City of Marion City Council met March 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: COMMISSIONER PATTON ACTING AS MAYOR PRO- TEM, AND COMMISSIONERS BARWICK, WEBB AND STOECKLIN. ABSENT: MAYOR ABSHER
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Commissioner Patton.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Commissioner Patton read a proclamation recognizing March 12, 2023 through March 18, 2023 as Girl Scouts Week. The Girl Scouts present handed out cookies to the Council.
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 ALL VOTED YEA. MAYOR ABSHER ABSENT.
NEW BUSINESS
POLICE DEPARTMENT
Commissioner Barwick made a motion to approve the recommendation of Commissioner Barwick and Chief Fitts to purchase five Ford Interceptors for patrol, one Ford Interceptor for the K9 unit, and one Ford Interceptor for the Investigations Unit from Morrow Brothers Ford for an estimated total cost of $336,000. Commissioner Webb seconded the motion.
ON ROLL CALL VOTE COMMISSIONERS PATTON, BARWICK, WEBB AND STOECKLIN ALL VOTED YEA. MAYOR ABSHER ABSENT.
Commissioner Barwick told the Council these vehicles are budgeted for FY 2024 but must be ordered early to ensure availability.
Police Chief David Fitts told the Council all five vehicles will be equipped with light bars, sirens, cages, etc. He said they will need graphics and radio equipment. He thinks they will be ready to pick up sometime in June and will go to Novacom for radio installation. He thinks they should be ready to place in service by the end of June or early July.
Commissioner Barwick made a motion to approve the recommendation of Commissioner Barwick and Chief Fitts to purchase Axon body-worn cameras and in-car cameras for a total cost of $917,510.40. The cost of the cameras will be spread out over five annual payments of approximately $183,502.08. Commissioner Webb seconded the motion.
ON ROLL CALL VOTE COMMISSIONERS PATTON, BARWICK, WEBB AND STOECKLIN ALL VOTED YEA. MAYOR ABSHER ABSENT.
Commissioner Barwick told the Council these items will be paid out of the FY 2024 budget and are mandated by the Illinois Safety Act. He explained due to lead times, they must be ordered now.
Commissioner Barwick made a motion to approve the recommendation of Commissioner Barwick and Chief Fitts to purchase 10 Axon taser X7's for a total cost of $27,600. Commissioner Webb seconded the motion.
ON ROLL CALL VOTE COMMISSIONERS PATTON, BARWICK, WEBB AND STOECKLIN ALL VOTED YEA. MAYOR ABSHER ABSENT.
Commissioner Barwick told the Council the tasers will be paid from the FY 2024 budget. Chief Fitts explained the department is replacing X2 model tasers with X7 model tasers. He said there are already some X7 model tasers being used, but the department needs to have everyone using the same model since the new models will sync with the body cameras and car cameras.
Commissioner Barwick told the Council all positions being hired on tonight's agenda are replacing officers that have either taken other positions or are leaving policing.
Commissioner Barwick made a motion to approve the recommendation of the merit board, Commissioner Barwick, and Chief Fitts to hire Matthew Keltner as a patrol officer at the probationary two rate per the collective bargaining agreement, Keltner's start date will be March 21, 2023. Commissioner Stoecklin seconded the motion.
ON ROLL CALL VOTE COMMISSIONERS PATTON, BARWICK, WEBB AND STOECKLIN ALL VOTED YEA. MAYOR ABSHER ABSENT.
Chief Fitts introduced Matthew Keltner to the Council. He told them Keltner has fourteen years of experience with the Franklin County Sheriff's Department. His brother is an officer in Marion.
Commissioner Barwick made a motion to approve the recommendation of the merit board, Commissioner Barwick, and Chief Fitts to hire Justin Goodman as a patrol officer at the probationary two rate per the collective bargaining agreement. Goodman's start date will be March 22, 2023. Commissioner Stoecklin seconded the motion.
ON ROLL CALL VOTE COMMISIONERS PATTON, BARWICK, WEBB AND STOECKLIN ALL VOTED YEA. MAYOR ABSHER ABSENT.
Chief Fitts introduced Justin Goodman to the Council. He told them Goodman has two years of experience with Massac County Sheriff's Department and served three years active duty with the United States Army.
