Carbondale Reporter

City of Carbondale Local Liquor Control Commission and Regular City Council met July 12,

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

Councilmembers present 

Councilmember Tom Grant, Councilmember Carolin Harvey, Councilmember Adam Loos, 

Councilmember Ginger Rye Sanders, Councilmember Jeff Doherty, Councilmember Lee Fronabarger, and Mayor John M Henry

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

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 

Nancy Maxwell spoke on behalf of the displaced families of Georgetown Apartments and proposed that the City help these families, both financially and physically.

Scott Davis referenced the Zoning Code, noted safety violations for a clinic elsewhere, itemized occurrences of injury and death, and suggested requiring standards for ambulatory surgical centers.

Cassandra (no last name given) commented on the presence of Jared Sparks, topics covered during podcasts and online, spoke on Christian Nationalism, and used the allotted amount of time for speaking.

Victor Ludwig recited the alphabet, asked that the scooter company pick up the scooters and maintain them, and asked that the Council give more time to consider the murals.

Regina Harp invited the public to call her if they need assistance with babies for placement and encouraged prayer for the City. She recited Bible passages. Further, she invited citizens to contact her with prayer requests.

Chastity Mays invited those who are interested in helping others to help with the displaced families and with health concerns for Black women.

Elius Reed asked if the owner of Georgetown Apartments received an eviction order, if the City has a copy of the eviction order, and if they had a signed lease. Mr. Lenzini responded to Mr. Reed's questions. Further, he asked about the denial of his FOIA request.

Verlinda Newton from Eagles Nest Watch Ministry apologized for her prior judgment of the Council and asked how she can support the Council so that the zoning can be changed.

Procedural: 5.3 Council Comments, General Announcements, and Proclamations 

Councilmember Harvey thanked Carbondale citizens for their participation in the Juneteenth events. She asked the pro-life supporters to direct their energies into protecting lives taken by gun violence and to show compassion to everyone.

Councilmember Fronabarger asked about the demonstration on Friday of the new Electric Scooter company/service. City Manager Williams provided those details.

Councilmember Rye-Sanders thanked those who came to the Eurma C. Hayes reopening and rededication and, in particular, Mayor Henry.

Councilmember Loos thanked Ms. Harvey for her remarks, explained how arbitrarily changing zoning would be problematic, and that these remarks should pertain to City business.

6. Public Hearings and Special Reports

7. Consent Agenda of the City Council

Action (Consent): 7.1 City Council Meeting Minutes from June 28, 2022 Resolution: Approve the minutes from the City Council meeting of June 28, 2022

Action (Consent): 7.2 Approval of Wells Fargo Warrant for the Period Ending 05/31/2022 FY 2023 Warrant # WF 05/2022 in the amount of $290,463.94 

Resolution: Accept the following report of payments made for the period ended: 05/31/2022 totaling $290,463.94 (Exhibit A-07-12-2022) 

Action (Consent): 7.3 Approval of Warrant for the Period Ending: 06/24/2022 for the FY 2023 Warrant 1436 in the Total Amount of $1,021,982.07 

Resolution: Accept the following report of payments made for the period ended: 06/24/2022 totaling $1,021,982.07

Action (Consent): 7.4 Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Enter into an Economic Development Tax Increment Financing Agreement with Thipkhosithkun Enterprises LLC (Carbondale Cycle) for a Redevelopment Project at 126 South Illinois Avenue Resolution: Approve the resolution authorizing the City Manager to enter into an economic development tax increment financing agreement Thipkhosithkun Enterprises LLC (Carbondale Cycle) for a Redevelopment Project at 126 South Illinois Avenue (Exhibit B-07-12-2022; Resolution 2022-R-34) 

Action (Consent): 7.5 Ordinance Authorizing a Budget Adjustment to Increase the FY 2023 Budgeted Expenditures for the use of American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) funds Resolution: Approve an Ordinance Authorizing a Budget Adjustment to Increase the FY 2023 Budgeted Expenditures for the use of American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) funds in the amount of $2,197,056. (Exhibit C-07-12-2022; Ordinance 2022-24)

Action (Consent): 7.6 Intergovernmental Transfer Of Personal Property to SIU and Authorization for the Sale of the Property in the amount of $39,000.00 Pursuant to Title One, Chapter Thirteen, Section Thirteen, Paragraph D of the Carbondale Revised Code Resolution: Authorize the Sale of Lab Equipment to SIU in the amount of $39,000.00 Pursuant to Title One, Chapter Thirteen, Section Thirteen, Paragraph D of the Carbondale Revised Code

Action (Consent): 7.7 Purchase of a Whelen Outdoor Warning Siren in the Amount of $36,647 

Resolution: Approve the Purchase of a Whelen Outdoor Warning Siren in the Amount of $36,647

Action (Consent): 7.8 Award the Purchase of a LED Message Board for Turley Park to T Ham Sign, Inc of Mount Vernon, Illinois in the amount of $52,478.95 Resolution: Award the Purchase of a LED Message Board for Turley Park to T Ham Sign, Inc of Mount Vernon, Illinois in the amount of $52,478.95

