Carbondale Reporter

City of Carbondale City Council met Feb. 22

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

Council Members present

Councilmember Ginger Rye Sanders, Councilmember Jeff Doherty, Councilmember Lee Fronabarger, Councilmember Tom Grant, Councilmember Carolin Harvey, Councilmember Adam Loos (6:02 p.m.), and Mayor John M Henry

Meeting called to order at 6:00 PM

1. Preliminaries to the City Council Meeting

Procedural: 1.1 Roll Call

Procedural: 1.2 Citizens' Comments and Questions

Elius Reed asked if the City had hired someone for the Diversity Equity Inclusion Coordinator position and inquired about the Councilmembers' receipt of an email he sent pertaining to a video and a document he received from Jackson County Ambulance Services.

Chastity Mays read a letter signed by organizations that had submitted applications for ARP funding, which application required information from the Vision 2025 Council Goals. The organizations were requesting an extension of the application deadline to March 11. There was a dispute about when the Vision 2025 Goals were updated on the City's website. Council discussed extending the deadline for correction or allowing additional time to submit an amended application consistent with the correct Vision 2025 goals. There was a consensus by the City Council to extend the deadline, subject to formal action at the next City Council meeting.

Diana Sussman requested clarification as to what the consensus was by the Council with relation to ARP applications, whether that was an extension of the deadline or to amend the applications.

Procedural: 1.3 Council Comments, General Announcements, and Proclamations

Councilmember Loos indicated that he did not receive the email from Mr. Reed, as did Councilmember Grant. They asked him to please resend the information.

Councilmember Rye Sanders announced a Narcan Education and Distribution community event on February 25 and March 10.

Councilmember Fronabarger announced that it was the second annual national supermarket employee day and he commended them grocery workers for their work

Councilmembers discussed the mask mandate ordinance in the City of Carbondale and gave their opinions on the matter to give City Staff direction for the next meeting.

Bob Wills from the Eurma C. Hayes Center gave an update on the usage of funds and the improvements completed and ongoing for the Center. He also provided an update on tenants for

the building. There were questions about SIU's involvement and Senator Tammy Duckworth's office.

2. Public Hearings and Special Reports

Public Hearing: 2.1 Public Hearing for Sale of City-Owned Property in the 400 block of North Robert Stalls

The Public Hearing was declared open at 6:40 p.m.

There were no questions or comments.

The Public Hearing was closed at 6:41 p.m.

Reports: 2.2 Presentation from Moran Economic Development on the Draft Amended Project Area Redevelopment Plan for Tax Increment Financing District #2

Keith Moran reviewed a presentation on the amendment of TIF District #2, noting the number of structures to be added to the TIF District, the goals of amending the TIF District, the meetings that had been held to this point, and a general update on the process.

Council inquired about the purpose of permitting proposed buffers and screening, when the Council could expect to vote on the plan, the need for zoning changes to include an overlay district, inquired about the timeframe for zoning changes, suggested an amendment to the proposed timeline, expressed concern about subsidizing development which is destructive in the absence of standards, inquired about placing eligible redevelopment costs and establishing consistent specifications and guidelines to be included in the TIF plan to ameliorate some of the concerns raised.

Sandy Litecky indicated her support for the TIF District, noted the length of time this process has been ongoing, and her desire to see it completed.

Steve Mitchell gave an overview of the current plan and the timing for action; he also noted that some of the issues raised could be addressed through the Redevelopment Agreement.

City Manager Williams agreed that there should be action on architectural standards and an overlay district, but noted that the TIF and those zoning changes were mutually exclusive.

