Carbondale Reporter

City of Carbondale Local Liquor Control Commission and City Council met Feb. 11.

Here is the minutes provided by the commission and the council:

Council Members present

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

Meeting called to order at 6:09 PM

A meeting of the Local Liquor Control Commission immediately preceded this meeting.

5. Preliminaries to the City Council Meeting 

Procedural: 5.1 Roll Call

Procedural: 5.2 Citizens' Comments and Questions

Ginger Rye spoke about a shooting on Sunday, February 9; she shared other specific incidents, urged action to establish a substation in the northeast and the utilization of cameras. About a dozen supporters in the audience were in attendance.

Dotha Chester provided details about the shooting. She asked the City Council to try strategies such as increased lighting and involving government housing operators.

Kareem Shariati expressed his anger about the shooting.

An unidentified speaker handed out copies of Carbondale Spring's community funding application to fund a Care Worker initiative and addressed the audience.

Margaret Nesbitt expressed her appreciation for police response, asked for a solution in response to the shooting which occurred on Sunday, and commented that the street naming was unnecessary.

Sheila Brown suggested a youth center/activity center, working with students who did not graduate, and finding activities for children other than violence.

Henry Mohammad noted that he came to Carbondale for a safer environment, remarked on a destructive mentality, urged devising strategies, referred to and read a section of a letter addressed to religious leaders.

Ashaki Roberts noted her physical challenges since being struck by a vehicle, explaining that she is unable to bring her garbage can to the curb. She shared with whom she had addressed her challenges and noted that she cannot afford to contract with a private hauler.

Stephanie Brown noted that the Human Relations Commission is available to help in developing strategies. She noted that Operation Rebound has training services available and will work with children who did not complete their high school education.

Rodney Morris asked if there had been any progress reports received regarding the Koppers site.

Nathan Colombo read a prepared speech commenting on racializing poverty, seeking out economic opportunities, infrastructure, providing real-time data, and engagement of neighbors.

Michael L. Valliant stated that the solutions to violence are many, not singular, encouraged increased communication in less formal settings, commented on Ms. Nesbitt's life of service, and suggested implementing comprehensive behavioral modification programs, as well as other programs.

Procedural: 5.3 Council Comments, General Announcements, and Proclamations

Councilman Loos asked about what solutions were available to Ms. Roberts and hopes that an apology will be forthcoming; responded to concerns regarding violence, including his personal experience, the impact on a community, changes in Los Angeles, the development of relationships, and communication with those who have influence over those most impacted by crime; asked the City Manager about an email received regarding the Nextdoor social network; and asked the Police Chief about the current crime mapping software.

Councilman Doherty inquired about street lighting and when the City Council can review the results of a street lighting audit approved in January 2019.

Mayor Henry noted that the police will help with setting up a neighborhood watch and provide training.

Councilwoman Bradshaw responded to the concerns expressed regarding violence and announced the International Festival is occurring this week.

6. Public Hearings and Special Reports

7. Consent Agenda of the City Council

Action (Consent): 7.1 Approval of City Council Meeting Minutes of January 28, 2020 Resolution: Approve the minutes from the City Council meeting of January 28, 2020

Action (Consent): 7.2 Approval of Warrant for the Period Ending: 01/24/2020 for the FY 2020 Warrant 1373 in the Total Amount of $1,656,091.22

Resolution: Accept the following report of payments made for the period ended: 01/24/2020 totaling $1,656,091.22 (Exhibit A-02-11-2020)

Action (Consent): 7.3 Award of Purchase of Various Water Treatment Chemicals for FY 2021

Resolution: Award the purchase of these water treatment plant chemicals to the respective lowest qualified bidders for FY 2021 purchases. 1. Liquid Alum to Hawkins Inc. in the amount of $0.10 per pound; 2. Ammonium Sulfate to Hawkins Inc. in the amount of $0.208 per pound; 3. Anionic Polymer to SNF Polydyne in the amount of $1.78 per pound; 4. Carbon to Cabot Norit Americas in the amount of $0.54 per pound 5. Cationic Polymer to SNF Polydyne in the amount of $0.57 per pound 6. Caustic Soda to Univar Solutions in the amount of $0.1225 per pound; 7. Chlorine to DPC Enterprises in the amount of $0.24 per pound; 8. Fluoride to DuBois Chemicals Inc. in the amount of $0.1962 per pound; and 9. Potassium Permanganate to Hawkins Inc. in the amount of $3.35 per pound

Action: 7.4 Approve the Purchase of Five (5) Pickup Trucks for Various Public Works Divisions in the Amount of $149,168.24 from Vogler Ford of Carbondale, Illinois and Approve an Ordinance Increasing the FY2020 Budget by $149,168.24 to Purchase Trucks Pulled by J. Doherty

Action (Consent): 7.5 Approval of the Purchase of a Replacement Pump for the Northwest Wastewater Treatment Plant (NWWWTP) in the Amount of $31,225.60