Commissioner Barwick made a motion to approve the recommendation of the merit board, Commissioner Barwick, and Chief Fitts to hire Chelsea Jansco as a patrol officer at the probationary two rate per the collective bargaining agreement. Jansco's start date will be March 27, 2023. Commissioner Webb seconded the motion.
ON ROLL CALL VOTE COMMISSIONERS PATTON, BARWICK, WEBB AND STOECKLIN ALL VOTED YEA. MAYOR ABSHER ABSENT.
Chief Fitts told the Council Jansco could not be here tonight as she is finishing her last two weeks with the Franklin County Sheriff's Department.
Commissioner Barwick made a motion to approve the recommendation of the merit board, Commissioner Barwick, and Chief Fitts to hire Dillon Turk as a patrol officer at the probationary two rate per the collective bargaining agreement. Turk's start date will be March 28, 2023. Commissioner Webb seconded the motion.
ON ROLL CALL VOTE COMMISSIONERS PATTON, BARWICK, WEBB AND STOECKLIN ALL VOTED YEA. MAYOR ABSHER ABSENT.
Chief Fitts introduced Dillon Turk to the Council. He told the them Turk has prior experience with Carbondale Police Department and Johnston City Police Department.
Commissioner Barwick made a motion to approve the recommendation of the merit board, Commissioner Barwick, and Chief Fitts to hire Rohan Cook as a patrol officer at the probationary one rate per the collective bargaining agreement. Cook's start date will be April 3, 2023. Commissioner Stoecklin seconded the motion.
ON ROLL CALL VOTE COMMISSIONERS PATTON, BARWICK, WEBB AND STOECKLIN ALL VOTED YEA. MAYOR ABSHER ABSENT.
Chief Fitts introduced Rohan Cook to the Council. He told them Cook has no prior policing experience. He will be attending the academy in May. He is a Marion High School graduate and veteran of the United States Army. He is currently an Army Recruiter and will be serving in the National Guard while working at the Police Department.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Two gentlemen from the audience asked if they could address the Council. Justin Lawrence, President of the Heartland Bull Riders Association and Co-Vice President for the Associated Saddle Club of Southern Illinois and J.D. Mathis spoke about proposed changes to the Shawnee National Forest. They explained the federal government is proposing to the change the Shawnee National Forest to a National Park. They said there are several concerns with the potential change. The Shawnee National Forest currently operates under the U.S. Department of Agriculture. With the proposed change, it would operate under the U.S. Department of the Interior. With the change, there would be different laws and rules that would affect hunting and tourism. They believe the change would affect tourism in Southern Illinois and the regional economy. They asked the Council to write letters of opposition to send to Congress.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND MUNICIPAL PLANNING
Mayor's Chief of Staff Cody Moake told the Council there are some changes to be made to the TIF assignment agreement between JMB Development and Meyer Oil Co. He told them he had placed an updated plat at each of their desks. He explained lot six and lot three A on the plat should be included in the agreement. Meyer Oil Co. is purchasing them from the original developer and will close on the property this week. He also explained the original developer has a sales tax agreement on the property that will be transferred to the new owner. That was not included in the assignment agreement language and will need to be changed. The sales tax benefit will start immediately when Meyer starts generating sales tax and will be capped at ten years. In the assignment, Meyer will also get the TIF benefits of the original developer. The TIF benefits will not transfer until September 1, 2036. This allows the original developer to get ten years of real estate tax benefit. Cody explained both parties have agreed to these incentives. The action being taken tonight is just to approve the assignment of the incentives. Cody told them a truck stop will be built on the property being sold to Meyer and a fence will be erected around the property.
Commissioner Barwick made a motion to approve assigning a portion of a TIF Redevelopment Agreement with JMB Development to Meyer Oil Co. Commissioner Stoecklin seconded the motion.
ON ROLL CALL VOTE COMMISSIONERS PATTON, BARWICK, WEBB AND STOECKLIN ALL VOTED YEA. MAYOR ABSHER ABSENT.
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
Commissioner Stoecklin explained Resolution 2023-08 and IDOT Utility Permit must be approved to run a sewer line under Route 13. He told the Council any time we do anything to a road under IDOT jurisdiction, this is required.
