Carbondale Reporter

City of Marion City Council met June 24.

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 5:30 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

Marquez Lilly 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 Stoecklin seconded the motion.

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

New part-time Animal Control kennel attendant Arielle Fulk introduced herself to the Council.

NEW BUSINESS

SENIOR CITIZENS CENTER

Replace Failing Air Conditioning Units

Mayor Absher told the Council the Senior Citizens Center has two failing air conditioning units that are limping by. They received a quote from Fowler Heating & Cooling for $23,375 to replace both units.

Commissioner Stoecklin made a motion to approve replacing failing air conditioning units at the facility, a budgeted item. Commissioner Patton seconded the motion.

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

PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT

Land Lease with Third Pillar Solar to Build a Community Solar Array on Wastewater Detention Pond on Wildcat Road

Mayor Absher asked Chief of Staff Cody Moake to explain this unique opportunity. Chief of Staff Cody Moake explained the city has been offered a lease on the wastewater detention pond on Wildcat Road for the company to build a five megawatt thirteen-acre solar array on the water. The detention pond is twenty acres in total area. The array would tie into the nearby Ameren substation. This would be a community array which would allow a person to subscribe to the electricity produced there. At least fifty percent of the power produced there would be dedicated to low to moderate income households. He thinks it will take at least eighteen months for the array to be ready for subscribers. Third Pillar would pay a lease fee for twenty-five to thirty years after the development of the array. He explained the array will provide much needed shade to the detention pond which will help to control the growth of algae on the pond. Mayor Absher stated he thinks this program is a "no brainer." He said he understands people are leery of signing up for these programs because they appear to be too good to be true.

Commissioner Stoecklin made a motion to approve a land lease with Third Pillar Solar to build a community solar array on the wastewater detention pond on Wildcat Road. Commissioner Webb seconded the motion.

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

Bid of $291,380 from Skuta Construction for Boswell Lift Station and Sewer Relining Project Public Works Superintendent Brent Cain told the Council that one bid was received for this project.

Commissioner Stoecklin made a motion to approve the bid of $291,380 from Skuta Construction for the Boswell Lift Station and Sewer Relining Project. Commissioner Webb seconded the motion.

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

Purchase Half-ton Crew Cab Pickup Truck for the Water Department Commissioner Stoecklin made a motion to approve the purchase of a half-ton crew cab pickup truck for the Water Department at a price not to exceed $45,000. Commissioner Webb seconded the motion.

Mayor Absher said he understands why this is being done this way because auto manufacturers do not build work trucks without them being specifically ordered and delivery takes a long time. There are a limited number of trucks on the car lots. Public Works Superintendent Brent Cain said he will contact local dealerships to try and find a truck that meets the specifications needed. He said he is not opposed to purchasing a used truck if it meets the specifications. He plans to obtain competitive bids and will forward those to Mayor Absher for review prior to making a purchase. Mayor Absher stated he believes that financially this is in the best interest of the city. Hearing no further discussion, Mayor Absher called for the vote.

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

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND MUNICIPAL PLANNING

Ordinance 3961 Amending Hub TIF Redevelopment Agreement with Seasoning, LLC Mayor Absher stated there are several TIF agreements to approve. He explained item 7A is an amendment to an existing TIF agreement. Ordinance 3961 amends the redevelopment agreement with Seasoning, LLC. They have had delays with construction and are trying to finish up their project. Due to the extended construction period, the agreement is technically in default. This ordinance amends their agreement from a technical standpoint. The city agreed to loan them some TIF funds, and this amendment is also increasing that amount. The loan will be paid back with the sales tax they generate.

Mayor Absher made a motion to approve Ordinance 3961 amending a Hub TIF Redevelopment Agreement with Seasoning, LLC. Commissioner Stoecklin seconded the motion.

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

Ordinance 3962 Amending Hub TIF Redevelopment Agreement with SS Fowler, LLC Mayor Absher said this Ordinance amends the Hub TIF Redevelopment Agreement with SS Fowler, LLC. Similar to Seasoning, this agreement on the same building is in default given the extended construction time. No additional funds will be distributed with this agreement.

Mayor Absher made a motion to approve Ordinance 3962 amending a Hub TIF Redevelopment Agreement with SS Fowler, LLC. Commissioner Patton seconded the motion.

