City of Marion City Council met July 10.
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 meeting started at 5:37 P.M. due to audio difficulties. 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.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Absher led the Pledge of Allegiance.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
There were no public comments this evening.
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.
PUBLIC AFFAIRS
Presentation from Camille Dorris with Southern Illinois Coalition for the Homeless Mayor's Chief of Staff Cody Moake told the Council homelessness is a growing problem in our community and the city is trying to find resources and ways to help the homeless population. He said Rockford, Illinois uses the Housing First method and reports a zero homeless population with caveats. He explained Southern Illinois Coalition for the Homeless is a resource in our community and they are starting a navigator program. The city would like to invest funds into the navigator program to help SICH employees to meet the homeless population where they are. This is a possible two-year program.
Camille Dorris of Southern Illinois Coalition for the Homeless told the Council SICH has been serving individuals since 1989 primarily providing supportive housing and information referrals. She explained that during the COVID-19 pandemic, they expanded their services and began providing street outreach. They get people into housing and provide supportive services such as life skills, budgeting, recovery support, and mental health support to help them stabilize the housing. She explained the missing component has always been the outreach. She reported they are seeing a huge increase in the homeless population. They want to place a team in Marion to work with other agencies to bring services to people in areas where they will be accepted rather than having people come into their office. They are looking to intervene with people on the streets to provide navigator services including help with housing; identification cards; jobs; and providing food, safety, and hygiene items. They want to try to meet peoples' needs at the time at a basic level. They want to continue working with the resources that are already in the area such as Cornerstone Church and other agencies. They hope to serve fifty people in one year and hope to move forty of those people to the next step. Their goal is to help people become self- sufficient.
Approve a Two-Year Grant to Southern Illinois Coalition for the Homeless
Mayor Absher made a motion to approve a two-year grant to Southern Illinois Coalition for the Homeless for their homeless outreach program totaling $107,568 over two fiscal years using reallocated ARPA funds. Commissioner Stoecklin seconded the motion.
ON ROLL CALL VOTE COMMISSIONERS PATTON, BARWICK, WEBB AND STOECKLIN AND MAYOR ABSHER ALL VOTED YEA.
OLD BUSINESS
Ordinance 3902 Amending the Animal Control Ordinance
City Attorney Wendy Cunningham told the Council Commissioners Stoecklin and Barwick worked on making changes to the Animal Control Ordinance to allow for chickens. She explained Ordinance 3902 amends the Animal Control Ordinance to allow up to ten chickens per household. Roosters and crowing hens are not allowed and chicken coops must meet certain regulations. Residents interested in having chickens must obtain a $25 permit from the Animal Control Department. There is an annual renewal fee of $10 per coop. She explained the chickens must be secured in enclosures between 9:00 P.M. and 6:00 A.M. to protect them from predators. Eggs produced must be for personal consumption only and cannot be sold. Wendy indicated that Animal Control usually does not get complaint calls regarding chickens, but they usually see chickens at residences when they are out on other calls. Commissioner Barwick commented he did not think it would be fair to limit the number of permits issued.
Mayor Absher stated the allowances for chickens come with some restrictions. Regarding sounds and smells, residents can still be fined for nuisance violations. In addition, the chicken coop must be kept in good order, or the license can be revoked, and fines can be imposed.
Commissioner Webb asked about residents raising chickens for consumption. Wendy pointed out the ordinance states chickens cannot be slaughtered in city limits.
Commissioner Stoecklin made a motion to approve Ordinance 3902 amending the Animal Control Ordinance. Commissioner Barwick seconded the motion.
ON ROLL CALL VOTE COMMISSIONERS PATTON, BARWICK, WEBB AND STOECKLIN AND MAYOR ABSHER ALL VOTED YEA.
NEW BUSINESS
POLICE DEPARTMENT
Recommendation to Hire Charles Diggins as a School Security Officer
Commissioner Barwick made a motion to approve the recommendation of Chief Fitts to hire Charles Diggins as a School Security Officer for the 2023-2024 school year at the agreed upon rate with Marion Unit 2 School District. Commissioner Patton seconded the motion.
