Carbondale Reporter

City of Marion City Council met Oct. 10.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

Minutes of a Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of Marion held in the Council Chambers at 5:30 P.M. The City Clerk was instructed to call the roll and the response was as follows:

PHYSICALLY PRESENT: COMMISSIONERS PATTON, BARWICK, WEBB AND STOECKLIN AND MAYOR ABSHER.

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor Absher.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

There were no public comments this evening.

CONSENT AGENDA

Commissioner Stoecklin made a motion to approve the consent agenda as presented. Commissioner Webb seconded the motion.

ON ROLL CALL VOTE COMMISSIONERS PATTON, BARWICK, WEBB AND STOECKLIN AND MAYOR ABSHER ALL VOTED YEA.

NEW BUSINESS

BUILDING & CODE SERVICES

Mayor Absher told the Council Building and Code Services Director Tim Stotlar is here this evening for questions regarding Ordinance 3835. Mayor's Chief of Staff Cody Moake explained Ordinance 3835 amends Ordinance 2190. The purpose of the amendment is to require hard surface driveways to all accessory structures on all new residential construction. Reasons for the requirement including preventing gravel from getting in streets and storm sewers and maintaining a level of consistency on property. The hard surface requirement is only for new construction. Commissioner Patton asked about a driveway off an existing driveway leading to a secondary structure. Tim said it would have to be a hard surface. Commissioner Patton stated he doesn't think the City can blanket approve all scenarios. He thinks approval will be a case- by-case basis. Commissioner Barwick likes the concept of requiring a hard surface apron near the street. After lengthy discussion by the Council, Building and Code Services Director Stotlar, and Chief of Staff Moake, Mayor Absher suggested the Ordinance be tabled for further research.

Mayor Absher told the Council Ordinances 3836 and 3837 are related. Mayor Absher explained the changes to the electrical licensing requirements that passed recently are not tenable based on feedback received from electricians. For example, every worker on a large construction project would have to be licensed by the City. In this amendment, the contractor would hold the electrical license and would attest to and supervise the work of journeymen. This amendment also increases the bond requirement from $3,000 to $20,000. According to Mayor Absher, the City realized a $3,000 bond doesn't pay for much in a shoddy job. He said Chief of Staff Cody talked with IBEW and they recommend a $20,000 to $30,000 bond. Cody told the Council Ordinance 3836 updates from the 2008 national electrical code to the 2017 version. Commissioner Stoecklin asked about the City's ability to enforce section 10-4-2A of the ordinance referring to a person living in the home for a year after doing electrical work in the home. Building and Code Services Director Tim Stotlar said that was language City Attorney Wendy Cunningham wanted left in the ordinance. Commissioner Patton stated he thinks the ordinance needs to pass subject to explanation of that requirement by City Attorney Wendy Cunningham.

Commissioner Patton made a motion to approve Ordinance 3836 amending the electrical code and regulations subject to City Attorney Cunningham's opinion on the residency requirement of one year. Commissioner Webb seconded the motion.

ON ROLL CALL VOTE COMMISSIONERS PATTON, BARWICK, WEBB AND STOECKLIN AND MAYOR ABSHER ALL VOTED YEA.

Commissioner Patton made a motion to approve Ordinance 3837 amending the electrical license requirements. Commissioner Webb seconded the motion.

ON ROLL CALL VOTE COMMISSIONERS PATTON, BARWICK, WEBB AND STOECKLIN AND MAYOR ABSHER ALL VOTED YEA.

Mayor's Chief of Staff Cody Moake told the Council the regulation of mobile homes was recodified in the 1977 code. Ordinance 3839 would repeal and replace the existing ordinance regarding mobile homes. He said section 2.2 of the copy of the ordinance in the packet has an error. The permit fee of $50 should be $100. Cody said section 3.5(B) should also state the copy of the inspection should be from a certified third-party inspector. He explained the ordinance will ensure any mobile or manufactured home will be 15 years old or newer moving forward. Also, under authority given to the City by the Illinois Abandoned Mobile Home Act (210 ILCS 117), the City can act on violations of the ordinance that are a risk to health, life, and safety. They City can take actions to correct those violations and can remove those mobile homes, if necessary. Mayor Absher added there are some qualifiers to those violations. Cody explained the new ordinance removes language to approve placement in an R-2 zoning district. The new ordinance requires placement in a mobile home zoning district. Mobile homes and manufactured homes are included in the ordinance, modular homes are not included. Commissioner Patton asked about RV's. Cody and Building and Code Services Director Tim Stotlar explained those are currently not allowed as residences.

Mayor Absher made a motion to approve Ordinance 3839 repealing and replacing Title 10 Chapter 11 of the Marion City Code regarding the regulation of Mobile Homes. Commissioner Barwick seconded the motion.

ON ROLL CALL VOTE COMMISISONERS PATTON, BARWICK, WEBB AND STOECKLIN AND MAYOR ABSHER ALL VOTED YEA.

PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT

Commissioner Stoecklin explained the City was approached by Voltus in anticipation of rolling blackouts. They are asking large users of electricity to pull off the electric grid and use a secondary source of power at times. The City is prepared to do this and has back up power. Public Works Superintendent Brent Cain said Voluts is looking for ways to offset anticipated shortfalls with bigger electricity users. Larger users are given six-hour notices to be off the electric grid for four-hour periods. The City would be paid to do this but is under no obligation to participate. He explained both the water and sewer plants have enough capacity with back-up power to operate.

Commissioner Stoecklin made a motion to approve a contract with Voltus. Commissioner Webb seconded the motion.

ON ROLL CALL VOTE COMMISSIONERS PATTON, BARWICK, WEBB AND STOECKLIN AND MAYOR ABSHER ALL VOTED YEA.

Public Works Superintendent Brent Cain explained the sewer line running from the new City Hall building is 11 feet deep and under the footing of the building. The Sewer Department can't make a dig that deep to tap the line coming from City Hall. The Sewer Department will need to run a main at a depth the City can connect to the line running from the new City Hall. A new 8- inch line will run down Print Avenue and connect to a line at Union Street. The businesses on Print Avenue will be tied into the new line. Two bids were received. Skuta Construction, Inc. bid $40,030 and Scott Escue Construction, LLC bid $47,800. Superintendent Cain recommended the City approve the low bid of $40,030 from Skuta Construction, Inc.

Commissioner Stoecklin made a motion to approve the bid of $40,030 from Skuta Construction, Inc. to replace of a sewer main under Print Avenue using Hub TIF funds. Commissioner Barwick seconded the motion.

ON ROLL CALL VOTE COMMISSIONERS PATTON, BARWICK, WEBB AND STOECKLIN AND MAYOR ABSHER ALL VOTED YEA.

POLICE DEPARTMENT

Mayor Absher explained an agreement with Williamson County Education Services was passed at a previous council meeting to provide a school security officer at The Learning Center. As a member of Williamson County Education Services, Marion Unit 2 School District questioned if their school security officer agreement needed the same language. The amended Intergovernmental Cooperation Agreement is an update to the Unit 2 agreement.

Commissioner Barwick made a motion to approve the amended Intergovernmental Cooperation Agreement between Marion Unit 2 School District and the City of Marion regarding provision of School Security Officers. Commissioner Stoecklin seconded the motion.

ON ROLL CALL VOTE COMMISSIONERS PATTON, BARWICK, WEBB AND STOECKLIN AND MAYOR ABSHER ALL VOTED YEA.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND MUNICIPAL PLANNING

Mayor Absher told the Council Ordinance 3838 is a Residential TIF I Redevelopment Agreement with Lane Erectors, Inc. to build three single family houses on Taft Street.

Mayor Absher made a motion to approve Ordinance 3838 a Residential TIF I Redevelopment Agreement with Lane Erectors, Inc. (North Taft Street) Commissioner Webb seconded the motion.

ON ROLL CALL VOTE COMMISSIONERS PATTON, BARWICK, WEBB AND STOECKLIN AND MAYOR ABSHER ALL VOTED YEA.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS

Mayor Absher explained The Pavilion asked for the replacement of the partition wall coverings to be budgeted. These are coverings for the foldable partitions that divide the meeting rooms there. He said the bids have increased since the last time they were quoted. The bid received is over $5,000 over budget but the bathroom flooring project was $31,000 under budget.

Mayor Absher made a motion to approve the quote from Ravensberg for $27,477.00 to replace partition wall coverings at The Pavilion, a budgeted item. Commissioner Barwick seconded the motion.

ON ROLL CALL VOTE COMMISSIONERS PATTON, BARWICK, WEBB AND STOECKLIN AND MAYOR ABSHER ALL VOTED YEA.

COMMISSIONER REPORTS

Commissioner Webb reported the Street Department has just finished the sidewalk on Washington Street. They repainted the Wildcat paw prints for homecoming. They have also been cleaning ditches and box culverts in town. They will be reinstalling the flags around the Square that were disturbed by the construction. The Cemetery Department had 11 burials in September.

Commissioner Stoecklin read the Water Department report since last meeting. He reported the water tower construction is going well and should be completed in the next few weeks.

Commissioner Barwick read the Fire Department, Police Department, and Narcotics Unit reports for September. He reported 1,844 911 calls and 272 ambulance calls in September.

Commissioner Patton had no report.

Mayor Absher had no report.

MISCELLANEOUS

Police Chief David Fitts reminded everyone the 6th Annual Halloween Spooktacular will be Saturday, October 29 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Rent One Park.

IT Director Terance Henry reported Saturday was the 7th annual electronics recycling event. He thanked the citizens, Marion High School basketball and football teams and the Marion Police Department for their help with the event.

CLOSED/EXECUTIVE SESSION

Mayor Absher said there was no need for Executive Session this evening.

Commissioner Barwick made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Commissioner Stoecklin seconded the motion.

ON ROLL CALL VOTE COMMISSIONERS PATTON, BARWICK, WEBB AND STOECKLIN AND MAYOR ABSHER ALL VOTED YEA.

Meeting Adjourned at 6:41 P.M.