Carbondale Reporter

City of Carbondale City Council met April 14.

Here is the minutes provided by the council:

Councilmembers present:

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

Meeting called to order at 6:05 PM

1. Preliminaries to the City Council Meeting

Procedural: 1.1 Roll Call

Procedural: 1.2 Citizens' Comments and Questions

None

Procedural: 1.3 Council Comments, General Announcements, and Proclamations

Councilmember Fronabarger encouraged citizens to complete the census and commented on the impact that the completion of the census can have. He noted that the census deadline may be extended. Further, he remarked that citizens can provide feedback on the wayfinding proposals through the City’s website.

Councilmember Harvey expressed thanks to those individuals working to serve the community during the COVID epidemic.

Councilmember Bradshaw provided direction to students on completing the census, which information was provided by SIU.

Councilmember Grant encouraged citizens to wear masks in public.

Mayor Henry noted that Mayors along Route 13 participated in a webinar and that webinar will be broadcast on Channel 3.

Mayor Henry indicated that Arbor Day would be observed in Carbondale, but that he did not have the proclamation available at this time.

2. Public Hearings and Special Reports

Public Hearing: 2.1 Public Hearing on the Proposed FY 2021 City Budget

The Public Hearing was declared open at 6:13 p.m.

There were no questions in the specially designated email inbox nor submitted by remote attendees of the meeting.

Public Hearing closed at 6:15 p.m.

3. Consent Agenda of the City Council

Action (Consent): 3.1 City Council Meeting Minutes of March 10 and Special City Council Meeting Minutes of April 6, 2020 Resolution: Approve the minutes from the regular City Council meeting of March 10 and special City Council meeting of April 6, 2020

Action (Consent): 3.2 Approval of Wells Fargo Warrant for the Period Ending 02/29/2020 FY 2020 Warrant # WF 02/2020 in the amount of $105,164.50

Resolution: Accept the following report of payments made for the period ended: 02/29/2020 totaling $105,164.50 (Exhibit A-04-14-2020)

Action (Consent): 3.3 Approval of Warrant for the Period Ending: 03/06/2020 for the FY 2020 Warrant 1376 in the Total Amount of $475,139.72

Resolution: Accept the following report of payments made for the period ended: 03/06/2020 totaling $475,139.72 (Exhibit B-04-14-2020)

Action (Consent): 3.4 Approval of Warrant for the Period Ending: 03/20/2020 for the FY 2020 Warrant 1377 in the Total Amount of $581,749.19

Resolution: Accept the following report of payments made for the period ended: 03/20/2020 totaling $581,749.19 (Exhibit C-04-14-2020)

Action (Consent): 3.5 Resolution Appropriating $668,731 of Motor Fuel Tax Funds for the FY 2021 Street Maintenance Program

Resolution: Approve a Resolution for Maintenance of Streets and Highways by Municipality Under the Illinois Highway Code for appropriating $668,731 in Motor Fuel Tax Funds pending review and approval by the Illinois Department of Transportation (Resolution: 2020-R-13; Exhibit D-04-14-2020)

Action: 3.6 Action (Consent): 3.6 Ordinance Authorizing a Budget Adjustment in the Amount of $132,650 Establishing the FY 2020 Police Department Contingency Account Resolution: Approve an Ordinance Authorizing a Budget Adjustment establishing the Police Department's Division Contingency Account for FY 2020 in the amount of $132,650 (Ordinance: 2020-14; Exhibit E-04-14-2020)

Action (Consent): 3.7 A Resolution Authorizing City Manager to Submit Applications to the DCEO Downstate Small Business Stabilization Program on Behalf of Eligible Businesses

Pulled by L. Fronabarger

Action: 3.8 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 Lee Fronabarger.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries

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

Action (Consent): 3.7 A Resolution Authorizing City Manager to Submit Applications to the DCEO Downstate Small Business Stabilization Program on Behalf of Eligible Businesses Resolution: Approve a Resolution Authorizing City Manager to Submit Applications to the DCEO Downstate Small Business Stabilization Program on Behalf of Eligible Businesses

The item was pulled to be read in its entirety for the benefit of the public. The Council asked whether applications had been submitted, about specifics about the qualifying criteria, notification of reaching the funding capacity, and inquired about funding opportunities for newer businesses,

Economic Development Director Mitchell and City Manager Williams responded.

MOTION: Approve a Resolution Authorizing City Manager to Submit Applications to the DCEO Downstate Small Business Stabilization Program on Behalf of Eligible Businesses

Motion by Lee Fronabarger, second by Tom Grant.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries

Yea: Adam Loos, Jessica Bradshaw, Jeff Doherty, Lee Fronabarger, Tom Grant, Carolin Harvey, John M Henry (Resolution: 2020-R-14; Exhibit F-04-14-2020)

4. General Business of the City Council

Discussion: 4.1 Discussion Regarding Petition Requesting that the City of Carbondale Waive Collection of the Food and Beverage Tax

Councilmembers provided their individual input, noted the impact of the waiver would provide greater relief to chains, the need to fund City operations, the availability of assistance for businesses from federal and state government, the challenges to providing services during this time, and encouraged citizens supporting local businesses.

A comment in agreement with the Council from Scott Thorne was noted.

Action: 4.2 Review and Discussion of the Proposed FY 2021 Budget and Five Year Community Investment Program

Council thanked Staff for their efforts in preparing the budget. It was noted that this is a framework and would likely undergo changes due to the fiscal challenges posed by the COVID 19 response. Council questions and comments included questions regarding the identified budget recommendation options; considering whether to hold off on reallocating the taxes identified in Recommendation 2; whether there had been discussion with Unions regarding eliminating the cost of living increases in Recommendation 3; the hope to avoid furloughs and layoffs was expressed; support for no pay increases this fiscal year was noted; questions about whether to adopt all or some of the options; questions about delaying the action on certain programs and support for staying up-to-date on other programs; comparing the City and SIU; whether there were any federal funds coming to local government; if the City has been in contact with elected officials; questions about the availability of PPE; requests for Staff to provide notification of any transfers between funds and budgets; keeping the Council apprised and involved in the budget as this progresses; if there had been any discussion about the reopening process for the State; and expressing caution about opening the State too soon.

Councilmembers expressed their individual favor for specific recommendations and offered their own thoughts about other items they would suggest delaying.

Public Comments: Dawn Roberts commented that some of the COVID cases were from students returning from Spring Break. Scott Thorne noted that if businesses are required to stay closed through July or August, the City should expect several small businesses to remain closed.

6. Adjournment of the City Council Meeting Procedural: 6.1 Adjourn meeting

There being no further business to come before the public body, the meeting was declared adjourned at 7:23 p.m.

https://www.explorecarbondale.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_04142020-1167