3. Consent Agenda of the City Council

Action (Consent): 3.1 Minutes from the Regular City Council Meeting of February 8, 2022 Resolution: Approve the minutes from the Regular City Council Meeting of February 8, 2022

Action (Consent): 3.2 Approval of Warrant for the Period Ending: 02/04/2022 for the FY 2022 Warrant 1426 in the Total Amount of $2,562,917.50

Resolution: Accept the following report of payments made for the period ended: 02/04/2022 totaling $2,562,917.50 (Exhibit A-02-22-2022)

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 Approve the Purchase of Various Water Treatment Chemicals for FY 2023 Resolution: Reject the bid from Shannon Chemical Corp. Reject the bid from Hawkins Inc for Carbon, 800 Iodine. Reject the bid from Univar Solutions for Caustic Soda. Award the Purchase of Various Water Treatment Chemicals for FY 2023 to the Lowest Qualified Bidders as follows: 1. Liquid Alum to Chemtrade in the amount of $0.1156 per pound (estimated cost of $80,920); 2. Ammonium Sulfate to Hawkins, Inc. in the amount of $0.257 per pound (estimated cost of $20,560); 3. Anionic Polymer to SNF Polydyne Inc. in the amount of $2.090 per pound (estimated cost of $5,225); 4. Carbon to Cabot Norit Americas Inc. in the amount of $1.01 per pound (estimated cost of $25,250); 5. Cationic Polymer to SNF Polydyne Inc. in the amount of $0.810 per pound (estimated cost of $32,400); 6. Caustic Soda to Brenntag Mid-South Inc. in the amount of $0.2254 per pound (estimated cost of $112,700); 7. Chlorine to Brenntag Mid-South Inc. in the amount of $0.8835 per pound (estimated cost of $61,845); 8. Fluoride to DuBois Chemicals Inc. in the amount of $0.2533 per pound (estimated cost of $10,132); and 9. Potassium Permanganate to Hawkins Inc. in the amount of $3.65 per pound (estimated cost of $27,375).

Action: 3.5 Resolution Establishing a 30-Day Public Comment Period to Receive Citizen Comments Related to Applications for American Rescue Plan Act Funding

Pulled by J. Doherty

Action (Consent): 3.6 Acceptance of Deeds and Easements for the Improvement of North New Era Road CIP ST1901 Resolution: Approve the acceptance of deeds and easements for the improvement of North New Era Road CIP ST1901

Action (Consent): 3.7 Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Contract for the Purchase of Real Property Located at 303 South Illinois Avenue in the Amount of $140,000 Resolution: Approve a resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a contract for the purchased of real property at 303 S. Illinois Ave. in the amount of $140,000. (Resolution 2022-R-08; Exhibit C-02-22-2022)

Action (Consent): 3.8 Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Contract for the Purchase of Real Property Located at 401 South Illinois Avenue in the Amount of $256,000, and to Execute an Agreement and Grant of Platform Easement Resolution: Approve a resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a contract for the purchased of real property at 401 S. Illinois Ave. in the amount of $256,000, and to execute an agreement and grant of platform easement. (Resolution 2022-R-09; Exhibit D-02-22-2022)

Councilmember Doherty noted his involvement in conveying the property and in buying it back.

Action (Consent): 3.9 Award of Purchase of Vehicle and Ordinance Authorizing a Budget Adjustment to the Police Department FY 2022 Budget

Resolution: Approve an Ordinance authorizing a budget adjustment increasing the Police Department FY2022 budget in the amount of $47,294 (Ordinance 2022-05; Exhibit E-02-22- 2022)

Action (Consent): 3.10 Approval of Consent Agenda Items Resolution: Approve all Consent Agenda items not pulled for separate consideration

There was a question about the rationale in the purchase a larger vehicle instead of a car. MOTION: Approve all Consent Agenda items not pulled for separate consideration

Motion by Carolin Harvey, second by Lee Fronabarger.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries

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

Action: 3.5 Resolution Establishing a 30-Day Public Comment Period to Receive Citizen Comments Related to Applications for American Rescue Plan Act Funding

It was recommended that the comment period be amended to April 1 to April 30 due to Council consensus during Council Comments to extend the deadline for ARPA grant applications.

