Carbondale Reporter

City of Marion City Council met June 9.

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 5:33 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

Ed Davis led the Pledge of Allegiance.

PUBLIC COMMENT

Ed Davis, Chair of Veterans on Parade, told the Council this is the twenty-first year for the parade. He said it will be on Saturday, September 6th this year. It starts at the Junior High at 10:00 a.m. with vehicles and floats lining up at the High School. He said it will end at Washington School and the stage will be on the Square. He introduced Veterans on Parade President Danny Wright and the board members who were present. He thanked the Council, Chief of Staff Cody Moake, and Police Chief David Fitts for their help with the parade each year.

Marion resident Joe Frey addressed the Council regarding several issues including the rezoning of 301 South Market Street, one-way traffic on East College Street, vacating an alley from East Marion Street to Thorn Street, and lighting on the new city parking lot on East Marion Street. Mayor Absher told him the rezoning of 301 South Market Street will be tabled this evening. He explained that traffic on East College Street was changed to one-way because that street is very narrow and the building on the corner created a blind spot for turning on to Market Street. The street was also very congested from drop-offs at the Salvation Army. Street Department Superintendent Doug Phillips told Mr. Frey he would put in a request with Ameren on Tuesday to adjust the lights on the East Marion Street parking lot.

CONSENT AGENDA

Mayor Absher explained that agenda item 4A2, the invoice for White & Borgognoni Architects PC is part of the Boyton Street Community Center project. The fees were anticipated and part of the budget for that project. He said that agenda item 4A3, the invoice for Byassee Music and Sound, will be reimbursed by the energy grant funds the city has received.

Mayor Absher 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 AND MAYOR ABSHER ALL VOTED YEA.

NEW BUSINESS

BUILDING & CODE SERVICES

Rezoning Property at 301 South Market Street to C-1 General Commercial - Ordinance 4048 Mayor Absher stated that items 5A and 5B he addressed in public comments. He said that Jeff Mayer, the owner of the property, went through the appropriate process to rezone the property. Mayor Absher said that from reading through the notes from the Zoning Board meeting, the rezoning request is due to a setback issue and the property is buildable as it is currently zoned. Mr. Mayer is not proceeding with the proposed project at this time. Mayor Absher is therefore tabling agenda items 5A and 5B for future consideration.

Special Use Permit Request at 301 South Market Street

Mayor Absher announced this agenda item will be tabled this evening.

STREET DEPARTMENT

Resolution 2025-10 Authorizing the Use of Motor Fuel Tax Funds for the 2025 Street Overlay Program

Commissioner Webb made a motion to adopt Resolution 2025-10 authorizing the use of Motor Fuel Tax funds for the 2025 Street Overlay Program in the amount of $1 million. He told the Council the MFT Resolution is for $1,000,000; $600,000 will be paid from gas tax funds, and $175,000 will be paid from the road and bridge fund. He told them there will be approximately eight to ten miles of overlay this year. Commissioner Stoecklin seconded the motion.

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

Purchase Rhino Roadway Mower from Little Tractor & Equipment

Commissioner Webb made a motion to purchase a Rhino roadway mower from Little Tractor & Equipment for $18,300. He told the Council three bids were received. The bid from Little Tractor & Equipment was $18,300 after a trade allowance of $3,300. Commissioner Patton seconded the motion.

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

Ordinance 4049 Authorizing a Four-Way Stop at the Intersection of North Russell and West Cox Streets

Commissioner Webb made a motion to approve Ordinance 4049 authorizing a four-way stop at the intersection of North Russell and West Cox Streets. He told the Council the Street Department received a request from neighbors in that area for the four-way stop. He said the Street Department felt the request was warranted. Commissioner Barwick seconded the motion.

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

SEWER DEPARTMENT

Engineering Agreement with Horner & Shifrin, Inc. for the Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) - Phosphorous Removal Improvements

Commissioner Stoecklin asked Public Works Superintendent Brent Cain to address this agenda item. Superintendent Cain told the Council the Wastewater Treatment Plant is regulated by the Illinois EPA and every five years they must apply for a discharge permit. The permit has certain parameters that must be met. This one is a phosphorous limit that must be tested. He told them the phosphorous limit has been cut in half and currently the Wastewater Treatment Plant will not meet that limit. The last permit application indicated that the plant would need to start some analysis and preparation to meet the new state standard by 2030. They just received the new permit, and the new standard is stated in that permit. The IEPA has set a timeline for meeting the new standard by January 1, 2030. Superintendent Cain told them this will be a substantial project in the $5 million price range. This figure is based on another community in the area that has a very similar treatment plant and has already implemented these changes. He explained that the best funding source is the IEPA loan program. He said this agreement with Horner & Shifrin is for preliminary engineering for the project.

Commissioner Stoecklin made a motion to approve the engineering agreement with Horner & Shifrin, Inc. for the Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) - Phosphorous Removal Improvements. Commissioner Webb seconded the motion.

