Carbondale Reporter

City of Marion City Council met April 27.

Here is the minutes provided by the council:

Minutes of a Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of Marion held in the Council Chambers at 6:30 P.M. The City Clerk was instructed to call the roll and the response was as follows:

PHYSICALLY PRESENT: COMMISSIONERS PATTON, BARWICK, WEBB AND STOECKLIN AND MAYOR ABSHER,

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Police Chief David Fitts.

CONSENT AGENDA 

Commissioner Stoecklin made a motion to pass the Consent Agenda as presented. Commissioner Webb seconded the motion.

ON ROLL CALL VOTE COMMISSIONERS PATTON, BARWICK, WEBB AND STOECKLIN AND MAYOR ABSHER ALL VOTED YEA,

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND MUNICIPAL PLANNING 

Mayor's Chief of Staff Cody Moake explained agenda items A through C are all TIF agreements for separate LLCs managed by Carlos Tanner. These agreements are for residential rehab projects. Mr. Tanner plans to rehab the homes to rent or sell. These are the first three agreements in the Residential TIF District.

Commissioner Webb made a motion to approve Ordinance 3613 a redevelopment agreement with Mr. JECC, LLC for a property located at 904 East Carter Street within the Residential TIF. Commissioner Barwick seconded the motion.

ON ROLL CALL VOTE COMMISSIONERS PATTON, BARWICK, WEBB AND STOECKLIN AND MAYOR ABSHER ALL VOTED YEA.

Commissioner Webb made a motion to approve Ordinance 3614 a redevelopment agreement with Tanner 401K Plan Trust for a property located at 107 East Goodall Street within the Residential TIF. Commissioner Patton seconded the motion,

ON ROLL CALL VOTE COMMISSIONERS PATTON, BARWICK, WEBB AND STOECKLIN AND MAYOR ABSHER ALL VOTED YEA,

Commissioner Barwick made a motion to approve Ordinance 3615 a redevelopment agreement with Tanner 401K Plan Trust for a property located at 507 South Buchanan Street within the Residential TIF, Commissioner Stoecklin seconded the motion.

ON ROLL CALL VOTE COMMISSIONERS PATTON, BARWICK, WEBB AND STOECKLIN AND MAYOR ABSHER ALL VOTED YEA.

Mayor Absher explained agenda items D through I are relevant to the Public Hearing that was held at 5:30 P.M. The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity has established the Downstate Small Business Stabilization Program for the purpose of providing grants for up to

April 27, 2020 $25,000 to small businesses under certain conditions. DCEO requires the City to sponsor the grant applications and administer the grants should they be approved. This is the second round of applications submitted by the City, Mayor Absher thanked Williamson County Economic Development Director Celeste Sollers and Chief of Staff Cody Moake for their efforts in preparing the information to submit these applications.

Commissioner Patton made a motion to adopt Resolution 2020-26 in support of the application for a Community Development Block Grant on behalf of Marion Glass in the amount of $25,000. Mayor Absher seconded the motion.

ON ROLL CALL VOTE COMMISSIONERS PATTON, BARWICK, WEBB AND STOECKLIN AND MAYOR ABSHER ALL VOTED YEA.

Mayor Absher made a motion to adopt Resolution 2020-27 in support of the application for a

Community Development Block Grant on behalf of Olympic Pools in the amount of $25,000. Commissioner Barwick seconded the motion.

ON ROLL CALL VOTE COMMISSIONERS PATTON, BARWICK, WEBB AND STOECKLIN AND MAYOR ABSHER ALL VOTED YEA,

Commissioner Webb made a motion to adopt Resolution 2020-28 in support of the application for a Community Development Block Grant on behalf of Distinctive Interiors in the amount of $25,000. Commissioner Barwick seconded the motion.

ON ROLL CALL VOTE COMMISSIONERS PATTON, BARWICK, WEBB AND STOECKLIN AND MAYOR ABSHER ALL VOTED YEA.

Commissioner Stoecklin made a motion to adopt Resolution 2020-29 in support of the application for a Community Development Block Grant on behalf of Graphics Galore in the amount of $25,000. Commissioner Webb seconded the motion.

ON ROLL CALL VOTE COMMISSIONERS PATTON, BARWICK, WEBB AND STOECKLIN AND MAYOR ABSHER ALL VOTED YEA.

Commissioner Barwick made a motion to adopt Resolution 2020-30 in support of the application for a Community Development Block Grant on behalf of New You Body Sculpting in the amount of $17,5000. Commissioner Patton seconded the motion.

ON ROLL CALL VOTE COMMISSIONERS PATTON, BARWICK, WEBB AND STOECKLIN AND MAYOR ABSHER ALL VOTED YEA,

Commissioner Patton made a motion to adopt Resolution 2020-31 in support of the application for a Community Development Block Grant on behalf of AccuGrow in the amount of $25,000. Mayor Absher seconded the motion.

ON ROLL CALL VOTE COMMISSIONERS PATTON, BARWICK, WEBB AND STOECKLIN AND MAYOR ABSHER ALL VOTED YEA.

April 27, 2020 FIRE DEPARTMENT Commissioner Barwick explained the promotions in Agenda Item 6 are due to the retirement of Assistant Fire Chief Tim Stotlar. Commissioner Barwick made a motion to approve the recommendation of the Fire Chief to promote Jesse Burford to Captain, Scan Walsh to Lieutenant and Bill Heyde to Assistant Chief, per the collective bargaining agreement terms, effective May 4, 2020. Commissioner Stoecklin seconded the motion.