Police Chief David Fitts told the Council Mr. Diggins is being hired as a replacement for one of the School Security Officers who was hired by the Federal Bureau of Prisons. Mr. Diggins worked as a police officer for Eastern Illinois and Southern Illinois Universities and retired after nineteen years with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources as a Conservation Officer.
ON ROLL CALL VOTE COMMISSIONERS PATTON, BARWICK, WEBB AND STOECKLIN AND MAYOR ABSHER ALL VOTED YEA.
PAVILION
Floorscapes Bid for New Bathroom Wall Tile Installation
Mayor Absher explained the installation of bathroom wall tile at the Pavilion is a holdover from the previous budget year. He said the improvement needed to be done but was deferred to this year so the city could budget for it. Commissioner Stoecklin asked if the work was to be done in all bathrooms and Mayor Absher indicated it will be.
Mayor Absher made a motion to approve the bid from Floorscapes for new bathroom wall tile installation, a budgeted item. Commissioner Webb seconded the motion.
Mayor's Chief of Staff Cody Moake explained Floorscapes installed the floor tile last year. He said this bid is for backsplash. Cody reported all bidders who bid on flooring last year also bid on backsplash. The total project as a whole was too costly for what the city had budgeted last year, so the project was split into two budget years. Mayor Absher explained the Floorscapes bid was the most competitive bid received last year. He said they updated the backsplash portion this year for current pricing. Cody said there will be a separate quote for plumbing work at a later time.
ON ROLL CALL VOTE COMMISSIONERS PATTON, BARWICK, WEBB AND STOECKLIN AND MAYOR ABSHER ALL VOTED YEA.
STREET DEPARTMENT
Engineering Agreement with Horner & Shifrin for a Stormwater Project along Halfway Road Commissioner Webb told the Council there is a stormwater drainage issue along Halfway Road and Walton Way in anticipation of a new hotel that is being built. The engineering agreement with Horner & Shifrin estimates design engineering will be $28,200 and construction engineering will be $17,600. He explained at some point the city will have to figure out how to finance the $450,000 project cost. Mayor's Chief of Staff Cody Moake explained the property owners are responsible for getting the stormwater on their property to the city's system. He said the problem is that there is only one collection point to the system as it exists now. All the water collected in that area ends up behind Cornerstone Church. The drainage will be made worse by the construction of the hotel as they will build their infrastructure to drain into the city's system. The excess of water created by the hotel is what is prompting the upgrades to the system. Mayor Absher explained the storm sewer in that area is undersized and the one inlet is struggling to intake all the water from Pilot and the existing detention pond is not large enough. This project will be paid from the general fund for now.
Commissioner Webb made a motion to approve the engineering agreement with Horner & Shifrin for a stormwater project along Halfway Road. Commissioner Stoecklin seconded the motion.
ON ROLL CALL VOTE COMMISSIONERS PATTON, BARWICK, WEBB AND STOECKLIN AND MAYOR ABSHER ALL VOTED YEA.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND MUNICIPAL PLANNING
Ordinance 3903 Removing Property from Residential TIF II
Mayor's Chief of Staff Cody Moake explained at the start of the new term, TIF attorneys Jacob & Klein reached out about any conflicts of interest regarding property owned within a TIF District. Cody said that while the Council members may own property within a TIF, it is a conflict of interest for them to discuss or vote on any issues regarding that TIF District. It was determined that two Commissioners own properties in TIF Districts. One Commissioner wanted to have his property removed so he could discuss and vote on TIF matters, the other did not. This ordinance contemplates removing a parcel in Residential TIF II owned by Commissioner Patton. Once the parcel is removed, he will be able to freely communicate, discuss and vote on items related to Residential TIF II.
Mayor Absher made a motion to approve Ordinance 3903 removing a parcel of property from Residential TIF II as requested by Commissioner Patton. Commissioner Barwick seconded the motion.
ON ROLL CALL VOTE COMMISSIONER PATTON ABSTAINED. COMMISSIONERS BARWICK, WEBB AND STOECKLIN AND MAYOR ABSHER ALL VOTED YEA.
