Carbondale Reporter

City of Carbondale Regular City Council met Oct. 22.

Here is the minutes provided by the council:

Council Members present

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

Meeting called to order at 6:15 PM

5. Preliminaries to the City Council Meeting 

Procedural: 5.1 Roll Call

Procedural: 5.2 Citizens' Comments and Questions

Toussaint Mitchell requested an update on the hiring of a Public Relations Officer and inquired whether the Human Relations Commission can improve their marketing, specifically utilizing social media.

Dawn Roberts noted that spotlights from Carbondale are visible from up to 60 miles away; she asked the City Council to consider addressing light pollution.

Procedural: 5.3 Council Comments, General Announcements, and Proclamations Dr. Ella Lacey and Sarah Heyer read a proclamation prepared by Rotary International proclaiming October 24, 2019, as World Polio Day in Carbondale.

Councilman Fronabarger announced the drawing for the Lucky Dog raffle will occur on Saturday at Longbranch.

Councilwoman Bradshaw announced United Nations Day discussion about Sustainable Development Goals on Thursday at the Student Center.

Councilwoman Harvey extended an invitation to veterans for a free breakfast on Saturday, October 26, at the New Zion Church sponsored by Zeta Amicae; announced the NAACP Freedom Fund Banquet on Sunday, October 27; the Denim and Diamonds Fundraiser benefitting I Can Read on Saturday, November 9; and a fundraiser benefitting the Carbondale Warming Center on November 7 at McDonald's on South Illinois Avenue.

Councilman Doherty requested an update on the Council's request for information from the Park District; City Manager Williams responded. Mr. Doherty expressed disappointment at the delay in providing records and Mayor Henry concurred.

Councilman Loos indicated he would be open to allowing the use of social media for announcing meetings, posting of agenda, and announcing vacancies. He shared his understanding of the Park District meeting proceedings, noting that the records compiled were incomplete. Mr. Loos responded to the request to look at a dark skies lighting policy.

City Manager Williams announced there were many events scheduled for Carbondale Halloween weekend and directed the public to the website.

6. Public Hearings and Special Reports

Information: 6.1 Presentation by Carbondale Sustainability Commission

Note from Clerk: The presentation and discussion regarding this topic lasted one hour. To review the video or audio of the entirety of this agenda item, please visit the City’s website or contact the City Clerk’s Office for assistance.

Dr. Justin Schoof gave a presentation on climate change in southern Illinois at the request of members of the Sustainability Commission and the City Manager.

Council expressed their appreciation for Dr. Schoof's presentation, made inquiries in response to the presentation, asked to receive a copy of the presentation, and offered suggestions in support of the subject matter.

Citizens who made inquiries of Dr. Schoof included Toussaint Mitchell, Robin Reed, and Nick Smaligo. Other citizens who commented about the subject matter itself included Chuck Paprocki and an unidentified speaker. Sarah Heyer and Jane Cogie spoke on the progress of the Sustainability plan and survey.

7. Consent Agenda of the City Council

Action (Consent): 7.1 Approval of Minutes from the Carbondale City Council Meeting of October 8, 2019

Resolution: Approve the minutes from the City Council meeting of October 8, 2019

Action (Consent): 7.2 Approval of Warrant for the Period Ending: 10/11/2019 for the FY 2020 Warrant 1365 in the Total Amount of $1,336,099.46

Resolution: Accept the following report of payments made for the period ended: 10/11/2019 totaling $1,336,099.46

Action (Consent): 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

Action (Consent): 7.4 Resolution Appropriating $445,000.00 from the Local Improvement Fund for the Construction of the Oakland Avenue Replacement (ST0202)

Resolution: Approve a Resolution Appropriating $445,000.00 from the Local Improvement Fund for the Construction of the Oakland Avenue Replacement (ST0202) (Resolution 2019-R-56; Exhibit B-10-22-2019)

Action (Consent): 7.5 Approval of Task Order #1 in the amount of $187,304.24 for the design of the replacement of the Chautauqua St/McLafferty Rd intersection (CIP # ST0601)

Resolution: Approve Task Order #1 in the amount of $187,304.24 for the design of the replacement of the Chautauqua St/McLafferty Rd intersection (CIP# ST0601)

Action (Consent): 7.6 Award of Contract for CIP No. WS2001 Water Plant Fence to Right Way Traffic Control Inc. of Freeburg, IL in the Amount of $25,400

Resolution: Award of Contract for CIP No. WS2001 Water Plant Fence to Right Way Traffic Control Inc. of Freeburg, IL in the Amount of $25,400

Action (Consent): 7.7 Approve the Temporary Use of City-Owned Property at 608 E. College to Operate the Carbondale Warming Center for the Upcoming Winter Season Approve all Consent Agenda items not pulled for separate consideration

Action (Consent): 7.8 Approval of Consent Agenda Items

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

Council inquired about the Oakland Avenue reconstruction timeline, anticipation of road closures, and commented upon and requested an explanation for Oakland Avenue's current state. There were also comments about the Carbondale Warming Center.

