Found the Southern Illinois Activist page while poking around. Apparently whomever started it got inspired by the Carbondale Slut Walk of a few years ago, made half a dozen posts and lost interest in the project. Still, the Resource Page could be useful to any activists in the area.
Showing posts with label blog. Show all posts
Showing posts with label blog. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 9, 2015
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
Liveblogging City Council
Just for grins, liveblogging the city council meeting tonight.
Well maybe not. The live feed from council does not appear to be braodcasting over cable.
7:12 Listening to the meeting livestreaming over the interwebs. Currently discussing Curbside's application for an A2 liquor license. Applicants plan to run minivans to transport customers to the restaurant and have two investors behind them.
7:18 Jane Adams is questioning the Curbside applicants extensively about discrepancies between the original application and what they currently say. Then Lee Fronabarger questions about proposed hours. Applicants say they don't plan to stay open later than midnight.
7:19 Adams still concerned about financing behind the operation.
7:20 Curbside applicants say they will run a significantly different operation than Icebox or Jay's. One of their husbands had worked as a consultant for the previous owner but left after a month after seeing how the operation was run.
7:24 Adams still concerned about financing. Mayor Fritzler points out that restaurants have a high failure rate and applauds the applicants for the risk they are taking.
7:26 Jessica Bradshaw asks for further info on parking. Applicants say they plan to have customers park in municipal parking, pick them up and transport them to the restaurant, then return them to their car when finished dining.
7:28 Applicants say they will maintain a family environment. Fritzler says he is glad they are going on record with this as the city will keep a very, very close eye on the location.
7:29 Application is approved with Adams the sole "No" vote.
7:32 New Kahala Fast Food up now, applying for a liquor license. Don Monty asks what time the restaurant will close. Applicant responds "11 p.m.".
7:33 New Kahala application passes unanimously.
7:34 Now reviewing fourth quarter liquor violation reports. Don Monty, of course, wants to go into more detail.
7:56 Still discussing liquor violation reports.
7:57 Unanimous vote to approve the liquor violation reports.
7:59 Voting on class F1 liquor license for Carbondale Main Street's Welcomefest on Sept 14. Some concern about waiving the fee as has been done for similar events in the past as that was not part of the original request.
8:06 Amending the motion to waive the fee for the liquor license. Approved.
8:07 Amended motion approved unanimously as well.
8:13 AND they're back..... (after a break to change from the LCC to the City Council).
8:21 Assorted proclamations going on now.
8:24 citizen comments now.
8:30 Now showing a video done to promote the city of Carbondale. Concluded to a round of applause.
8:34 Consent agenda. Wanna bet Don Monty pulls at least two items off for a separate vote?
8:38 Nope, only Fronabarger. He wants Item 5.12 pulled for individual consideration.
8:39 Consent agenda passes by well, unanimous consent. Item 5.12 deals with purchasing additional protective and response gear for the police department.
8:41 Fronabarger wants more information about the equipment to be purchased and why. Chief responds that the current equipment was purchased in the late '80s and need replacing and updating.
8:52 Request for more equipment passed.
8:53 Meeting still going on. Request for approval for a TIF agreement for 104 S. Marion.
8:57 That was fast. Agreement approved unanimously.
8:58 Request for a special use permit for Giant City Heating and Air Conditioning on Neal Lane. Expect quite a bit of discussion on this one.
9:00 Monty, seconded by Adams, moves to deny the permit, saying that several things that should have been built on the property were not built and that the applicant failed to respond to several letters notifying him about violations of the city code.
9:05 Monty argues it is bad public policy to retroactively approve what are essentially long term violations of the city code
9:17 Lance Jack arguing the business is already a fait acompli,
9:18 Fronabarger asks if the applicant has any contingency plans if the city does not approve the special uses request. Applicant says no.
9:20 Friend of the applicant asks the city to support small business in Carbondale by approving the application.
9:21 Neighbor of the applicant speaking in opposition, saying that the applicant has made no attempt to upgrade the property during the several years he has been there. She says the property currently looks the best it has she she has lived on Neal Lane.
