City of Carbondale City Council met May 24

By Angelica Saylo Pilo

Jul 14, 2022

City of Carbondale City Council met May 24.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

Councilmembers present:

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

Meeting called to order at 6:20 p.m.

A Local Liquor Control Commission meeting preceded the City Council meeting.

Prior to the start of the City Council meeting City Staff took a few minutes to expand the meeting room and set out additional seating in order to accommodate the number of people in attendance.

5. Preliminaries to the City Council Meeting

5.1 Roll Call

5.2 Citizens' Comments and Questions

Many citizens of Carbondale and the surrounding areas expressed their opposition to or support of a clinic possibly coming to Carbondale that will provide abortion services. Due to the amount of people and the comments total length of time being close to one hour, the minutes will only reflect the names of those persons who addressed Council during this portion of the meeting.

It should be noted that a sign-in sheet was made available for those who would not be addressing Council, but wanted their names listed in the minutes for the record. That listing will be attached to the minutes.

Citizens speaking in opposition:

Pastor Jared Sparks of Christ Church of Carbondale, Judith Zenati, John Gossett, Pastor Nelson of Lakeland Baptist Church, Regina Harp, Scott Davis, Todd Ryder, Ebonee Crimes, William White, M. Short, Emily, Pastor Ramona Stacey of Cairo, Illinois, and Heather Carol.

Citizens speaking in support of:

Hannah Howell, Chasity Mays, and Cass.

Antonio Ha spoke on racism towards Asians. He detailed an incident with a woman who held him at gunpoint while out shopping around in Carbondale. He said he would like to see a safer environment created for the citizens of Carbondale and more protection in the streets for those who like to walk and bike around town.

Elius Reed asked to be provided with workforce reports showing the number of Carbondale minority residents on local construction sites. He also asked if the soil testing for the Ameren substation project has been conducted yet and if so, has the results been submitted to the city of Carbondale. City Manager Gary Williams informed Mr. Reed that no testing has been done as of yet.

Mayor Henry thanked the audience for being respectful and considerate during citizen’s comments.

Councilmembers Loos, Rye-Sanders, and Harvey responded to citizen’s comments who voiced in opposition or in favor of an abortion clinic.

Councilmember Rye-Sanders responded to Mr. Ha’s comments on racism as well as his incident about being held at gunpoint.

Councilmember Harvey expressed her concern about the current incidents of gun violence in this country.

5.3 Council Comments, General Announcements, and Proclamations

Councilmember Rye-Sanders announced a 3 on 3 basketball tournament that will be hosted by Women for Change at Attucks Park and a NARCAN drive to be held at the Carbondale Towers.

Councilmember Harvey announced that a calendar of free Juneteenth events will be available very soon to celebrate its first day as a nationally recognized holiday. She also announced the upcoming Veterans Honor Flight.

Councilmember Doherty announced the City of Carbondale’s Memorial Day service to be held at Woodlawn Cemetery. Deputy City Clerk Clair Hayes provided additional details.

Councilmember Fronabarger announced the dates for early voting at the Carbondale Civic Center, SIU Student Center, and the Jackson County Courthouse for the June 28 Primary Election.

5.4 Proclamation for Men's Health Month

Mayor Henry proclaimed the month of June 2022 as Men’s Health month in the city of Carbondale and encourage all citizens to pursue preventative health practices and early detection efforts throughout the year.

6. Public Hearings and Special Reports

6.1 City Council Review of Public Comments Received in Regards to Applications for American Rescue Plan Act Funding

James Arndt who provides consulting services for administering ARPA funds gave a summary on the public comments and an update on the community grant process including a scoring matrix that he developed for all of the ARPA applicants. The scoring matrix will assist Mr. Arndt with grant recommendations to bring before Council.

Ella Lacey asked for clarification about the timeline for the ARPA process and when funding can be expected. It was explained how and when the timeline was modified and uncertain as to when funding can be expected.

A few members of Council had difficulty accessing the public comments and/or the ARPA applications. Because of this it was requested for more time to review and come back for further discussion. It was the consensus of Council to allow more time for everyone to review public comments and applications and return for a more in depth discussion at the regular meeting scheduled on June 28, 2022.

