Carbondale Reporter

City of Marion City Council met Nov. 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

Judge Amanda Byassee Gott led the Pledge of Allegiance.

NATIONAL ADOPTION DAY PROCLAMATION

Mayor Absher told the audience it is the time of year the city honors the personnel and families going through the adoption process. He read a proclamation declaring Friday, November 22, 2024, as National Adoption Day in Marion. Jeff Shore, Regional Supervisory Counsel for DCFS, Judge Amanda Byassee Gott, and Attorney Andrea McNeill were present for the reading of the National Adoption Day Proclamation.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Marion resident Wilma Whitley was present to observe her first city council meeting.

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, WEBB, AND STOECKLIN AND MAYOR ABSHER ALL VOTED YEA. COMMISSIONER BARWICK ABSENT.

NEW BUSINESS

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND MUNICIPAL PLANNING

Ordinance 3988 Adding Territory to the Williamson County Enterprise Zone and Amendment No. 5 to the Enterprise Zone Intergovernmental Agreement

Mayor Absher announced the Enterprise Zone Board and staff met and discussed a request by Pepsi MidAmerica to add some territory to the Enterprise Zone. They are contemplating a major expansion and adding territory to the Enterprise Zone would qualify them for some state help. The Board voted unanimously to add the territory to the Enterprise Zone, so each municipality must approve this by ordinance. He explained because there is not a current project, but an anticipated project, the Intergovernmental Agreement must be amended.

Mayor Absher made a motion to approve Ordinance 3988 an Ordinance Adding Territory to the Williamson County Enterprise Zone and made a motion to approve Amendment No. 5 to the Enterprise Zone Intergovernmental Agreement. Commissioner Patton seconded the motion.

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

STREET DEPARTMENT

Ordinance 3989 Establishing a Four-Way Stop at the Intersection of Buchanan and Warder Streets

Commissioner Webb made a motion to approve Ordinance 3989 establishing a four-way stop at the intersection of Buchanan and Warder Streets. Commissioner Patton seconded the motion.

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

THE PAVILION

Proposal from Stormwater Erosion Specialists to Clear Detention Ponds south of The Pavilion Mayor Absher explained there are two detention ponds owned by the city at The Pavilion. The smaller one has lots of overgrowth. Pavilion Executive Director Jared Garrison has asked for them to be cleaned up. The city received a bid of $21,005 from Stormwater Erosion Specialties to clear both ponds. The North Commercial TIF Fund has money to pay for this project and it is a qualified TIF expenditure.

Mayor Absher made a motion to approve the proposal from Stormwater Erosion Specialists to clear the two detention ponds south of The Pavilion, using North Commercial TIF funds. Commissioner Webb seconded the motion.

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

SENIOR CITIZENS CENTER

Bids from A&K Specialty Contractors for General Interior and Exterior Upgrades to the Senior Citizens Center

Mayor Absher told the council the bids from A&K Specialty Contractors are for long contemplated upgrades to the interior and exterior of the Senior Citizens Center. The interior and exterior of the north brick wall parallel to Main Street is in major disrepair. Other proposed upgrades include painting the brick on the rest of the building, finishing the pillars on the drive- thru with a stucco-type finish, removing paneling and ceiling tiles inside the building, and repainting walls and replacing ceiling tiles. The city budgeted $150,000 for the upgrades to be paid from the Project Fund. The following bids were received: $45,820 for drywall and painting work; $$52,230 for brick repair and exterior painting; and $47,880 for new acoustical ceilings.

Mayor Absher made a motion to approve the three bids from A&K Specialty Contractors for general interior and exterior upgrades to the Senior Citizens Center. Commissioner Stoecklin seconded the motion.

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

PUBLIC AFFAIRS

2025 Schedule of Council Meetings and 2025 City Holidays

Mayor Absher announced the schedule of council meetings and list of city holidays are routine items.

Mayor Absher made a motion to approve the 2025 Schedule of Council Meetings and the 2025 City Holidays. Commissioner Patton seconded the motion.

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

Bids from Security Alarm to Update Fire Alarm System at Civic Center and Install New Fire Alarm System at Market Street Hall using Capital Replacement Funds

Mayor Absher told the Council the twenty-year old fire alarm system at the Civic Center is having problems. It is original to the building and has met or exceeded its original life span. He said parts are hard to find. The proposal for a new system is $31,231 with a monthly recurring fee of $64. Since there are larger events being held at Market Street Hall, the Fire Chief has recommended an alarm system also be installed there. The proposal to install a system at Market Street Hall is $28,913 with a monthly recurring fee of $64. He said the money to pay for these systems is set aside in the Capital Replacement Fund.

Mayor Absher made a motion to approve bids from Security Alarm to update the fire alarm system at the Marion Cultural and Civic Center and install a new fire alarm system at Market Street Hall using Capital Replacement Funds. Commissioner Webb seconded the motion.

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

Announcement of 2024-2025 Tax Levy Estimate

Mayor Absher explained each year each municipality must announce what their tax levy will be. In 2019, he proposed the city eliminate all but $100 of the city's tax levy in exchange for a slightly higher sales tax rate. There are technical reasons why the city must sill levy $100 in property tax. That amount is levied in total among all taxpayers.

Mayor Absher made a motion to approve the 2024-2025 tax levy estimate of $100. Commissioner Stoecklin seconded the motion.

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

Health Insurance Renewal with Blue Cross Blue Shield

Mayor Absher stated this is the time of year to review health insurance options. He said the city found no other options or alternatives to Blue Cross Blue Shield. He explained premiums are based on loss experience as a group. He said there will be an increase of 2.8 percent in total. The annual cost will be $4.405 million.

Mayor Absher made a motion to approve the health insurance renewal with Blue Cross Blue Shield. Commissioner Webb seconded the motion.

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

COMMISSIONER REPORTS

Commissioner Webb - Streets & Public Improvements

Commissioner Webb reported the Street Department has been working on drainage issues on Walnut, Copeland, and Eisenhower Streets. They have been working on sidewalks on Garfield and Reeves Streets. They have been putting up Christmas decorations on the Square. He reported ten burials in October for the Cemetery Department.

Commissioner Stoecklin - Public Property, Civic Center, Pavilion

Commissioner Stoecklin read the Water Department report since the last council meeting. He reminded everyone there are many events coming up at the Civic Center and Pavilion.

Commissioner Patton - Accounts & Finances

Commissioner Patton had no report. Commissioner Patton read the October Police Department report in Commissioner Barwick's absence. He reported 1,598 dispatched calls; 1,818 911 calls; 3,925 non-emergency calls; and 150 ambulance calls.

Commissioner Barwick - Public Health & Safety Commissioner Barwick was absent.

Mayor Absher - Public Affairs

Mayor Absher reminded everyone this is a busy time of year with many city activities. He directed everyone to verymerrymarion.com for information about those activities.

MISCELLANEOUS

Police Chief David Fitts reminded everyone applications for the Cops & Kids program are available at the police department and online. The completed applications can be returned to the police department. The shopping day for Marion kids will be December 10th. Financial donations are also accepted to support the program. The goal is to raise enough money so that each child can spend $100.

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. COMMISSIONER BARWICK ABSENT.

Meeting Adjourned at 6:00 P.M.

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