Carbondale Reporter

City of Marion City Council met May 13.

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. Mayor Absher called the meeting to order at 5:32 P.M. The City Clerk called the roll, and the response was as follows: 

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

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 

Assistant Fire Chief Jesse Burford 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. 

NEW BUSINESS 

FIRE DEPARTMENT 

Introduction of Firefighters Hunter Rishel, Matthew Dalton James, and Patrick McCowen Commissioner Barwick announced the city hired three new firefighters at the last city council meeting. They were unable to attend the meeting and are here tonight for introductions. Fire Chief Tim Barnett thanked everyone in attendance tonight for supporting these young men who are starting their careers with the Fire Department. He introduced all three to the Council. He acknowledged Merit Board member Jay Pardus who was present at the meeting. He told the Council and audience Jay works tirelessly helping to get new firefighters hired. He reported the new firefighters will work for four months before they attend the academy at University of Illinois where they will train for ten weeks. He thanked the firefighters and their families for attending this evening. 

POLICE DEPARTMENT 

Recommendation to Hire Jariah Roberts as a Patrol Officer 

Commissioner Barwick made a motion to approve the recommendation of the Police and Fire Merit Board, Commissioner Barwick, and Chief Fitts to hire Jariah Roberts as a patrol officer at the Probationary 2 rate per the collective bargaining agreement with a start date of May 20, 2024. Commissioner Stoecklin seconded the motion. 

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

Police Chief David Fitts introduced Jariah Roberts to the Council and audience. He told them Mr. Roberts is from Harrisburg and worked for the Carrier Mills Police Department. Since he has already attended the academy, he will be working with a Field Training Officer when he starts. 

STREET DEPARTMENT 

Bid from ET Simonds for FY25 Street Overlay Program 

Commissioner Webb said there were two bids for the Street Overlay Program. ET Simonds had the low bid of $1,540,160.80 which was 17.23 percent below the engineer's estimate. 

Commissioner Webb said this project will start mid-summer as there is quite a bit of prep work to be done first. 

Commissioner Webb made a motion to approve the low bid from ET Simonds for the FY25 Street Overlay Program. Commissioner Stoecklin seconded the motion. 

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

HUB RECREATION CENTER 

Bid from Safe Slide Restoration to Resurface Waterslide and Perform General Maintenance Mayor's Chief of Staff Cody Moake told the Council the Hub Recreation Center has been open for nine years. He said there is a need for restoration work on the water slide and this has been included in the budget. Three bids were obtained, and General Manager Chris Georgantas has recommended the bid from Safe Slide Restoration as it includes both slide restoration and bolt replacement at a total cost of $58,300. 

Mayor Absher made a motion to approve the bid from Safe Slide Restoration to resurface the waterslide and perform general maintenance, a budgeted item. Commissioner Webb seconded the motion. 

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

Bid from Club Automation to Replace the Membership and Scheduling Software Mayor's Chief of Staff Cody Moake told the Council the Hub Recreation Center needs to replace the membership software program because the current software vendor has changed ownership, and the quality has declined. Four bids were received, and General Manager Chris Georgantas has recommended the bid from Club Automation at an estimated first year cost with processing fees of $59,799.90. 

Commissioner Stoecklin made a motion approve a bid from Club Automation to replace the membership and scheduling software, a budgeted item. Commissioner Patton seconded the motion. 

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

Invoice from ProTek Communications for Full Camera Replacement 

Mayor Absher said the cameras at the Hub Recreation Center were failing and needed to be replaced. 

Mayor Absher made a motion to approve an invoice from ProTek Communications for full camera replacement, a budgeted item. Commissioner Barwick seconded the motion. 

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

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND MUNICIPAL PLANNING 

Mayor Absher explained Agenda Items 9A and 9B are related. He said these items are statutory requirements related to the establishment of TIF XX and this process has been followed every time a TIF district has been established. He explained Ordinance 3956 establishes an interested party registry and adopts the registration rules for the proposed TIF. The city must pass an ordinance that gives these parties notice. 

