Carbondale Reporter

City of Carbondale City Council met Aug. 9.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

Council Members present

Councilmember Carolin Harvey, Councilmember Adam Loos, Councilmember Ginger Rye Sanders, Councilmember Lee Fronabarger, Councilmember Tom Grant, 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

The following citizens addressed the City Council during Citizens' Comments and Questions: Donald Monty, Tess Turl, Justin Zurlinden, James Cooper, Jr., Sandy Litecky, Latreasa Lilly Madison, Adam Turl, Elius Reed, Corey Scales, and Stan Lieber.

Procedural: 1.3 Council Comments, General Announcements, and Proclamations

Councilmember Harvey thanked the public both in the Council Chambers and watching from home who participate in and view the meetings.

Councilmember Loos noted that there will be an election in the spring and encouraged citizens to know where the candidates stand on the issues.

2. Public Hearings and Special Reports

Information: 2.1 Recognition of the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting Award from the Government Finance Officers Association for the City's Fiscal Year 2021 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR)

The City of Carbondale has been awarded the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for its FY 2021 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR). This is the 30th consecutive year the City has been recognized; this certificate is the result of the hard work and dedication of both the employees of the City of Carbondale's Accounting Division and the staff of the City's auditors Kerber, Eck, & Braeckel. The efforts of City Comptroller, Mary Ann Denning; Senior Accountant, Kaprice Whittington; Accounting Specialists, Theola Koonce and Sandy McCoy (retired); as well as KEB Partner, Mark Dallas; Senior auditor, Amber Leslie; and staff accountant, Steven Taylor were recognized.

Information: 2.2 Historic Preservation Award Presentation for 409 West Monroe Street, 601 East Main Street, and 2607 West Sunset Drive

Mayor Henry presented the Historic Preservation awards to the owners of 409 West Monroe Street and 2607 West Sunset Drive. Council asked about the number and location of formally designated properties.

3. Consent Agenda of the City Council

Action (Consent): 3.1 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes from July 12, 2022 Resolution: Approve the minutes from the regular City Council meeting of July 12, 2022

Action (Consent): 3.2 Approval of Warrant for the Period Ending: 07/08/2022 for the FY 2023 Warrant 1437 in the Total Amount of $1,002,900.83

Resolution: Accept the following report of payments made for the period ended: 07/08/2022 totaling $1,002,900.83 (Exhibit A-08-09-2022)

Action (Consent): 3.3 Approval of Warrant for the Period Ending: 07/22/2022 for the FY 2023 Warrant 1438 in the Total Amount of $916,146.42

Resolution: Accept the following report of payments made for the period ended: 07/22/2022 totaling $916,146.42 (Exhibit B-08-09-2022)

Action (Consent): 3.4 Approval of Wells Fargo Warrant for the Period Ending 06/30/2022 FY 2023 Warrant # WF 06/2022 in the amount of $112,639.55

Resolution: Accept the following report of payments made for the period ended: 06/30/2022 totaling $112,639.55 (Exhibit C-08-09-2022)

Action (Consent): 3.5 Appointments and Reappointments to Boards and Commissions Resolution: Council is requested to concur with the Mayor's recommended reappointments to Boards and Commissions

Action (Consent): 3.6 Ordinance Authorizing a Budget Adjustment to Increase the FY 2023 Budgeted Expenditures for the purchase of 1501 W Main St. Carbondale, Illinois Resolution: Approve an Ordinance Authorizing a Budget Adjustment to Increase the FY 2023 Budgeted Expenditures for the purchase of 1501 W Main St. Carbondale, IL in the amount of $165,887. (Ordinance 2022-26; Exhibit D-08-09-2022)

Action (Consent): 3.7 Ordinance Authorizing a Budget Adjustment to Increase the FY 2023 Budgeted Expenditures for the Purchase of Vehicles Authorized by the City Council in FY 2022 and Received in FY 2023

Resolution: Approve an Ordinance Authorizing a Budget Adjustment to Increase the FY 2023 Budgeted Expenditures for the purchase of vehicles authorized by council in FY 2022 and received in FY 2023 in the amount of $94,131. (Ordinance 2022-27; Exhibit E-08-09-2022)

Action (Consent): 3.11 Approval of Consent Agenda Items

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

Council noted the purchase of 1501 West Main Street is for the expansion of Turley Park, asked about Agenda Item 3.8, specifically, what work would be completed, and about Agenda Item 3.10, about the portability of the mobile units, the functionality of the devices, and the use or retention of data. Members of the public asked about the use of the plate readers for warrants from other states, particularly regarding those seeking abortion services in Illinois and urged holding off action on this item.

