Carbondale Reporter

City of Marion City Council met Aug. 12.

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, WEBB, AND STOECKLIN AND MAYOR ABSHER.

ABSENT: COMMISSIONER BARWICK

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Mayor Absher led the Pledge of Allegiance.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Marion resident James E. Johnson addressed the Council.

CONSENT AGENDA

Commissioner Webb made a motion to approve the consent agenda as presented. Commissioner Stoecklin seconded the motion.

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

NEW BUSINESS

POLICE DEPARTMENT

Hire Juliahna Jimenez as a Dispatcher at the Probationary 1 Rate per the Collective Bargaining Agreement

Commissioner Webb made a motion to approve the recommendation of Commissioner Barwick and Chief Fitts to hire Juliahna Jimenez as a dispatcher at the probationary 1 rate per the collective bargaining agreement with a start date of August 19, 2024. Commissioner Stoecklin seconded the motion.

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

Police Chief David Fitts introduced Ms. Jimenez to the Council. He told them her father is a retired Department of Corrections officer and her brother Alek is a Narcotics Detective. Ms. Jimenez thanked the council for the opportunity and said she is very excited to get started.

Hire Macy Crane as a Records Clerk at the Agreed Upon Rate per the Collective Bargaining Agreement Commissioner Stoecklin made a motion to approve the recommendation of Chief Fitts to hire Macy Crane as a records clerk at the agreed upon pay rate per the collective bargaining agreement with a start date of August 19, 2024. Commissioner Patton seconded the motion.

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

Police Chief David Fitts told the Council Ms. Crane was unable to attend tonight's meeting.

Hire Kaleb Vaughn as a Patrol Officer at the Probationary 1 Rate per the Collective Bargaining Agreement

Commissioner Patton made a motion to approve the recommendation of the Merit Board, Commissioner Barwick and Chief Fitts to hire Kaleb Vaughn as a patrol officer at the probationary 1 pay rate per the collective bargaining agreement with Vaughn's start date as August 20, 2024, Commissioner Stoecklin seconded the motion.

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

Police Chief David Fitts introduced Kaleb Vaughn to the Council. He told them Mr. Vaughn began working at the Franklin County Sheriff's department while still in high school as a dispatcher. He is currently a corrections officer at Franklin County. Mr. Vaughn thanked the Council and said he is excited to start working with this department. Chief Fitts added that Mr. Vaughn will attend the Illinois State Police academy next month.

Purchase and Training of Three New K9 Officers

Mayor Absher said this agenda item presents a unique situation.

Mayor Absher made a motion to approve the purchase and training of three new K9 officers, using budgeted and donated funds. Commissioner Webb seconded the motion.

Police Chief Daivd Fitts told the Council K9 Loeki passed away after twelve years of service. He said she was the longest active working K9 around. He told them Dr. Robert Miller, a doctor at the VA Hospital, called him wanting to donate toward the purchase of a replacement K9 after learning of Loeki's death. Dr. Miller donated $18,000 to the police department for the purchase of a new K9 and training. Mayor Absher stated he called Dr. Miller to thank him for the very generous donation. Chief Fitts told the Council they want a K9 dedicated to the Narcotics Unit and they have an officer who is leaving the department to work at another agency and is taking his dog with him. The other agency is willing to purchase the dog, so a replacement dog is needed.

Hearing no further discussion, Mayor Absher called for the vote.

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

BUILDING AND CODE SERVICES

Request for Special Use Permit, Setback Variances, and Smaller Parking Spaces at 608 North Madison Street

Mayor Absher told the Council the four items on the agenda are all related to the same development. These requests for 608 North Madison Street were approved by the Zoning Board.

No one attended the Zoning Board meeting to object to the requests. No one was present at the council meeting to object to the requests.

Mayor Absher made a motion to approve the following upon the recommendation of the Zoning Board: approval of the request for a Special Use Permit at 608 North Madison Street, Parcel # 07-18-309-007, to build a multi-use family dwelling in a C-1 General Commercial Zone; to approve the request recommended by the Zoning Board for a setback Variance of 9'8" instead of the required 20' setback and 7' instead of the required 10' setback also at 608 North Madison same parcel number as before to build a tri-plex; to approve a request for a land variance at 608 North Madison same parcel as previous two to build a tri-plex that does not meet the required 3,000 square foot per unit land area of 7,225 square feet; and to approve the request for smaller parking spots to be two 10x20 instead of required two 10x24. Commissioner Webb seconded the motion.