Ordinance 3956 Authorizing the Establishment of a TIF Interested Party Registry and Adoption of Registration Rules for Proposed TIF XX 

Mayor Absher made a motion to approve Ordinance 3956 authorizing the establishment of a TIF Interested Party Registry and Adoption of Registration Rules for the proposed TIF XX. Commissioner Stoecklin seconded the motion. 

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

Mayor's Chief of Staff Cody Moake explained Ordinance 3956 will prompt a mailing to everyone in the TIF area to invite them to attend a public meeting. 

Public Meeting for Proposed TIF XX 

Mayor Absher explained it is a statutory requirement to announce the public meeting for the proposed TIF XX. He said the item that just passed will send notice to each person or business in that TIF. The notice will alert them to the public meeting, which is scheduled for Monday, June 10th in the Council Chambers at Marion City Hall at 350 Tower Square Plaza at 5:00 p.m. The purpose of the meeting is to answer any questions people may have and address any concerns. 

Ordinance 3957 Accepting the Dedication of the Street and Right of Way for the Extension of Sioux Drive 

Mayor Absher said at the last council meeting, the bid was approved for the extension of Sioux Drive and Campground Road. Now, the city needs to accept the dedication of the street and right of way for the extension of Sioux Drive. 

Mayor Absher made a motion to approve Ordinance 3957 accepting the dedication of the street and right of way for the extension of Sioux Drive under the condition that a three-way-stop is placed when the road is built. Commissioner Webb seconded the motion. 

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

Ordinance 3958 Accepting the Dedication of the Street and Right of Way Platted as Campground Road 

Mayor Absher stated Ordinance 3958 is like Ordinance 3957 but is for Campground Road. 

Mayor Absher made a motion to approve Ordinance 3958 accepting the dedication of the street and right of way platted as Campground Road. Commissioner Webb seconded the motion. 

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

FY25 TIF Grant Applications 

Mayor Absher stated the program is well under way in both Residential TIFS and in the Hub TIF. 

Mayor's Chief of Staff Cody Moake said he has received several phone calls regarding the TIF Grant applications. He plans to provide a list of applicants for approval at every council meeting. He explained the Council will be approving a block of grants this evening. He plans to plot each of the grant recipient addresses on a google map and will make it available on the website. 

Mayor Absher told the Council they are voting on the block of grants which consists of three pages of applicants. The three pages are representative of Residential TIFS I and II and the Hub TIF. 

Mayor Absher made a motion to approve the FY25 TIF Grants as presented for applications received between May 1, 2024, and May 9, 2024. 

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

COMMISSIONER REPORTS 

Commissioner Patton - Accounts & Finances 

Commissioner Patton apologized for being absent from the last council meeting for Steve Hale's presentation. He reported that Lance has been training over the last four months and is eager to ensure that everything is running smoothly. He gave kudos to the Treasurer's office for working through the transition process. 

Commissioner Barwick – Public Health & Safety 

Commissioner Barwick read the April reports for the Fire Department, Police Department, and Narcotics Unit. He reported sixty-four incidents for the Fire Department. He reported 1,795 dispatched calls; 1,679 911 calls; 3,849 non-emergency calls; and 168 ambulance calls. He reported ninety-one case initiations for the Narcotics Unit. 

Commissioner Stoecklin – Public Property, Civic Center, Pavilion 

Commissioner Stoecklin read the Water Department report since the last meeting. He reminded water and sewer customers the annual three percent increase will be reflected on their next bill. He announced there will be a free event at the Pavilion on May 21st from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. sponsored by Connect 360. 

Commissioner Webb - Streets & Public Improvements 

Commissioner Webb reported the Street Department has been working on several drainage issues. They repaired sidewalks on Jefferson and Franklin Streets. They continue mowing and weed eating and sent some guys to help with trimming at the Cemetery. They are working on getting the streets prepared for the asphalt overlay program, which includes 9.5 miles of streets. He said the Cemetery Department had six burials in April. He reminded everyone the Memorial Day Service will be at 11:00 a.m. 

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 he 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 6:09 P.M. 

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