7. Consent Agenda of the City Council

Action (Consent): 7.1 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes from May 10, 2022. Resolution: Approve the minutes from the regular City Council meeting of May 10, 2022.

Action (Consent): 7.2 Approval of Warrant for the Period Ending: 05/13/2022 for the FY 2022 & FY 2023 Warrant 1433 in the Total Amount of $1,849,437.17. Resolution: Accept the following report of payments made for the period ended: 05/13/2022 totaling $1,849,437.17.

(Exhibit A 05-24-2022)

Action (Consent): 7.3 Approval of Wells Fargo Warrant for the Period Ending 04/30/2022 FY 2022 Warrant # WF 04/2022 in the amount of $125,124.83.

Resolution: Accept the following report of payments made for the period ended: 04/30/2022 totaling $125,124.83.

(Exhibit B 05-24-2022)

Action (Consent): 7.4 Resolution Declaring Fair Days Designation for Sunset Concerts at Turley Park

Resolution: Approve a Resolution declaring Fair Days for the 2022 Sunset Concerts held at Lenus Turley Park on June 30 and July 28 between the hours of 6:00 p.m. through 10:00 p.m. (Resolution 2022-R-21; Exhibit C 05-24-2022)

Action (Consent): 7.5 Resolution Dedicating $519,400 in Motor Fuel Tax (MFT) Funds to Pay for the Partial and Full-Depth Patching on Giant City Road from East Main Frontage Road to East Walnut Street.

Resolution: Approve a Resolution Dedicating $519,400 in Motor Fuel Tax (MFT) Funds to Pay for the Partial and full depth patching on Giant City Road from East Main Frontage to East Walnut.

(Resolution 2022-R-22; Exhibit D 05-24-2022)

Action (Consent): 7.6 Approve the Purchase of a Screw Press for the Northwest Wastewater Treatment Plant in the amount of $526,774 (CIP WW1804)

Resolution: Approve the Purchase of a Screw Press for the Northwest Wastewater Treatment Plant in the amount of $526,774 (CIP WW1804).

Action (Consent): 7.7 Award of Purchase of a 61'' Cut Ferris Zero-Turn Lawnmower to Coleman's Lawn Equipment of Carbondale, Illinois in the Amount of $13,862.54. Resolution: Award of Purchase of a 61'' Cut Ferris Zero-Turn Lawnmower to Coleman's Lawn Equipment of Carbondale, Illinois in the Amount of $13,862.54.

Action (Consent): 7.8 Award the Purchase of Trimble R12i, Trimble TSC7 Controller, Trimble Access Perpetual License, Trimble R12 Configuration Level, R12i base and Rover Mode Rod, 2.5m Carbon fiber telescopic range pole with bipod and Trimble TSC7 accessory pole mount to Seiler Instrument & Manufacturing Company of St. Louis, MO in the amount of $43,314.

Resolution: Award Purchase of Trimble R12i, Trimble TSC7 Controller, Trimble Access Perpetual License, Trimble R12 Configuration Level, R12i base and Rover Mode Rod, 2.5m Carbon fiber telescopic range pole with bipod and Trimble TSC7 accessory pole mount to Seiler Instrument & Manufacturing Company of St. Louis, MO in the amount of $43,314.

Action (Consent): 7.9 Ordinance Authorizing a Budget Adjustment to Increase the TIF District #1 Budget To Reimburse Terra Herbal Health for the Costs Related to Sidewalk Replacement at 201 East Main Street.

Resolution: Approve An Ordinance Authorizing a Budget Adjustment to Increase the TIF District #1 Budget To Reimburse Terra Herbal Health for the Costs Related to Sidewalk Replacement at 201 East Main Street.

(Ordinance 2022-18; Exhibit E 05-24-2022)

Action (Consent): 7.10 Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Enter a Professional Services Agreement Contingent Upon Award of a Research in Illinois to Spur Economic Recovery (RISE) Grant to Fund the Update of the City’s Economic Development Strategic Plan.