9:25 Lance Jack asks why, since the special use permit specifically restricts what can be done there, why should it not be approved, since he could not expand the business. The neighbor responds that the pattern of behavior over the past seven years does not give any indication that he would follow the special use permit in the future.
9:27 Mother of one of the applicant's employees asked the council to approve the permit so as to keep small business in Carbondale.
9:28 Another neighbor says the road is not suitable for the traffic that the applicant's business generates, citing an example of a semi going to the business and getting stuck on Neal Lane, blocking the road for two hours. Additional neighbors say that neighborhood is residential, not commercial and that the applicant has a track record of saying he would maintain the property as residential but kept developing it as a business.
9:41 Don Monty arguing that the applicant has a pattern of not following city code and asking why the city should reward that behavior.
9:42 Applicant arguing that he has getting assorting approvals and permits from the city and had approvals seven years ago. Says he has followed all the procedures and policies that the city has required.
9:50 Applicant says that instead of building a mobile home as the code required and as he said he would do, he decided to build a residence inside a pole bard, because it fit his needs better.
9:59 Monty asks Chris Wallace if the use of the property for business was ever listed on any of the permits. Wallace says that it was not.
10:01 Adams adds that the purpose of zoning is to create reasonable trust that the neighborhood I build a home in will follow the rules that the community has agreed to.
10:04 Bradshaw asks if it is possible to have an associated building with out a home in place first. Wallace says no.
10:09 Jack says that if the applicant would fire his one employee, he would be completely in compliance with city code.
10:13 Going to a vote now.
10:14 Special use permit denied 5 to 2.
10:16 Next up, SIUC is asking for a permit to allow anyone with a catering permit for the university, with a liquor license, to sell liquor at the various SIUC stadiums.
10:18 Question arises about approval for the Glove Factory, which the city attorney says the university did not ask for. He further says that the ordinance change only allows for a chase bar. Caterers can serve alcohol any place on campus but can only sell it at permitted places.
10:24 Adams concerned that some caterers may not have a Carbondale liquor license which would preclude them from selling or service liquor at SIUC.
10:26 And the amendment is approved unanimously.
10:26 Fair Days approved unanimously.
10:27 Resolution granting Fair Days status for Welcomefest on Sept 14. Council is getting tired as they are talking on top of each other to move and second. Resolution approved unanimously. Since they are moving to council comments, I'm out of here. Have a good evening.
Well maybe not. The live feed from council does not appear to be braodcasting over cable.
7:12 Listening to the meeting livestreaming over the interwebs. Currently discussing Curbside's application for an A2 liquor license. Applicants plan to run minivans to transport customers to the restaurant and have two investors behind them.
7:18 Jane Adams is questioning the Curbside applicants extensively about discrepancies between the original application and what they currently say. Then Lee Fronabarger questions about proposed hours. Applicants say they don't plan to stay open later than midnight.
7:19 Adams still concerned about financing behind the operation.
7:20 Curbside applicants say they will run a significantly different operation than Icebox or Jay's. One of their husbands had worked as a consultant for the previous owner but left after a month after seeing how the operation was run.
7:24 Adams still concerned about financing. Mayor Fritzler points out that restaurants have a high failure rate and applauds the applicants for the risk they are taking.
7:26 Jessica Bradshaw asks for further info on parking. Applicants say they plan to have customers park in municipal parking, pick them up and transport them to the restaurant, then return them to their car when finished dining.
7:28 Applicants say they will maintain a family environment. Fritzler says he is glad they are going on record with this as the city will keep a very, very close eye on the location.
7:29 Application is approved with Adams the sole "No" vote.
7:32 New Kahala Fast Food up now, applying for a liquor license. Don Monty asks what time the restaurant will close. Applicant responds "11 p.m.".
7:33 New Kahala application passes unanimously.
7:34 Now reviewing fourth quarter liquor violation reports. Don Monty, of course, wants to go into more detail.
7:56 Still discussing liquor violation reports.
7:57 Unanimous vote to approve the liquor violation reports.