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, Lee Fronabarger, Tom Grant, John M Henry

4. General Business of the City Council

Action: 4.1 Resolution Approving the Final Amended Planned Unit Development (PUD) Plan for NeuroRestorative Assisted Living Facility at 1300 East Walnut Street

Council comments and questions included asking about screening for a generator, a preference to have a special meeting to approve before a project begins, establishing consistent rules and guidelines up front, and individual responses regarding the process and preferences.

Don Monty asked if there was there an already approved final planned unit development plan that was being amended, noted the project is already in process without Council approval, and itemized specific technical questions about the plan. John Lenzini responded to those inquiries.

Elius Reed asked if City, State, or Federal funds were involved, worker status, and the total cost of the project.

MOTION: Adopt a Resolution Approving the Final Amended PUD Plan for the NeuroRestorative Assisted Living Facility at 1300 East Walnut Street

Motion by Ginger Rye Sanders, second by Lee Fronabarger.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries

Yea: Carolin Harvey, Adam Loos, Ginger Rye Sanders, Lee Fronabarger, Tom Grant, John M Henry (Resolution 2022-R-35; Exhibit F-08-09-2022)

Action, Discussion: 4.2 Discussion Relating to the Licensing or Registration of Taxicabs and Transportation Network Company Drivers

Councilmembers indicated their support for the first proposed option, for equalizing the treatment of cab companies and TNCs, disagreement with rescinding of Title Nine as it contains other provisions other than licensing, support for eliminating the barriers and modernizing language, requiring proof of insurance before drivers or companies are listed on the City’s proposed transportation page, a need to continue work on local transportation system, noting the demand will increase, and a preference to retain background checks. There were responses to some citizen remarks.

Corey Scales, owner of Quality Cab, noted the process that he is required to follow versus unlicensed drivers or non-registered cab companies. He commented on his customer service versus Uber.

Don Monty stated companies should provide the City with a list of approved drivers for our jurisdiction, and making an effort to determine illegitimate drivers versus legitimate drivers.

Cass expressed concern about TNC businesses and their business practices, noting the number of lawsuits against the companies and drivers, indicated favor for amending Title Nine, particularly removing the "moral turpitude" clause, and stated that unlicensed taxi driver information could be obtained from Facebook.

Kimberly Hoffmann wants to address an issue about Jackson County Transit.

Steve Quinn, Carbondale Chamber of Commerce, noted that SIU and the Chamber have collaborated on the challenges faced with transportation options in Carbondale.

Victor Ludwig warned not to depend on self-limiting for Uber, there are not enough drivers to really have that work as the market share is insufficient. He was not in favor of changes to help a large corporation like Uber.

Action: 4.3 Resolution Providing for and Requiring the Submission of a Binding Public Question Concerning the Home Rule Authority of the City of Carbondale

There was a suggestion from the Council to capitalize the words “keep” and “lose”.

MOTION: Adopt a Resolution Providing for and Requiring the Submission of a Binding Public Question Concerning the Home Rule Authority of the City of Carbondale, with amended capitalized wording for “Keep” and “Lose”.

Motion by Tom Grant, second by Carolin Harvey.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries

Yea: Carolin Harvey, Adam Loos, Ginger Rye Sanders, Lee Fronabarger, Tom Grant, John M Henry (Resolution 2022-R-36; Exhibit G-08-09-2022)

5. Adjournment of the City Council Meeting

Procedural: 5.1 Adjourn meeting

There being no further business to come before the City Council, the meeting was declared adjourned at 7:54 p.m.

https://explorecarbondale.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_08092022-1708