Carbondale Reporter

City of Marion City Council met Mar. 10.

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 Pro-Tem Doug Patton called the meeting to order at 5:30 P.M. The City Clerk called the roll, and the response was as follows: 

PHYSICALLY PRESENT: COMMISSIONER PATTON ACTING AS MAYOR PRO-TEM, COMMISSIONERS BARWICK, WEBB, AND STOECKLIN. 

ABSENT: MAYOR ABSHER 

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 

Commissioner Patton led the Pledge of Allegiance. 

PUBLIC COMMENT 

Resident Carolyn Simmons addressed the Council with concerns regarding a blocked rear entrance to her apartment complex. She said she has lived there since 2008 and residents have used the rear entrance for moving into and out of their apartments and various other reasons. Commissioner Patton told her that Commissioner Webb will check into the situation. 

CONSENT AGENDA 

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

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

NEW BUSINESS 

STREET/CEMETERY DEPARTMENT 

Purchase 2025 Bobcat MT100 Mini Track Loader with Angle Boom and General-Purpose Bucket 

Commissioner Webb made a motion to approve the purchase of a 2025 Bobcat MT100 Mini Track Loader with Angle Boom and General-Purpose Bucket. Commissioner Stoecklin seconded the motion. 

Commissioner Webb told the Council this Bobcat is one that the operator stands on instead of sitting on and will be used to help with snow removal in tight areas. Mayor's Chief of Staff Cody Moake said it will be paid for with general fund surplus funds. He explained the Cemetery employees who help with snow removal on the Square asked if the city could purchase this type of equipment. Chief of Staff Moake talked with Street Superintendent Phillips and determined this equipment could be used for much more than snow removal since there are several other attachments that can be purchased for it. 

Hearing no further discussion, Commissioner Patton called for the vote. 

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

Approve Joint Funding Agreement with IDOT for South Market Street Safety Improvements Project 

Commissioner Webb made a motion to approve the Joint Funding Agreement with IDOT for the South Market Street Safety Improvements project. Commissioner Stoecklin seconded the motion. 

Commissioner Webb explained the project is to replace a box culvert and move guardrail from Boyton Street to Texas Avenue. The agreement is for engineering costs with ninety percent paid with federal funds and ten percent paid by the city. The city's portion will be $7,500. 

Hearing no further discussion, Commissioner Patton called for the vote. 

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

POLICE DEPARTMENT 

Purchase 14 Panasonic Toughbooks 

Commissioner Barwick made a motion to approve the purchase of fourteen Panasonic Toughbooks for a total cost of $41,829.06; a budgeted purchase. Commissioner Stoecklin seconded the motion. 

Commissioner Barwick explained that the Police Department has been slowly replacing officers' laptops. The current ones are outdated and do not support Windows 11. The new ones are touchscreen and more user-friendly. 

Hearing no further discussion, Commissioner Patton called for the vote. 

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

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND MUNICIPAL PLANNING 

Commissioner Patton asked Mayor's Chief of Staff Cody Moake to talk about the Economic Development and Municipal Planning items on the agenda. 

Mayor's Chief of Staff Cody Moake told the Council agenda items 7A and 7B are amendments to redevelopment agreements. The developer who renovated the two homes wanted a quicker incentive than the long-term TIF incentive and opted for the grant funds instead of the long-term TIF payouts. Chief of Staff Moake explained the agreements are being converted from redevelopment agreements to TIF grant agreements. Funds are still available for these grants. 

Ordinance 4012 Amending a Redevelopment Agreement with Comfortable Houses, LLC Commissioner Webb made a motion to approve Ordinance 4012 amending a redevelopment agreement with Comfortable Houses, LLC. Commissioner Barwick seconded the motion. 

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

Ordinance 4013 Amending a Redevelopment Agreement with Comfortable Houses, LLC Commissioner Webb made a motion to approve Ordinance 4013 amending a redevelopment agreement with Comfortable Houses, LLC. Commissioner Stoecklin seconded the motion. 

