Carbondale Reporter

City of Marion City Council met June 23.

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

There were no public comments this evening.

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

PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT

Purchase Two Aerzen Blowers for the Wastewater Treatment Plant Commissioner Stoecklin made a motion to purchase two Aerzen blowers for the wastewater treatment plant at a cost of $39,324.00, a budgeted item. Commissioner Patton seconded the motion.

Public Works Superintendent Brent Cain told the Council this is a regular purchase. He said these blowers are used for aeration at the treatment plants. There are nine in total, and it is time to replace these two. He said they run twenty-four hours per day and can usually run 50,000 hours before being replaced. He explained they can be rebuilt, but they will still not have as much use left after being rebuilt as a new one.

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.

Power Purchase Price for Two Solar Arrays at the Water and Wastewater Plants Commissioner Stoecklin stated that this is the project for solar arrays at the wastewater treatment plant. Public Works Superintendent Brent Cain told the Council there have been multiple setbacks with this project since it started in 2022. He said originally the project was expected to save the city $5 million over a twenty-five-year period. He said there have been many delays with Ameren. The developer has purchased equipment, but the original investor has backed out, resulting in the developer pursuing another investor. He explained that the new rates per the schedule provided in the packet should still result in close to a $5 million savings over twenty- five years. City Attorney Wendy Cunningham explained that the contract terms and conditions remain the same and that the rates are all that has changed. The new rate schedule will lock in the rate at $0.0495 per kwh for Van Buren (wastewater treatment plant) and $0.0580 per kwh for Madison (water plant). Chief of Staff Cody Moake indicated that the project could start this year but will not likely be finished by the end of the year.

Commissioner Stoecklin made a motion to approve new power purchase price for the two solar arrays at the water and wastewater plants at the rates listed on the new rate schedule. 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

Eligible FY26 TIF Grant Applications Received Through June 19, 2025

Chief of Staff Cody Moake told the Council that the city is out of funds for residential TIF grants in Residential TIF I and Residential TIF II and is no longer accepting applications. He indicated a small amount of funds are available for the landlords in Residential TIF II and funds are available in the Hub TIF. Hub TIF grants are for commercial properties located in the downtown corridors.

Mayor Absher made a motion to approve eligible FY 26 TIF grant applications received through June 19, 2025. Commissioner Webb seconded the motion.

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

Ordinance 4051 a TIF XX Redevelopment Agreement with Enrico Castellano Chief of Staff Cody Moake told the Council that Chico Castellano has purchased property on North Russell Street that was formerly a trailer court. He plans to build six single family homes on the property. This development will require quite a bit of infrastructure work to be up to the city code. Mr. Castellano has asked the city to reimburse him right away for the infrastructure costs. This is a new TIF and there are no funds currently available. Chief of Staff Moake asked the Council to move funds from an adjacent TIF to reimburse Mr. Castellano for one half of what the agreement allows to get the water and sewer infrastructure up to code. There are also some storm drainage issues due to this being a low-lying area. Mr. Castellano agreed to make all of the improvements and asked to be reimbursed for that portion of the work up front. With Council approval, the city will make the transfer to reimburse him for those costs. Chief of Staff Moake told the Council this property is located at the corner of Mack Avenue and North Russell Street.

Mayor Absher made a motion to approve Ordinance 4051, a TIF XX Redevelopment Agreement with Enrico Castellano. Commissioner Stoecklin seconded the motion.

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

Ordinance 4050 Amending a Residential TIF I Redevelopment Agreement with Yellow Door Builders

Chief of Staff Cody Moake told the Council the amendment to this redevelopment agreement adds an additional parcel of property and adds Anthony and Padra Franks as additional developers who have incurred costs. This project is for the homes the developer is building in the College Street and Monroe Street area.

Mayor Absher made a motion to approve Ordinance 4050 amending a Residential TIF I redevelopment agreement with Yellow Door Builders. Commissioner Webb seconded the motion.

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

PUBLIC AFFAIRS

Estimate from Vaughn's Roofing to Replace the Roof at the Lighthouse Shelter Mayor Absher explained there is a persistent and increasing problem with the roof leaking at the Lighthouse Shelter. The city still owns the building and is responsible for the maintenance of it. The building will need a new roof due to the extent of the damage and Residential TIF I funds can be used to pay for the repairs. The quote from Vaughn's Roofing is for $64,600 for shingle replacement. Additional costs are expected due to possible replacement of decking which is not included in the price quoted. Commissioner Barwick asked if other bids were obtained. Chief of Staff Cody Moake said that no other bids were obtained due to the urgency of the project. Mayor Absher stated that recent experience using Vaughn's Roofing on city hall was that they were the lowest bidder. Commissioner Barwick said that he would rather have additional bids. Mayor Absher explained that the city is not required to go through the bid process for urgent repairs like these. Mayor Absher expressed concern about trying to obtain additional bids now that the price of the quote has been stated. He suggested that moving forward the city should have a policy of obtaining more than one quote. Commissioner Barwick stated his concern is that the city is being transparent.

Mayor Absher made a motion to approve the estimate of $64,600 from Vaughn's Roofing to replace the roof at the Lighthouse Shelter. Commissioner Stoecklin seconded the motion.

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

Estimate from Vaughn's Roofing to Apply a Silicone Coating to the Roof of the Senior Citizens Center

Chief of Staff Moake stated that no other bids were received because wet spots were discovered on the ceiling tiles while the other construction was going on. He stated that this quote is for sealer only and not a complete roof installation. When solar panels are installed on the roof, the contractor thought the sealer would help protect the roof which will help to extend the life of the roof. The contractor had indicated that the sealer would extend the life of the roof approximately ten to fifteen years and an entire roof replacement would extend the life of the roof twenty to twenty-five years, the approximate life of the solar panels.

Mayor Absher made a motion to approve an estimate by Vaughn's Roofing to apply a silicone coating to the roof of the Marion Senior Citizens Center. Commissioner Webb seconded the motion. Mayor Absher stated the cost is $24,600. Hearing no further discussion he called for the vote.

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 Webb - Streets & Public Improvements

Commissioner Webb reported that the Street Department has been mowing and cutting weeds. They have done drainage work on multiple streets and continue to work on striping streets and pavement markers. They have been doing prep work ahead of the asphalt overlay. They have also been using the vac truck on the east side of town to improve drainage. He reported all is well with the Cemetery Department.

Commissioner Barwick - Public Health & Safety

Commissioner Barwick announced the passing of Police Department K9 Benzo early Sunday morning as he was unable to overcome an illness. He asked that everyone keep Benzo's handler, Officer Welge, in their thoughts and prayers.

Commissioner Stoecklin – Public Property

Commissioner Stoecklin read the Water Department report since the last council meeting. He reported that concrete and landscaping work from previous projects is being completed. He asked two trivia questions this evening. He also announced the Knights of Columbus Celebration of Independence will be held on July 3rd, 4th, and 5th with fireworks on July 4th.

Mayor Absher - Public Affairs

Mayor Absher had no report.

MISCELLANEOUS

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

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 6:17 P.M.

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