South West Illinois News

Carbondale, Illinois City Council met Tuesday, April 19 and discussed the Downtown Master Plan and the FY 2017 Operating Budget.

The Carbondale Mayor and City Council serve as the legislative and policy body of city government. The Mayor serves as the official head of the government.

Here are the minutes as provided by Carbondale:

Request for City Council Action

Date: May 24, 2016

Agenda Section: Consent Agenda

No. 5

Originating Department: City Clerk’s Office

Item: Approval of minutes from the public hearing and regular City Council meeting of April 19, 2016

No. 5.1

Approved:

Attached are the minutes from the public hearing and regular City Council meeting held on April 19, 2016.

Recommended Action: City Council approval of the minutes is requested.

Engineering Approval Obtained

Finance Approval Obtained

Legal Approval Obtained

Manager's Approval Obtained

Council Action: Motion by _______________ 2nd by ________________ to _______________________________

City Council of the City of Carbondale, Illinois

Regular Meeting of April 19, 2016

The City Council of the City of Carbondale, Illinois, held a regular meeting on Tuesday, April 19, 2016 in City Council Chambers, 200 South Illinois Avenue. Mayor Henry called the meeting to order at 7:10 p.m. with the following members of the Council present/absent:

1. Roll Call

Present: Councilman Adam Loos, Councilman Navreet Kang, Councilwoman Jessica Bradshaw, Councilwoman Carolin Harvey, Councilman Lee Fronabarger, Councilman Tom Grant, and Mayor John M. Henry

Absent: None

Also present were City Clerk Jennifer Sorrell, Interim City Manager Gary Williams, and various members of the City's administrative staff.

2. General Announcements and Proclamations

Mayor Henry presented a certificate of commendation to Mark Waicukauski and extended the Carbondale Fire Department’s and City Council’s appreciation for his quick action in response to a house fire on Sunday April 12, 2015, which action preserved lives and property.

Mayor Henry proclaimed Friday, April 29, 2016, as Arbor Day and urged citizens to join in the observance of this day through appreciating trees and promoting the planting of trees to beautify and improve our environment.

Mayor Henry proclaimed May 1 through May 7 as Municipal Clerks week and urged citizens to respectfully recognize the vital services performed for the community by the City Clerk and Deputy City Clerk.

The City Council and Interim City Manager awarded a plaque to City Attorney P. Michael Kimmel in honor of his service to the City of Carbondale and expressed their gratitude for his dedication to Carbondale.

3. Citizens’ Comments and Questions

Carlton Smith shared his experience with requesting information relating to minority participation in City contracts from City staff. He stated that Carbondale has an outstanding policy, but he found it alarming that it was not being followed.

Lovely Varughese read a prepared statement where she detailed her experiences and grief as it relates to the death of her son, Pravin Varughese. She expressed her feelings about the actions of government officials at the state, county, and local levels, and requested that the City Council do whatever was in their power to give closure to Pravin’s death and to restore his good name and reputation.

Monica Zukas read a statement from the former police chief relating to Pravin Varughese’s death. She shared images of injuries to Pravin with the City Council and described them as she handed them out. She urged the Council to help bring closure to Mrs. Varughese.

4. Public Hearings and Special Reports

None.

City Council of the City of Carbondale, Illinois – April 19, 2016

5. Consent Agenda

1. Approval of minutes from the Public Hearing and Regular City Council Meeting of April 5, 2016.

Recommendation: Approve.

2. Warrant for the Period Ending 03/28/2016 FY 2016 Warrant # 1268 in the amount of $1,114,937.08. Recommendation: Approve Warrant #1268. (Exhibit A-04-19-2016)

3. Acceptance of Minutes of Boards, Commissions, and Committees. Recommendation: Accept and place on file the minutes of the Human Relations Commission from March 7, 2016, Foreign Fire Insurance Board from February 19, April 9, June 11, August 13, October 8, and December 9, 2015 and January 28 and February 11, 2016, Fire Fighters’ Pension Board of October 27, 2015, and the Liquor Advisory Board of March 3, 2016.

4. Award of Purchase of Laboratory Instruments to Shimadzu in the amount of $106,086.38. Recommendation: Award the purchase to Shimadzu of Lenexa, Kansas and declare the existing equipment and appurtenances as surplus property.

5. Ordinance adopting a Labor Agreement between the City and Illinois FOP Labor Council for FY 2016, 2017, and 2018 for Police Patrolmen. Recommendation: Approve the contract with the FOP for Patrolmen. (Ordinance 2016-18; Exhibit B-04-19-2016)

6. Ordinance declaring City-owned Personal Property as Surplus. Recommendation: Declare the 2014 Ford Explorer Police Interceptor as surplus property. Recommendation: Approve the Ordinance declaring the 2014 Ford as Surplus. (Ordinance 2016-19; Exhibit C-04-19-2016)

7. Ordinance adopting a Labor Agreement between the City and Illinois FOP Labor Council for FY 2016, 2017, and 2018 for Police Telecommunicators. Recommendation: Adopt an Ordinance approving the Contract with the Telecommunicators. (Ordinance 2016-20; Exhibit D-04-19-2016)

8. Pulled by L. Fronabarger

MOTION: A. Loos moved, L. Fronabarger seconded, to approve Consent Agenda Items 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4, 5.5, 5.6, and 5.7. VOTE: A. Loos, N. Kang, J. Bradshaw, C. Harvey, L. Fronabarger, T. Grant, and J. Henry. Nays: None. Motion declared carried.