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

Purchase Exmark 31Hp 72-inch Cut Mower from Little Tractor & Equipment for $15,519 Commissioner Stoecklin made a motion to approve the purchase of an Exmark 31Hp 72-inch cut mower from Little Tractor & Equipment for $15,519. Commissioner Stoecklin stated that multiple bids were received for the same amount, so the Sewer Department chose the bid from the company that is in town. Commissioner Webb seconded the motion.

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

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND MUNICIPAL PLANNING

Eligible FY26 TIF Grant Applications Received Through 6/5/2025.

Mayor Absher stated this is the most current list of TIF grant applications. Chief of Staff Moake told the Council the residential funds are almost halfway done. Residential TIF I landlords' funds are almost seventy percent used and Residential TIF II landlord funds are only ten percent used.

Commissioner Stoecklin made a motion to approve eligible FY 26 TIF grant applications received through 6/5/2025. Commissioner Barwick seconded the motion.

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

THE PAVILION

Quote from Stormwater Erosion Specialists to Riprap Sections of the Detention Ponds Commissioner Stoecklin reported that the large growth around the detention ponds at The Pavilion has already been removed. He said there is still some clean up to do. This quote is for the riprap along pond one and pond two.

Commissioner Stoecklin made a motion to approve a quote from Stormwater Erosion Specialists to riprap specified sections of the detention ponds. Commissioner Patton seconded the motion. Mayor Absher stated this will be paid with North Commercial TIF funds.

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

PUBLIC AFFAIRS

Bid from Skee Masonry to Tuckpoint and Seal all Masonry on the Clock Tower Mayor Absher stated that there are broken bricks falling from the top of the clock tower. He thinks this is caused by the freeze and thaw. He said an RFP was developed and sent out. Only one bid was received from Skee Masonry, Inc. This bid is for tuckpointing, cleaning, and sealing the entire clock tower. The cost is not to exceed $158,900 and will be for using Hub TIF funds. He said Mr. Kwasniewski (from Skee Masonry) thinks the total cost will be less.

Mayor Absher made a motion to approve the bid from Skee Masonry not to exceed $158,900 to tuckpoint and seal all masonry on the clock tower. Commissioner Stoecklin seconded the motion.

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

Bid from Cady Business Technologies to Migrate all City Landlines to a Voice-Over IP System Mayor Absher stated that this bid is to switch the city from a copper-based phone system to a voice-over IP system. He said the city currently pays between $7,000 and $8,000 per month on phone bills. The initial outlay for this system will be $93,124.86 for equipment, routers, and phones but the monthly phone bills will be reduced to $1,138 per month. It will take the city approximately fifteen months to break even. He said this will be paid for by the Capital Replacement Fund. The system provides safe protection so that property in the case of a natural disaster the phones will keep working and provide continuous service. IT Director Terance Henry said that the Street Department, Wastewater Plant, and Boyton Street Community Center have already been using this type of system for a number of years. He said that everyone will get new handsets and there will be no interruption to 911 during the transition to the new system. He explained if the internet is lost, the phone system will switch to analog service. There will be no disruption in service during the change and the city will own the system. Two other bids were received but they were for renting or leasing the system.

Mayor Absher made a motion to approve the bid from Cady Business Technologies to migrate all city landlines to a voice-over IP system. Commissioner Stoecklin 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 read the May Police Department report. He reported 2,344 dispatched calls; 1,804 emergency calls; 4,357 non-emergency calls; and 181 ambulance calls.

Commissioner Stoecklin - Public Property

Commissioner Stoecklin read the Water Department report since last meeting. He announced the Miss Illinois and Miss Illinois Teen Scholarship Competition will be June 25th and 26th at the Civic Center.

Commissioner Webb - Streets & Public Improvements

Commissioner Webb reported that the Street Department has collected 1,900 loads of brush since the May 16th tornado. They continue cleaning ditches on Aikman, Bentley, and Duncan Streets. They have cleaned ditches on Washington, Carter, and Reeves Streets. They continue pavement striping and making street signs. They have been doing prep work for the upcoming asphalt overlay program. The Cemetery Department had eleven burials in May.

Mayor Absher - Public Affairs

Mayor Absher had no report.

MISCELLANEOUS

Chief of Staff Cody Moake reported that the electrical installation at Boyton Street Community Center is complete. A punch list meeting is scheduled for tomorrow morning.

He said that Street Department Superintendent Doug Phillips reported that the city had received two plus inches of rain in under one hour, but that water receded quickly. He commended Doug and his team for getting ahead of the drainage issues.

Street Department Superintendent Doug Phillips told the Council that Union Pacific Railroad is responsible for all the debris at the railroad bridge by Wildcat Drive. Doug met with Union Pacific officials on Friday night at the site. They agreed to bring in two railcars and equipment to get that cleaned up. Doug said all the rain and storms caused the debris to collect in that area.

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 6:32 P.M.

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