Carbondale Reporter

City of Marion City Council met March 27.

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 Mayor Absher.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

John Wallace with the Shawnee Park and Climate Alliance appeared before Council to advocate for the Shawnee National Forest to become a National Park. He asked the Council to consider adopting a resolution in support of Shawnee National Park. He said Mr. Lawrence presented false information to the Council at the last meeting. Mr. Wallace said he lives outside Simpson, Illinois on property adjacent to the Shawnee National Forest. He said he hunts, fishes, boats, bicycles, and bird watches. He said Mr. Lawrence's assertion there would be restrictions to some of these activities with the change to a National Park is not correct. Mr. Wallace explained he wants to help our region economically and environmentally. He thinks Marion has a lot to gain from the change. He explained with the change, part of the Shawnee would be designated as a National Park and part would be designated as a National Preserve. He said currently there are no National Parks in Illinois. He explained the goal of the Alliance is to encourage tourism and not to restrict hunting, mountain biking, horseback riding, etc. He said the National Forest Service who currently runs the Shawnee is not prepared to deal with recreation, but the National Park Service is prepared to deal with recreation and would do so if the Shawnee becomes a National Park. Mayor Absher encouraged Mr. Wallace to hold a public forum with all parties involved to educate the public on the proposed changes.

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 AND MAYOR ABSHER ALL VOTED YEA.

NEW BUSINESS

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND MUNICIPAL PLANNING

Mayor Absher told the Council the parcels at 1101 Midway Court and 1317 West Concord Street are adjacent to one another.

Mayor Absher made a motion to approve the purchase of 1101 Midway Court (PIN 06-24-328- 001) from Jeremy Maloney. 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 purchase of 1317 West Concord Street (PIN 06-24- 328-003) from Christopher Pemberton. Commissioner Stoecklin seconded the motion.

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

THE PAVILION

Mayor Absher told the Council Jared has budgeted for lighting upgrades at the Pavilion. Mayor's Chief of Staff Cody Moake explained some lighting upgrades were made last budget year. These quotes are for additional upgrades that still need to be made. The quote for $3,245.00 from Electrical Specialists is to run power to the lighting. The quote for $36,612.00 from Midwest Music Supply is for the actual lighting components.

Commissioner Stoecklin made a motion to approve the bid of $3,245.00 from Electrical Specialists, Inc. for material and labor to install the new circuits from the existing panel to new light tower locations along with the bid of $36,612.00 from Midwest Music Supply to install the new box truss and lighting system in the Expo Hall at the Pavilion. Commissioner Patton 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 Intergovernmental Agreement with Marion Unit 2 School District is a proposal he made to the school district about sharing in some anticipated property tax increment they should receive as the city extends the sewer down South Market Street. The approved this agreement at their March 21st board meeting. They have agreed to participate with $350,000 in additional incremental property tax in lieu of placing a TIF district there. Mayor Absher said this is a situation that will benefit all parties. He said this agreement was Cody's idea.

Mayor Absher made a motion to approve an Intergovernmental Agreement with Marion Unit 2 School District for cost-sharing on the South Market Sewer Extension. 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 reported the Treasurer's Office is trying to finish pulling the budget together for fiscal year 2024. They are also preparing for the new timesheet and timecard software.

Commissioner Barwick had no report.

Commissioner Stoecklin read the Water Department report since the last meeting. He announced the Walk Around the Clock will be Monday, April 3rd starting at 9:00 a.m. Registration is at Club 60. The trivia question tonight asked if the Caesar salad originated in Italy. The Caesar salad originated in Tijuana, Mexico. Commissioner Stoecklin reported Josh and Terance have put together a time lapsed video of the progress of the construction on Tower Square over the last three years. Cody started the video for the Council and audience.

Commissioner Webb reported the Street Department continues to work on drainage issues. They have been running the leaf vac and ditching machines around town. They have also been fixing potholes, working on sidewalks on South Vicksburg and Walnut Streets, and doing tile work on West Copeland Street. He reminded everyone Spring Clean Up starts April 17th. He said the Cemetery Department began mowing today.

Mayor Absher reported he received an email from Hilary at the Hub. She reported over 1,000 people visited the Hub for the CASA fundraiser on Saturday. They raised over $9,000 for CASA with $7,300 in wrist band sales and $1,750 in sponsorships. She said the staff did a phenomenal job handling the visitors. She also reported they added 215 new memberships from February 15, 2023 through March 15, 2023. Mayor Absher explained this is a new record for the Hub. He said this is very encouraging news and gave kudos to everyone who helps make the Hub successful.

MISCELLANEOUS

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

CLOSED/EXECUTIVE SESSION

Mayor Absher 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 AN MAYOR ABSHER ALL VOTED YEA.

Meeting Adjourned at 6:30 P.M.

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