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

Ordinance 3963 a Residential TIF I Redevelopment Agreement with Eddy J. Cooper Mayor Absher explained this is a home improvement redevelopment agreement in Residential TIF I.

Mayor Absher made a motion to approve Ordinance 3963 a Residential TIF I Redevelopment Agreement with Eddy J. Cooper. Commissioner Webb seconded the motion.

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

TIF Grant Applications Received Through June 21, 2024

Mayor Absher stated item 7D is the list of residential TIF I and II and Hub TIF redevelopment grants.

Mayor Absher made a motion to approve TIF grant applications as listed in the packet received through June 21, 2024, as presented. Commissioner Patton seconded the motion.

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

Ordinance 3965 a Hub TIF Redevelopment Agreement with Aspire Estates, LLC

Mayor Absher made a motion to approve Ordinance 3965 a Hub TIF Redevelopment Agreement with Aspire Estates, LLC. Commissioner Stoecklin seconded the motion.

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

PUBLIC AFFAIRS

Vote on Opting in to the Kroger Opioid Class Action Settlement Mayor Absher told the Council the city is starting to receive settlement funds from some of the opioid class action settlements. Several municipalities have sued several of the providers and pharmacies. The city has the option to opt in to another settlement.

City Attorney Wendy Cunningham told the Council there are several national opioid lawsuits that states, including Illinois, have opted in to. Municipalities will get a percentage of the settlement if they decide to opt in.

Commissioner Webb made a motion to approve opting in to the Kroger Opioid Class Action Settlement. Commissioner Stoecklin seconded the motion.

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

Vote to Determine Whether Need for Confidentiality Still Exists with Respect to Closed Session Minutes

Mayor Absher told the Council they have been doing this bi-annually. City Attorney Wendy Cunningham has reviewed the closed session minutes and has recommended the dates that can be opened to the public.

Mayor Absher made a motion to determine the need for confidentiality does no longer exist with respect to the list of Closed Session Minutes of the Marion City Council per 5 ILCS 120/2.06 and no longer requires confidential treatment per the recommendation of the City Attorney. Commissioner Webb seconded the motion.

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

Ordinance 3964 Authorizing the Sale of Surplus Real Property

Mayor Absher explained a few years ago three lots in Heartland Professional Park were donated to the city. For the last year and a half, the city has tried to sell the lots. The city has received an offer for those lots that he thinks should be accepted. The offer is for $15,000 per lot for a total of $45,000 less closing costs.

Mayor Absher made a motion to approve Ordinance 3964 authorizing the sale of listed surplus real property. Commissioner Stoecklin seconded the motion.

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

Bid from Shawnee LED for Digital Message Board at Boyton Steet Community Center Mayor Absher told the Council that he intended to donate a sign to the Boyton Street Community Center that was taken down from a car lot he owned in Harrisburg. When it was removed, it worked well and was stored at Liberty Signs. When Liberty tried to get it back up and running it would not work. It was determined that it would require several thousand dollars in parts and repairs. Many of the parts were no longer available due to the age of the sign. The Boyton Street Board received a quote for $34,000 from Shawnee LED for a new sign. The sign is similar to the signs that were replaced at the Civic Center, Club 60, and Market Street Hall.

Mayor Absher made a motion to approve the bid for $34,000 from Shawnee LED to install a digital message board at Boyton Street Community Center. Commissioner Webb 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 had no report. He thanked Commissioner Webb for signing checks in his absence.

Commissioner Barwick – Public Health & Safety

Commissioner Barwick had no report.

Commissioner Stoecklin - Public Property, Civic Center, Pavilion

Commissioner Stoecklin read the Water Department report since the last meeting. He asked two trivia questions this evening. He reminded everyone the Knights of Columbus will having their 4th of July Celebration on July 3rd and 4th. He said there will be entertainment, a carnival, and food both nights. The fireworks will be on the 4th.

Commissioner Webb - Streets & Public Improvements

Commissioner Webb reported the Street Department has been working on new sidewalks on Virginia Street by Robin's Nest. They have been doing some ditching on Monroe Street and repairing collapsed drainage at Jones and Buchanan Streets. They are mowing throughout the city, and painting stripes and stop bars on various streets. They continue to get ready for the asphalt program. He reported the Cemetery Department will be visited by the State Cemetery Inspector this week.

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 6:15 P.M.

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