Carbondale Reporter

City of Carbondale City Council met March 14.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

Councilmembers present

Councilmember Ginger Rye Sanders (off-site), Councilmember Jeff Doherty, Councilmember Lee Fronabarger, Councilmember Tom Grant, Councilmember Adam Loos, and Mayor Pro Tempore Carolin Harvey

Councilmembers absent

Mayor John M. Henry

Meeting called to order at 6:10 p.m.

5. Preliminaries to the City Council Meeting

Procedural: 5.1 Roll Call

In accordance with 1-2B-13 of the Carbondale Revised Code, a vote was taken to permit Councilmember Rye-Sanders to attend the meeting electronically, as she was out of the area on business. Commissioner Fronabarger moved, Commissioner Grant seconded, to permit Commissioner Rye-Sanders to attend the meeting remotely, pursuant to 1-2B-13 of the CRC.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries

Yea: Jeff Doherty, Lee Fronabarger, Tom Grant, Adam Loos, Carolin Harvey

Procedural: 5.2 Citizens' Comments and Questions

Citizens addressing the City Council during Citizen Comments include Mack Shaver, James Cooper, Jr., Elius Reed, and John Lenzini.

Procedural: 5.3 Council Comments, General Announcements, and Proclamations

Councilmember Fronabarger noted that SIU Alumni Bob Odenkirk was the special guest on the Jimmy Fallon show wherein SIU received recognition. He recommended a proclamation for Bob Odenkirk Day in April.

Councilmember Rye Sanders announced the Boys to Men forum on Thursday, March 30, at the Eurma C. Hayes Center.

Procedural: 5.4 Proclamation for National SBDC Day

Mayor Pro Tempore Harvey proclaimed March 15, 2023, as National Small Business Development Center Day in the City of Carbondale and encouraged citizens to join in wishing congratulations and continued success to the Illinois SBDC at Southern Illinois University Carbondale.

6. Public Hearings and Special Reports

Information: 6.1 Six-Month Review of Veo Scooters in Carbondale

Molly Maxwell presented a six-month review of micromobility initiatives and Veo Scooters. Tena Bennett provided information regarding scooters from the perspective of the university.

Council inquired about data received from Veo Scooters regarding ridership, inquired about an increase of scooters in the city, requested clarification regarding the number of users, commented on both Veo Scooters and micromobility, inquired about complaint options utilizing SeeClickFix and who would be responsible for responding to such complaints, requested information regarding ridership and the discount program utilizing the Access program, and the number of employees operating in Carbondale for Veo.

Donald Monty asked what specific actions Veo will take when a person does not park their vehicles correctly.

7. Consent Agenda of the City Council

Action (Consent): 7.1 City Council Meeting Minutes from February 28, 2023 Resolution: Approve the minutes from the City Council meeting of February 28, 2023

Action (Consent): 7.2 Approval of Wells Fargo Warrant for the Period Ending 01/31/2023 FY 2023 Warrant # WF 01/2023 in the amount of $130,772.31

Resolution: Accept the following report of payments made for the period ended: 01/31/2023 totaling $130,772.31 (Exhibit A-03-14-2023)

Action (Consent): 7.3 Approval of Warrant for the Period Ending: 03/03/2023 for the FY 2023 Warrant 1454 in the Total Amount of $1,337,550.48

Resolution: Accept the following report of payments made for the period ended: 03/03/2023 totaling $1,337,550.48 (Exhibit B-03-14-2023)

Action (Consent): 7.4 Acceptance of Approved Meeting Minutes from Boards, Commissions, and Committees

Resolution: Accept the approved meeting minutes from Boards, Commissions, and Committees and place them on file.

Action (Consent): 7.5 Approve the Purchase of Rock Salt through the State of Illinois Joint Purchasing Program for FY2024

Resolution: Approve the purchase of Rock Salt through the State of Illinois Joint Purchasing Program for FY2024

Action (Consent): 7.6 Approve the Purchase of a 2012 John Deere 544K Loader in the Amount $59,500 Less Trade-in of a 1997 Case 621B Wheel Loader in the Amount of $13,500 for a Total of $46,000 to McCoy Construction and Forestry of Mount Vernon; and Approve a Resolution Declaring as Surplus a 1997 Case 621B End Loader Serial Number JEE0054444

Resolution: Approve the Purchase of a 2012 John Deere 544K Loader in the amount of $59,500 less a trade-in of a 1997 Case 621B Wheel Loader in the amount of $13,500 for a total of $46,000 to McCoy Construction and Forestry of Mount Vernon and Approve a Resolution Declaring as surplus a 1997 Case 621B Endloader Serial Number JEE0054444 for trade-in. (Resolution 2023-R-15;Exhibit C-03-14-2023)

