Carbondale Reporter

City of Carbondale Local Liquor Control Commission and City Council met Aug. 25.

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

Council Members present

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

Meeting called to order at 7:44 PM

5. Preliminaries to the City Council Meeting 

Procedural: 5.1 Roll Call

Procedural: 5.2 Citizens' Comments and Questions

Procedural: 5.3 Council Comments, General Announcements, and Proclamations

Councilmember Fronabarger announced that the Illinois Housing Authority rolled out mortgage assistance grants yesterday. Applications will be accepted through September 4 or until the maximum dollar amount is exceeded. Councilmember Harvey asked that this be placed on the City's website.

Councilmember Harvey emphasized the importance of completing the census and the impact that the census has on the lives of citizens.

6. Public Hearings and Special Reports

7. Consent Agenda of the City Council

Action (Consent): 7.1 Approval of Minutes from the Regular City Council Meeting of August 11, 2020 Resolution: Approve the minutes from the regular City Council meeting on August 11, 2020

Action (Consent): 7.2 Approval of Warrant for the Period Ending: 08/07/2020 for the FY 2021 Warrant 1387 in the Total Amount of $323,415.23

Resolution: Accept the following report of payments made for the period ended: 08/07/2020 totaling $323,415.23 (Exhibit A-08-25-2020)

Action (Consent): 7.3 Adoption of the 2021 Calendar of City Council Meetings Resolution: Adopt the 2021 Calendar of City Council Meetings

Action (Consent): 7.4 Reappointments to Boards and Commissions

Resolution: Council is requested to concur with the Mayor's recommended reappointments to Boards and Commissions

Action (Consent): 7.5 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 Tom Grant, second by Carolin Harvey.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries

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

8. General Business of the City Council

Action: 8.1 Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Enter into a Municipal Electricity Aggregation Agreement with Select Energy Partners

Council inquired about Staff’s recommended action; whether further action would be required if the contract is allowed to lapse; remarked on the 100% green energy option selected in the current contract; asked if this would have an impact on energy solicitors or the local solar programs; whether Ameren has a 100% green option; what the proper course of action would be; any impact on the solar panels to be installed on city properties; and following up on Ameren's percentage of green energy; further, they shared their thoughts on the benefits and drawbacks of the recommendation.

MOTION: Not to authorize the City Manager to enter into a contract with Select Energy and to allow the current contract to expire

Motion by Tom Grant, second by Lee Fronabarger.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries

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

Action: 8.2 Ordinance Extending FY2020 Video Gaming Terminal Licenses Through December 31, 2020 or to Extend the Due Date for the FY2021 License Fees

Councilmember Loos stated that he would be abstaining from discussion and action on this item due to a conflict. Councilmembers indicated which of the two Ordinances they supported.

MOTION: Adopt an Ordinance extending the FY2020 video gaming establishment terminal licenses through December 31, 2020 and prorating the FY 2021 license fee for the remainder of the license year.

Motion by Lee Fronabarger, second by Tom Grant.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries

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

Abstain: Adam Loos (Ordinance 2020-28; Exhibit B-08-25-2020)

Action: 8.3 Ordinance Temporarily Reducing the Hours of Operation for Class "A" and "B" Liquor License Holders to Preserve and Protect Residents

Councilmembers requested insight on metro east warnings and the new guidelines; expressed their concern about the recommendations; suggested focusing on enforcing the mask ordinance; stated that this action might be premature; noted their familiarity with the usual hours of patrons; challenges with contract tracing; concern that earlier closure will lead to increased house parties or citizens driving to another county; possibly having something on the books that would kick in if certain metrics are reached; consider the modification of the mask ordinance; holding a special meeting should the need arise; making sure to publicize to whom violations should be reported; actions that SIU may be taking; being proactive and taking the action locally, as opposed to having the Governor take action; noting that the goal is compliance and not punitive action; utilizing other proactive measures; and whether to take action or defer action. Councilmembers shared their individual favor or disapproval of the proposed Ordinance.

The Clerk noted receipt of comments in opposition to the Ordinance from Darian Wells, Michelle Stokes, Brittany Wilda, Austin Knoob, Dylan Mills, Sally Carter, Cierra Crowell, Alex Adams, Kevin Marmo, Meghan Cole, Austin Miller, and Emily Corum. Additional comments were received from Meghan Cole, Walter Witkewitz, and Estrella Godinez.

MOTION: Reject the Ordinance temporarily reducing the hours of operation for Class "A" and "B" liquor license holders to preserve and protect residents.

Motion by Adam Loos, second by Carolin Harvey.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries

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

9. Adjournment of the City Council Meeting 

Procedural: 9.1 Adjourn meeting

There being no further business to come before the public body, the meeting was declared adjourned at 9:05 p.m.

https://www.explorecarbondale.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_08252020-1217