Carbondale Reporter

City of Carbondale City Council met June 13.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

Councilmembers present

Councilmember Ginger Rye Sanders, Councilmember Jeff Doherty, Councilmember Clare Killman, Councilmember Adam Loos, Councilmember Nancy Maxwell, and Mayor Carolin Harvey

Meeting called to order at 6:01 p.m.

1. Preliminaries to the City Council Meeting

1.1 Roll Call

1.2 Citizens' Comments and Questions

Citizens addressing the City Council during Citizens’ Comments included Rodney Morris, Jennifer Lampkins, Elius Reed, Chastity Mays, Alessandra Nicholson, and James Cooper, Jr.

1.3 Council Comments, General Announcements, and Proclamations

Councilmember Killman thanked Mayor Harvey for speaking at the Southern Illinois Pride.

Councilmember Rye-Sanders expressed concern for the upcoming SIMMS project, particularly the employee utilization review for females and minorities and the DBE guidelines.

Procedural: 1.4 Proclamation for Juneteenth

Mayor Harvey proclaimed June 19, 2023, as Juneteenth in Carbondale and encouraged all citizens to pay tribute to the journey and embrace the past and future that unity, respect, and appreciation brings.

Procedural: 1.5 Proclamation for Gun Violence Prevention Month

Mayor Harvey proclaimed the month of June 2023, as Gun Violence Prevention Month in Carbondale and encouraged all citizens to actively participate in discussions, community forums, and meetings that focus on gun violence prevention.

2. Consent Agenda of the City Council

2.1 Minutes from the Regular City Council Meeting of May 23, 2023

Resolution: Approve the minutes from the regular City Council meeting of May 23, 2023

2.2 Approval of Warrant for the Period Ending: 05/26/2023 for the FY 2023 & FY 2024 Warrant 1460 in the Total Amount of $1,638,628.62

Regular City Council Meeting Minutes 2023-06-13

Resolution: Accept the following report of payments made for the period ended: 05/26/2023 totaling $1,638,628.62. (Exhibit A 06-13-2023)

2.3 Approval of Wells Fargo Warrant for the Period Ending 04/30/2023 FY 2023 Warrant # WF 04/2023 in the amount of $153,075.52

Resolution: Accept the following report of payments made for the period ended: 04/30/2023 totaling $153,075.52. (Exhibit B 06-13-2023)

2.4 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.

2.5 Reappointments to Boards and Commissions

Resolution: Council is requested to concur with the Mayor's recommended reappointments to Boards and Commissions.

2.6 Ordinance Amending Title 15 To Permit Funeral Services without Crematoriums and to Permit Funeral Services with Crematoriums by Special Use Permit in the Wholesale and Automotive District (BWA) (PC 24-01)

Resolution: Approve Ordinance Amending Title 15 To Permit Funeral Services without Crematoriums and Permit Funeral Services with Crematoriums by Special Use Permit in the Wholesale and Automotive District (BWA) (PC 24-01). (Ordinance 2023-23; Exhibit C 06-13-2023)

2.7 Resolution Approving the Submission of an Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) Park and Recreational Facilities Construction (PARC) Grant in the Amount of $1,365,179 and Obligating Matching Funds in the Amount of $455,060 for Phase 2 of the Washington Street Event and Entertainment Plaza Project

Resolution: Approve a Resolution approving the submission of an IDNR PARC grant in the amount of $1,365,179 and obligating matching funds in the amount of $455,060 for phase 2 of the Washington Street Event and Entertainment Plaza Project. (Resolution 2023-R-46; Exhibit D 06-13-2023)

2.8 Ordinance Amending Employee Holidays as it Relates to Juneteenth National Freedom Day

Resolution: Approve an ordinance amending employee holidays as it relates to Juneteenth National Freedom Day. (Ordinance 2023-24; Exhibit E 06-13-2023)