7:59 Voting on class F1 liquor license for Carbondale Main Street's Welcomefest on Sept 14. Some concern about waiving the fee as has been done for similar events in the past as that was not part of the original request.
8:06 Amending the motion to waive the fee for the liquor license. Approved.
8:07 Amended motion approved unanimously as well.
8:13 AND they're back..... (after a break to change from the LCC to the City Council).
8:21 Assorted proclamations going on now.
8:24 citizen comments now.
8:30 Now showing a video done to promote the city of Carbondale. Concluded to a round of applause.
8:34 Consent agenda. Wanna bet Don Monty pulls at least two items off for a separate vote?
8:38 Nope, only Fronabarger. He wants Item 5.12 pulled for individual consideration.
8:39 Consent agenda passes by well, unanimous consent. Item 5.12 deals with purchasing additional protective and response gear for the police department.
8:41 Fronabarger wants more information about the equipment to be purchased and why. Chief responds that the current equipment was purchased in the late '80s and need replacing and updating.
8:52 Request for more equipment passed.
8:53 Meeting still going on. Request for approval for a TIF agreement for 104 S. Marion.
8:57 That was fast. Agreement approved unanimously.
8:58 Request for a special use permit for Giant City Heating and Air Conditioning on Neal Lane. Expect quite a bit of discussion on this one.
9:00 Monty, seconded by Adams, moves to deny the permit, saying that several things that should have been built on the property were not built and that the applicant failed to respond to several letters notifying him about violations of the city code.
9:05 Monty argues it is bad public policy to retroactively approve what are essentially long term violations of the city code
9:17 Lance Jack arguing the business is already a fait acompli,
9:18 Fronabarger asks if the applicant has any contingency plans if the city does not approve the special uses request. Applicant says no.
9:20 Friend of the applicant asks the city to support small business in Carbondale by approving the application.
9:21 Neighbor of the applicant speaking in opposition, saying that the applicant has made no attempt to upgrade the property during the several years he has been there. She says the property currently looks the best it has she she has lived on Neal Lane.
9:25 Lance Jack asks why, since the special use permit specifically restricts what can be done there, why should it not be approved, since he could not expand the business. The neighbor responds that the pattern of behavior over the past seven years does not give any indication that he would follow the special use permit in the future.
9:27 Mother of one of the applicant's employees asked the council to approve the permit so as to keep small business in Carbondale.
9:28 Another neighbor says the road is not suitable for the traffic that the applicant's business generates, citing an example of a semi going to the business and getting stuck on Neal Lane, blocking the road for two hours. Additional neighbors say that neighborhood is residential, not commercial and that the applicant has a track record of saying he would maintain the property as residential but kept developing it as a business.
9:41 Don Monty arguing that the applicant has a pattern of not following city code and asking why the city should reward that behavior.
9:42 Applicant arguing that he has getting assorting approvals and permits from the city and had approvals seven years ago. Says he has followed all the procedures and policies that the city has required.
9:50 Applicant says that instead of building a mobile home as the code required and as he said he would do, he decided to build a residence inside a pole bard, because it fit his needs better.
9:59 Monty asks Chris Wallace if the use of the property for business was ever listed on any of the permits. Wallace says that it was not.
10:01 Adams adds that the purpose of zoning is to create reasonable trust that the neighborhood I build a home in will follow the rules that the community has agreed to.
10:04 Bradshaw asks if it is possible to have an associated building with out a home in place first. Wallace says no.
10:09 Jack says that if the applicant would fire his one employee, he would be completely in compliance with city code.
10:13 Going to a vote now.
10:14 Special use permit denied 5 to 2.
10:16 Next up, SIUC is asking for a permit to allow anyone with a catering permit for the university, with a liquor license, to sell liquor at the various SIUC stadiums.
10:18 Question arises about approval for the Glove Factory, which the city attorney says the university did not ask for. He further says that the ordinance change only allows for a chase bar. Caterers can serve alcohol any place on campus but can only sell it at permitted places.
10:24 Adams concerned that some caterers may not have a Carbondale liquor license which would preclude them from selling or service liquor at SIUC.