ON ROLL CALL VOTE COMMISSIONERS PATTON, BARWICK, WEBB AND STOECKLIN AND MAYOR ABSHER ALL VOTED YEA.

MAYOR'S OFFICE Mayor Absher explained Ordinance 3612 is to make appointments for the coming year. There were no changes made except for appointing Tim Stotlar as the new Building and Code Services Director, Mayor Absher made a motion to approve Ordinance 3612 establishing appointments to offices for the new fiscal year beginning May 1, 2020. Commissioner Barwick seconded the motion.

ON ROLL CALL VOTE COMMISSIONERS PATTON, BARWICK, WEBB AND STOECKLIN AND MAYOR ABSHER ALL VOTED YEA.

Mayor Absher stated Resolution 2020-25 is authorizing the revision of the current budget. He explained that revenues and expenses change throughout the year and by law the City has to review and approve the budget in arrears. Treasurer Steve Hale stated the budget ended up much better than was anticipated. He said the City ended up with a surplus of between $500,000 and $600,000 in the General Fund. The City had the best December and January for sales tax revenue we have ever had. Commissioner Webb made a motion to adopt Resolution 2020-25 authorizing revision of the 2019-2020 annual budget. Commissioner Stoecklin seconded the motion.

ON ROLL CALL VOTE COMMISSIONERS PATTON, BARWICK, WEBB AND STOECKLIN AND MAYOR ABSHER ALL VOTED YEA.

Before voting on Ordinance 3617 establishing the budget for the 2020-2021 fiscal year, Mayor Absher stated that due to the delay in reporting from Illinois Department of Revenue, the City will not know the effect of the COVID-19 Pandemic and mandatory closures on the City for a few months. He explained employee furloughs were made in facilities not allowed to be open by Governor Pritzker's Stay at Home Order. The employees of these facilities are paid by revenue generated by the facilities. He stated he wanted to reiterate that he believes all City facilities and employees are essential, but he believes the City has a duty to the taxpayers to be good stewards of the tax dollars. He also emphasized the proposed budget was developed prior to the COVID 19 Pandemic and may have to be dramatically changed throughout the year once the economic effect of the Pandemic is known. He believes there may be a budget deficit of between $3 and $5 million. He explained the proposed budget only includes pay raises that are obligated by Collective Bargaining Agreements. No other employees received raises. Mayor Absher made a motion to approve Ordinance 3617 establishing the budget for the 2020-2021 fiscal year. Commissioner Webb seconded the motion.

ON ROLL CALL VOTE COMMISSIONERS PATTON, BARWICK, WEBB AND STOECKLIN AND MAYOR ABSHER ALL VOTED YEA.

Mayor's Chief of Staff Cody Moake stated Agenda Item 7 D is a housekeeping measure. At the April 17, 2020 Special Meeting, the Council voted to approve the bid from Illinois Municipal League Risk Management Association for Worker's Compensation Insurance for the new fiscal year beginning May 1, 2020. Ordinance 3616 is to approve the City's membership to the IML Risk Management Association. Commissioner Webb made a motion to approve Ordinance 3616 approving the City's membership to the IML-Risk Management Association and authorizing the execution of an intergovernmental cooperation contract. Commissioner Barwick seconded the motion.

ON ROLL CALL VOTE COMMISSIONERS PATTON, BARWICK, WEBB AND STOECKLIN AND MAYOR ABSHER ALL VOTED YEA.

COMMISSIONER REPORTS Commissioner Barwick read the March Fire Department Report.

Commissioner Patton had no report but commented he is working with Treasurer Hale on putting together information for a future report.

Commissioner Webb reported the Street Department is halfway finished with the Spring Clean Up. So far, they have hauled 96 loads of junk, 32 loads of which were recyclable; 61 loads of brush and 821 tires. He commented there has been some abuse of the clean-up with residents continuing to place items out after their section has been completed. He also reported the Cemetery Department has been hard at work mowing and trimming. He stated he appreciates their hard work.

Commissioner Stoecklin had nothing to report for the Water and Sewer Departments other than to say they continue to stay busy. He commented that he has received many calls and texts from constituents regarding the matters that are happening in the state right now. He wanted to let everyone know the Council is looking at all options and digesting information as best they can.

7:16 P.M. Mayor Absher made a motion to go into Executive Session to discuss litigation, property and a contract matter, Commissioner Patton seconded the motion.

ON ROLL CALL VOTE COMMISSIONERS PATTON, BARWICK, WEBB AND STOECKLIN AND MAYOR ABSHER ALL VOTED YEA.

9:06 P.M, Commissioner Patton made a motion to adjourn the Executive Session and resume the Regular Meeting. Commissioner Stoecklin seconded the motion.

ON ROLL CALL VOTE COMMISSIONERS PATTON, BARWICK, WEBB AND STOECKLIN AND MAYOR ABSHER ALL VOTED YEA.

Commissioner Patton made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Commissioner Barwick seconded the motion.

ON ROLL CALL VOTE COMMISSIONERS PATTON, BARWICK, WEBB AND STOECKLIN AND MAYOR ABSHER ALL VOTED YEA.

Meeting Adjourned at 9:07 P.M.

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