MOTION: Approve a resolution establishing a 30-day public comment period to receive citizen comments related to ARPA funding, with an amended timeframe of April 1 - April 30

Motion by Carolin Harvey, second by Adam Loos.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries

Yea: Ginger Rye Sanders, Jeff Doherty, Lee Fronabarger, Tom Grant, Carolin Harvey, Adam Loos, John M Henry (Resolution 2022-R-07; Exhibit B-02-22-2022)

4. General Business of the City Council

Action: 4.1 Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Contract for the Sale of Land in the Amount of $10 to Carlton Smith for Property in the 400 Block of Robert Stalls and to Authorize the Mayor to Execute a Quit Claim Deed for Conveyance of Said Land

MOTION: Authorize the City Manager to Execute a Contract for the Sale of City-owned Land in the amount of $10 in the 400 Block of Robert Stalls to Carlton Smith and to Authorize the Mayor to Execute a Quit Claim Deed for Conveyance of Said Land

Motion by Jeff Doherty, second by Ginger Rye Sanders.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries

Yea: Ginger Rye Sanders, Jeff Doherty, Lee Fronabarger, Tom Grant, Carolin Harvey, Adam Loos, John M Henry (Resolution 2022-R-10; Exhibit F-02-22-2022)

Action, Discussion: 4.2 City Council Discussion and Approval of Staff-Initiated Proposals for the Use of American Rescue Plan Act Funding

Note from Clerk: Discussion during this item extended to approximately one hour twenty minutes. Minutes are not intended to provide a verbatim transcript of the discussion, but rather to reflect the action taken by the public body and to provide a brief summary of the subject matter and discussion. To review the audio/video for the verbatim record, please review the streaming/video archive on the City’s website or contact the City Clerk for assistance in locating the same.

SIU representatives Juliane Wallace, Sarah Buila, and Justin McDaniel were present to respond to questions about SIU’s role and give a brief overview of the violence reduction program initiative.

Council Questions and Comments:

Remarking on the stake that SIU has in addressing this issue; noting other communities implementing similar solutions; an inquiry about how much SIU would be willing to contribute; a request for additional details as to what is believed to be the cause of the violence and what interventions could address it; consider funding the needs assessment first, reviewing those results and suggested solutions, before any further financial commitment; concerns about the cost were expressed both in actual dollars and as a percentage of ARPA funds; an interest to receive more details about what Champaign-Urbana and Normal are working on; remarking on the IML’s recommendation to utilize ARPA funds to provide short-term economic stimulus that has long-term positive economic and community impacts; a desire to know which community organizations would be involved and their role; the need for answers which could be answered by the needs assessment; an inquiry about the length of time to conduct and the method for implementing a needs assessment; the need to coordinate the timing for this initiative and ARPA funding grants to community agencies in order to avoid duplication of both programming and grants; giving community organizations already involved in violence prevention initiatives an opportunity to present their plans first. There was an inquiry as to when or whether the Council had taken action to hold back two million dollars of the ARPA funding and for what purpose, noting that it had not been included in the minutes, to which inquiry two Councilmembers and the City Manager responded and one Councilmember summarized the rationale and intent of the suggestion to hold back said funds. A straw poll of the Council members was taken on whether they felt it was a good idea to consider funding the needs assessment alone before considering any additional funding was approved and a positive result was obtained; additional specifications as to what specifically would be included prior to taking a vote on the needs assessment were requested; the question of juvenile justice was also raised; Councilmembers shared their experiences with and personal interest in addressing the violence; opinions regarding the efficacy of utilizing SIU professionals versus community organizations were expressed; asking SIU and SIH to give details about their financial commitment to this endeavor was suggested; whether SIU staff could utilize their grant writing experience to look for additional grant funding for these costs; the need for a coordinator to focus the actions of the various communities and organizations. Council expressed an interest in receiving specific details about the difference between the $700,000 of the $1,000,000 annual budget to be allocated annually to community agencies and organizations versus the administration and overhead costs. It was noted that the background of the item indicated that the majority of funding would be sub-awarded to community agencies providing the services to implement changes. There was a question as to whether the funds to community organization would be disbursed by the City or SIU, to which it was noted that the purpose was to have an accountability mechanism which identified what is needed and to measure the outcomes. It was suggested to seek Jackson County as a partner. There was a suggestion to have discussion at a future meeting as to how organizations will be able to apply for the sub-grants and which organizations will be receiving those funds. Further, the role of the project coordinator of determining which organizations were able to provide necessary service was suggested, as was a recommendation to ensure that organizations were not receiving both direct and sub-grant funds. There was a difference of opinion about being in touch with and levels of involvement with the community by some Councilmembers. A point of order was raised regarding remarks and the motion before the body.