10:26 And the amendment is approved unanimously.
10:26 Fair Days approved unanimously.
10:27 Resolution granting Fair Days status for Welcomefest on Sept 14. Council is getting tired as they are talking on top of each other to move and second. Resolution approved unanimously. Since they are moving to council comments, I'm out of here. Have a good evening.
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
Liveblogging City Council
Turned on the city council meeting about 15 minutes late:
7:18 Phi Rho Eta Fraternity requesting a Special Use permit to host a carnival in the University Mall parking lot. some questions regarding how much insurance the Fraternity had for the event ($1 million). After that, council approved unanimously.
7:20 Swearing in of the new city council members: Lee Fronabarger, Jessica Bradshaw and Carolin Harvey
7:22 Resolutions commending retiring city employees, Earl Mitchell and Donald Priddy for service to the city upon their retirement.
7:35 Very long commendations of Mitchell and Priddy. Now honorarily re-naming E. Jackson as Corene McDaniel Court and Hospital Drive as Chris Wissmann Way. Lance Jack Has now brought a motion up requesting that council members be listed on resolutions in order of their years of service. No-one else seems to know why he is bringing this up now.
7:40 Apparently Jack wants to make sure his two separate terms as a councilman are counted in total for determining order of listing of council members. Apparently he feels slighted because his total years of service were not counted when determining the order listed on the resolution. Raining on McDaniels and Wissmann's parades to bring this up now.
7:46 City Attorney is now smacking Councilman Jack for making a motion now when it should properly be put on the city council agenda ahead of time so the community is aware of it.
7:49 Jack apparently will bring this up later and has moved that E. Jackson be honorarily renamed Corene McDaniel Court . Approved unanimously.
7:50 Lance Jack now bringing up his complaint again regards Apparently, he feels this is a personal slight against him from Mayor Fritzler who responded that the order had been set by former Mayor Brad Cole. Resolution changing the name of Hospital Drive to Chriss Wissmann Way (honorarily) passes unanimously.
7:55 Council voting to approve TIF payments for remodeling of the old Mary Lou's building on S. Illinois. Some questions from the audience about whether this is a good use of tax dollars.
8:04 Councilman Jack is now lecturing the gentleman who just spoke questioning the TIF District funding, saying that the gentleman (Williams) should read up on the purpose of the TIF District and that one of council's purposes is to help revitalize blighted area. Now the mayor is weighing it, saying that TIF Districts have been abused but the city is making minimal use of them, referring to downtown as blighted. Another man is now questioning referring to the downtown as blighted. As an aside, a big problem evidenced here is that how TIF Districts work was not clearly explained. All people hear is that the owner of the property will get $250,000 back without really understanding from where than $250,000 comes.
8:20 Still discussing TIFs. SIUC Student Body President now speaking in support of TIF Districts and the S. Illinois property in particular
8:23 Voted to approve the TIF payment unanimously
8:25 Voting to create an intergovernmental agreement for the purpose of contesting tax assessment appeals This would include about 90% of the taxing bodies in Carbondale. Apparently the problem is that the various governmental bodies do not have the staff or time to contest tax assessment appeals by citizens so often the assessment appeals are passes without contesting by the governmental body. According to City Manager Baity, John A. Logan College decided today they wanted to become a part of the agreement.
8:34 Eric Wilson (?) up again speaking about revenue loss in the TIF and quasi relating it to the tax assessment appeals proposal.
8:36 Intergovernmental agreement approved unanimously
8:37 Question from citizen about groundbreaking at Liberty Village today and a solar plant at the old Koppers plant. Apparently old Saturn showroom next to Buffalo Wild Wings has sold and will be remodeled into a complex of doctors' offices.
8:42 During council comments, Jack is again questioning what council procedures need advance notice and what do not. Oh, Bradshaw and Harvey both thanked people for voting for them.
8:46 Meeting adjourned to a reception for the new council members.
