City of Marion City Council Met Aug. 10.
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 5:30 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 Mayor Absher.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Greg Portee of Southern Illinois Advance addressed the council. He explained Southern Illinois Advance has partnered with the City for six years. His program depends on the City's support to operate. He thanked Mayor Absher and the Council for their continued support.
CONSENT AGENDA
Mayor Absher announced there was an item on the consent agenda that was duplicated. Items C. and I. are duplicates and item I. should be removed from the consent agenda. Commissioner Webb made a motion to pass the Consent Agenda as presented removing item I. Commissioner Stoecklin seconded the motion.
ON ROLL CALL VOTE COMMISSIONERS PATTON, BARWICK, WEBB AND STOECKLIN AND MAYOR ABSHER ALL VOTED YEA.
OLD BUSINESS
PUBLIC AFFAIRS
Mayor Absher explained the need for electrical service on the Square became evident during last year's Christmas event. With the plans to revitalize downtown, electrical upgrades will be needed. Street Department Superintendent Doug Phillips explained the City plans to purchase six portable power sources. Four will be placed in the alleys around the Square. The other two units will be able to be moved to locations in the City as needed. 200-amp service will also be placed in the tower on the Square. Each source will be locked and can be unlocked for use during events. The City's cost to purchase the six portable units and a 300-foot roll of cord to supply the power stations is $32,809.50. The City received two bids for installation of 320-amp service with 2 200 amp each for four units. The bids received were as follows:
Barnett Electric, Inc. $24,701.25
Electrical Specialists, Inc. $40,083.74
Commissioner Stoecklin made a motion to approve the low bid of $24,701.25 from Barnett Electric to add/upgrade electrical service to the Square, and the purchase of six portable power stations at a cost of $5,048.75 each, for a total project cost of $57,510.75, using TIF funds. Commissioner Barwick seconded the motion.
ON ROLL CALL VOTE COMMISSIONERS PATTON, BARWICK, WEBB AND STOECKLIN AND MAYOR ABSHER ALL VOTED YEA.
RECOGNITION OF DISPATCHER ANTHONY EMERY
Police Chief David Fitts told Mayor Absher and the Commissioners on July 27, 2020 Dispatcher Anthony Emery received an anonymous call reporting an individual was in the process of committing suicide. The caller gave Anthony that person's cell phone number. Anthony called and texted the number until the individual responded. At that time, he was able to ping the phone and get the location of the individual. He then dispatched an ambulance and police officers to the location. The individual is still alive due to Anthony's actions. Mayor Absher presented Anthony with a certificate of recognition and a City of Marion Challenge Coin. Chief Fitts presented Anthony with the first Marion Police Department Challenge Coin. Mayor Absher commented that during his first year in office he has learned just how stressful a Dispatcher's job can be. Commissioner Barwick commented there were 3,008 9-1-1 calls and 5,182 total calls during the month of July.
NEW BUSINESS
FIRE DEPARTMENT
Fire Chief Barnett told Mayor Absher and the Council his department is operating with one less man per shift for each of the two shifts due to injuries. In trying to meet OSHA requirements to staff four men per shift and eliminate overtime costs, he is requesting to hire an additional fire fighter. Commissioner Barwick made a motion to approve the Police & Fire Merit Board's recommendation to hire Colton Griffy at $15.00 per hour plus benefits per the contract. Commissioner Webb seconded the motion.
ON ROLL CALL VOTE COMMISSIONERS PATTON, BARWICK, WEBB AND STOECKLIN AND MAYOR ABSHER ALL VOTED YEA.
CEMETERY Commissioner Webb told the Council three bids were received for the 72-inch Exmark mower at the Cemetery. He also stated this would be an outright purchase with no trade-in and this is a budgeted item. The bids received were as follows:
FB McAfoos & Company $11,839
Mark Williams Outdoor Equipment $12,330
Little Tractor & Equipment Co $11,839*
*This bid includes a $250 in store credit.
Commissioner Webb made a motion to approve the low bid of $11,839 with $250 in-store credit from Little Tractor & Equipment Company for a new Exmark 72-inch mower, a budgeted item. Commissioner Barwick seconded the motion.
