Carbondale Reporter

City of Marion City Council met Dec. 13.

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 Jay Pardus.

Mayor Absher announced Commissioner Stoecklin has asked to make a presentation. He explained because this is the last meeting prior to Christmas, he wanted to get everyone in the Christmas spirit. He handed out Santa hats to the Council and City Clerk.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Marion resident Jay Pardus told the Council and audience he and his wife spent a glorious Saturday evening walking around the square and the market. He congratulated Mayor Absher and the Council for trying to rebuild the square and the city and expressed his appreciation for their efforts. Mayor Absher thanked him for his comments.

CONSENT AGENDA

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

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

NEW BUSINESS

POLICE DEPARTMENT

Commissioner Barwick made a motion to approve the recommendation of the merit board, Commissioner Barwick, and Chief Fitts to hire Charles J. Welge as a patrol officer at the probationary 1 rate per the collective bargaining agreement. His start date will be January 3, 2023. Commissioner Stoecklin seconded the motion.

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

Commissioner Barwick told the Council the hiring of a new patrol officer is to replace a recent officer resignation.

Police Chief David Fitts introduced Charles J. Welge to the Council and audience. He explained Welge is currently a dispatcher and has worked for the Police Department for the last three years. He was next on the hiring list for patrol officers. He will attend the Belleville Academy starting January 4, 2023 and will graduate April 28, 2023. Chief Fitts announced this is the first time the Marion Police Department will have a father and son working at the same time. Welge thanked the Council for the opportunity to further his career at the Marion Police Department.

BUILDING & CODE SERVICES

Mayor Absher told the Council the city owns three lots along the intersection of Jackson and Harper Streets. These lots were advertised for bid during the most recent surplus property bid.

A bid was accepted, but the buyer was confused as to what could be done with the lots and did not complete the purchase. Mayor Absher said a resident who lives adjacent to one of the lots inquired about purchasing the lot through the mow to own program and ultimately decided to purchase the lots out right. The resident made a small bid to purchase all three lots. City Attorney Wendy Cunningham said one lot is substantially in the flood plain and the other two border the flood plain. She said all three parcels together basically make one lot.

Mayor Absher made a motion to approve Ordinance 3854 directing the sale of surplus property along the intersection of Jackson and Harper Streets. Commissioner Barwick seconded the motion.

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

Mayor Absher explained the city is buying quad plex buildings in the "U" part of Midway Court. The purchase of these buildings will exhaust funds for the purchase of property in the Midway Court area.

Mayor Absher made a motion to approve the purchase of real estate from RLH Properties, LLC. Commissioner Webb seconded the motion.

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

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND MUNICIPAL PLANNING

Economic Development and Municipal Planning Director Glenn Clarida told the Council a commercial development is going in at the intersection of South Court and Main Streets where the battery store is located. They will have to dig in the highway to connect to the sewer lateral. They will have to obtain a permit from IDOT to make this connection. The city will own and maintain the sewer lateral.

Commissioner Stoecklin made a motion to adopt Resolution 2022-22 to request a permit from IDOT authorizing the city to construct, occupy, and maintain a 6" sewer service along and under Illinois Route 37. 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 city's intention is to levy $100 total property taxes city wide.

Mayor Absher made a motion to approve Ordinance 3853 setting the FY2022-2023 tax levy at $100. Commissioner Barwick seconded the motion.

ON ROLL CALL VOTE COMMISSIONERS PATTON, BARWICK, WEBB AND

STOECKLIN AND MAYOR ABSHER ALL VOTED YEA.

Mayor Absher made a motion to approve the RFQ from John. H. Crawford & Associates for administration of the housing rehabilitation grant that will be submitted to the state in January 2023. Commissioner Stoecklin seconded the motion.

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

COMMISSIONER REPORTS

Commissioner Patton had nothing to report.

Commissioner Barwick read the November reports for the Marion Police and Fire Departments.

He reported 1,635 dispatched calls; 1,789 911 calls; 2,747 non-emergency calls; and 296 ambulance calls.

Commissioner Stoecklin read the Water Department report since last meeting. He announced there are shows tonight and tomorrow night at the Civic Center.

Commissioner Webb reported the Street Department has been helping get ready for the Very Merry Marion activities. He said all city employees have gone above and beyond. He said the Street Department employees have been running the leaf vac, patching asphalt, trimming trees, and performing general clean up. He reported the Cemetery had eight burials in November and sold no lots.

Mayor's Chief of Staff Cody Moake reported he has been managing the ice rink. Reservations began the Monday prior to Thanksgiving. The first skating session was on Black Friday. Cody reported there have been approximately 2,400 skaters to date with 500 to 600 additional reservations. He said the city is looking to have skating until the end of February. There are currently four and a half inches of ice on the rink.

MISCELLANEOUS

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

Mayor Absher announced the city had advertised for proposals for interested parties to make presentations for the development of the current City Hall building. Since both parties that submitted proposals had not yet arrived, Mayor Absher moved to recess the meeting until both parties arrived. Time of recess 5:54 P.M. Both parties arrived and the meeting continued at 5:59 P.M. Mayor Absher asked both parties if they would like to discuss their proposals in open session of if they would like to discuss them in closed session. They indicated they would like to discuss them in closed session.

CLOSED/EXECUTIVE SESSION

6:00 PM

Mayor Absher made a motion to go into executive session to discuss a property matter (5 ILCS 120/2(c)(6)). Commissioner Stoecklin seconded the motion.

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

7:07 P.M.

Commissioner Barwick made a motion to adjourn the Executive Session and resume the Regular Meeting. Commissioner Webb seconded the motion.

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

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

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

Meeting Adjourned at 7:08 P.M.

https://cityofmarionil.gov/agendas-minutes/