Carbondale Reporter

City of Carbondale City Council met Oct. 22.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

Councilmembers present

Councilmember Adam Loos, Councilmember Nancy Maxwell, Councilmember Ginger Rye Sanders, Councilmember Jeff Doherty, Councilmember LaCaje Hill, Councilmember Clare Killman, and Mayor Carolin Harvey

Meeting called to order at 6:01 PM

1. Preliminaries to the City Council Meeting

Procedural: 1.1 Roll Call

Procedural: 1.2 Citizens' Comments and Questions

Individuals addressing the City Council included Marcella Woodson, Sandy Litecky, Deborah Woods, and James Cooper, Jr.

Procedural: 1.3 Council Comments, General Announcements, and Proclamations

Councilmember Rye Sanders announced the details of the White Ball fundraiser for Women For Change and suggested revisiting the Ordinance for registration of vacant properties which may have some unintended consequences.

Councilmember Hill thanked the community for their donations to the Good Samaritan.

Councilmember Loos renewed his request to bring back the landlord tenant ordinance to the City Council, shared information about a request to give a dark skies presentation from a local organization, and proposed placing concrete pads for astronomers to place their telescopes on city property.

Councilmember Doherty concurred about bringing back the landlord tenant ordinance, as well as establishing viewing locations on city property. He further suggested bringing back Shots Fired Technology so that the Council could learn more about that topic.

Councilmember Killman agreed with bringing back the landlord tenant ordinance. Further, she noted that representatives from The Center for Virtual Expression were interested in giving a presentation on the use of AI by municipal government.

Councilmember Maxwell shared that she has been made aware of applicants for the Housing Board, but the renewed requests continue.

Mayor Harvey announced Early Voting dates and announced a free Veterans Appreciation Dinner on November 7.

Interim City Manager Reno announced a public workshop on City's Comprehensive Plan here at Civic Center.

Mayor Harvey presented a proclamation thanking and acknowledging Sean Cooney for his leadership and commitment to strengthening ties between SIU and the community.

2. Public Hearings and Special Reports

Public Hearing: 2.1 Public Hearing for Sale of City-Owned Property at 601 South Illinois Avenue

The Public Hearing was declared open at 6:33 p.m.

Sandy Litecky expressed support for the proposed sale and use.

The Public Hearing was declared closed at 6:33 p.m.

3. Consent Agenda of the City Council

Action (Consent): 3.1 City Council Meeting Minutes from October 8, 2024

Resolution: Approve the minutes from the regular City Council meeting of October 8, 2024

Action (Consent): 3.2 Approval of Wells Fargo Warrant for the Period Ending 07/31/2024 FY 2025 Warrant # WF 07/2024 in the amount of $171,913.07

Resolution: Accept the following report of payments made for the period ended: 07/31/2024 totaling $171,913.07 (Exhibit A-10-22-2024)

Action (Consent): 3.3 Approval of Warrant for the Period Ending: 10/11/2024 for the FY 2025 Warrant 1496 in the Total Amount of $2,652,114.47

Resolution: Accept the following report of payments made for the period ended: 10/11/2024 totaling $2,652,114.47 (Exhibit B-10-22-2024)

Action (Consent): 3.4 Award of Contract for Industrial Pretreatment Dystor Renovation to Samron Midwest Contracting, Inc. of Murphysboro, Illinois in the Amount of $317,317.00

Resolution: Award the Contract for Industrial Pretreatment Dystor Renovation to Samron Midwest Contracting, Inc. of Murphysboro, Illinois in the Amount of $317,317.00

Action (Consent): 3.5 An Ordinance Authorizing the Interim City Manager to Lease Amtrak Space within the Southern Illinois Multi-Modal Station Along with a Platform Agreement

Resolution: Adopt an Ordinance authorizing the Interim City Manager to enter into a lease and a platform agreement with Amtrak for space within the Southern Illinois Multi-Modal Station. (Ordinance 2024-37; Exhibit C-10-22-2024)

Action (Consent): 3.6 Ordinance Authorizing a Budget Adjustment to Increase Support Services Division in the Amount of $100,000 for Additional City-Funded Housing Grants

Resolution: Adopt an Ordinance authorizing approval of a Budget Adjustment to increase the FY25 budget to provide additional funding of $100,000 to fund the Single-Family Home Conversion Program, the Down Payment Assistance Grant, and the Curb Appeal Assistance Program. (Ordinance 2024-38; Exhibit D-10-22-2024)

Action (Consent): 3.7 Approval of Consent Agenda Items

Resolution: Approve all Consent Agenda items not pulled for separate consideration Agenda Item 3.6 – Council expressed approval for the continuation of these programs, detailing the number of and types of grants, and noting its success.