ON ROLL CALL VOTE COMMISSIONERS PATTON, BARWICK, WEBB AND STOECKLIN AND MAYOR ABSHER ALL VOTED YEA.
POLICE DEPARTMENT
Police Chief Fitts told the Council the Police Department currently has one spare utility vehicle that is being driven by an officer because the engine in his Taurus squad car is locked up. The Missouri Highway Patrol Fleet Program has a 2018 white utility vehicle available for purchase for approximately half the cost of a new vehicle. The City has purchased patrol vehicles from the Missouri Highway Patrol in the past. The total cost of the vehicle and necessary equipment will not exceed $33,000. Commissioner Barwick made a motion to approve the purchase of a replacement patrol vehicle from the Missouri Highway Patrol Fleet Program for total purchase and equipment not to exceed $33,000; a budgeted item. Commissioner Stoecklin seconded the motion.
ON ROLL CALL VOTE COMMISSIONERS PATTON, BARWICK, WEBB AND STOECKLIN AND MAYOR ABSHER ALL VOTED YEA.
BUILDING & CODE SERVICES
Mayor's Chief of Staff Cody Moake told the Council the requested zoning changes on North State Street are for Mandala Gardens. This is an event venue owned by Greg Reid located across the street from the playground at Lincoln School. Mr. Reid held three weddings here in July. If the zoning changes are approved, he will work on the parking area in front of the venue. Cody mentioned that none of the neighbors voiced opposition to the zoning changes. Commissioner Webb made a motion to affirm the Zoning Board's approval of a zoning change at 1702 N. State Street PIN 07-07-351-001 and 1704 N. State Street PIN 07-07-301-007 from RA-Rural Agriculture to C-1 General Commercial. Commissioner Patton 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 told the Council Ordinance 3638 makes a technical change to the Zoning Board of Appeals. In 2013 when the number of Zoning Board members was reduced, the number of members constituting a quorum was not changed. Ordinance 3638 makes that change to the City code and Ordinance 1148. Commissioner Stoecklin made a motion to approve Ordinance 3638 amending Ordinance 1148 providing a technical change to the Zoning Board of Appeals. Commissioner Barwick seconded the motion.
ON ROLL CALL VOTE COMMISSONERS PATTON, BARWICK, WEBB AND STOECKLIN AND MAYOR ABSHER ALL VOTED YEA.
Mayor Absher told the Council Ordinance 3639 requiring deposits for demolition permits is necessary because the Building and Code Services Department has a hard time getting demolitions completed. Commissioner Patton made a motion to approve Ordinance 3639 amending Ordinance 1972 providing for a deposit to any contractor applying for a demolition permit to ensure work is completed in full. Commissioner Webb seconded the motion.
ON ROLL CALL VOTE COMMISSIONERS PATTON, BARWICK, WEBB AND STOECKLIN AND MAYOR ABSHER ALL VOTED YEA.
Mayor Absher explained there is an ordinance regulating Non-Owner-Occupied housing in the City. This is the ordinance that covers the inspections of rental properties. He explained that at some time, an amendment was made to exclude contract for deeds from this ordinance. He said a landlord registry needs to be created. Mayor Absher, the Commissioners and City Attorney Wendy Cunningham had a lengthy discussion about the process for registering and inspecting contract for deeds. Commissioner Patton recommended the ordinance be tabled. Mayor Absher announced no action will be taken on Ordinance 3641. It will be tabled for further discussion.
Mayor Absher handed out sealed bids for City owned properties to the Commissioners, Police Chief Fitts, City Attorney Cunningham, Economic Development and Municipal Planning Director Glenn Clarida, Street Superintendent Doug Phillips and Public Works Superintendent Brent Cain. He asked Chief of Staff Cody Moake to tabulate the bids as they were read. Chief of Staff Moake showed Mayor Absher the bid tabulation on his laptop computer. Mayor Absher made a motion to accept bids for City owned properties advertised for sale as they were read rejecting the lower bid on Pickett Lane and disallowing the bid on 1002 N McLaren street as it is going back to the owner. 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 Absher told the Council Ordinance 3640 is for a redevelopment agreement with his friend and competitor, car dealer Jeff Mayer. Mr. Mayer has purchased the Goodall building on the Square and has a passion to renovate it. He also has other downtown projects in the works. Mayor Absher made a motion to approve Ordinance 3640 authorizing a redevelopment agreement with JM Vision, LLC. Commissioner Barwick seconded the motion.