Roosevelt Clark noted that the Center for Empowerment and justice will also be assisting the homeless.

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

Motion by Jeff Doherty, second by Carolin Harvey.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries

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

8. General Business of the City Council

Action: 8.1 Resolution of the Carbondale City Council in Support of Consolidation of Downstate Police and Fire Pension Funds

Mark Goddard, president of the Police Pension Fund Board, presented alternatives to pursuing consolidation at this time. He shared his concerns about the report presented by the Illinois Pension Consolidation Feasibility Task Force and asked the Council to delay action.

Charlie Howe concurred with Mr. Goddard's remarks and inquired about the percentage of the City's budget going to pensions.

MOTION: Approve a Resolution in support of the consolidation of downstate police and fire pension funds.

Motion by Adam Loos, second by Tom Grant.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries

Yea: Jessica Bradshaw, Jeff Doherty, Lee Fronabarger, Tom Grant, Carolin Harvey, Adam Loos, John M Henry (Resolution 2019-R-57; Exhibit C-10-22-2019)

Discussion: 8.2 Initiate a Text Amendment to Title 15 as it Relates to Vacation Rental Units

City Council Questions and Comments included support or opposition to expansion of VRUs in specific zoning districts; a question regarding zoning along South Washington; suggestions to send this issue to the Planning Commission for public input; noting that many properties are about to turn over for tax sale; and considering whether to allow VRUs on property contiguous to owner-occupied property. There was a request for details as to what the Planning Commission should consider and whether or not a motion was in order. An action item will be placed on the next agenda to forward this request to the Planning Commission.

Action: 8.3 Ordinance Amending Title 1, Chapter 2 of the Carbondale Revised Code as it Relates to City Council Meetings

Council Questions and Comments included concern about the number of Councilmembers needed to call a Special Meeting; a recommendation of adding "within 90 days" to 1-2B-1.B.2 to the end of the second sentence; concern about being able to place item on agenda; opinions regarding the number of Councilmembers needed to add an item to the agenda and call a special meeting; concern that the language in 1-2B-1.B.2 refers to discussion and not action; an interest in addressing what the quorum would be in the event of absences or vacancies; a desire to define what a supermajority is relating to naming rights; whether or not discussion or action is an issue; and how to act on the public comment limitation when a topic of significant interest is considered.

Donald Monty expressed concern about limiting a discussion item to 30 minutes.

MOTION: Approve an ordinance amending Title 1, Chapter 2 of the Carbondale Revised Code as it relates to City Council meetings with the following amendments:

1) 1-2B-1.B.2 - changed to add ".or action within 90 days of request" at the end of the second sentence;

2) 1-2B-6 – additional information relating to quorum when there are fewer than seven Councilmembers in attendance; and

3) 1-2B-11 – define "supermajority" as 3/5 or 60%.

Motion by Adam Loos, second by Jeff Doherty. Final Resolution: Motion Carries

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

9. Executive Session

Action: 9.1 Enter into Executive Session to Discuss the Setting of a Price for Sale or Lease of Property Owned by the Public Body

MOTION: Enter into Executive Session to Discuss the Setting of a Price for Sale or Lease of Property Owned by the City, Pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(6)

Motion by Jeff Doherty, second by Lee Fronabarger.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries

Yea: Jessica Bradshaw, Jeff Doherty, Lee Fronabarger, Tom Grant, Carolin Harvey, Adam Loos, John M Henry Open Session recessed at 8:38 p.m.

Action: 9.2 Motion to Reenter into Open Session MOTION: Return to Open Session.

Motion by Tom Grant, second by Carolin Harvey.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries

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

Not Present at Vote: Adam Loos Open Session resumed at 9:26 p.m.

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 9:26 p.m.

https://www.explorecarbondale.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_10222019-1039