City of Carbondale City Council met March 11.
Here is the minutes provided by the council:
Councilmembers present
Councilmember Tom Grant, Councilmember Carolin Harvey, Councilmember Adam Loos, Councilmember Jessica Bradshaw, Councilmember Jeff Doherty, Councilmember Lee Fronabarger, and Mayor John M Henry
Meeting called to order at 6:01 PM
1. Preliminaries to the City Council Meeting
Procedural: 1.1 Roll Call
Procedural: 1.2 Citizens' Comments and Questions
Sandy Litecky, on behalf of Keep Carbondale Beautiful, announced the annual Spring Native Tree and Shrub sale at the Town Square Pavilion on March 28.
Elius Reed asked if the Affirmative Action Plan had been finalized, if citizens would have input in the development of the plan, and offered solutions to gun violence.
Procedural: 1.3 Council Comments, General Announcements, and Proclamations Councilmember Doherty requested an update on the City's plan in preparing for the COVD-19 virus. City Manager Williams responded about the evolving plan.
Councilmember Fronabarger detailed the early voting opportunities prior to the Primary Election.
Councilmember Loos requested an update on the proposed leases between the City and Carbondale Park District.
2. Public Hearings and Special Reports
Public Hearing: 2.1 Public Hearing for Sale of City-Owned Property at 800 East Main Street
The Public Hearing was declared open at 6:14 p.m.
Donald Monty indicated that he had no issues with the proposed use, but inquired about the City's control over the appearance or design of the business to ensure that it appears commercial in nature.
The Public Hearing was declared closed at 6:17 p.m.
Discussion: 2.2 Presentation of Street Light Mapping and Policy
Public Works Director Sean Henry reviewed the street lighting GIS layer, noting the increased density of lighting in newer subdivisions, the usual spacing utilized for light poles, the ownership of the light poles and associated fees, the focus of street lighting being geared toward automobiles when the policy was developed in the 1970s, and responded to questions from the City Council regarding the costs, the number and types of requests received, the current policy, what the next steps will be not that the new data has been acquired, the feasibility of leasing versus owning the lights and light poles, the placement of meters, and questions regarding pole materials.
Council members provided their individual input to staff, and there was a consensus to review the policy and compile hard data. Once a draft policy is established it will come back to the Council for citizen input.
3. Consent Agenda of the City Council
Action (Consent): 3.1 Approval of Minutes from the City Council Meeting of February 25, 2020
Resolution: Approve the minutes from the regular City Council meeting of February 25, 2020
Action (Consent): 3.2 Approval of Wells Fargo Warrant for the Period Ending 01/31/2020 FY 2020 Warrant # WF 01/2020 in the amount of $156,018.10
Resolution: Accept the following report of payments made for the period ended: 01/31/2020 totaling $156,018.10 (Exhibit A-03-10-2020)
Action (Consent): 3.3 Approval of Warrant for the Period Ending: 02/21/2020 for the FY 2020 Warrant 1375 in the Total Amount of $1,039,318.89
Resolution: Accept the following report of payments made for the period ended: 02/21/2020 totaling $1,039,318.89 (Exhibit B-03-10-2020)
Action (Consent): 3.4 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): 3.5 Review and Acceptance of the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners' Annual Report for Calendar Year 2019
Resolution: Accept the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners' Annual Report for Calendar Year 2019
Action: 3.6 A Resolution Dedicating $900,000.00 in Motor Fuel Tax (MFT) Funds to Pay for the Rehabilitation of Bridge on West Sunset Drive that Crosses Little Crab Orchard Creek
Pulled by L. Fronabarger
Action (Consent): 3.7 Ordinance Approving Technical Corrections to Title Five, Chapter Six, Public Amusements Relating to License Term, License Fees, and Background Investigation
Resolution: Adopt an Ordinance Approving Technical Corrections to Title Five, Chapter Six "Public Amusements" to correct a definition, the term of license, license fees for video gaming terminals and operators, and removing background investigations and criminal history as a means of denying or revoking licenses (Ordinance 2020-10; Exhibit D-03-10-2020)
Action: 3.8 Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Kiwanis Club of Carbondale and the Carbondale Park District to Install Playground Equipment at Turley Park
Pulled by J. Doherty
Action (Consent): 3.9 Resolution Accepting a Grant from the Kiwanis Club of Carbondale in the Amount of $50,000, Approving the Purchase of Playground Equipment from Hutchinson Recreation & Design, and an Adopting an Ordinance Approving a Budget Adjustment Increasing the Overall General Fund FY 2020 Budget
Resolution: Approve a resolution authorizing the City Manager to accept a $50,000 grant from the Carbondale chapter of Kiwanis International Approve the purchase of accessible playground equipment for Turley Park from Hutchinson Recreation & Design in the amount of $50,000 Approve an ordinance increasing the General Fund - Support Services budget by $50,000 (Resolution 2020-R-13 and Ordinance 2020-11; Exhibits F- & G-03-10-2020)
Action (Consent): 3.10 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
Action: 3.6 A Resolution Dedicating $900,000.00 in Motor Fuel Tax (MFT) Funds to Pay for the Rehabilitation of Bridge on West Sunset Drive that Crosses Little Crab Orchard Creek
The Council inquired about the rating scale for bridges, the cause for the downgrading of the rating (superstructure), whether the bridge would be rehabilitated or replaced, the expected time- frame for lane blockage, whether the possibility of an under-bridge bike and pedestrian path had been investigated, the inclusion of bike and pedestrian path, and whether there will be a barrier between pedestrians and auto traffic.