ON ROLL CALL VOTE COMMISSIONERS PATTON, BARWICK, WEBB AND STOECKLIN AND MAYOR ABSHER ALL VOTED YEA.
PUBLIC AFFAIRS Mayor Absher explained it is normal routine in the City that on May 1st each year, the City, at minimum, tries to keep up with cost of living adjustments for employees. This May was unique in that the City was in the middle of a pandemic and the economic future of the City was uncertain. He had asked that those adjustments be deferred until the City had more data to determine the economic outlook for future months. He told the Council the City is in excellent economic shape and is faring much better than many of the surrounding towns. In fact, the sales tax revenue for May 2020 was more than the revenue collected in May 2019. Mayor Absher stated he would like to give the employees cost of living adjustments now that the City is in good economic shape. Mayor Absher made a motion to approve employee pay adjustments as per the schedule. Commissioner Webb seconded the motion.
ON ROLL CALL VOTE COMMISSIONERS PATTON, BARWICK, WEBB AND STOECKLIN AND MAYOR ABSHER ALL VOTED YEA.
COMMISSIONER REPORTS Commissioner Patton reported he believes the City is on track with the sales tax revenue. In looking at recent reports from the Illinois Department of Revenue, the only City in Southern Illinois doing better than Marion is O'Fallon.
Mayor Absher commented he is proud of and for the merchants in Marion.
Commissioner Webb reported the Street Department continues work on sidewalks, cleaning ditches and striping streets. They have also been helping the Building and Code Services Department clean up yards around town. He reported with all the recent rain, the grass keeps growing at the Cemetery and the employees are doing a good job keeping up with the mowing and trimming.
Commissioner Stoecklin read the Water and Sewer Department Report for July. He commented he found a copy of a water bill from 1943 and the minimum bill then was $1.50. He reported the Pavilion will be having Food Truck Fridays and movies on the lawn each Friday starting August 21, 2020. The registration fee for the Food Trucks is $45 per Friday. Applications and registration fees will be accepted at the Pavilion until Friday, August 14, 2020. The first Fridays of September and October will not have Food Truck Fridays due to other events scheduled at the Pavilion. He also stated he had taken a photo of the trash left on the Town & Country Shopping Center parking lot near old theater location and posted it to Facebook. He challenged the teens in town to keep the trash picked up from the parking lot.
Commissioner Barwick read the Police Department, Detective Unit and Narcotics Unit Reports for July. He reported there were 3,008 9-1-1 calls and 5,182 dispatched calls in July. He also read the Fire Department Report for July. The Fire Department had 83 incidents during the month. Commissioner Barwick gave a shout out to the Fire, Police and Dispatchers for doing a tremendous job and gave them his full support.
Mayor Absher commented the sale of the Illinois Star Centre Mall has been reported in the media. He stated he didn't want to make any comments but wanted to let the new owners comment on their plans for the property. Mayor Absher stated the sale is concluded and the litigation against the City has been dismissed. The sale was completed with no cost to the City and the taxing bodies will recoup some of the back taxes they are owed.
6:55 P.M. Mayor Absher made a motion to go into Executive Session to discuss Sale or Lease of Public Property 5 ILCS 120/206). Commissioner Webb seconded the motion.
ON ROLL CALL VOTE COMMISSIONERS PATTON, BARWICK, WEBB AND STOECKLIN AND MAYOR ABSHER ALL VOTED YEA.
8:03 P.M. Commissioner Stoecklin made a motion to adjourn the Executive Session and resume the Regular Meeting. 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 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 8:04 P.M.
https://cityofmarionil.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Council-Minutes-08102020.pdf
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