Commissioner Stoecklin made a motion to adopt Resolution 2023-08 for an IDOT Utility Permit to construct, occupy, and maintain a twelve-inch Sewer Main along and under IL Route 13 for the Sewer Rehab Project. Commissioner Webb seconded the motion.
ON ROLL CALL VOTE COMMISSIONERS PATTON, BARWICK, WEBB AND STOECKLIN ALL VOTED YEA. MAYOR ABSHER ABSENT.
ACCOUNTS & FINANCES
Commissioner Patton told the council the engagement letter with Atlas CPAs is similar to the engagement letter approved in prior years. This one is for the FY2023 annual audit. The cost will not exceed $58,000.
Commissioner Patton made a motion to approve the engagement letter with Atlas CPAs & Advisors for the FY2023 Financial Audit. Commissioner Barwick seconded the motion.
ON ROLL CALL VOTE COMMISSIONERS PATTON, BARWICK, WEBB AND STOECKLIN ALL VOTED YEA. MAYOR ABSHER ABSENT.
PUBLIC AFFAIRS
Mayor's Chief of Staff Cody Moake told the Council the city approves ceding the annual private activity bonding authority to the Southern Illinois Economic Development Authority each year. This is done at no cost to the city. It allows SIEDA to use the bonding authority.
Commissioner Webb made a motion to approve Ordinance 3869 ceding the City's 2023 Private Activity Bonding Authority of $2,009,040 to the Southern Illinois Economic Development Authority. Commissioner Stoecklin seconded the motion.
ON ROLL CALL VOTE COMMISSIONERS PATTON, BARWICK, WEBB AND STOECKLIN ALL VOTED YEA. MAYOR ABSHER ABSENT.
Mayor's Chief of Staff Cody Moake explained there are several issues with the city's zoning ordinance originally passed in 1987. Approving the contract with Arndt Municipal Support will provide for the review of the city's zoning and subdivision regulations. These will be compared to industry standards and other municipalities. Cody said this is a review of what the city currently has and will not include the preparation of a new ordinance.
Commissioner Patton made a motion to approve a contract with Arndt Municipal Support to review and recommend updates to the City of Marion Zoning Code. Commissioner Stoecklin seconded the motion.
ON ROLL CALL VOTE COMMISSIONERS PATTON, BARWICK, WEBB AND STOECKLIN ALL VOTED YEA. MAYOR ABSHER ABSENT.
Mayor's Chief of Staff Cody Moake told the Council the city's Mitel phone system was maintained by Frontier in the past until last year when they quit maintaining it. The technician that worked for Frontier and maintained our system left and now works for Cady Business Technologies. Cady Business Technologies will provide maintenance at an annual cost of $1,814.40 with a one-year implementation cost of $3,541.93.
Commissioner Webb made a motion to approve a contract with Cady Business Technologies for support and maintenance of the city's Mitel phone system. Commissioner Barwick seconded the motion.
ON ROLL CALL VOTE COMMISSIONERS BARWICK, WEBB AND STOECKLIN
ALL VOTED YEA. MAYOR ABSHER ABSENT.
COMMISSIONER REPORTS
Commissioner Barwick read the Fire Department, Narcotics Unit, and Police Department Reports for February. He reported 1,590 dispatched calls, 1,880 911 calls, 3,685 non-emergency calls, and 255 ambulance calls for the month.
Commissioner Stoecklin read the Water Department report since last meeting. He reported Club 60 is holding their annual pie fundraiser with orders due by April 3, 2023 and pickup on April 6, 2023. He also announced Krispy Kreme is having their grand opening tomorrow.
Commissioner Webb reported the Street Department has been running the leaf vac around town. They also demolished a duplex on Midway Court and continue picking up limbs from the recent storms. The Cemetery Department had nine burials in February.
Commissioner Patton had no report.
MISCELLANEOUS
There were no miscellaneous items to come before Council this evening.
CLOSED/EXECUTIVE SESSION
Commissioner Patton announced 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 ALL VOTED YEA. MAYOR ABSHER ABSENT.
Meeting Adjourned at 6:33 P.M.
https://cityofmarionil.gov/agendas-minutes/
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