Action (Consent): 7.9 Award of Contract for Southeast Waste Water Treatment Plant UV Disinfection Improvements (CIP No. WW1501) to Haier Plumbing & Heating, Inc. of Okawville, Illinois in the amount of $807,730.00 

Resolution: Award of Contract for Southeast Waste Water Treatment Plant UV Disinfection Improvements (CIP No. WW1501) to Haier Plumbing & Heating, Inc. of Okawville, Illinois in the amount of $807,730.00

Action (Consent): 7.10 Approval of Consent Agenda Items Resolution: Approve all Consent Agenda items not pulled for separate consideration

Comments and questions from the City Council included remarks about Carbondale Cycle relocating downtown, appreciation for the Turley Park message board, questions and comments about parking and loading zones for 126 South Illinois Avenue, questions about who determines the timeframe for submitting bids and who determines the details required on the bid form, and question about discrepancy about the business location for T Ham Sign on two of the documents.

Elius Reed asked for clarification about 7.5 and the ARP Funds.

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

Motion by Ginger Rye Sanders, second by Lee Fronabarger.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries

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

8. General Business of the City Council

Action: 8.1 Ordinance Annexing Properties at Bonnie Brae Subdivision MOTION: Adopt an Ordinance Annexing Properties in Bonnie Brae Subdivision.

Motion by Lee Fronabarger, second by Carolin Harvey.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries

Yea: Tom Grant, Carolin Harvey, Adam Loos, Ginger Rye Sanders, Jeff Doherty, Lee Fronabarger, John M Henry (Exhibit D-07-12-2022; Ordinance 2022-25) 

Discussion, Information: 8.2 City Council Discussion Relating to Tourism Options for Carbondale 

Carol Hoffman of Southernmost Tourism presented information about the organizations work. She noted that they have focused on marketing to leisure travelers and haven't been marketing towards sports or group travel, but that doesn't mean that couldn't change. Carol indicated that there are opportunities to work together and they are open to exploring options. Southernmost currently has one employee and contracts out other services, but staffing has varied over the years. Council noted that while Southernmost Illinois covers Jackson County, there aren't currently materials relating to Carbondale, asked whether the focus being less on Carbondale was due to there being a dedicated tourism bureau, asked about the physical location of the office, asked about their sources of funding, inquired about the number of and mechanism for appointing Board of Directors, and made other inquiries about their website and calendar.

ILLINOISouth Tourism representatives Darlene Chapman, Christine Orr, and Andy Waterman were present to provide answers to inquiries and present materials. They have a Staff of 8 people, 21 counties and the City of Highland, their income is membership based and grant funds, each County can appoint two Board members, the City could appoint one Board member, reviewed their social media reach and markets, the areas of focus for their video series and specialized business promotions, reviewed website and application analytics, as well as the frequency and distribution of print materials, as well as other means of outreach. Council asked about how they would ensure our needs would not be overshadowed by the large geographical area of coverage, inquired about the absence of Carbondale Tourism, asked about what was the intention for Carbondale Tourism, recommended offering Carbondale Tourism another opportunity to present materials, remarked on the intent of developing the Superblock and possibly establishing a sports commission, prioritizing additional staff to manage recreation, the limitations of staffing of Carbondale Tourism, tracking who is steering people here, their individual preferences for the companies, expressed a desire to try something new and to focus on social media, the importance of certification for grant funding, asked about the total budget for both organizations, as well as the different levels of membership. Councilmembers gave their feedback, that this was not necessarily and either/or proposition, a suggestion of considering a hybrid model and discussion about whether a hybrid model is permissible, and noting the budget cut to Tourism, to give them a fair chance.

Donald Monty indicated the City Council should articulate on the front end what it wants from the tourism entities, what the deliverables will be, and how you will measure performance.

Action: 8.3 Approve the Lease of Space at the Eurma Hayes Center 

Council asked about the market value of the space, remarked on the progress of the organization and the building, a suggestion that the City pay a market rate, the $450,000 funds given to the Eurma C. Hayes Center repairs, revisiting the lease in two years to discuss paying market rate, expressed a hope that the business will become self-sustaining, if it has been decided which City departments will occupy the building, asked if the City would be paying for the office renovation, remarked that the funds given to the Center were from ARP funds, and asked about the lease terms.

Glendell Toney thanked the Eurma C. Hayes Center for allowing Neighborhood Bible Fellowship to meet there in the 1970s-1980s.

Rosalynn Greer asked what kinds of services would be offered to the community. She spoke about her goals for services and about her experiences.

MOTION: Approve the lease of space at the Eurma Hayes Center.

Motion by Tom Grant, second by Carolin Harvey.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries

Yea: Tom Grant, Carolin Harvey, Adam Loos, Ginger Rye Sanders, 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 City Council, the meeting was declared adjourned at 8:45 p.m.

https://explorecarbondale.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_07122022-1702