Carbondale Reporter

City of Marion City Council met Oct. 9.

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.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Mayor Absher led the Pledge of Allegiance.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Marion resident Jimmy Johnson addressed the council and read prepared remarks regarding his concerns about an attack on the United States on October 13th.

Marion resident Andrew Gunther addressed the council stating he has lived in town for three months. He said he has interviewed Mr. Jim Johnson, and he has reviewed video of previous council meetings. He told the Council Mr. Johnson deserves respect.

CONSENT AGENDA

Commissioner Stoecklin made a motion to approve the consent agenda as presented. Commissioner Barwick seconded the motion.

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

NEW BUSINESS

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & MUNICIPAL PLANNING

Ordinance 3915 Amending Ordinance 2212 Concerning Storm Water Detention

City Attorney Wendy Cunningham told the Council that Ordinance 3915 makes a clarification to Ordinance 2212 and was brought to her attention by Economic Development and Municipal Planning Director Glenn Clarida.

Mayor Absher made a motion to approve Ordinance 3915 amending Ordinance 2212 Concerning Storm Water Detention in the City of Marion. Commissioner Webb seconded the motion.

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

Ordinance 3918 Accepting Subdivision Platted as H and M Estates

Mayor Absher told the Council that Ordinance 3918 is dividing one parcel into two parcels so the developer can sell one of the parcels for another home to be built. Commissioner Patton pointed out an error in the notes section on the plat. Item number five lists the date of the field work completion as August 8, 2028. This should be August 8, 2023.

Mayor Absher made a motion to approve Ordinance 3918 accepting the subdivision platted as H and M Estates with a corrected date of August 8, 2023, item number five on the notes on the plat. Commissioner Patton seconded the motion.

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

FIRE DEPARTMENT

Ordinance 3916 Authorizing an Intergovernmental Agreement with MABAS City Attorney Wendy Cunningham explained the city is a part of MABAS. In October 2022, MABAS updated their Master Agreement. Marion has not yet adopted this Commissioner Barwick added that he understood the city did not have an ordinance and MABAS wanted the city to pass an ordinance to formally adopt the agreement.

Commissioner Barwick made a motion to approve Ordinance 3916 authorizing an Intergovernmental Agreement for Participation in the Mutual Aid Box Alarm System (MABAS Master Agreement 2022). Commissioner Patton seconded the motion.

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

POLICE DEPARTMENT

Ordinance 3917 Authorizing Loan Agreement with Farmers State Bank

Commissioner Barwick told the Council the Police Department was already authorized to purchase these vehicles. They have five and are waiting on two more.

Commissioner Barwick made a motion authorizing the city to enter into a loan agreement with Farmers State Bank to fund the purchase of the police vehicles that were ordered in May 2023. Commissioner Stoecklin seconded the motion.

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

PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT

Approve Low Bid of $234,005 from Wiggs Excavating for Bentley Street Watermain Replacement

Commissioner Stoecklin made a motion to approve the low bid of $234,005 from Wiggs Excavating for the Bentley Street Watermain Replacement.

Commissioner Patton asked if the majority of the funds for this project were left from the water tower project. Public Works Superintendent Brent Cain said yes.

Commissioner Webb seconded the motion.

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

COMMISSIONER REPORTS

Commissioner Webb

Commissioner Webb reported the Street Department has been patching concrete on Court and Carbon Streets, Halfway Road, and Princeton Avenue. They have been working on sidewalks on Russell Street and have been working on the dumpster enclosures downtown. They have crack sealed five different parking lots ahead of seal coating them. They have also been trimming tree limbs getting ready for snow plows this winter and cleaning ditches in various areas. He reported the Cemetery Department had ten burials in September.

Commissioner Patton - Accounts & Finances

Commissioner Patton had no report.

Commissioner Stoecklin – Public Property, Civic Center, Pavilion

Commissioner Stoecklin read the Water Department report since the last council meeting. He reminded everyone the Water Department crews are still flushing hydrants. He also reminded everyone that the annual Electronics Recycling event is this Saturday.

Mayor Absher – Public Affairs Mayor Absher had no report.

Commissioner Barwick – Public Health & Safety

Commissioner Barwick read the Police Department and Narcotics Unit reports for September. He reported 2,126 dispatched calls; 1,859 911 calls; and 267 ambulance calls in September.

MISCELLANEOUS

Commissioner Stoecklin announced Friday October 20, 2023, there will be a showing of the movie Hocus Pocus at the Amphitheater in the Crisp Complex by the high school. The admission is free. There will be food trucks and attendees will need to bring chairs and blankets.

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 Barwick made a motion to adjourn the Regular Meeting. Commissioner Patton seconded the motion.

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

Meeting Adjourned at 6:05 P.M.

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