspending the Enforcement of the Prohibition of Public Possession and Consumption of Alcohol within the designated area in Downtown Carbondale for Carbondale Tourism's Jingle Crawl (Resolution 2019-R-59; Exhibit E-11-12-2019)

Action (Consent): 7.10 Approval of Consent Agenda Items

A brief discussion regarding the number of possible units and impact on SIU properties occurred pertaining to item 7.8.

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

Motion by Lee Fronabarger, second by Jessica Bradshaw.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries

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

8. General Business of the City Council

Action: 8.1 Review of 2019 Proposed Tax Levy, Truth in Taxation Act Determination and Public Library Board's Tax Levy Requirements

Council thanked the City Manager and Finance Director for no increase in the tax levy.

Donald Monty inquired if there are any bond issues set to expire. No change is expected for approximately six years.

MOTION: Direct staff to submit a Tax Levy Ordinance for the December 10, 2019 City Council meeting containing the recommended Tax Levy and Tax Levy Abatements that will result in a net 2019 Tax Levy in the amount of $2,112,113 for General Government and Library purposes.

Motion by Tom Grant, second by Jeff Doherty.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries

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

Discussion: 8.2 Presentation and Discussion of Solar Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) Proposals to Install Solar Energy Panels on Various City-Owned Properties

Jeff Haarmann and Ross Calliott of Affordable Gas and Electric [AGE] presented their recommendation based on proposals for implementing solar energy at three city-owned properties: the South East Wastewater Treatment Plant, Public Safety Center, and Civic Center. They responded to questions and provided details about entering into a power purchase agreement, costs versus savings, and the locations identified.

Council inquired about costs to the City, what occurs when a site generates excess power, whether excess production credit could be applied to other City accounts, how the system owners generate profit, how Ameren credits the City for drawing on excess production, why other City properties weren't considered, whether there would be any impact on the attic space should roof- mounted panels be placed, questions about the annual savings, whether the panels have to be fenced, impact of ice on the panels, the likelihood of needing to replace or upgrade the panels sooner, where the panels are manufactured, who is liable for damage, whether this would be used at the multimodal system, what assurances the City has, a request for additional details and materials, question regarding the price for the buyout option, question regarding the generation of local jobs, the division of responsibility, whether there would be a lease, and what would happen should a contract not be executed by year’s end. Council members shared their individual opinions.

Donald Monty shared details about his church's experience with utilizing solar energy, savings, usage, and concurred with some of the concerns expressed by the Council.

9. Executive Session

10. Adjournment of the City Council Meeting

Procedural: 10.1 Adjourn meeting

There being no further business to come before the public body, the meeting was declared adjourned at 8:15 p.m.

https://www.explorecarbondale.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_11122019-1064