Carbondale Reporter

City of Marion City Council met Oct. 14.

Here is the agenda 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.

CONSENT AGENDA

Commissioner Stoecklin 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

POLICE DEPARTMENT

Hire Aaron Deaton as a School Security Officer at the Agreed Upon Pay Rate with Unit 2 Schools

Commissioner Barwick made a motion to approve the recommendation Chief Fitts to hire Aaron Deaton as a school security officer at the agreed upon pay rate between Marion Unit 2 schools and the city of Marion. 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 told the Council Mr. Deaton is a Herrin Native and a retired Associate Warden. He was not present this evening to meet the Council.

FIRE DEPARTMENT

Hire Bronson Nesler and Drake Gravatt to Open Firefighter Positions per the Collective Bargaining Agreement

Commissioner Barwick made a motion to approve the recommendation of the Merit Board to hire Bronson Nesler and Drake Gravatt to two open firefighter positions, terms per the collective bargaining agreement. Both to start on October 21, 2024. Commissioner Webb seconded the motion.

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

PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT

Purchase a Dump Bed and Pump Assembly for a Water Department Truck

Commissioner Stoecklin made a motion to approve the purchase of a dump bed and pump assembly for a Water Department truck for $15,213, a budgeted item. Commissioner Patton seconded the motion.

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

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND MUNICIPAL PLANNING

FY25 TIF Grant Applications Received through October 11, 2024

Mayor Absher told the Council there is a list of grant applications in the council packet.

Mayor Absher made a motion to approve FY25 TIF Grant Applications received through October 11, 2024. Commissioner Webb seconded the motion.

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

Ordinance 3980 a Residential TIF II Redevelopment Agreement with Ruth E Malone Trust Mayor Absher explained the Residential TIF II Redevelopment Agreement is for a residential renovation.

Mayor Absher made a motion to approve Ordinance 3980 a Residential TIF II Redevelopment Agreement with the Ruth E Malone Trust for renovations at 207 North Bentley. Commissioner Webb seconded the motion.

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

PUBLIC AFFAIRS

Approve Timber Sales Contract with Kurt Rehagen dba Rustic Wood Products, Inc Mayor Absher told the Council he was approached by Mr. John Will, a timber broker about a city owned parcel adjacent to a parcel he was brokering to be logged for timber. He said Mr. Will asked if the city would be interested in having the city parcel logged. Mayor Absher indicated he does not think there is not a lot of timber on the parcel. Mr. Will addressed the Council. He explained he is a retired Conservation Police Officer, and he tries to help landowners make the best money they can by helping them broker deals with timber buyers. He explained the process to the Council and answered various questions they had.

Commissioner Patton made a motion to approve a timber sales contract with Kurt Rehagen dba Rustic Wood Products, Inc. Commissioner Stoecklin seconded the motion.

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

Approve Work Comp and P & I Insurance Renewal with IML's RMA

Mayor Absher stated it is the time of year to renew property and casualty insurance. He explained the city is with Risk Management Association and it is a risk pool like the health insurance. The city's claims experience dictates the rate increase. Unfortunately, the city has had some claims including work comp, auto liability, and general liability that have caused an eight percent increase over the last year. He said the city has been happy with Risk Management Association and the services they provide. Mayor Absher stated the city has paid the entire amount in full in the past to take advantage of a one percent savings. The payment amount is $1,065,294.

Mayor Absher made a motion to approve the insurance renewal quote which is work comp and P & I Insurance renewal with IML's Risk Management Association. Commissioner Webb seconded the motion.

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

Approve a Grant of $10,000 Using ARPA Funds to the Southern Illinois Coalition for the Homeless for Emergency Housing Vouchers

Mayor Absher told the Council two years ago the city gave Southern Illinois Coalition for the Homeless a grant for emergency housing vouchers. These funds are now exhausted, and they have requested additional funds.

Mayor Absher made a motion to approve a grant of $10,000 using ARPA funds to the Southern Illinois Coalition for the Homeless for emergency housing vouchers. Commissioner Patton seconded the motion.

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

Approve Bids to Make Roof Repairs to City Hall

Mayor Absher explained there are two buildings that make the city hall building, the original bank building and the Western Auto building. There are issues with the Western Auto building, in the southwest corner of the building where the Codes Department is housed (ATM building), and with the bank canopy over the drive thru. Three years ago, when the city hall project started, the roof was not leaking. Mayor Absher stated leaks have developed since the last big rain, including in the IT server room. Fortunately, there was no damage done to the servers. He said the city has received bids from Vaughn Roofing to fix the leaks. He said they made three different bids. The west building is the biggest project, and it requires stripping off the existing membrane and replacing the cover board. The three bids total $114,305. The city will be paying for the work from the capital replacement fund.

Mayor Absher made a motion to approve a bid of $114,305 from Vaughn Roofing to make repairs to City Hall. Commissioner Barwick 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.

Commissioner Webb - Streets & Public Improvements

Commissioner Webb reported the Street Department has finished a new storm sewer behind Econolodge. They have been patching pavement on Gregory and Fair. They have worked on a catch basin on Madison Street and have been working on sidewalks and drainage on Goodall Street. They have also been striping the resealed parking lots. They received the new street sweeper last Friday and it is doing a good job. They Cemetery reported thirteen burials in September.

Commissioner Barwick - Public Health & Safety

Commissioner Barwick read the September reports for the fire department and police

department. He reported the fire department sent four firefighters to Florida to assist with hurricane clean up. He reported 1,725 dispatched calls; 2,104 911 calls; 4,301 non-emergency calls; and 138 ambulance calls for September in the police department.

Commissioner Stoecklin - Public Property, Civic Center, Pavilion

Commissioner Stoecklin read the Water Department report since last council meeting. He reported the Water Department is trying to finish landscaping and road patching from prior jobs. He thanked everyone for their patience dealing with the construction around the Pavilion. He reported the restroom renovations at the Pavilion are almost complete, the new seating groups are in and look great, and the new video board is up. He also reported the Civic Center has several shows going on.

Mayor Absher - Public Affairs

Mayor Absher reported the square renovation is substantially done. Lights have been hung in two alleys. He thanked the merchants for their patience during construction the last three years. He also reported that Club 60 Director Jill Graskewicz told him about the custodian at Club 60 personally collecting relief supplies for people affected by the recent hurricanes and taking time off to deliver those supplies.

MISCELLANEOUS

Police Chief David Fitts told the Council the square looks great. He reported Dispatch has noticed business information they have on file is old and outdated. They have placed a form on the city's website business owners can fill out to update their emergency contact information. He also reminded everyone the eighth annual Spooktacular will be October 26th from 5:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. at Mt. Dew Park. The Police Department is partnering with Black Diamond Harley- Davidson and the Oasis group again this year to host this event.

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 6:34 P.M.

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