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Monday, June 30, 2025

City of Marion City Council met May 27

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Marion City Mayor Mike Absher | City of Marion Website

Marion City Mayor Mike Absher | City of Marion Website

City of Marion City Council met May 27.

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 COMMENT

Robert Swayze, a family nurse practitioner in Marion, told the Council he is very appreciative of the ordinance that was passed at the last council meeting banning the sale of Kratom. He said he has lost a patient due to suicide and has three patients he is trying to help come off Kratom. He said he has spoken to multiple behavioral health specialists across the nation, and they are recommending in-patient therapy. He said he can't find in-patient therapy in this area. He said he is also a Village Trustee for Pittsburg and they will be presenting an ordinance change regarding Kratom at their next board meeting. He told the council that a very specific test can be run to test for Kratom, but a medical professional must know that a person may be on it before running that test. He told them he has written some position statements that he hopes will get to the state level because this substance needs to be regulated. He told them Kratom is almost as addictive as cocaine or heroin and there are no local rehab clinics to help individuals addicted to it. He said that most inpatient facilities have a six to nine month waiting list and that most facilities in the state are for in-patient mandated treatment. He said this substance has become more predominant in the last six to nine months because it has become more available.

CONSENT AGENDA

Commissioner Webb 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

Ordinance 4043 Directing the Sale of Surplus Police Vehicles

Commissioner Barwick made a motion approving Ordinance 4043 directing the sale of surplus police vehicles.

Police Chief David Fitts told the Council that three seized vehicles have been held for longer than one year have no use for the Police Department. The vehicles were advertised for sale for ten days and that period ended on Friday. Each of the three vehicles received one bid; the Ford Ranger truck was $900, the Dodge Charger $5,000, and the Ford Focus $1,000.

Commissioner Stoecklin seconded the motion.

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

FIRE DEPARTMENT

Purchase New Can-Am SSV DEF Max LED for Emergency Response Operations Commissioner Barwick made a motion to approve the purchase of a new Can-Am SSV DEF Max LED for Emergency Response Operations. Mayor Absher seconded the motion.

Fire Chief Tim Barnett told the Council that on May 16th he learned this vehicle was needed because there is a lot of rough terrain in our area. He told them this vehicle can be used by various departments including, Police, Fire, and EMS in an emergency situation. Mayor Absher added these types of vehicles were absolutely critical for rescue efforts after the tornado.

Hearing no further discussion, Mayor Absher called for the vote.

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

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND MUNICIPAL PLANNING

Mayor Absher stated that agenda items 7A, B, and C are all related. He explained that this is the sequential action after the public hearing at the last meeting.

Ordinance 4044 Approving the Third Amendment to the Redevelopment Agreement Plan and Projects for North Commercial TIF District

Chief of Staff Moake stated that the three ordinances are required to amend the TIF.

Mayor Absher made a motion to approve Ordinance 4044 approving the third amendment to the redevelopment agreement plan and projects for the Marion North Commercial TIF District. Commissioner Webb seconded the motion.

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

Ordinance 4045 Designating the Amended Redevelopment Project Area for the Third Amendment to the North Commercial TIF District

Commissioner Webb made a motion to approve Ordinance 4045 Designating the Amended Redevelopment Project Area for the Third Amendment to the Marion North Commercial TIF District. Commissioner Barwick seconded the motion.

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

Ordinance 4046 Adopting Tax Increment Allocation Financing for the Third Amendment to the Marion North Commercial TIF District

Commissioner Patton made a motion to approve Ordinance 4046 Adopting Tax Increment Allocation Financing for the Third Amendment to the Marion North Commercial TIF District. Commissioner Stoecklin seconded the motion.

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

Ordinance 4047 Approving a Professional Services Agreement with Jacob & Klein and the Economic Development Group for the Establishment and Administration of Marion East TIF District

Mayor Absher stated that the city is contemplating establishing a new TIF District. It is specific for a housing development that requires a substantial amount of infrastructure work. Chief of Staff Moake said developers are contemplating a thirty-five-acre residential development. The development would consist of mainly single-family homes and will require a lift station and a 2,100/2,200 foot sewer line extension to provide sewer to the property. The building sites will be one acre lots. The developers want to annex this property into the city. Chief of Staff Moake told the Council the city has never done a TIF District for a single developer. He explained this property is located next to a residential TIF District and could share benefits with Residential TIF I. He said it is cheaper to establish a new TIF District than to amend Residential TIF I to include this property mainly due to certified mailing costs. If Residential TIF I is amended, owners of the 3,200 parcels located there must be notified by certified mail.

