Carbondale Reporter

City of Carbondale City Council Met June 22.

Here is the minutes provided by the council:

Councilmembers Present:

Councilmember Carolin Harvey, Councilmember Adam Loos, Councilmember Ginger Rye Sanders, Councilmember Jeff Doherty, Councilmember Lee Fronabarger, and Mayor John M Henry

Meeting called to order at 6:01 PM

1. Preliminaries to the City Council Meeting

Procedural: 1.1 Roll Call

Procedural: 1.2 Citizens' Comments and Questions

Claire Shelton, one of the co-owners of Shelton's Towing, commented in response to discussion during the towing contract agenda item considered at the June 8 Council meeting. She agreed that the administrative tow fee was set too high and that it has led to an increase in the abandonment of vehicles at tow yards. Further, she commented in response to the City Manager's statements at that same meeting with regard to performance issues with the towing contract.

Rahim Khalil expressed his concern about the City's business programs excluding Oak Street and instead starting with Jackson Street. He noted that he receives support from the neighborhood, but not from the City and asked how this could be addressed.

Procedural: 1.3 Council Comments, General Announcements, and Proclamations

Councilmember Fronabarger encouraged citizens to contact the Jackson County Health Department to arrange for COVID vaccination.

Councilmember Rye Sanders announced a cookout would be held on June 26 at Attucks Park which will include giveaways for young people in the community.

Councilmember Harvey thanked citizens for their participation in the Juneteenth celebration.

Procedural: 1.4 Proclamation for International Widows Day

Mayor Henry proclaimed Wednesday, June 23, as International Widows Day and encouraged citizens to support widows in the community.

3. Consent Agenda of the City Council

Action (Consent): 3.1 Minutes from the City Council Meeting of June 8, 2021 Resolution: Approve the minutes from the regular City Council meeting of June 8, 2021

Action (Consent): 3.2 Approval of Warrant for the Period Ending: 06/11/2021 for the Combined FY 2021 & FY 2022 Warrant 1409 in the Total Amount of $1,428,276.33 Resolution: Accept the following report of payments made for the period ended: 06/11/2021 totaling $1,428,276.33 (Exhibit A-06-22-2021)

Action (Consent): 3.3 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): 3.4 Appointments and Reappointments to Boards and Commissions Resolution: Approve the Mayor's recommended appointments and reappointments to Boards and Commissions

Action (Consent): 3.5 Ordinance Amending the Non-Bargaining Unit Employees' FY 2022 Pay Plan

Resolution: Approve an ordinance amending the Non-Bargaining Unit Employees' FY 2022 Pay Plan (Ordinance 2021-12; Exhibit B-06-22-2021)

Action (Consent): 3.6 Ordinance Authorizing the Acceptance of a Grant from the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal in the Amount of $6,771.41 to Purchase MSA Rapid Intervention Air Packs, Approving a Budget Adjustment to Increase the Fire Department's FY2022 Budget in the Amount of $6,772, and Awarding the Purchase to Sentinel Emergency Solutions in the Amount of $6,771.41

Resolution: Accept a Grant from the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal in the Amount of $6,771.41 to Purchase MSA Rapid Intervention Air Packs, Approve a Budget Adjustment to Increase the Fire Department's FY2022 Budget in the Amount of $6,772, and Award the Purchase to Sentinel Emergency Solutions in the Amount of $6,771.41 (Ordinance 2021-13; Exhibit C-06-22-2021)

Action: 3.7 Award of Contract for Pavement Management Services to Thouvenot, Wade & Moerchen, Inc. (TWM) in the Amount of $97,000

Resolution: Award the Contract for Pavement Management Services to TWM in the amount of $97,000

Action: 3.8 Approve a Request from Carbondale Main Street Declaring Fair Days at the Washington Street Venue and Suspending the Enforcement of the Ordinance Prohibiting Public Possession and Public Consumption of Alcohol within the Downtown Area during the So Ill 7.10 Fest on July 10, 2021 Pulled by G. Rye Sanders

Action: 3.9 Resolution Commending Jessica Bradshaw for Service to The City of Carbondale Pulled by J. Henry

Action (Consent): 3.10 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 Carolin Harvey, second by Lee Fronabarger.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries

Yea: Carolin Harvey, Adam Loos, Ginger Rye Sanders, Jeff Doherty, Lee Fronabarger, John M Henry

Action: 3.7 Approve a Resolution Declaring Fair Days at the Washington Street Venue and a Resolution Suspending the Enforcement of the Ordinance Prohibiting Public Possession and Public Consumption of Alcohol within the Downtown Area During the So Ill 7.10 Fest on July 10, 2021 with an Amendment to the Map Boundary to Extend North One Block to Oak Street and East to the Alley on Washington Street.

There was a question about the boundaries on the map for the Resolution suspending the enforcement of the Public Possession and Public Consumption of alcohol in downtown area. The City Council discussed amending the boundaries for the public possession and consumption designation. It was determined that the boundary would be increased one block north to Oak Street and to the east alleyway on Washington Street. Anne Gaylord asked if the amendment extended to the back property line of the properties on Oak.