Action (Consent): 7.7 Award a Contract for Engineering Design Services to TWM, Inc. for Rowden Road Bridge Replacement in the Amount of $25,200 and Approve a Resolution Appropriating Motor Fuel Tax Funds for Said Work

Resolution: Award Contract for Engineering Design Services to TWM, Inc. for Rowden Road Bridge replacement in the Amount of $25,200 and approve a resolution appropriating motor fuel tax funds for said work. (Resolution 2023-R-16; Exhibit D-03-14-2023)

Action (Consent): 7.8 Award a Contract for Engineering Design Services to TWM, Inc. for Pinewood Resurfacing in the Amount of $28,500 and Approve a Resolution Appropriating Motor Fuel Tax Funds for Said Work

Resolution: Award Contract for Engineering Design Services to TWM, Inc. for Pinewood Resurfacing in the Amount of $28,500 and approve a resolution appropriating Motor Fuel Tax Funds for said work. (Resolution 2023-R-17; Exhibit E-03-14-2023)

Action (Consent): 7.9 Award a Contract for Engineering Design Services to TWM, Inc. for Resurfacing Giant City Road from South of Walnut Street to North of Grand Ave; Sunny Acres Drive; and Cedarview from Main Street to North of Walnut Street in the Amount of $58,700 and Approve a Resolution Appropriating Motor Fuel Tax Funds for Said Work

Resolution: Award Contract for Engineering Design Services to TWM, Inc. for Giant City Road from South of Walnut to North of Grand Ave, Sunny Acres Drive and Cedarview from Main Street to North of Walnut Street Resurfacing in the Amount of $58,700 and approve a resolution appropriating Motor Fuel Tax Funds for said work. (Resolution 2023-R-18; Exhibit F-03-14-2023)

Action (Consent): 7.10 Award a Contract for Engineering Design Services to TWM, Inc. for North Washington Street Rehabilitation from Oak Street to Fisher in the Amount of $24,400 and Approve a Resolution Appropriating Motor Fuel Tax Funds for Said Work

Resolution: Award Contract for Engineering Design Services to TWM, Inc. for North Washing Street Rehabilitation From Oak Street to Fisher in the amount of $24,400 and approve a resolution appropriating Motor Fuel Tax Funds for said work. (Resolution 2023-R-19; Exhibit G-03-14-2023)

Action (Consent): 7.11 Award of Contract for CIP Project ST2202 - East Main Frontage Road - North to E.T. Simonds Construction Company of Carbondale, Illinois in the Amount of $278,616.42

Resolution: Award of Contract for CIP Project ST2202 East Main Frontage Road North to E.T. Simonds Construction Company of Carbondale in the Amount of $278,616.42

Action (Consent): 7.12 Award of Contract for CIP Project ST2203 - North Wall Street Resurfacing from E. Main Street to Fisher Street to Samron Midwest Contracting of Murphysboro, Illinois in the Amount of $382,667.75

Resolution: Award of Contract for CIP Project ST2203 North Wall Street to Samron Midwest Contracting Murphysboro, Illinois in the Amount of $382,667.75

Action (Consent): 7.13 Resolution Authorizing Staff to Initiate Text Amendments as it Relates to Community Gardens

Resolution: Approve a resolution authorizing Staff to initiate text amendments as it relates to community gardens (Resolution 2023-R-20; Exhibit H-03-14-2023)

Action (Consent): 7.14 Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Submit a 2023 Illinois Department of Natural Resources Recreational Trails Program Grant Requesting Up to $700,000 for Multi-Use Trails at Cedar Lake

Resolution: Adopt A Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Submit a 2023 IDNR Recreational Trails Program Grant Requesting up to $700,000 for Multi-Use Trails at Cedar Lake (Resolution 2023-R 21; Exhibit I-03-14-2023)

Action (Consent): 7.15 Approval of Consent Agenda Items

Resolution: Approve all Consent Agenda items not pulled for separate consideration

Agenda Item 7.6 – There were questions about how Staff goes about locating these vehicles, whether the newer equipment will allow for the transport of rock salt, and how the equipment is cleaned.

MOTION: Approve all Consent Agenda items not pulled for separate consideration

Motion by Lee Fronabarger, second by Adam Loos.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries

Yea: Ginger Rye Sanders, Jeff Doherty, Lee Fronabarger, Tom Grant, Adam Loos, Carolin Harvey

8. General Business of the City Council

Action: 8.1 Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Certify Southernmost Illinois Tourism as the City's Convention and Visitor's Bureau

Councilmember Fronabarger read a statement about his research relating to the selection of a tourism bureau.

Amy Dion spoke on behalf of Carbondale Tourism, encouraging their retention as the City's Tourism organization.

William Lo encouraged restructuring Carbondale Tourism and noted reasons for their retention. He offered an alternate recommendation to Southernmost Illinois Tourism.