MOTION: Approve all Consent Agenda items not pulled for separate consideration

Motion by LaCaje Hill, second by Adam Loos.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries

Yea: Adam Loos, Ginger Rye Sanders, Jeff Doherty, LaCaje Hill, Clare Killman, Carolin Harvey Nay: Nancy Maxwell

4. General Business of the City Council

Discussion: 4.1 Discussion of Rate Increases for Services Provided by the Water and Sewer Fund and Refuse and Recycling Fund

Councilmembers noted concern about how residents will be impacted by the proposed increases, expressed a need about finding a balance between needed infrastructure improvements and customers' abilities to pay those increased rates; requested additional information before any action could occur; expressed support for the proposed rate increases; remarked on a desire to provide the highest quality of services; noted that everyone is grappling with inflation costs; inquired about the typical meter size for a household; asked for an example of what that increase would look like; noted that rate increases while regrettable, are necessary; explained that the number of people paying into the service has decreased which will cost the smaller number more, but deferred maintenance costs could become problematic; encouraged the elimination of the punitive reconnection fee; remarked on a water rate increase percentage for larger sized meters; noted that this issue was raised during the budgeting process; commented on the significantly decreased fund balance; emphasized the Council’s fiduciary responsibility; remarked that grant funds are available for improvements, but not for general operations; suggested a cap on reconnect fee waivers; asked a series of questions about the two Waste Water Treatment Plants improvements and responsibilities; asked if there would be assistance that can be offered for those who have a fixed monthly income; asked to see what kinds of routine treatments that have been done; expressed support for a graduated fee structure; and suggested a public hearing to receive public input on this matter.

Action: 4.2 Ordinance Authorizing The Interim City Manager to Execute a Contract for Sale of Real Property to John P. Beyler Located at 601 South Illinois Avenue and Authorizing the Mayor to Execute a Quit Claim Deed for Conveyance of Said Land

There was a comment on the challenges with this property rendering the parcel largely unusable due to utilities laid across the parcel and that the purchaser’s plan is the best use given the very limited options.

MOTION: Approve an Ordinance Authorizing the Interim City Manager to Execute a Contract for the Sale of Real Property to John P. Beyler Located at 601 South Illinois Avenue and Authorizing the Mayor to Execute a Quit Claim Deed for Conveyance of Said Land

Motion by Clare Killman, second by LaCaje Hill.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries

Yea: Adam Loos, Nancy Maxwell, Ginger Rye Sanders, Jeff Doherty, LaCaje Hill, Clare Killman, Carolin Harvey (Ordinance 2024-39; Exhibit E-10-22-2024)

5. Executive Session

Action: 5.1 Executive Session to Discuss the Appointment, Employment, Compensation, Discipline, Performance, or Dismissal of Specific Employees of the Public Body

MOTION: Enter Into an Executive Session to Discuss the Appointment, Employment, Compensation, Discipline, Performance, or Dismissal of Specific Employees of the Public Body

Motion by LaCaje Hill, second by Nancy Maxwell.

Final Resolution: Motion Carries

Yea: Adam Loos, Nancy Maxwell, Ginger Rye Sanders, Jeff Doherty, LaCaje Hill, Clare Killman, Carolin Harvey Open Session recessed at 7:26 p.m.

MOTION: Return to Open Session

Motion by Clare Killman, second by Jeff Doherty. .

Final Resolution: Motion Carries

Yea: Adam Loos, Nancy Maxwell, Ginger Rye Sanders, Jeff Doherty, LaCaje Hill, Clare Killman, Carolin Harvey Open Session recessed at 8:47 p.m.

6. Adjournment of the City Council Meeting

Procedural: 6.1 Adjourn meeting

There being no further business to come before the City Council, the meeting was declared adjourned at 8:47 p.m.

https://www.explorecarbondale.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_10222024-2377