Resolution: Approve the Purchase of a Replacement Pump for the Northwest Wastewater Treatment Plant (NWWWTP) in the Amount of $31,225.60

Action (Consent): 7.6 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: Jeff Doherty, Lee Fronabarger, Tom Grant, Carolin Harvey, Adam Loos, Jessica Bradshaw, John M Henry

Action: 7.4 Approve the Purchase of Five (5) Pickup Trucks for Various Public Works Divisions in the Amount of $149,168.24 from Vogler Ford of Carbondale, Illinois and Approve an Ordinance Increasing the FY2020 Budget by $149,168.24 to Purchase Trucks

Council inquired about the timing of the purchase, as the funding was not included in the budget, and also inquired about the repayment of an inter-fund loan.

MOTION: Award the Purchase of (2) 2020 Ford F-150 4WD Super-Cab Pickups in the amount of $52,722.56. (3) 2020 Ford F-250 4WD Super-Cab Pickups in the amount of $96,445.68 to Vogler Ford of Carbondale, IL, Declare the Vehicles Listed Below as Surplus Property for Trade-in, 3) Approve an Ordinance Increasing the FY2020 Budget by $149,168.24 to Purchase Five (5) Pickup Trucks for Public Works.

Motion by Jeff Doherty, second by Jessica Bradshaw.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries

Yea: Jeff Doherty, Lee Fronabarger, Tom Grant, Carolin Harvey, Adam Loos, Jessica Bradshaw, John M Henry (Ordinance 2020-09; Exhibit B-02-11-2020)

8. General Business of the City Council

Action: 8.1 City Council Discussion of the Proposed Lease Extension for Turley Park and Tatum Heights Park and Directing Staff to Submit the Lease to the CPKD Board for Approval

Council members shared their thoughts regarding the content of the response letter from the Carbondale Park District, particularly regarding the renewed request for $150,000 and the interpretation of the voters’ understanding of the referendum; they indicated whether they wished to extend the leases “as is” or what conditions/deletions should be included; the condition of Park District properties was referenced, as well as City-owned properties leased by the Park District; financial assistance provided to the Park District by the City over the years was itemized; stated whether or not they would vote in favor of a lease extension; commented on not losing sight of the bigger picture; reviewed events which had occurred since the public question was adopted; what the end result would be if no agreement could be reached on the lease extension, including the possibility of terminating the other leases; remarked on the financial overextension of the Park District; and Ultimately, there was a consensus, although not unanimous, to extend the two leases through the end of December 2021, but with no ability to automatically renew with notice. This will be considered by the Park District before any action can be taken.

Public Comments:

Don Monty responded to a specific section of letter, stated there was no harm in extending the leases for two years with no money paid, and that the City and Park District should sit down and look at all the facts and get on with the process.

A recess was observed from 8:16 p.m. until 8:30 p.m.

Discussion: 8.2 Discussion on the FY 2021 General Fund Budget

Storm Water Utility Fee:

A feasibility study began in 2018. This fee creates a dedicated revenue for all storm water work with an average per residential unit cost of $3.90 a month, which will be based on size and amount of impervious pavement. As the City will have to begin complying with the MS-4 Permit this year, with more frequent severe rain events, and a need to design for current rain events rather than utilizing the standards of 50 years ago, this fee could help with these changes.

Council comments and questions included inquiries regarding storm water issues; indicating whether they were in favor of a storm water fee; including protections for very low-income households; utilization of more permeable paving in the future; establishing a depressed park where a hotel was recently demolished; revisiting issues raised in past discussions; ensuring the inclusion of publication and public input; general remarks on the budget in general; recapturing some lost fees with a special assessment on abandoned homes and vacant parcels; questions regarding the impact to the changes to police and fire pension and the impact on internet sales tax; information regarding internet sales retailers recouping costs; and developing a more localized economy.

9. Executive Session

Action: 9.1 Enter Executive Session to Discuss the Appointment, Employment, Compensation, Discipline, Performance, or Dismissal of Specific Employees of the Public Body or Legal Counsel for the Public Body, Collective Negotiating Matters Between the Public Body and Its Employees or Their Representatives, or Deliberations Concerning Salary Schedules for One or More Classes of Employees, and the Setting of a Price for Sale or Lease of Property Owned by the Public Body

MOTION: Enter into Executive Session to discuss the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees of the public body or legal counsel for the public body, collective negotiating matters between the public body and its employees or their representatives, or deliberations concerning salary schedules for one or more classes of employees, and setting of a price for sale or lease of property owned by the public body pursuant to ILCS 120/2(c)(1), (c)(2), (c)(6), of the Illinois Open Meetings Act

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 Open session recessed at 9:05 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: Jeff Doherty, Lee Fronabarger, Tom Grant, Carolin Harvey, Adam Loos, Jessica Bradshaw, John M Henry Open session resumed at 9:53 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 9:53 p.m.

http://explorecarbondale.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_02112020-1146