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

Ordinance 4014 a Residential TIF II Redevelopment Agreement with Kesha McCay 

Mayor's Chief of Staff Cody Moake told the Council this ordinance is a similar circumstance that the Council has seen twice this year. The TIF grant program does not cover water and sewer improvements. This ordinance dedicates some grant funds to pay for sewer improvements correcting an issue on the service line leading up to the city's main on Chestnut Street. The homeowner paid twenty-five percent of the cost to fix the issue. 

Commissioner Stoecklin made a motion to approve Ordinance 4014 a Residential TIF II redevelopment agreement with Kesha McCay. Commissioner Webb seconded the motion. 

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

PUBLIC AFFAIRS 

Ordinance 4015 Authorizing a Professional Services Agreement with Jacob & Klein and the Economic Development Group for the Third Amendment to the North Commercial TIF District Mayor's Chief of Staff Cody Moake told the Council Ordinance 4015 approves a Professional Services Agreement with Jacob & Klein and the Economic Development Group. He explained with the STAR Bond development, there are some needed changes to the North Commercial TIF District. Some land needs to be removed from the TIF District. In doing so, some parcels will need to be added for contiguity. This ordinance starts the process and officially engages Jacob & Klein and the Economic Development Group to help the city make the necessary changes. 

Commissioner Webb made a motion to approve Ordinance 4015 authorizing a professional services agreement with Jacob & Klein and the Economic Development Group for the Third Amendment to the North Commercial TIF District. Commissioner Barwick seconded the motion. 

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

FY25 TIF Grant Applications Received through March 7, 2025 

Mayor's Chief of Staff Cody Moake told the Council there are two grant applications this time. One is in the Hub TIF and is for tuck pointing. The other is for a roof replacement on North Fair Street. 

Commissioner Stoecklin made a motion to approve FY25 TIF grant applications received through March 7, 2025. Commissioner Webb seconded the motion. 

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

PUBLIC AFFAIRS 

Ordinance 4016 Authorizing the Ceding of Private Activity Bonding Authority 

Mayor's Chief of Staff Cody Moake told the Council that this issue comes before Council every spring. In the last six years, the city has not used its private bonding activity that is allowed under the Illinois Private Activity Bond Allocation Act. The Act allows $130 per resident in private bonding authority. The Southern Illinois Economic Development Authority asks municipalities in their territory to cede the bonding authority. They may then move it on behalf of a smaller community that has a large infrastructure project. 

Commissioner Stoecklin made a motion to approve Ordinance 4016 authorizing the ceding of private activity bonding authority. Commissioner Barwick seconded the motion. 

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

COMMISSIONER REPORTS 

Commissioner Stoecklin - Public Property 

Commissioner Stoecklin read the Water Department report since last meeting. He reported that a water main is being relocated for the new roundabout on Old Route 13. 

Commissioner Barwick - Public Health & Safety 

Commissioner Barwick read the February Fire Department report. He reported 71 incidents during the month. He also read the February Police Department report. He reported 1,550 dispatched calls; 1,540 911 calls; 3,589 non-emergency calls; and 158 ambulance calls for the month. 

Commissioner Webb - Streets & Public Improvements 

Commissioner Webb reported the Street Department is still collecting brush from the ice storm. They have been assisting the Codes Department with trash pick-up and have been straightening and replacing signs damaged during recent winds. They have been patching potholes from the recent freeze and thaw. He reported seven burials in February for the Cemetery Department. 

Commissioner Patton - Accounts & Finances 

Commissioner Patton had no report. 

Mayor Absher - Public Affairs Mayor Absher was absent. 

MISCELLANEOUS 

There were no miscellaneous items to come before the Council this evening. 

CLOSED/EXECUTIVE SESSION 

Commissioner Patton 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 ALL VOTED YEA. MAYOR ABSHER ABSENT. 

Meeting Adjourned at 5:54 P.M. 

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