City of Marion City Council met Jan. 23.
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, AND WEBB AND MAYOR ABSHER.
PRESENT VIA ZOOM: COMMISSIONER STOECKLIN.
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor Absher.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
There were no public comments this evening.
CONSENT AGENDA
Commissioner Webb made a motion to approve the consent agenda as presented. Commissioner Patton 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 there are two items under item five that are basically the same project. He said he anticipated there would be visitors in opposition to this project. There were none present. He explained the way the code reads the Council is supposed to act upon the recommendation of the Zoning Board. Tonight, we don't have a recommendation from the Zoning Board due to the abstention of a Zoning Board member. This created a situation where there is not a majority vote of those members present and voting. The reads the Council shall act without further hearing. Mayor Absher said moving forward, in this situation, the property developer will have an opportunity to speak to the Council for five minutes. Members of the public present who are in opposition of the re-zoning could organize and appoint a spokesperson to also give their feedback to the Council for five minutes.
Mayor Absher explained the property on East Main Street is where WGGH currently stands. Agenda item A is for the parcel currently zoned C-1 Commercial. The request is to re-zone this parcel to R-2 General Family Residential. Agenda item B is the parcel due south of that parcel, and it is currently zoned R-A Rural Agriculture. The request is to re-zone it to R-2 General Family Residential. He explained the Council can remand these requests back to the Zoning Board for a decision. He and City Attorney Wendy Cunningham think action should be taken. There have been attempts since November to get these parcels re-zoned. This has not been done because there has been a lack of attendance at Zoning Board meetings.
Developer Tammy Castellano explained this is an eight-million-dollar project to be completed in phases. She is considering planting a tree barrier on the west side of the development. She is waiting on pricing quotes. She is considering a tree barrier because she understands the neighbors' concerns.
Mayor Absher made a motion to approve Ordinance 3856 authorizing a zoning change at 1801 East Main Street, Parcel # 07-20-201-003 from C-1 General Commercial to R-2 General Family Residential to build apartments (Castellano Properties). Commissioner Webb seconded the motion.
ON ROLL CALL VOTE COMMISSIONERS PATTON, BARWICK, WEBB AND STOECKLIN AND MAYOR ABSHER ALL VOTED YEA.
Mayor Absher explained agenda item 5B is the same issues as agenda item 5A.
Mayor Absher made a motion to deny or approve Ordinance 3857 authorizing a zoning change at parcel # 07-20-200-003 from R-A Rural Agriculture to R-2 General Family Residential to build apartments (Castellano Properties). Commissioner Barwick seconded the motion.
ON ROLL CALL VOTE COMMISSIONERS PATTON, BARWICK, WEBB AND STOECKLIN AND MAYOR ABSHER ALL VOTED YEA.
FIRE DEPARTMENT
Mayor Absher explained the amendment to the collective bargaining agreement with the Marion PFFA Local 2977 brings parity in starting pay for the Fire Department with the Police Department.
Commissioner Barwick made a motion to approve an amendment to the collective bargaining agreement with the Marion PFFA Local 2977. Commissioner Webb seconded the motion.
ON ROLL CALL VOTE COMMISSIONERS PATTON, BARWICK, WEBB AND STOECKLIN AND MAYOR ABSHER ALL VOTED YEA.
POLICE DEPARTMENT
Police Chief David Fitts told the Council the Illinois Telecommunicator Emergency Response Taskforce (IL-TERT) is like ILEAS. In an emergency, police departments can send telecommunicators to help another department free of charge. IL-TERT will cover any overtime or shift coverage overtime. He said it is also like MABAS for the fire department.
Commissioner Barwick made a motion to adopt a resolution at the recommendation of Commissioner Barwick and Chief Fitts to enter into an agreement with the Illinois Telecommunicator Emergency Response Taskforce (IL-TERT). This agreement will allow select dispatchers to provide mutual aid to other 9-1-1 call centers. Commissioner Webb seconded the motion.
ON ROLL CALL VOTE COMMISSIONERS PATTON, BARWICK, WEBB AND STOECKLIN AND MAYOR ABSHER ALL VOTED YEA.
TREASURER'S OFFICE
Commissioner Patton told the Council Treasurer Hale would like to promote Jasmine Coomes to Accounting Technician. This would allow her to be cross trained on payroll and to receive pay increases at six-month increments.
Commissioner Patton made a motion to approve the recommendation of the Treasurer to promote Jasmine Coomes to Accounting Technician with a starting pay rate of $21.00 per hour with six month increments to a rate of $22.83 at one year. Commissioner Barwick seconded the motion.
ON ROLL CALL VOTE COMMISSIONERS PATTON, BARWICK, WEBB AND STOECKLIN AND MAYOR ABSHER ALL VOTED YEA.
WATER DEPARTMENT
Commissioner Stoecklin told the Council the Water Department needs to purchase a new trailer for their mini excavator. He explained this is a budgeted item and an old trailer will be traded in. He said two bids were received. He recommended the Council approve the low bid of $10,000 from Ben's Lawn Service and Trailer Sales.
Commissioner Stoecklin made a motion to approve the low bid of $10,000 from Ben's Lawn Service and Trailer Sales for the purchase of a trailer, a budgeted item. Commissioner Webb 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 been repairing sidewalks on Chestnut Street. They have been ditching along South Court Street. They have demolished some houses on Jodi Lane and Midway Court. They are getting the equipment ready for the winter weather this week. Everything is going well at the Cemetery Department.
Commissioner Stoecklin read the Water Department report since last council meeting. He reported the Water Department is sending out the cross-connection survey with the water bills this month. This survey is mandated by the EPA. The trivia question this month asked what percentage of the national population drinks the recommended eight glasses of water per day. The answer is seven percent.
Commissioner Patton had nothing to report.
Commissioner Barwick had nothing to report.
MISCELLANEOUS
There were no miscellaneous items to come before council this evening.
CLOSED/EXECUTIVE SESSION
5:57 PM
Mayor Absher made a motion to go into executive session to discuss a property matter (5 ILCS 120/2(c)(6)). Commissioner Barwick seconded the motion.
ON ROLL CALL VOTE COMMISSIONERS PATTON, BARWICK, WEBB AND STOECKLIN AND MAYOR ABSHER ALL VOTED YEA.
6:44 P.M.
Commissioner Webb made a motion to adjourn the Executive Session and resume the Regular Meeting. Commissioner Barwick 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 6:45 P.M.
https://cityofmarionil.gov/agendas-minutes/
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