MOTION: Approve a Resolution Dedicating $900,000.00 in Motor Fuel Tax (MFT) Funds to Pay for the Rehabilitation of Bridge on West Sunset Drive that Crosses Little Crab Orchard Creek
Motion by Carolin Harvey, second by Lee Fronabarger.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Tom Grant, Carolin Harvey, Jessica Bradshaw, Jeff Doherty, Lee Fronabarger, John M Henry
Nay: Adam Loos (Resolution 2020-R-11; Exhibit C-03-10-2020)
Action: 3.8 Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Kiwanis Club of Carbondale and the Carbondale Park District to Install Playground Equipment at Turley Park Council inquired about Exhibit A and moving the crosswalk, expressed safety concerns regarding the establishment of permanent parking on Old West Main Street, the visibility of pedestrian-activated light by both directions of traffic, the rationale for placing additional parking on the street, the currently established speed limit, lowering the speed limit, the need to change the parking designation by Ordinance as opposed to the MOU, the initiator of the Memorandum of Understanding, a question regarding a Freedom of Information Act request relating to this subject, concern about the enforceability of the MOU, and noted opposition to the change in on-street parking without the action occurring by Ordinance.
Mike Haake provided details about the project's two phases. Council extended their thanks to Mr. Haake and his organization.
Donald Monty asked for clarification regarding the intent in the removal of parking, and whether the idea of parking was objected to, or simply the process. He suggested adding a speed limit sign utilized at Attucks Park and Wall Street once the item is brought back for action.
MOTION: Approve a Resolution authorizing the City Manager to enter into a memorandum of understanding with the Kiwanis Club of Carbondale and the Carbondale Park District to install playground equipment at Turley Park, and to provide additional parking at Turley Park as provided in Exhibit A, with the exception of on-street parking on West Main Street.
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 (Resolution 2020-R-12; Exhibit D-03-10-2020)
4. General Business of the City Council
Discussion: 4.1 City Council Discussion of Community Agency Funding Requests for the FY2021 Fiscal Year Budget
City Council Questions and Comments: Some Councilmembers expressed concern about increasing the funding for this fiscal year, particularly due to COVID 19 and the State budget, while other Councilmembers supported increases in funding. There were inquiries made about the requisite grant writing training, the internal review conducted by Staff, questions regarding specific applications, whether there could be a review at six months, whether funds could be reallocated should the funding totals be held level, whether the funding requests could be provided to the Council in an Excel format which would allow them test modifications, and whether the agencies were keeping up with the performance measures and required reports, Council members noted the challenges in locating funding, emphasizing the need for the agencies to take the required training and locate funding sources other than the City, noted individual preferences to either fund newer requests or to fund longer term agencies, noting the example of The Science Center as a successful entity which was no longer reliant on City funding, discouraging agencies from seeking funds for salaries, and the merits of specific requests.
Donald Monty spoke in favor of maintaining current funding levels, commented on new proposals, about existing organizations seeking funding for their staff, the City’s role relating to funding social service agencies, the requirement for the City to have a balanced budget, and noted that Keep Carbondale Beautiful used to be funded from Building and Neighborhood Services’ budget.
Nick Smaligo, speaking on behalf of the Carbondale Care Worker Initiative, noted that their concerns are broader than financial, noted frustration with making an argument in many forums and not receiving a response. He remarked that the City is over-invested in police and indicated this program showed evidence-based reductions in violence.
Tina Carpenter, speaking on behalf of Boys and Girls Club, reported on their 2019 services and thanked the Council for support.
Ginger Rye, on behalf of Women for Change, expressed thanks for funding received during the current year and explained the increase request for additional services including gardening and sewing programs.
Nathan Colombo gave an explanation for the decrease in United Way support of funding local nonprofits, a need to look for outside mechanisms for funding, an explanation for Varsity's funding request, and an estimation of how they arrived at the funding request figure.
Alfred Frankowski spoke in favor of the community care work proposal, shared a story relating to an incident, remarked that many officers do not live in Carbondale, and urged showing creativity in how we address community members.
Elyse Hickey shared an incident of domestic abuse that she felt could be better addressed by a Care Worker and stated that it is important to consider where changes have occurred and allocate finances accordingly.
Dan Joutros remarked on the funding request for the Care worker program as it relates to the police department budget and in comparison to the cost for lightposts.
Marcella Seevey remarked on the different ways that children will respond when authorities are brought in to handle a crisis and spoke in favor of care workers instead of police taking on social work.
Nick Smaligo read two items from individuals not in attendance at the meeting, Margaret Howard and Marilyn Tipton, in response to and support of the Care Worker funding request. Offered an opportunity to ask questions regarding specific language and terminology.
Ginger Rye voiced support for cameras and lighting and the need for organizations to work together.
Action: 4.2 Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Contract for the Sale of City-Owned Land to C6 Farms, LLC for Property at 800 East Main Street and to Authorize the Mayor to Execute a Quitclaim Deed for Conveyance of Said Land
The City Council inquired about where the funds are deposited if the sale goes through, remarked on the facility including a retail section and grow facility, and noted that zoning requirements will apply to this property.
Donald Monty asked if this contract is contingent upon the approval of the application for a craft grow license.
Nathan Colombo asked about the employment opportunities and the business’ diversity requirements.
MOTION: Approve a Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Contract for the Sale of Land to C6 Farms, LLC for Property at 800 East Main Street and to Authorize the Mayor to Execute a Quitclaim Deed for Conveyance of Said Land
Motion by Tom Grant, second by Lee Fronabarger.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Tom Grant, Carolin Harvey, Adam Loos, Jessica Bradshaw, Jeff Doherty, Lee Fronabarger, John M Henry
5. Executive Session
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 8:33 p.m.
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