Mayor Absher wanted to clarify that Commissioner Patton does not have a redevelopment agreement on his property and is not receiving any funding from the TIF.
Ordinance 3904 Amending a Redevelopment Agreement with John Beyers
Mayor's Chief of Staff Cody Moake told the Council the original TIF Agreement with John Beyers was in his personal name. This ordinance adds an LLC to the agreement so he can realize acquisition costs of the properties.
Mayor Absher made a motion to approve Ordinance 3904 amending a redevelopment agreement with John Beyers. Commissioner Patton seconded the motion.
ON ROLL CALL VOTE COMMISSIONERS PATTON, BARWICK, WEBB AND STOECKLIN AND MAYOR ABSHER ALL VOTED YEA.
Ordinance 3905 Amending a Redevelopment Agreement with CCS Real Estate, LLC Mayor's Chief of Staff Cody Moake told the Council that Dr. Craig Smith, owner of Pet Wellness Center is getting ready to develop property along the road that leads to Pet Wellness from Meadowland Parkway. He plans on selling the lots for commercial purposes. Ordinance 3905 is amending his original agreement to allow for additional costs. This agreement will allow for $3 million in total eligible costs. He will only get reimbursed for eligible expenses he turns in.
Mayor Absher made a motion to approve Ordinance 3905 amending a redevelopment agreement with CCS Real Estate, LLC noting the change on page four, exhibit one total TIF eligible project costs need to be changed to $3 million even as opposed to the inaccurate number listed. Commissioner Barwick seconded the motion.
ON ROLL CALL VOTE COMMISSIONERS PATTON, BARWICK AND WEBB AND MAYOR ABSHER ALL VOTED YEA. COMMISSIONER STOECKLIN ABSTAINED.
PUBLIC AFFAIRS
Discussion of Fireworks Regulations Within the City
Mayor Absher read a memo regarding fireworks into the record. He explained when asked about fireworks, he tells everyone to follow state rules. He is appointing Commissioner Barwick and Commissioner Stoecklin to a committee to meet with Chief Barnett, Chief Fitts, and City Attorney Wendy Cunningham to determine how to proceed. Chief Fitts commented the Police Department does not have the manpower to chase the numerous calls received prior to and immediately after the Fourth of July holiday. Commissioner Barwick said he wants to let people know about the liability involved with setting off fireworks. Mayor Absher stated he would like a permit process to sell fireworks.
COMMISSIONER REPORTS
Commissioner Patton - Accounts & Finances
Commissioner Patton had no report.
Commissioner Barwick - Public Health & Safety
Commissioner Barwick read the Police Department and Narcotics Unit reports for June. He reported 2,231 dispatched calls; 2,310 911 calls; 4,629 non-emergency calls; and 272 ambulance calls in June.
Commissioner Stoecklin - Public Property, Civic Center, Pavilion
Commissioner Stoecklin read the Water Department report since the last meeting. He gave a shout out to Shawnee LED and the Civic Center for the new sign board.
Commissioner Webb - Streets & Public Improvements
Commissioner Webb reported the Street Department recently oil and chipped twenty-two alleys. He said they have received positive feedback for this. There are approximately twenty-two left to oil and chip. They hope to complete those next budget year. The Street Department continues to repair sidewalks. They have been ditching at Old Creal Springs Road and East Main Street. They demolished the last house on Concord. He also reported the Cemetery Department had eight burials in June.
MISCELLANEOUS
There were no miscellaneous items to come before Council this evening.
CLOSED/EXECUTIVE SESSION
Mayor Absher stated he did not have a need for executive session this evening and asked if any of the Commissioners had a need for executive session. Hearing no need for executive session Mayor Absher entertained a motion to adjourn the meeting.
Commissioner Webb made a motion to adjourn the Regular Meeting. Commissioner Stoecklin seconded the motion.
ON ROLL CALL VOTE COMMISSIONERS PATTON, BARWICK, WEBB AND STOECKLIN AND MAYOR ABSHER ALL VOTED YEA.
Meeting Adjourned at 6:42 P.M.
https://cityofmarionil.gov/agendas-minutes/
Alerts Sign-up