Carbondale Reporter

City of Carbondale City Council met June 28.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

Council Members present

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

Meeting called to order at 6:02 PM

1. Preliminaries to the City Council Meeting

Procedural: 1.1 Roll Call

Procedural: 1.2 Citizens' Comments and Questions

Sandy Litecky asked Council and staff to please speak into the microphone. Ashly Abell noted she would be back for the vacating of right of way on Meadowbrook Lane.

Procedural: 1.3 Council Comments, General Announcements, and Proclamations

City Manager Williams introduced Planning Staff Ashley Gibson, Lauren Becker, Camela Moore, and Molly Maxwell.

Councilmember Loos asked about the City's role with the Clearwave rollout. City Manager Williams explained that Clearwave was working on an aggressive timeline to place fiber throughout the city, noting that if the equipment is placed within the right-of-way, the city does not dictate its specific location. Councilmember Rye-Sanders asked about what authority the City has with regard to placement.

Councilmember Rye-Sanders announced the Grand Opening for the Eurma C Hayes Center on July 9 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and reviewed the invitation and RSVP process.

Councilmember Fronabarger read a statement about the Community Mural project. He asked why the deadline was set for September and about the selection of the artists; further, he asked that the project be re-set.

Councilmember Grant noted fireworks would be occurring at the Arena on July 4, and wished everyone safe holiday enjoyment.

2. Public Hearings and Special Reports

3. Consent Agenda of the City Council

Action (Consent): 3.1 Minutes from the City Council Meeting of June 14, 2022 Resolution: Approve the minutes from the City Council Meeting of June 14, 2022

Action (Consent): 3.2 Approval of Warrant for the Period Ending: 05/27/2022 for the FY 2022 & FY 2023 Warrant 1434 in the Total Amount of $2,193,584.30

Resolution: Accept the following report of payments made for the period ended: 05/27/2022 totaling $2,193,584.30 (Exhibit A-06-28-2022)

Action (Consent): 3.3 Approval of Warrant for the Period Ending: 06/10/2022 for the FY 2022 & FY 2023 Warrant 1435 in the Total Amount of $2,183,892.74

Resolution: Accept the following report of payments made for the period ended: 06/10/2022 totaling $2,183,892.74 (Exhibit B-06-28-2022)

Action (Consent): 3.4 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: 3.5 Approval of the Annual Report for Calendar Year 2021 and the Amendments to the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners Governing Rules Chapters II, III, and IV

Item was pulled by the audience.

Action (Consent): 3.6 Adoption of Residential Tax Increment Financing District Architectural Design Standards Resolution: Council is asked to make a Motion adopting the Residential Tax Increment Financing District Architectural Design Standards.

Action (Consent): 3.7 Resolution Authorizing City Staff to Initiate a Text Amendment to Title 15 to Designate a University Mall Overlay District

Resolution: Adopt a Resolution Authorizing City Staff to Initiate a Text Amendment to Title 15 to Designate a University Mall Overlay District (Resolution 2022-R-32; Exhibit C-06-28-2022)

Action (Consent): 3.8 Resolution Extending the Hours of Public Possession and Consumption of Alcohol During 2022 SIU Homecoming

Resolution: Approve a Resolution Extending the Hours of Public Possession and Consumption of Alcohol During 2022 SIU Homecoming (Resolution 2022-R-33; Exhibit D-06-28-2022)

Action (Consent): 3.9 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 Adam Loos, second by Carolin Harvey.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries

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

Action: 3.5 Approval of the Annual Report for Calendar Year 2021 and the Amendments to the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners Governing Rules Chapters II, III, and IV

Council expressed their individual concerns and viewpoints in opposition to or in favor of the lowering the age requirement for entry-level police candidates; the challenges police departments are experiencing in hiring candidates; noted that training occurs after hiring; requested information from other communities of similar population size that may be opting to lower the education requirement and the results of those efforts; asked for details about incentive opportunities from other communities; suggested exploring the reasons for why it is difficult to recruit applicants; responded to comments made by the public and other Council members; suggested that this proposed change may open doors to more people. Council asked that this issue be brought back to a future meeting.

Cass asked Council to reconsider the proposed changes to educational requirements for entry level police candidates and encouraged Council to hire more social workers like Laterria Martin.

Chastity Mays discouraged the lowering of educational requirements for entry-level officers and noted statistics relating to education and misconduct, as well as inexperience.

Nick Smaligo noted that there may be a relationship between higher educational standards and the relative lack of intense situations; he remarked on the power that police wield, the broken criminal justice system, and that having fewer police officers should be a goal.

Elius Reed asked for the maximum age limit for candidates and the effect of criminal history on eligibility. Chief Reno responded.

Zen Morah commented on military experience not necessarily translating well to community policing and that education could develop situational analysis and a deeper understanding of why crimes are committed.

Bruce Payne noted the risks to police officers and that reduction of force size is not necessarily the answer.

Police Chief Reno reviewed the requirements from regional agencies and other university community agencies; further, he explained the hiring challenges, the training requirements both at academy and field training, and exploring the potential for education incentives.

MOTION: Approval of the Annual Report for Calendar Year 2021 and the Amendments to the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners Governing Rules Chapters III and IV, excluding the one amendment reducing the education requirement.