Meghan Cole noted her support for retaining Tourism locally and recommended restructuring it.

Tyler Dion, Interim Director for Carbondale Tourism, shared the value that Carbondale Tourism has which he discovered in the past two months.

Roni LeForge responded to some of the comments made, remarked on the role of the City in promoting tourism, the possibility of adding a tourism coordinator in the City organization, and noted that the City already takes a role in the promotion of tourism.

Donald Monty asked about the City's contribution and the State’s grants to Carbondale Tourism, asked about the proposed use for the balance of the City’s funds, and inquired about other plans or recommendations that might result following the Council’s vote.

MOTION: Approve a Resolution certifying Southernmost Illinois Tourism as the City of Carbondale's official Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Motion by Lee Fronabarger, second by Jeff Doherty.

Final Resolution: Motion Fails

Yea: Jeff Doherty, Lee Fronabarger, Adam Loos

Nay: Ginger Rye Sanders, Tom Grant, Carolin Harvey

A tied vote means that the motion failed.

Councilmembers shared their thoughts regarding the next steps to take, opinions about the recommended action and the recommended tourism entity, noted that the deadline to certify a bureau is March 30, commented on the role a Special Events Coordinator could play in relation to tourism, noted opposition to and support for bringing a tourism focused position into the City organization, and working with Carbondale Tourism.

Don Monty, Meghan Cole, and Carol Hoffman responded to Council remarks.

A recess was observed from 7:55 p.m. through 8:06 p.m. to confer with the Clerk and Attorney regarding appropriate parliamentary procedure.

Motion to Reconsider

MOTION: Reconsider the matter on the table based on additional information.

Motion by Tom Grant, second by Lee Fronabarger.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries

Yea: Jeff Doherty, Lee Fronabarger, Tom Grant, Adam Loos

Nay: Ginger Rye Sanders

Council noted that the City and Jackson County would have a seat on the Board and asked which entity Marion utilizes.

Amy Dion commented on the outreach and actions ongoing with Carbondale Tourism. Thomas Gourley suggested that the Council appoint a different board to Carbondale Tourism.

MOTION: Approve a resolution certifying Southernmost Illinois Tourism as the City of Carbondale's official Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Motion by Lee Fronabarger, second by Jeff Doherty.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries

Yea: Jeff Doherty, Lee Fronabarger, Tom Grant, Adam Loos

Nay: Ginger Rye Sanders, Carolin Harvey (Resolution 2023-R-22; Exhibit J-03-14-2023)

Discussion: 8.2 City Council Discussion of Community Agency Funding Requests for the FY2024 Fiscal Year Budget

Councilmembers remarked on the few Community Agencies representatives present; noted their support for Staff's recommendations and/or exceptions to those recommendations; asked representatives from the Southern Illinois Collaborative Kitchen about the residency for those being served meals and for the restaurants from whom meals are purchased, as it relates to those communities supporting this endeavor financially; inquired about what had happened with the Community Agency Funding Process developed some years back with the assistance of Dr. Grant; and noted that the process needs to be refined and include more accountability.

Meghan Cole commented on the Community Agency Funding Process which had been previously developed.

Leah Maciell and William Lo provided additional information about who the Collaborative Kitchen is serving and how the process with purchasing of meals works.

Elius Reed noted he is concerned about how his tax funds are being utilized, asked if Community Organizations were required to submit applications for funding, and noted that an organization had failed to answer specific questions on the funding application.

Zachary Smith encouraged increasing funding to organizations, spoke in favor of the Collaborative Kitchen's request for increased funding, and encouraged service to all of southern Illinois.

Donald Monty commented on the need for metrics, that community agency funding used to require quarterly reports to demonstrate goals achieved, and that the Council has to act appropriately when metrics are not reached.

Action: 8.3 Approve the Use of ARPA Funds to Purchase Equipment for the Parks and Recreation Department

Council commented on the need for supporting youth sports, asked about the possibility of utilizing a specialized mower previously purchased, suggested contracting out mowing, encouraged consulting with recreational staff in other communities for purchasing equipment, and urged purchasing locally, as much as possible.

Elius Reed shared information from the Illinois Municipal League regarding ARPA funds. MOTION: Approve the use of ARPA funds to purchase equipment for the parks and recreation division

Motion by Adam Loos, second by Tom Grant.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries

Yea: Ginger Rye Sanders, Jeff Doherty, Lee Fronabarger, Tom Grant, Adam Loos, Carolin Harvey

9. Adjournment of the City Council Meeting

Procedural: 9.1 Adjourn meeting

There being no further business to come before the Council, the meeting was declared adjourned at 8:57 p.m.

https://www.explorecarbondale.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_03142023-1939