Carbondale Reporter

City of Marion City Council met April 13.

Here is the minutes provided by the council:

The 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, WEBB AND STOECKLIN AND MAYOR ABSHER. PRESENT BY PHONE: COMMISSIONER BARWICK

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor Absher

CONSENT AGENDA 

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

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

CITY ATTORNEY 

Mayor Absher explained agenda item 5.A. is a part of Code Enforcement reform and a bigger plan to have the City Attorney as prosecutor of violations. City Attorney Wendy Cunningham explained to the Council the Karpel software program is a top of the line case management program. Mayor Absher asked her to explain how case management software is used. Attorney Cunningham explained the program would allow her to track the various types of cases she handles for the City, including ordinance violations, civil malters, criminal matters, traffic cases and foreclosures. She would be able to print reports and track data. The City of Carbondale uses this program and is very happy with it. The upfront cost for the license is $16,500.00 and the annual maintenance cost is $1,100.00. Both costs are budgeted for 2020-2021. Commissioner Webb made a motion to approve a three-year hosting agreement and contract with Karpel for prosecuting software at an implementation cost of $16,500 with $1,100 in annual maintenance fees; a 2020-2021 budget item and expense. Commissioner Barwick seconded the motion.

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

Mayor Absher stated the agenda items relating to Ordinances 3609 and 3610 are also part of the reform of the City Code. He asked City Attorney Cunningham to explain Ordinances 3609 and 3610. She explained most of the changes are in the General Offenses Section. These changes are the first of many changes to the City Code. She explained these changes are all part of the enforcement of City Code and the enhancement of the City court process. Mayor Absher stated these changes are being made for efficiency with compliance being the ultimate goal. Commissioner Barwick made a motion to approve Ordinance 3609 amending the criminal offenses section of the City Code. Commissioner Stoecklin 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 3610 amending the fine section of the City Code. Commissioner Patton seconded the motion.

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

STREET DEPARTMENT Street Department Superintendent Doug Phillips addressed the Council stating one of his mowers broke down and needs to be replaced. He received the following bids:

Little Tractor & Equipment Company FB McAfoos & Company $12,479 $12,479

Doug explained that both bids were the same amount since they are for municipalities. He recommended Council approve the bid from Little Tractor & Equipment Company since they are located in Marion, Commissioner Webb made a motion to approve the recommendation of the Street Superintendent to approve the bid of Little Tractor at $12,479 for a replacement mower due to break down; a non-budgeted item using gas tax funds. Commissioner Patton seconded the motion.

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

Street Department Superintendent Doug Phillips stated the Supplemental Resolutions for Maintenance Under the Illinois Highway Code for 2018 and 2019 are for amounts that have already been paid. They represent amounts that were spent that were over the original MFT resolutions. Rather than transferring funds to cover the overages, the City can adopt the supplemental resolutions. The Resolution for Maintenance Under the Illinois Highway Code for 2020 is for the City's asphalt resurfacing program. Commissioner Webb made a motion to adopt Resolution 2020-13, Supplemental Resolution for Maintenance Under the Illinois Highway Code for 2018 for $44,490.83; to adopt Resolution 2020-14, Supplemental Resolution for Maintenance Under the Illinois Highway Code for 2019 for $54,035.68; to adopt Resolution 2020-15, Resolution for Maintenance Under the Illinois Highway Code for 2020 for the City's asphalt resurfacing program for $621,500. Commissioner Stoecklin seconded the motion,

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

MAYOR'S OFFICE

Commissioner Patton made a motion to approve Ordinance 3608 authorizing the ceding of private activity bonding authority to the Southeastern Illinois Economic Development Authority. Commissioner Webb seconded the motion.

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

COMMISSIONER REPORTS Commissioner Stoecklin reported the Water Department has been busy. They have renewed 14 services and repaired three leaks. All meters have been changed. They have received 64 new deposits. In 

March they had 243 JULIE locates.

Commissioner Patton had nothing to report.

Commissioner Webb announced the Spring Clean-Up and read the schedule. Street Department Superintendent Doug Phillips stated he worked with Code Enforcement Director Tim Stotlar to revise the pick-up items this year. Formerly prohibited items including tires, construction materials, furniture and appliances will be accepted this year. Doug explained this is an effort to try and help clean up blighted areas of the City.

Commissioner Barwick read the Marion Police Department Activity Report for March. Mayor Absher read the Marion Police Department Investigations Report and Marion Police Department Narcotics Unit Report for March. Mayor Absher also reported a large amount of drugs was recently taken off the street and a pretty large "fish" was caught.

Absher reported the name of the Code Enforcement Department has been changed to Building and Code Services Department and the title of the Code Enforcement Director has been changed to Building and Code Services Director. Tim Stotlar will start as Building and Code Services Director on May 4, 2020.

Mayor Absher announced there will be a Public Hearing on Friday, April 17, 2020 at 3:00 P.M. with a Special Council Meeting to follow at 3:15 P.M. The public hearing will be for the Downstate Small Business Stabilization Program applications that the City is proposing to submit to DCEO. Nine resolutions for these applications will need to be adopted at the Special Meeting. Worker's Compensation insurance bids will also be reviewed.

Mayor Absher announced there was no reason for Executive Session this evening.

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

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

Meeting Adjourned at 7:15 P.M.

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