Carbondale Reporter

City of Marion City Council met April 24.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

Minutes of a Special Joint City Council Meeting of the City of Marion held with the Williamson County Board of Commissioners in the Williamson County Administration Building Second Floor Boardroom at 2:00 PM.

The City Clerk called the roll and the response was as follows:

PHYSICALLY PRESENT: COMMISSIONERS PATTON, WEBB AND STOECKLIN AND MAYOR ABSHER.

ABSENT: COMMISSIONER BARWICK

NEW BUSINESS

Mayor Absher explained there is an Intergovernmental Agreement between the county and the city and a Public-Private Partnership Agreement (P3) which outlines the responsibilities of the city, the county, and the operating partner. The city is repealing one ordinance to give the county room to levy a three percent hotel operator's occupation tax and will amend another ordinance to increase the hotel/motel/vacation rental use tax from six percent to nine percent. He explained the city's intent originally was to try and procure a USDA loan for the project. He said the USDA has been an extraordinarily helpful partner in that process, but the federal government timelines were not going to work with the goal that was trying to be accomplished. As an alternative, the city sought out funding from a consortium of local banks for a lesser amount. This resulted in the elimination of one of the four pods that was previously discussed. Thirty million dollars will be borrowed, and the project will move forward. The banks are on board and the draft documents have been reviewed by Mayor Absher, County Board Chair Tim Atkisson, and City Attorney Wendy Cunningham.

Mayor Absher made a motion to approve authorizing an Intergovernmental Agreement with Williamson County, Illinois Government to develop a Sports Complex within the City of Marion. Commissioner Stoecklin seconded the motion.

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

Mayor Absher made a motion to approve authorizing a Public-Private Partnership Agreement with Williamson County, Illinois Government and Oasis Outdoors, LLC-Oasis Sports to construct and operate a multi-sport complex within the City of Marion. Commissioner Webb seconded the motion.

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

Mayor Absher made a motion to approve Ordinance 3954 repealing Ordinance 3882 concerning the Hotel Operator's Occupation Tax. Commissioner Patton seconded the motion.

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

Mayor Absher made a motion to approve Ordinance 3955 amending Ordinance 3706 concerning Hotel/Motel/Vacation Rental Use Tax. Commissioner Stoecklin seconded the motion.

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

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Steve Bellaterre a retired SIU Design Professor and his wife Kathy a Designer and Artist attended the meeting to express their support for the economic progress this project will bring to the area and to highlight some concerns regarding issues the economic progress may bring to the area. They offered to help in any way.

MISCELLANEOUS

There were no miscellaneous items to come before the Council.

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 he entertained a motion to adjourn the meeting.

Commissioner Webb made a motion to adjourn the Special Joint City Council/County Commissioners Meeting. Commissioner Barwick seconded the motion.

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

Meeting Adjourned at 2:19 P.M.

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