Carbondale Reporter

City of Marion City Council met Oct. 28.

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.

CONSENT AGENDA

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

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

NEW BUSINESS

FIRE DEPARTMENT

New Firefighter Introductions

Commissioner Barwick announced two new firefighters were appointed at the last council meeting and are present tonight to be introduced to the Council. Fire Chief Barnett thanked Mayor Absher, Chief of Staff Moake, and the Council for supporting the fire department. He said the department is growing and they look forward to the future. He introduced the new firefighters, Bronson Nessler and Drake Gravatt. He told the Council he knows both personally and presented some information about each of them. The meeting paused briefly for Communications and Marketing Director Rachel Stroud to take some photos.

BUILDING & CODE SERVICES

Hire Aaron Deaton to the open Code Enforcement Officer Position

Mayor Absher said this is the second time in as many meetings that Mr. Deaton has appeared on the agenda. He was hired as a School Security Officer at the previous council meeting. After he was hired by the police department, he applied for the open Code Enforcement Officer position. He is retired as an Assistant Warden from the prison. Code Officer Greg Lynn is retiring in January and they wanted to have Mr. Deaton work with Greg to get him up to speed.

Mayor Absher made a motion to approve the recommendation of the Director to hire Aaron Deaton to the open Code Enforcement Officer position. Commissioner Barwick 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 announced there are five TIF Redevelopment Agreements for TIF XX on the agenda. He explained one of them was mislabeled. He asked Chief of Staff Moake to explain each of them briefly. Chief of Staff Moake explained five inducement resolutions were on the books prior to TIF XX being finalized. Since TIF XX has been finalized, the inducement resolutions have been converted to Redevelopment Agreements.

Chief of Staff Moake explained Ordinance 3980 is for the existing Econolodge. They are planning to fill in the pool area and put in a bar and grill in that space.

Chief of Staff Moake told the Council Ordinance 3981 is for Aspire Yoga on Court Street. They are purchasing another building adjacent to the existing building to expand their operation.

Chief of Staff Moake told the Council that Ordinance 3982 is a Redevelopment Agreement with the holding company that owns Sunny Street Café. They have purchased a one-acre parcel south of Pilot truck stop on Halfway Road to build a second location.

Chief of Staff Moake told the Council that Ordinance 3983 is for America's Best Value Inn. The owners are wanting to make substantial renovations to the hotel.

Chief of Staff Moake told the Council that Ordinance 3984 is a TIF XX Redevelopment for the new Marriott hotel on Halfway Road, not the Econolodge as indicated on the agenda.

Ordinance 3980 a TIF XX Redevelopment Agreement with DB Group, LLC Commissioner Webb made a motion to approve Ordinance 3980 a TIF XX Redevelopment Agreement with DB Group, LLC. Commissioner Patton seconded the motion.

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

Ordinance 3981 a TIF XX Redevelopment Agreement with Aspire Yoga, LLC Commissioner Stoecklin made a motion to approve Ordinance 3981 a TIF XX Redevelopment Agreement with Aspire Yoga, LLC. Commissioner Webb seconded the motion.

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

Ordinance 3982 a TIF XX Redevelopment Agreement with A Better Egg, LLC Commissioner Barwick made a motion to approve Ordinance 3982 a TIF XX Redevelopment Agreement with A Better Egg, LLC. Commissioner Stoecklin seconded the motion.

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

Ordinance 3983 a TIF XX Redevelopment Agreement with Yogi Hotel, LLC Commissioner Patton made a motion to approve Ordinance 3983 a TIF XX Redevelopment Agreement with Yogi Hotel, LLC. Commissioner Barwick seconded the motion.

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

Ordinance 3984 a TIF XX Redevelopment Agreement with MK Hotel, LLC (Marriott)

Commissioner Webb made a motion to approve Ordinance 3984 a TIF XX Redevelopment Agreement with MK Hotel, LLC (Marriott). Commissioner Patton seconded the motion.

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

FY25 TIF Grant Applications Received through October 25, 2024

Mayor Absher said there were two Hub TIF grant applications received through October 25, 2024.

Mayor Absher made a motion to approve FY25 TIF Grant Applications received through October 25, 2024. Commissioner Stoecklin seconded the motion.

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

TREASURER'S OFFICE

Ordinance 3985 Authorizing a Loan Agreement with Banterra Bank for the Schwarze A 7SE Regen Air Sweeper

Commissioner Patton told the Council the city needed to borrow funds for the new street sweeper. He reported Banterra Bank offered a five-year loan at 3.95 percent for an amount not to exceed $365,776.

Commissioner Patton made a motion to approve Ordinance 3985 authorizing a loan agreement with Banterra Bank for the Schwarze A 7SE Tornado Regen Air Sweeper. Commissioner Barwick seconded the motion.

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

Ordinance 3986 Authorizing a Loan Agreement with Banterra Bank for Seven Police Vehicles Commissioner Patton told the Council the city needed to borrow funds to purchase seven police vehicles. He reported Banterra Bank offered a three-year loan at 3.95 percent interest for an amount not to exceed $347,240.

Mayor Absher explained the city has already purchased the Schwarze A 7SE Regen Air Sweeper and the police vehicles and paid cash for them. The funds will be borrowed from Banterra Bank to spread the cost of these purchases over multiple budget years and replenish the general fund.

Commissioner Patton made a motion to approve Ordinance 3986 authorizing a loan agreement with Banterra Bank for seven police vehicles. 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.

Commissioner Webb - Streets & Public Improvements

Commissioner Webb reported the Street Department finished the storm sewer by Econolodge. They also placed a new storm sewer on Broeking Road and worked on a storm sewer on Fosse Road. They finished a sidewalk on Goodall Street and finished drainage work on Warren Street.

They have been cleaning around the square since the construction is finished. They are finishing up mowing.

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 council meeting. He also had two Halloween related trivia questions this evening.

MISCELLANEOUS

Police Chief David Fitts reported on the eighth annual Spooktacular. Marion resident Carmen Allen Adeoye reported the Interacting with Law Enforcement program will be Tuesday at John A Logan College at 11:00 A.M. in the main building conference room.

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 6:02 P.M.

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