2.9 Approval of Consent Agenda Items

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

MOTION: Approve all Consent Agenda items not pulled for separate consideration Motion by Jeff Doherty, second by Clare Killman.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries

Yea: Clare Killman, Adam Loos, Nancy Maxwell, Ginger Rye Sanders, Jeff Doherty, Carolin Harvey

Councilperson Rye-Sanders, Elius Reed, Dawn Roberts, Lee Fronabarger, and Alessandra Nicholson all had questions or comments on consent agenda items 2.1, 2.2, 2.6, and 2.7. Those included whether the City Council meetings are still available to view on the City’s website, clarification on certain items in Warrant #1460 involving damage to police vehicles and outsourced law firms, who pays the matched funds to IDNR, the sound barrier wall and its cost and excluding the electrical and water connections for the Washington Street Event and Entertainment Plaza, and naming the stage for the entertainment plaza after local musical talent Robbie Stokes who recently passed away. Questions and comments were addressed by City Staff.

3. General Business of the City Council

3.1 A Resolution to Approve and a Resolution to Deny the R. Buckminster Fuller Dome Not-For Profit's Request for a Special Use Permit for a Home Museum, in an R-3, High Density Residential District for Property Located at 809 and 811 West Cherry Street

MOTION: Adopt a Resolution Approving the Special Use Permit for a Home Museum for Property Zoned as an R-3, High Density Residential, District Located at 809 and 811 West Cherry Street

Alessandra Nicholson asked about traffic mitigation, parking, and crosswalks for the potential increase in visitors because the areas around Cherry Street are small. Community Development Manager John Lenzini addressed the questions.

Motion by Clare Killman, second by Adam Loos.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries

Yea: Clare Killman, Adam Loos, Nancy Maxwell, Ginger Rye Sanders, Jeff Doherty, Carolin Harvey (Resolution 2023-R-47; Exhibit F 06-13-2023)

3.2 Council Discussion Regarding the 2024 Solar Eclipse

City Council discussed the upcoming solar eclipse that is due to arrive in April of 2024. City Staff is looking for direction as far as preparing for the many visitors to Carbondale to witness the event. Council shared their recollection of the 2017 eclipse events and gave their thoughts on how to prepare for the next one. It was noted that there may have been some over planning in the past, but with that being the first round of the eclipse and not knowing exactly what to expect the City can learn from its experiences and plan accordingly.

Ideas, thoughts, and concerns brought forth from Council included a festival type event, musical concerts, allowing RV’s just for the weekend in certain locations, free eclipse glasses, Kids Zone, tourism’s role in planning, sprucing up the City for incoming visitors, making the event and activities inclusive for everyone including the music, availability of transportation and parking, and scaling back on the size of the event.

Citizens in attendance also gave their thoughts and concerns regarding the upcoming 2024 eclipse. Those included keeping the activities centralized rather than spread out, signage, reach out to businesses to see if they will be prepared for the influx in people, extended hours for bars, with the schools being closed maybe allowing RV’s to set up in school parking lots, marketing, and emergency services.

It was asked if actual figures and costs leading up to the 2017 eclipse could be compiled to help determine how just how large of an event should be put on.

3.3 Appoint a Person to fill a Vacancy on the Carbondale City Council

MOTION: Approve the appointment of LaCaje Hill to fill the vacancy on the Carbondale City Council.

Motion by Clare Killman, second by Jeff Doherty.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries

Yea: Clare Killman, Adam Loos, Nancy Maxwell, Ginger Rye Sanders, Jeff Doherty, Carolin Harvey

LaCaje Hill was introduced as the newly appointed Carbondale City Councilperson. The oath of office was administered by Deputy City Clerk Clinette C. Hayes.

4. Adjournment of the City Council Meeting

4.1 Adjourn meeting

There being no further business to come before the City Council, the meeting was declared adjourned at 7:28 p.m.

https://www.explorecarbondale.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_06132023-2036