Motion by Adam Loos, second by Lee Fronabarger.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries

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

4. General Business of the City Council

Action: 4.1 Award of Contract for FY2023 Street Cut Repair Program to Samron Midwest Contracting, Inc. of Murphysboro, Illinois in the Estimated Amount of $228,950

Councilmembers discussed whether to act on the current bid tab or to rebid; inquired about the definition of minority for the bidder; the importance of following the bidding and purchasing process; the importance of fiscal responsibility as one of the Council goals; and whether the issue for the lowest bidder was one of meeting the DBE requirements or the timeline for the process.

City Manager Williams remarked on the waiver process and that the recommendation was to reject the original bid because the process was not followed. Human Resources Director responded to the inquiry regarding how the recommended bid defined minority.

Brian Bush provided details about the bid his company put in, as well as details about his working crew. He noted the work his company has done for the city and that he has not been able to locate workers.

Nancy Maxwell made suggestions for hiring minority workers and the importance for hiring Black employees in Carbondale.

MOTION: Rebid the Contract

Motion by Lee Fronabarger, second by Tom Grant.

Motion Fails

Yea: Lee Fronabarger, Tom Grant

Nay: Carolin Harvey, Adam Loos, Ginger Rye Sanders, Jeff Doherty, John M Henry

MOTION: Award Contract for FY2023 Street Cut Repair Program to Samron Midwest Contracting, Inc. of Murphysboro, Illinois in the Estimated Amount of $228,950

Motion by Adam Loos, second by Carolin Harvey.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries

Yea: Carolin Harvey, Adam Loos, Ginger Rye Sanders, John M Henry

Nay: Lee Fronabarger, Tom Grant, Jeff Doherty

Action: 4.2 An Ordinance Approving, or a Resolution Denying, Shawnee Health Service's Request to Rezone 500 and 600 South Lewis Lane from R-3, High Density Residential, and PUD, Planned Unit Development, to PA, Professional Administrative Office, District, in Order to Expand Their Medical Facilities

MOTION: Adopt an Ordinance Approving the Rezoning of Properties Located at 500 and 600 South Lewis Lane from R-3, High-Density Residential and PUD, Planned Unit Development, to PA, Professional Administrative Office, District.

Motion by Jeff Doherty, second by Adam Loos.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries

Yea: Lee Fronabarger, Tom Grant, Carolin Harvey, Adam Loos, Ginger Rye Sanders, Jeff Doherty, John M Henry (Ordinance 2022-23; Exhibit E-06-28-2022)

Action, Discussion: 4.3 City Council Discussion and Approval of Requests for American Rescue Plan Act Funding

Jim Arndt of Arndt Municipal Services gave a brief review of the process to this point in the development of a scoring matrix for the 51 applicants, noted the ultimate recommendations, and the process which is required to be followed upon being awarded.

Council inquired about the form of payment (at once or installments); a claw-back agreement stipulation; offered additional funding suggestions; and indicated their support or opposition to the recommendations. Additionally, they noted other organizations for which they support funding; opposition to demolition of the old high school building; bringing in a qualified engineer to determine the viability of rehabilitation or demolition; asked about Southern Illinois Collaborative Kitchen being included on both funding groups (ARPA and Community Agency Funding); the rationale for halving the funding request for Southern Illinois Collaborative Kitchen and Women for Change; cautioned organizations that this may be one-time only funding; that Council may not fund these out of the General fund; requested clarification on the proposed action for the item; and whether Councilmembers are Board members whether they can vote on the item. Council inquired about the removal of the kitchen funding for the Warming Center; suggested support for the Carbondale Chamber of Commerce’s recommendation, and inquired about and discussed the process for amending and adding to these recommendations.

Steve Quinn encouraged the Council to include economic development for funding, noted the Chamber of Commerce had requested funding, and how those funds would be utilized.

Ella Lacey asked if I Can Read was on the community agency funding list and explained the funding proposal application for the organization.

Diana Sussman appreciation for funding for Library social worker; need for a kitchen for the Warming Center.

Margaret Nesbitt expressed her gratitude to the City Council and the continuing need of the children in the reading program.

Jane Adams inquired about what Jackson and Williamson Counties are doing with the ARPA funds.

Ama Dameeme asked about funding totals on the community agency funding table. Elius Reed asked if the City Council had considered the 14 project ideas submitted by the public.

Nancy Maxwell asked about a correlation of the scoring matrix and the amount awarded; she urged the Council to award funds to the Carbondale Warming Center.

Thad Heckman noted the Bucky Dome's Board's gratitude for inclusion on the list and responded to Council’s inquiry regarding future plans.

MOTION: Approve ARPA funding requests for the recommended applicants at the recommended amounts.

Motion by Jeff Doherty, second by Carolin Harvey.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries

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

MOTION: Approve funding for FY 2023 from ARP funds for the Community Agency and Organizations: Carbondale United - $25,000, Centerstone - $20,000, Pregnancy Matters - $2,500, Southern Illinois Coalition for the Homeless - $4,132, Titans Foundation and Skills Academy - $20,000, Women for Change - $21,960, and Y’all Rock - $5,000.

Motion by Jeff Doherty, second by Carolin Harvey.

Motion Carries

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

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 8:12 p.m.

https://explorecarbondale.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_06282022-1694