Resolution: Approve a Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Enter a Professional Services Agreement Contingent upon Award of a Research in Illinois to Spur Economic Recovery (RISE) Grant to Fund the Update of the City’s Economic Development Strategic Plan to Accelerate Recovery from the COVID Pandemic.

(Resolution 2022-R-23; Exhibit F 05-24-2022)

Action (Consent): 7.11 Resolution Appropriating $203,500.00 from the Local Improvement Fund for New Era Road Reconstruction Project (CIP #ST1901).

Resolution: Approve a Resolution Appropriating $203,500.00 from the Local Improvement Fund for the New Era Road reconstruction project.

(Resolution 2022-R-24; Exhibit G 05-24-2022)

Action (Consent): 7.12 An Ordinance Approving a Text Amendment to Title 18 of the Carbondale Revised Code Regarding Micromobility Company Contracts with the City of Carbondale.

Resolution: Approve an Ordinance Amending Title 18 of the Carbondale Revised Code Regarding Micromobility Company Contracts with the City of Carbondale. (Ordinance 2022-19; Exhibit H 05-24-2022)

Action (Consent): 7.13 Resolution Approving the Submission of a United States Department of Transportation Rural Surface Transportation Grant.

Resolution: Approve a resolution approving the submission of a USDOT Rural Transportation Grant.

(Resolution 2022-R-25; Exhibit I 05-24-2022)

Action (Consent): 7.14 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 Lee Fronabarger.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries

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

8. General Business of the City Council

8.1 Ordinance Declaring June 19 a Holiday known as "Juneteenth National Freedom Day".

MOTION: Approve an Ordinance declaring June 19 a holiday known as "Juneteenth National Freedom Day".

Regina Harp expressed her happiness with Juneteenth being declared a national holiday.

Motion by Ginger Rye Sanders, 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

(Ordinance 2022-20; Exhibit J 05-24-2022)

8.2 Ordinance Amending Title Five Chapter Five of the Carbondale Revised Code Relating to Temporary or Mobile Sales.

MOTION: Adopt an Ordinance Amending Title Five Chapter Five of the Carbondale Revised Code Relating to Food Truck/Trailer and Pushcart Vendors

It was stated that the only problem with the amendment is that “written permission” should be added back into the language for Private Property Operators. It would be safer for all parties involved if permission to operate on private property is in writing. It was then stated that the concern of written permission and any agreements or fees should be between the property owner and the operator and not of the City. It is strictly between two private individuals.

Mr. Phil Nelson asked what the license fee to do business as a food truck in the City. It was explained that there is no cost to get a license from the City if you are operating on private property. If you are operating on public property in the designated areas then the cost is $100.00 per year.

Motion by Adam Loos, second by Jeff Doherty.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries

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

(Ordinance 2022-21; Exhibit K 05-24-2022)

Discussion: 8.3 Council Review and Discussion of Proposed Design Standards for New Residential TIF District.

The main topic of discussion for this item was clarification on how the proposed design standards work with the new residential TIF district. Community Development Manager John Lenzini and Ashley Gibson, Planner, was present to address any questions or concerns from Council. It was stated that any new modifications made to houses or properties using tax increment financing must abide by the new standards as presented. It does not mean that residents have to change or modify what they currently have. The new standards includes a wide variety to choose from including exterior colors, roofing details, exterior building materials, and fencing. As far as fencing it was suggested that chain link fencing be included in the design standards as some people prefer the openness that it brings to one’s property.

9. Executive Session

9.1 Executive Session to Discuss the Purchase of Real Property for Use of the Public Body, Including Meetings Held for the Purpose of Discussing Whether a Particular Parcel should be Acquired.

MOTION: Enter into an Executive Session to discuss the purchase or lease of real property for use by the public body, including meetings held for the purpose of discussing whether a particular parcel should be acquired as permitted under the Illinois Open Meetings Act 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(5)

Motion by Tom Grant, 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

Open session meeting recessed at 8:37 p.m.

9.2 Return to Open Session

MOTION: Return to Open Session

Motion by Tom Grant, 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

Open Session meeting resumed at 9:08 p.m.

10. Adjournment of the City Council Meeting

10.1 Adjourn meeting