Mayor Absher made a motion to approve Ordinance 4047 approving a professional services agreement with Jacob & Klein and the Economic Development Group for the establishment and administration of the Marion East TIF District. Commissioner Webb seconded the motion.

Chief of Staff Moake stated that this property is located east of Norman Road and north of Route 13. IDOT currently owns the property and will have to deed the property to Williamson County so the developer can purchase it from them. The developer is working to purchase the property so he can annex it into the city. It is contiguous to city property on the south side.

Hearing no further discussion, Mayor Absher called for the vote.

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

TIF Grant Applications Received Through May 22, 2025

Mayor Absher stated that the grant process is in full motion. Chief of Staff Moake reported there are thirty-seven applications this week. Mayor Absher stated these applications total $357,000 in project costs and $175,000 in grant funds.

Mayor Absher made a motion to approve TIF grant applications received through May 22, 2025. Commissioner Patton seconded the motion.

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

Resolution 2025-09 Constructing a New Multi-Use Trail from VA Hospital to the Crab Orchard Greenway at Westminster Drive

Chief of Staff Moake stated that Resolution 2025-09 is part of ITEP funding another portion of the Crab Orchard Greenway project. The city's portion of the cost is $269,188. This is ninety percent of the $2.691 million total cost. Mayor Absher said the city's portion will be paid from the project fund. Chief of Staff Moake told the Council this project is set for a June letting with construction expected later this summer.

Commissioner Stoecklin made a motion to adopt Resolution 2025-09 constructing a new multi- use trail from the VA Hospital to the Crab Orchard Greenway at Westminster Drive. 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

Commissioner Patton had no report.

Commissioner Barwick - Public Health & Safety

Commissioner Barwick had no report but expressed his appreciation for the job the emergency response teams did after the tornado on May 16th.

Commissioner Stoecklin - Public Property

Commissioner Stoecklin read the Water Department report since last meeting. He asked two water-related trivia questions.

Commissioner Webb - Streets & Public Improvements

Commissioner Webb reported that the Street Department has been working on sidewalks on College and Future Streets. They continue to pick up limbs and have taken in over seven hundred loads of brush since the tornado. He said the Street Department had a quick response after the tornado and it was great to see the community come together and help one another. They have also been mowing right-of-way and street sweeping. He reported the Cemeteries looked good for Memorial Day despite the many days of rain. He said he appreciated all their hard work.

Mayor Absher - Public Affairs

Mayor Absher stated that he is an honorary member of the VFW Honor Guard and has been since 1985. He said the number of members of the Honor Guard are diminishing. He called for members of the community to become members of the Honor Guard and explained that a person does not have to be a veteran of a foreign war to participate in the Honor Guard.

Chief of Staff Cody Moake reported the VFW is having an Independence Day celebration on Saturday, July 5th from 2:00 P.M. to 10:00 P.M. This event is a fundraiser for the post. They are having a fireworks display that night and they are asking the city for a donation. Chief of Staff Moake said the city has not budgeted for a donation, so he asked the Council if they would consider donating for that event and suggested a $1,000 donation. The consensus was that a $1,000 donation was appropriate.

MISCELLANEOUS

Chief of Staff Cody Moake told the Council and audience that his parents lived in the direct path of the May 16th tornado and lost their home. In the process of getting them to safety that night, he said that they encountered all the first responders. He said that United Ambulance had two paramedics on foot walking from Market Street east down Quarter Horse Road. They checked on every home in the path of the tornado. He praised Mike Willis of United and his team for their response that night. He reported there were twenty-six units in Williamson County, some from as far away as Salem. He also praised Chief Barnet and the Marion Fire Department for helping his family and countless other families that night. He told the Council the Street Department was the first organization on site with heavy equipment to move trees so the first responders could get in to do their jobs. He said that in the event of a catastrophe, the city is in very good hands.

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 6:07 P.M.

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

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