Carbondale Reporter

City of Carbondale City Council met March 9.

Here is the minutes provided by the council:

Meeting called to order at 6:30 PM

5. Preliminaries to the City Council Meeting

Procedural: 5.1 Roll Call

Procedural: 5.2 Citizens' Comments and Questions

Sandy Litecky announced upcoming elected official candidate forums on behalf of the League of Women Voters.

Procedural: 5.3 Council Comments, General Announcements, and Proclamations Councilmember Grant reminded citizens that Daylight Savings Time begins March 14. City Clerk Sorrell announced early voting hours and locations for the April election.

Mayor Henry noted there are many vaccination timeslots available and online assistance to navigate the registration process. He encouraged citizens to get vaccinated.

Councilmember Fronabarger asked what assistance is available to those without internet service; calling either SIH or the Jackson County Health Department was recommended.

Mayor Henry proclaimed March as Women’s History Month in Carbondale. He encouraged the observation with appropriate programs and activities which recognize the accomplishments and contributions of American Women.

6. Public Hearings and Special Reports

Discussion, Information: 6.1 Continued Discussion of General Fund Major Sources of Revenue for FY 2021

Finance Director Jeff Davis reviewed the individual tax remittances through February 2021. Council inquired about how the federal COVID relief package might assist the City, inquired about cannabis sales tax and including those sales tax revenues figures, and about vacation rental units being included in hotel/motel tax revenues.

7. Consent Agenda of the City Council

Action (Consent): 7.1 Minutes from the Regular City Council Meeting of February 23, 2021 Resolution: Approve the minutes from the Regular City Council Meeting of February 23, 2021

Action (Consent): 7.2 Approval of Wells Fargo Warrant for the Period Ending 01/31/2021 FY 2021 Warrant # WF 11/2021 in the amount of $84,441.53

Resolution: Accept the following report of payments made for the period ended: 01/31/2021 totaling $84,441.53 (Exhibit A-03-09-2021)

Action (Consent): 7.3 Approval of Warrant for the Period Ending: 02/19/2021 for the FY 2021 Warrant 1401 in the Total Amount of $499,382.15

Resolution: Accept the following report of payments made for the period ended: 02/19/2021 totaling $499,382.15 (Exhibit B-03-09-2021)

Action (Consent): 7.4 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): 7.5 Award the Purchase of Four (4) Police Vehicles to Vic Koenig of Carbondale, Illinois in the amount of $79,946, Approve an Ordinance Approving a Budget Adjustment to Increase the Police Department's FY2021 Budget in the Amount of $79,946, and Declare City Owned Property as Surplus

Resolution: 1. Award the purchase of three (3) 2021, and one (1) 2020 Model, Police Vehicles to Vic Koenig, of Carbondale, Illinois, in the amount of $79,946.00. 2. Approve an Ordinance authorizing a budget adjustment increasing the Police Department’s FY2021 budget in the amount of $79,946.00. 3. Declare a 2005 Ford Crown Victoria (VIN#2FAFP71W65X144085 ), a 2004 Ford Crown Victoria (VIN#2FAFP71W54X156730), a 1999 Chevrolet Malibu (VIN# 1G1ND52M4XY150236) and a 1998 Chevrolet Malibu (VIN#1G1ND52M2W6206278 ) as surplus property (Ordinance 2021-05; Exhibit C-03-09-2021)

Action: 7.6 Resolution Approving the Final Planned Business Development Plan for Quattro Development at 1277 East Main Street

Adopt a Resolution Approving the Final BPL Development Plan for Quattro Development at 1277 East Main Street

Pulled by T Grant

Action (Consent): 7.7 Approval of Consent Agenda Items

Resolution: Approve all Consent Agenda items not pulled for separate consideration

Council inquired about the funds for item 7.5 and why the vehicles are not hybrid or electric. City Manager Williams noted that two marked vehicles which were recently purchased and indicated the reason being the prioritization depending on the type of use and a need to prepare the infrastructure.

MOTION: Approve all Consent Agenda items not pulled for separate consideration Motion by Lee Fronabarger, second by Jeff Doherty.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries

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

Action: 7.6 Resolution Approving the Final Planned Business Development Plan for Quattro Development at 1277 East Main Street

Council inquired about whether there was a large water main feeder that runs under the development; it was noted that the line runs under the parking lot and not under the building. Brett Dahlman of Quattro Development noted that Smoothie King and T-Mobile will be locating there.

MOTION: Adopt a Resolution Approving the Final BPL Development Plan for Quattro Development at 1277 East Main Street

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 (Resolution 2021-R-05; Exhibit D-03-09-2021)

8. General Business of the City Council

Action, Discussion: 8.1 City Council Discussion of Community Agency Funding Requests for the FY2022 Fiscal Year Budget

Councilmembers suggested a review of new applicant requests for funding, seeking details about the services they were proposing, utilizing funding from Tourism, whether Sunset Concert funds might be reallocated, suggested one-half funding at the beginning of the fiscal year and then revisiting for the second half, holding funds until organizations are ready to operate, and discussed graduation weekend and SIU retention rates.

After the City Manager requested direction relating to the new requesters, Council began to itemize the details that they were interested in knowing, but it was decided that the full applications would be forwarded to the City Council and then further discussion would occur at the next meeting.

Action: 8.2 Discuss, Amend as Needed, and Direct the City Manager to Submit a Merger Proposal to the Carbondale Park District

Council clarified that this is not an "all or nothing" document, it is a working document, and subject to changes, noted that Park Commissioners and staff were present on the meeting platform, recommended amendments to the language, noted their approval for the report, suggested approving the language, present the proposal, get feedback from the Park District, and discuss, and commended Staff.

Carl Flowers, Park District president, indicated that from their perspective, the district has been the only one pursuing additional meetings, remarked on the referendum process, stated he was still unsure as to the meaning of the term "exploration", that he was not familiar with who might have suggested merging the bodies in 2017, that jumping from lease renewal to a referendum was disrespectful, stated that they are willing to meet, but have not received response from council. Mayor Henry asked if the District will accept and review the report. Mr. Flowers stated if it is sent, then yes, and asked if having select members meet would be better. Mayor Henry noted offense was not the City’s intent. Mr. Flowers also noted that numerous cities and communities have separate park districts.

Council responded to Mr. Flowers’ assertion regarding meeting requests, noted that the last joint meeting was not productive since there was not a drafted plan to discuss, the absence of accountability in committee meetings due to a lack of public presence and recorded proceedings, that this proposal has enough specificity to make it useful, but not so much to make it a take it or leave it proposal, referenced the closing statement of the proposal, noted that this was a starting point for discussions, and suggested being positive as we move forward.

MOTION: Approve the amended merger proposal and direct the City Manager to submit to the Carbondale Park District, as amended by including:

1) Addition of, under “Potential Benefits of a Merger”, emphasis on the advantages of utilizing sales taxes to fund parks and recreation versus property tax, as a large population of users live outside of the boundaries of city limits; and

2) In the closing remarks, adding a notation that in 48 of the 50 states and dozens of cities in the State of Illinois, parks and recreation are already under the jurisdiction of city government.

Motion by Jeff Doherty, second by Tom Grant.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries

Yea: Tom Grant, Carolin Harvey, Adam Loos, Jessica Bradshaw, Jeff Doherty, Lee Fronabarger, 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 7:55 p.m.

https://explorecarbondale.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_03092021-1346