Carbondale Reporter

City of Marion City Council met Oct. 24.

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 BARWICK, WEBB AND STOECKLIN AND MAYOR ABSHER.

ABSENT: COMMISISONER PATTON

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 BARWICK, WEBB AND STOECKLIN AND MAYOR ABSHER ALL VOTED YEA. COMMISSIONER PATTON ABSENT.

NEW BUSINESS

FIRE DEPARTMENT

Commissioner Barwick made the motion to approve the recommendations of the Police & Fire Merit Board to hire Dakota Upchurch and Grady Powell as Probationary Firefighters to fill the vacancies made by the upcoming retirement of Lt. Jim Escue and the resignation of Firefighter Alex Robertson, terms per the collective bargaining agreement. Commissioner Stoecklin seconded the motion.

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

Fire Chief Tim Barnett introduced Dakota Upchurch and Grady Powell to the Council and audience. He said Mr. Upchurch is a Harrisburg native who lives in Marion. Mr. Powell currently works for United Ambulance as an EMT and is a Williamson County volunteer fireman.

POLICE DEPARTMENT

Commissioner Barwick made a motion to approve the recommendation of Chief Fitts to hire Tammy Hutchinson to fill the open dispatch position at the probationary 2 rate per the collective bargaining agreement. Mrs. Hutchinson's start date is November 2, 2022. Commissioner Stoecklin seconded the motion.

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

Police Chief David Fitts told the Council Tammy Hutchinson worked 25 years for Illinois State Police as a dispatcher. Most recently she was promoted and is currently the LEADS coordinator for the State of Illinois in Springfield and is retiring at the end of the month. She is ready to start working for the City. Chief Fitts told the Council he and Commissioner Barwick worked with her, and she is an outstanding dispatcher.

BUILDING & CODE SERVICES

Mayor Absher explained the City advertised six surplus properties for bid. One bid each was received on five of the properties. Mayor Absher and Commissioners Barwick, Webb and Stoecklin opened and read the bids. The bids received were as follows:

711 N. Garfield (07-18-329-001) $1,106.00 Yellow Door Builders, Inc.

907 W. White (06-13-410-001) $1,556.00 Yellow Door Builders, Inc.

SW Corner Jackson & Harper (07-18-384-016) $ 506.00 Yellow Door Builders, Inc.

S E Corner Jackson & Harper (07-18-384-015) $ 506.00 Yellow Door Builders, Inc.

NE Corner Jackson & Harper (07-18-384-001) $ 506.00 Yellow Door Builders, Inc.

Mayor Absher stated the advertisement had indicated the City could set a reserve amount. He indicated that some of the parcels are minimally useful properties due to being in or near the flood plain. He expressed disappointment for not receiving more bids but said there are benefits to getting these properties back on the tax rolls.

Mayor Absher made a motion to accept bids for the sale of surplus properties per the schedule for PIN 07-18-329-001 711 N Garfield for $1,106.00 from Yellow Door Builders, Inc.; PIN 06- 13-410-001 907 W. White for $1,556.00 from Yellow Door Builders, Inc.; PIN 07-18-384-016 S W Corner of Jackson & Harper for $506.00 from Yellow Door Builders, Inc.; PIN 07-18-384- 015 S E Corner Jackson & Harper for $506.00 from Yellow Door Builders, Inc.; and PIN 07-18- 384-001 N E Corner Jackson & Harper for $506.00 from Yellow Door Builders, Inc. Commissioner Barwick seconded the motion.

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

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND MUNICIPAL PLANNING

Mayor's Chief of Staff Cody Moake told the Council they have voted to amend TIF redevelopment agreements in the past. He explained as a project develops, other companies related to the developer sometimes incur costs. Ordinance 3840 amending the redevelopment agreement with Barnett Rentals is adding other developers that incurred costs on the project.

Commissioner Webb made a motion to approve Ordinance 3840 amending Barnett Rentals RDA adding additional developers. Commissioner Stoecklin seconded the motion.

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

PUBLIC AFFAIRS

Mayor's Chief of Staff Cody Moake told the Council the purchase of the pneumatic teller system was a request of the Water Department. The third drive-thru lane at the back of the new City Hall building will be used for water customers only and will not be used by the bank. It will be a video teller system that will alert the water tellers when a customer is present. Cody explained this system will allow for better service for water customers and should be considered now due to potential rising costs in the future.

Commissioner Stoecklin made a motion to approve the purchase of a pneumatic teller system for the new City Hall from Monday Security Corporation for $11,780. Commissioner Webb seconded the motion.

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

COMMISSIONER REPORTS

Commissioner Webb reported the Street Department has been ditching during dry weather. They have been working on East Main Street, west of town out by the Refuge, and near the Lighthouse Shelter. They have also been cleaning the ditch behind the sewer plant. He announced the Christmas lights will be going up soon. They have been working on sidewalks on Jackson and Garfield Streets. Everything is going well at the Cemetery.

Commissioner Stoecklin read the Water Department report for the month. He reported Connect 360 will be taking donations for their hands and toes event at the Boyton Street Community Center from November 1st through December 8th. He announced several Halloween events happening at Marion Carnegie Library, the Boyton Street Community Center, the Civic Center, Rose Hill Cemetery, the Oasis, and Rent One Park. He asked two trivia questions regarding the new water tank on the east side of town.

Commissioner Barwick had no report.

Mayor Absher had no report.

MISCELLANEOUS

There were no miscellaneous items to come before council this evening.

CLOSED/EXECUTIVE SESSION

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

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

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

Meeting Adjourned at 5:57 P.M.