Mary O'Hara indicated her interest in the budget for a needs assessment, an interest in involving SIU staff with the Community Land Trust recommendation from the previous meeting, and an inquiry in who would be appointing the Project Director Position.

Diana Sussman noted that this is a major issue which community organizations have been working on for a couple of years and stressed the importance of implementation in addition to studying the issue.

Nathan Colombo stated the issue isn't just poverty, but also substandard housing which attracts violence, a need for juvenile intervention programs, shared services and successes being provided by the Center for Empowerment and Justice, noted his favor for conducting the study as opposed to the full amount out front, and indicated that buying a way out of the issue was not possible.

Jason Grenman noted that the Human Relations Commission could be utilized to coordinate community groups and encouraged organizations and citizens to attend and participate in the meetings.

Aaron Lee requested clarification about the agenda item, remarked that education alone may be irrelevant, commented on the mindset which accompanies poverty and its relationship to crime, and noted the importance of inclusion of those people and organizations from the community who are already doing the work and have a deeper understanding of the issue as opposed to a disconnected university.

Chastity Mays commended the Dentmon Center for establishing Midnight Basketball as a gun violence intervention tool, lauded Erica Willis and Abdul Haqq for their outreach, and expressed her disagreement with statements made about the ability of community agencies to address the issue of violence.

Abdul Haqq remarked on the level of funding for community organizations, that community members have been dealing with gun violence all of their lives, noted that he did not support this initiative being driven by SIU, although they have a place in the discussion, that community organizations had not received funding for violence prevention and the static level of funding

that is received, and suggested applying 26% of funds being directed to the African American population in the community and those impacted most by violence.

Sarah Buila noted that the needs assessment requires community involvement and that it reflects the community’s thoughts, not SIU’s and acknowledged the actions and involvement already occurring in the community.

Erica Willis asserted that there are those who have both professional knowledge as well as street knowledge in the community organizations who can offer just as much.

Abdul Haqq remarked on $150,000 in City funds being spent on services which could have been handled without cost by residents and noted that organizations would seek to apply for funding from both to try to ensure one was approved. If both are awarded a meeting could be held to address duplication.

MOTION: Approve the funding request for the Fire Department’s radios, that the City Manager be directed to approach SIU and SIH about financial contributions to the violence reduction program, and that a budget for a needs assessment be brought back as quickly as possible

Motion by Adam Loos, second by Carolin Harvey.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries

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

Action, Discussion: 4.3 City Council Discussion in Regards to Public Safety Police Technology Proposals

Technological solutions to deter and assist in solving crimes, including neighborhood video surveillance, mobile video surveillance units, automated license plate readers, and gunshot detection software were proposed. Councilmembers gave their individual preference for the options that they favored. Questions and comments included concern about mobile video surveillance units being stolen or damaged, the mobility of neighborhood surveillance cameras, what the total costs would be based on the number of units, and whether the payment would come from the general fund; further, there was discussion about the relative levels of violence experienced by certain Councilmembers.

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 8:53 p.m.

https://explorecarbondale.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_02222022-1585