Carbondale Reporter

City of Marion City Council met Jan. 9.

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 Barrett Fox.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

There were no public comments this evening.

CONSENT AGENDA

Mayor Absher wanted to clarify tax abatement resolutions on the consent agenda. He explained for years the city has paid the general obligation debt from general funds rather than levying property tax to pay the debt. The city adopts resolutions to abate those rather than charging taxpayers a property tax to pay those.

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

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

NEW BUSINESS

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND MUNICIPAL PLANNING

Mayor Absher made a motion to approve Ordinance 3855 a Residential TIF II Redevelopment Agreement with Castellano Properties, LLC (2005 West Main Street). Commissioner Patton seconded the motion.

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

PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT

Public Works Superintendent Brent Cain told the Council the pump he would like to purchase for the Sewer Department is a backup pump for a simplex station. He wants to have a backup on hand in case of pump failure. He told the Council two bids were received: one from C and C Pumps & Supply for $13,837.70 and one from Buchanan Pump Service and Supply for $18,020.00. He said both bids met specifications requested. He recommended the Council approve the low bid of $13,837.70 from C and C Pumps & Supply.

Commissioner Stoecklin made a motion to approve the low bid of $13,837.70 from C and C Pumps & Supply for a pump for the Sewer Department, a budgeted item. 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 there was a public hearing held last week for a Community Development Block Grant. He said each year the city applies for an Illinois Housing Development Authority Community Development Block Grant. This year the grant is $637,000. It is for low to moderate income housing. The city hires Crawford & Associates to administer the grant. The resolution of support is part of the application process each year.

Mayor Absher made a motion to adopt Resolution 2023-06 a resolution of support for a Community Development Block Grant. Commissioner Patton seconded the motion.

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

City Attorney Wendy Cunningham told the Council item 7B is like what was done last September. She told them the this is required every six months and isn't due for review yet, but she and City Clerk Beasley are trying get the closed session minutes reviews scheduled on a regular interval. She said there have only been three additional closed session meetings since the last closed session minutes review. She recommends keeping the closed session minutes listed in the council packet closed.

Mayor Absher made a motion to find the need for confidentiality still exists with respect to Closed Session Minutes of the Marion City Council per 5 ILCS 120/2.06 and the minutes do still require confidential treatment. 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 Webb reported the Street Department has been ditching along Bentley Street. They have been repairing sidewalks on Eisenhauer and Chestnut Streets and taking down the Christmas decorations. They have also been trimming limbs from the right-of-way on various streets in town. The Cemetery Department had 14 burials in December and sold three lots.

Commissioner Barwick read the Narcotics Unit, Detective Unit and Police Department reports for December. He also read the Police Department report the year. For the period from January 2022 through December 2022 he reported 36,329 dispatched calls; 21,826 911 calls; 41,190 non- emergency calls; and 3,546 ambulance calls. He announced today is National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day. He thanked the Marion Police Department and all local law enforcement officers in the area for providing security for our citizens.

Commissioner Stoecklin read a summary report for the Water Department for 2022. He praised the Water and Sewer Department crews for their work in 2022. He reminded everyone the Westminster Drive overpass will be removed on Sunday, January 15, 2023, and Monday,

January 16, 2023. Interstate 57 will be closed during this time and there will be marked detours. He also announced the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. annual celebration at the Pavilion on January 16, 2023.

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 PATTON, BARWICK, WEBB AND

STOECKLIN AND MAYOR ABSHER ALL VOTED YEA.

Meeting Adjourned at 5:45 P.M.

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