Carbondale Reporter

City of Marion City Council met Feb. 26.

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

Police Chief Davd Fitts led the Pledge of Allegiance.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

There were no public comments this evening.

CONSENT AGENDA

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

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

NEW BUSINESS

STREET DEPARTMENT

Ordinance 3939 a Loan Agreement with First Southern Bank for a 2024 Freightliner Commissioner Webb explained the truck has been in the works for a while, but it is here. It still needs the plow, bed, and hydraulics put on. Ordinance 3939 is to approve the loan for financing the purchase.

Commissioner Webb made a motion to approve Ordinance 3939; a loan agreement with First Southern Bank for the purchase of a new 2024 Freightliner. Commissioner Barwick seconded the motion.

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

PUBLIC AFFAIRS

Ordinance 3938 a Professional Services Agreement with Jacob & Klein and The Economic Development Group for the Creation of TIF XX

Mayor Absher explained the city is contemplating a new TIF District which will include an older residential area. Some parts of this area have never been covered by TIF. He explained it is a lengthy process to put a TIF District in place and the area as a whole has to qualify as blighted. The attorneys at Jacob & Klein and The Economic Development Group will have to study this and this ordinance officially engages them to do so. Chief of Staff Cody Moake indicated it is typically a three-to-four-month process to see if an area qualifies.

Mayor Absher made a motion to approve Ordinance 3938; a professional services agreement with Jacob & Klein and the Economic Development Group for the creation of TIF XX. Commissioner Webb seconded the motion.

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

Ordinance 3940 Amending a Redevelopment Agreement with Aaron Smith & Little Nashville Café, Inc.

Mayor Absher said waterline replacement expenditures were approved at a prior Council meeting, but because of some of the demands the city made, the cost of the project was increased beyond what was submitted by Aaron Smith. He explained the expenditures need to be accounted for within the agreement and this amendment does that.

Mayor Absher made a motion to approve Ordinance 3940; an amendment to the redevelopment agreement with Aaron Smith and Little Nashville, Café, Inc. Commissioner Stoecklin seconded the motion.

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

Purchase 15 Solar Signs to Identify Public Parking Lots Downtown

Mayor Absher explained Jennifer Olson had previously applied for an Energy Transition Communities Grant. The city has been awarded the grant and the funding will be used to purchase fifteen solar signs used to identify parking lots downtown. The purchase of these signs will be fully funded by the grant. The city will purchase the signs and will be reimbursed by the grant.

Mayor Absher made a motion to approve the purchase of fifteen solar signs to identify public parking lots downtown; funded fully through the Energy Transition Communities Grant. Commissioner Stoecklin seconded the motion.

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

Hub TIF Commercial Façade Grant Application from Monroe Cleaners

Mayor Absher said the city received one application for a Hub TIF Commercial Façade Grant from Monroe Cleaners. The grant funds will be used to replace an awning and windows. He also reminded everyone that more applications are needed from businesses in the Hub TIF as there are still grant funds left.

Commissioner Webb made a motion to approve a Hub TIF Commercial Façade Grant application from Monroe Cleaners for $10,000. Commissioner Patton seconded the motion.

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

COMMISSIONER REPORTS

Commissioner Patton - Accounts & Finances

Commissioner Patton said things are good in the Treasurer's Office and had nothing else to report.

Commissioner Barwick - Public Health & Safety

Commissioner Barwick read the Fire Department report for January and reported sixty-eight incidents during the month.

Commissioner Stoecklin – Public Property, Civic Center, Pavilion

Commissioner Stoecklin read a summary report for the Water Department for 2023. He gave brief updates on March events for both the Civic Center and Pavilion. He also asked trivia questions this evening. He asked if there is an annual trivia day in the US. He told the Council and audience January fourth each year is National Trivia Day. He asked for the least commonly used letter in the English language. He explained the letter Z is the least commonly used letter. He also asked about the only food that never goes bad. He told the Council and audience honey never goes bad.

Commissioner Webb - Streets & Public Improvements

Commissioner Webb reported the Street Department has been ditching and rip rapping on Norman Road and Carter Street. They have been repairing sidewalks on Third, Garfield, Fair, Boulevard and Calumet Streets. They continue to patch from the January deep freeze. The Cemetery Department is getting ready for mowing season.

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 Barwick seconded the motion.

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

Meeting Adjourned at 5:53 P.M.

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