5.8 Resolution authorizing Interim City Manager to submit an application for TIGER Grant funds for the Station Carbondale Multimodal Transportation Center Project

MOTION: L. Fronabarger moved, T. Grant seconded, to adopt a Resolution authorizing the City Manager to submit an application for TIGER Grant funds for the Station Carbondale Multimodal Transportation Center Project. DISCUSSION: The item was pulled to highlight this grant project. VOTE: A. Loos, N. Kang, J. Bradshaw, C. Harvey, L. Fronabarger, T. Grant, and J. Henry. Nays: None. Motion declared carried. (Resolution 2016-R-15; Exhibit E-04-19-2016)

6. General Business

1. Resolution Authorizing the Interim City Manager to Execute Contracts with Community Organizations

MOTION: T. Grant moved, N. Kang seconded, to approve the Resolution authorizing the Interim City Manager to enter into contracts with community agencies and organizations for FY 2017. DISCUSSION: Interim City Manager responded to an inquiry about requirements for Carbondale Community Arts’ participation in the Civic Center Corridor gallery. VOTE: A. Loos, N. Kang, C. Harvey, L. Fronabarger, T. Grant, and J. Henry. Nays: None. (J. Bradshaw absent for vote) Motion declared carried. (Resolution 2016-R-16; Exhibit F-04-19-2016)

Councilwoman Bradshaw exited the room at 7:59 p.m. and reentered at 8:04 p.m.

6.2 Ordinance Adopting the Operating Budget for the City of Carbondale for FY 2017, a Resolution Approving the Five-Year Community Investment Program for Fiscal Years 2017 through 2021, an Ordinance Adopting the Operating Budget for the Carbondale Public Library for FY 2017, and an Ordinance Adopting a Pay Plan for Non-Bargaining Unit Employees for FY 2017

MOTION: A. Loos moved, C. Harvey seconded, to approve the Ordinances adopting the Operating Budgets for the City and Library, a Resolution approving the five-year Community Investment Program for FY 2017 – 2021, and an Ordinance adopting a Pay Plan for the Non-Bargaining Unit Employees for FY 2017. DISCUSSION: None. VOTE: A. Loos, N. Kang, J. Bradshaw, C. Harvey, L. Fronabarger, T. Grant, and J. Henry. Nays: None. Motion declared carried. (Ordinances 2016-21through 2016-23 and Resolution 2016-R-17; Exhibits G- through J-04-19-2016)

6.3 Resolution authorizing the Interim City Manager to adopt the City Council Goals and Action Plans for FY 2017 through FY 2020

MOTION: A. Loos moved, L. Fronabarger seconded, to adopt a Resolution authorizing the Interim City Manager to adopt the City Council Goals and Action plans for FY 2017 through FY 2020. DISCUSSION: Each of the goals was read and it was noted that progress on several of these goals has begun. VOTE: A. Loos, N. Kang, J. Bradshaw, C. Harvey, L. Fronabarger, T. Grant, and J. Henry. Nays: None. Motion declared carried. (Resolution 2016-R-18; Exhibit K-04-19-2016)

6.4 Resolution Adopting the Downtown Master Plan MOTION: A. Loos moved, J. Bradshaw seconded, to approve a Resolution adopting the Downtown Master Plan, and to provide a copy of the plan to each member of the DAC, that the Downtown Advisory Committee be dismissed, and that the City Council’s gratitude be shared with the members of the Committee.

DISCUSSION: Some of the elements of the proposed Downtown Master Plan were highlighted, deficiencies noted, and inquiries regarding corrections were made. Nick Davis of the consulting firm Houseal Lavigne responded to inquiries regarding changes from the draft version to the finalized version of the Downtown Master Plan.

Jack Langowski, Chair of the Downtown Advisory Committee, requested that the Council consider providing a copy of the report to each member of the Committee, that the Committee be formally dismissed as their duties have been discharged, and that thanks be given to the members of the committee who served through the 20 month process.

Donald Monty, 418 South Giant City Road, asked if the changes incorporated were made available to the public prior to the Council considering the matter. He suggested that someone be formally designated to see to it that the plan is followed up on, updated, and implemented. VOTE: A. Loos, N. Kang, J. Bradshaw, C. Harvey, L. Fronabarger, T. Grant, and J. Henry. Nays: None. Motion declared carried. (Resolution 2016-R-19; Exhibit L-04-19-2016)

7. Council Comments

Mayor Henry commented that with the passage of the budget, there are fewer staff employed, but enhanced services are continuing to be provided. He noted two rapidly growing expenses, those being employee health care costs and unfunded liabilities for police and fire pensions. Mr. Henry also commented on the potential revenue which could be raised by a food and beverage tax and motor fuel tax.

Councilman Loos noted his approval for the proposed taxes in order to invest in the appearance of the City. He suggested that the Planning Commission utilize planned meeting dates without business to conduct for the review of the Downtown Master Plan. Mr. Loos commented in response to Mrs. Varughese’s statement that in his view, as much information as can be provided without endangering the investigation, should be provided.

Councilman Fronabarger suggested considering a package liquor tax for additional revenues and then asked if anyone wanted to announce an upcoming forum. Sandy Litecky, 603 West Walnut, informed citizens that a community forum would be held on Thursday at 6:00 p.m. to solicit comments on how to make Carbondale safer for everyone. Mayor Henry offered additional details on the forum.

Councilman Kang noted that the City is doing their job in passing a budget, unlike the state of Illinois and he expressed his thanks for the compilation of the budget. He noted he would be out of the country beginning April 27.

8. Adjournment

There being no further business to come before the City Council, the meeting was declared adjourned at 8:39 p.m.