Commissioner Patton asked about the location of the parcels and was told by Chief of Staff Cody Moake they are located across the from the Water Plant on Madison Street.

After some discussion, Mayor Absher called for the vote.

ON ROLL CALL VOTE COMMISSIONER PATTON VOTED NO. COMMISSIONERS WEBB AND STOECKLIN AND MAYOR ABSHER ALL VOTED YEA. COMMISSIONER BARWICK ABSENT.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND MUNICIPAL PLANNING

Ordinance 3970 Authorizing an FY24 Hub TIF Commercial Façade Grant to be Paid in FY25 Mayor Absher told the Council this Hub TIF Commercial Façade Grant is for awnings and windows. The grant amount is $10,000. Mr. Monroe spent $26,000 and started making the improvements last year.

Mayor Absher made a motion to approve Ordinance 3970 authorizing an FY24 Hub TIF Commercial Façade grant to be paid in FY25 for Monroe's Cleaners. Commissioner Stoecklin seconded the motion,

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

TIF Grant Applications Received through August 9, 2024

Mayor Absher reported the Residential TIF II grant funds are exhausted, but there are still funds left in Residential TIF 1.

Mayor Absher made a motion to approve TIF Grant Applications received through August 9, 2024. Commissioner Patton seconded the motion.

ON ROLL CALL VOTE COMMISSIONERS PATTON, WEBB, AND STOECKLIN

AND MAYOR ABSHER VOTED YEA. COMMISSIONER BARWICK ABSENT.

TREASURER'S OFFICE

Ordinance 3971 Approving a Loan with Banterra Bank for Street Department Trucks Commissioner Patton told the Council Treasurer Roye solicited bids from local banks for a loan to purchase Street Department trucks.

Commissioner Patton made a motion to approve Ordinance 3971 approving a loan with Banterra Bank for purchasing Street Department trucks. Commissioner Webb seconded the motion.

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

PUBLIC AFFAIRS

Repave Alleys Around Tower Square using Hub TIF Funds

Mayor Absher explained there are seven alleys around Tower Square that need to be reshaped and repaved. Samron Midwest Contracting bid $102,037.50 to repave the alleys one block in each direction. The paving will be paid from the Hub TIF, Mayor Absher said bistro lighting will be installed in the alleys when the paving is completed. He reminded everyone milling will start on the square tonight.

Mayor Absher made a motion to repave alleys around Tower Square using Hub TIF Funds, Commissioner Patton seconded the motion.

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

Resolution 2024-15 Authorizing a Contract with ET Simonds to Pave PINs 06-13-497-004, 06- 13-497-003, and 06-13-497-007 Adding Parking Spaces south of Monroe's Cleaners Mayor Absher asked to table the lease and the contract with ET Simonds for paving additional parking areas south of Monroe's Cleaners. He explained the scope of the lease will change a bit, therefore changing the math.

COMMISSIONER REPORTS

Commissioner Patton - Accounts & Finances

Commissioner Patton had no report.

Commissioner Stoecklin ---- Public Property, Civic Center, Pavilion

Commissioner Stoecklin read the Water Department report since the last council meeting. He announced this year is the twentieth anniversary of the Civic Center opening after the fire and the fiftieth anniversary of opening in 1974. He reported there have been 165 events at the Civic Center so far this year. In 2007 there were thirty-nine events all year.

Commissioner Barwick - Public Health & Safety

Commissioner Patton read the July Police and Fire Department reports in Commissioner Barwick's absence. He reported 1,774 dispatched calls; 1,992 911 calls; 4,593 non-emergency calls and 181 ambulance calls. He reported eighty-six call outs for the Fire Department.

Commissioner Webb - Streets & Public Improvements

Commissioner Webb reported the Street Department has been working on sidewalks on Russell and Goodall Streets, Union Street to Otis Street, and Chestnut Street to Russell Street. They are working on drainage projects in Morningside. They have been spraying weeds and mowing around town. They have been striping behind the paving as it is completed and refreshed the pavement markings around the schools. He reported the paving work should be finished this week. He reported the Cemetery had nine burials in July.

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 Stoecklin seconded the motion.

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

Meeting Adjourned at 6:03 P.M.

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