Carbondale Reporter

City of Marion City Council met July 22.

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

Mayor Absher led the Pledge of Allegiance.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Marion resident James E. Johnson addressed the Council regarding his concerns about various national and international events.

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

BUILDING AND CODE SERVICES

Request for Special Use Permit at Route 37 N Court Street Parcel # 06-12-476-006 Marion resident Norm Winters addressed the Council. He owns property directly north of the property owned by Williamson County where the proposed Animal Control Facility will be built. He stated there are drainage issues in that area that he has spoken with Superintendent Phillips about. He is not opposed to the facility being built there but is concerned about drainage issues with Mule Creek and the possibility of having noise from the animals. He stated he attended a meeting at Williamson County today and they are considering moving the building south a bit due to an existing gas main. Mayor Absher stated he saw the pictures Mr. Winters presented at the Zoning Board meeting and he is aware of the drainage issues. Mr. Winters said Superintendent Phillips spoke with him and is to meet with County Engineer Travis Emery to get the issues addressed. He thanked the Council and told them he appreciates their time.

Mayor Absher told the audience the city has contracted with the United States Army Corps of Engineers to study the entire watershed because the issue is that what happens in city limits is not the cause or effect of either. Crab Orchard Creek starts in Pittsburg and there are multiple tributaries that flow into it. The Corps of Engineers has some specific recommendations all of which are exceedingly expensive and take a lot of time. The city is applying with the Refuge for a $25 million grant that will help the Refuge and the city's flooding problems in Moore Park. He said there are multiple areas that need work.

Mayor Absher made a motion to approve a request for a Special Use Permit at Route 37 North Court Street, Parcel #06-12-476-006 to build a new County Animal Control Facility in an R-A Rural Agriculture Zone (Williamson County Board). Commissioner Stoecklin seconded the motion.

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

STREET DEPARTMENT

City Attorney Wendy Cunningham told the Council the Street Department took tires off a fire truck due to the tires being expired. These are large tires that are still in good condition, but they will not fit on any city vehicles, and it will be costly to dispose of them. City Attorney Cunningham explained Council must approve of getting rid of them. Street Department Superintendent Doug Phillips will try to find a user for the tires.

Ordinance 3968 Directing the Sale of Personal Property

Commissioner Webb made a motion to approve Ordinance 3968 Directing the Sale of Personal Property. Commissioner Stoecklin 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 there are timelines and statutory requirements for approving TIF District XX. Ordinance 3969 establishes a date and time for a public hearing. This is the next step for proposed TIF District XX. Mayor Absher announced the next public hearing is set for September 9, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers. It is immediately preceding the first council meeting in September. It is presumed that Council will consider the adopting ordinance to put the TIF District in place at the Council Meeting that night.

Ordinance 3969 Establishing a Date for a Public Hearing to Discuss the Establishment of TIF XX

Mayor Absher made a motion to approve Ordinance 3969 establishing that date as mentioned for a public hearing to discuss the establishment of TIF XX. Commissioner Patton seconded the motion.

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

TIF Grant Applications Received Through July 19, 2024

Mayor Absher said agenda item 7B is a list of Residential TIF I and II grant applications. He announced that Residential TIF II has three grant slots available. Residential TIF I has plenty of funds available.

Mayor Absher made a motion to approve FY25 TIF Grant Applications received through July 19, 2024, as listed in the packet. Commissioner Patton seconded the motion.

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

FIRE DEPARTMENT

Collective Bargaining Agreement with Marion Professional Fire Fighters Association Local No. 2977 through April 30, 2028

Commissioner Barwick made a motion to approve a collective bargaining agreement with the Marion Professional Fire Fighters Local No. 2977 through April 30, 2028. Commissioner Stoecklin seconded the motion.

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

POLICE DEPARTMENT

Hire Daniel Boyd as a Dispatcher at Probationary 1 Pay Rate per the Collective Bargaining Agreement

Commissioner Barwick made a motion to approve the recommendation of Commissioner Barwick and Chief Fitts to hire Daniel Boyd as a dispatcher at the probationary 1 pay rate per the collective bargaining agreement with a start date of July 29, 2024. Commissioner Webb seconded the motion.

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

Police Chief David Fitts told the Council Mr. Boyd could not be here this evening because he is working.

Collective Bargaining Agreement with Fraternal Order of Police for Patrol Officers, Sergeants, and Detectives through April 2028

Commissioner Barwick made a motion to approve a collective bargaining agreement with the FOP for Patrol Officers, Sergeants, and Detectives through Apil 2028. Commissioner Webb seconded the motion.

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

THE PAVILION

Quote from Midwest Music Supply to Install Programmable Lighting throughout Meeting Rooms and Expo Hall

Commissioner Stoecklin made a motion to approve a quote from Midwest Music Supply to install programmable lighting throughout the meeting rooms and expo hall to be paid from the capital replacement fund. Commissioner Webb seconded the motion.

Commissioner Stoecklin explained this lighting will be installed in the area where the meeting rooms open to the expo hall. This is the area where buffets are set up for large events and it is always dark.

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

COMMISSIONER REPORTS

Commissioner Webb - Streets & Public Improvements

Commissioner Webb reported the Street Department is almost finished with sidewalk work on South Court. They are doing drainage work on the creek behind the Fire Department. They continue preparing roads in town ahead of the asphalt crew. He announced the asphalt program is about twenty-five percent complete. They continue weeding, mowing, and bush hogging. They are striping pavement behind the asphalt crew. Everything is going well at the Cemetery.

Commissioner Stoecklin - Public Property, Civic Center, Pavilion Commissioner Stoecklin asked two trivia questions this evening.

Commissioner Barwick - Public Health & Safety

Commissioner Barwick read the Fire Department report for June. He reported fifty total incidents.

Commissioner Patton - Accounts & Finances

Commissioner Patton had no report. He reported the Pinto International Tournament was held last week at Mt. Dew Park and Ray Fosse Park with thirty-two teams participating. This Friday the Colt League World Series games start. There will be four international teams participating.

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 6:05 P.M.

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