MOTION: Approve a Resolution Declaring Fair Days at the Washington Street Venue and a Resolution Suspending the Enforcement of the Ordinance Prohibiting Public Possession and Public Consumption of Alcohol within the Downtown Area During the So Ill 7.10 Fest on July 10, 2021 with an Amendment to the Map Boundaries to Extend North One Block to Oak Street and East to the Alley on Washington Street.

Motion by Ginger Rye Sanders, second by Adam Loos.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries

Yea: Carolin Harvey, Adam Loos, Ginger Rye Sanders, Jeff Doherty, Lee Fronabarger, John M Henry (Resolutions 2021-R-19 and -20; Exhibits D- & E-06-22-2021)

Action: 3.8 Resolution Commending Jessica Bradshaw for Service to the City of Carbondale

Resolution: Approve the Resolution commending Jessica Bradshaw for service to the City of Carbondale

MOTION: Approve a Resolution commending Jessica Bradshaw for service to the City of Carbondale

Motion by Jeff Doherty, second by Carolin Harvey.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries

Yea: Carolin Harvey, Adam Loos, Ginger Rye Sanders, Jeff Doherty, Lee Fronabarger, John M Henry (Resolution 2021-R-21; Exhibit F-06-22-2021)

The Resolution and a plaque were presented to Ms. Bradshaw following the vote on the agenda item.

4. General Business of the City Council

Action: 4.1 City Council Discussion and Approval of the Process for Setting the Price and Selling City-Owned Property Located at 603 East Burke Street

Council’s questions and comments about the process included accepting bids for the best price; whether a minimum bid should be established; remarks about the assessed value from the County; if this process would be used for all property in the future; a desire to cut losses on the continued maintenance; questions about how the process for this property; noting the value of a property is what someone is willing to pay; an interest in selling the property and be done with it; a question and discussion about Habitat for Humanity and this parcel; taking the highest bid and moving forward; a question about what Staff is seeking from the Council; a discussion about the process for sealed bids; a question about why this property could not be sold tonight; a question about utilizing dilapidated properties for firefighter training; and a consensus from the City Council to bring back an Ordinance declaring the property surplus.

Donald Monty provided historical perspective on the development of the current policy which has flexibility built into it and how vacant parcels were usually handled. He shared his perspective about the best process for this specific parcel which thus far has been handled informally.

Gloria Anderson Dove stated that she was interested in purchasing a lot and placing a home on it; she noted that she had come across barriers in learning the process and who to contact about various vacant parcels in the city. Further, she asked if there was a list of these parcels and clear policies available.

Joyce Banks indicated that she had made an inquiry about a parcel and that the response from the City was not clear. She stated she had come to the meeting to learn how the process should work.

Donald Monty asked if placing signage on residential parcels would be of use. Anne Gaylord indicated that the street name had been inadvertently misstated.

Action: 4.2 Ordinance Amending Title 18 of the Carbondale Revised Code, Regarding Micromobility Vehicles and Bicycles

City Manager Williams noted three minor corrections to the proposed Ordinance in sections 18- 14-10.C, 18-14-13.A, and 18-14-14. Council discussed whether to include language in the Code itself or as part of public engagement with regard to bicycle registration.

Marshon Tucker, CEO and cofounder of Swiph introduced himself.

MOTION: Approve the Suggested Amendments to Title 18 of the Carbondale Revised Code, as amended.

Motion by Adam Loos, second by Carolin Harvey.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries

Yea: Carolin Harvey, Adam Loos, Ginger Rye Sanders, Jeff Doherty, Lee Fronabarger, John M Henry (Ordinance 2021-14; Exhibit G-06-24-2021)

Discussion: 4.3 City Council Discussion Regarding the Food Truck Ordinance

Council opinions expressed with regard to the proposal for simplifying the food truck Ordinance and regulations were divided. Concerns about the impact on brick and mortar restaurants and long-standing restaurants were expressed, as were concerns about maintaining protectionism regulations and interest in attracting different types of businesses and the benefits of competition. The Council inquired about differences in the health department regulations from county to county and the language used in the proposed Ordinance relating to the safe driver requirement. There was no consensus reach on this matter.

Jessica Bradshaw shared a recent dining experience in the city and noted that existing businesses could expand to a food truck business, as well.

Donald Monty indicated his inclination to protect current brick and mortar restaurants.

Charlie Howe itemized related factors including disposable income, costs borne by brick and mortar stores, and a need for cheaper rents.

Nathan Colombo commented that a concentration of similar businesses draws traffic to the area, the current lack of activity in brick and mortar restaurants, access to the market for entry-level businesses, recouping lost costs, and noninterference with competing businesses.

5. Adjournment of the City Council Meeting

Procedural: 5.1 Adjourn meeting

There being no further business to come before the public body, the meeting was declared adjourned at 7:44 p.m.

https://explorecarbondale.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_06222021-1435