7:18 Phi Rho Eta Fraternity requesting a Special Use permit to host a carnival in the University Mall parking lot. some questions regarding how much insurance the Fraternity had for the event ($1 million). After that, council approved unanimously.
7:20 Swearing in of the new city council members: Lee Fronabarger, Jessica Bradshaw and Carolin Harvey
7:22 Resolutions commending retiring city employees, Earl Mitchell and Donald Priddy for service to the city upon their retirement.
7:35 Very long commendations of Mitchell and Priddy. Now honorarily re-naming E. Jackson as Corene McDaniel Court and Hospital Drive as Chris Wissmann Way. Lance Jack Has now brought a motion up requesting that council members be listed on resolutions in order of their years of service. No-one else seems to know why he is bringing this up now.
7:40 Apparently Jack wants to make sure his two separate terms as a councilman are counted in total for determining order of listing of council members. Apparently he feels slighted because his total years of service were not counted when determining the order listed on the resolution. Raining on McDaniels and Wissmann's parades to bring this up now.
7:46 City Attorney is now smacking Councilman Jack for making a motion now when it should properly be put on the city council agenda ahead of time so the community is aware of it.
7:49 Jack apparently will bring this up later and has moved that E. Jackson be honorarily renamed Corene McDaniel Court . Approved unanimously.
7:50 Lance Jack now bringing up his complaint again regards Apparently, he feels this is a personal slight against him from Mayor Fritzler who responded that the order had been set by former Mayor Brad Cole. Resolution changing the name of Hospital Drive to Chriss Wissmann Way (honorarily) passes unanimously.
7:55 Council voting to approve TIF payments for remodeling of the old Mary Lou's building on S. Illinois. Some questions from the audience about whether this is a good use of tax dollars.
8:04 Councilman Jack is now lecturing the gentleman who just spoke questioning the TIF District funding, saying that the gentleman (Williams) should read up on the purpose of the TIF District and that one of council's purposes is to help revitalize blighted area. Now the mayor is weighing it, saying that TIF Districts have been abused but the city is making minimal use of them, referring to downtown as blighted. Another man is now questioning referring to the downtown as blighted. As an aside, a big problem evidenced here is that how TIF Districts work was not clearly explained. All people hear is that the owner of the property will get $250,000 back without really understanding from where than $250,000 comes.
8:20 Still discussing TIFs. SIUC Student Body President now speaking in support of TIF Districts and the S. Illinois property in particular
8:23 Voted to approve the TIF payment unanimously
8:25 Voting to create an intergovernmental agreement for the purpose of contesting tax assessment appeals This would include about 90% of the taxing bodies in Carbondale. Apparently the problem is that the various governmental bodies do not have the staff or time to contest tax assessment appeals by citizens so often the assessment appeals are passes without contesting by the governmental body. According to City Manager Baity, John A. Logan College decided today they wanted to become a part of the agreement.
8:34 Eric Wilson (?) up again speaking about revenue loss in the TIF and quasi relating it to the tax assessment appeals proposal.
8:36 Intergovernmental agreement approved unanimously
8:37 Question from citizen about groundbreaking at Liberty Village today and a solar plant at the old Koppers plant. Apparently old Saturn showroom next to Buffalo Wild Wings has sold and will be remodeled into a complex of doctors' offices.
8:42 During council comments, Jack is again questioning what council procedures need advance notice and what do not. Oh, Bradshaw and Harvey both thanked people for voting for them.
8:46 Meeting adjourned to a reception for the new council members.
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
Liveblogging City Council
Lliveblogging tonight's city council meeting:
7:28 Councilwoman Jane Adams is making announcements about various events in Carbondale and warning people that if door-to-dorr sales people come to their house, they should have a permit issued by the city. If they do not, they have not been authorized to solicit within the city.
7:30 Councilmen Don Monty and Lee Fronabarger also making announcements about upcoming events including the citywide cleanup laster this spring.
7:33 Mayor Fritzler going over the consent agenda. Would bet $5 that someone wants something pulled from it for a separate vote. Another $5 says it is councilman Monty. Nope, not Monty, but Fritzler and audience members asked to pull 3 items for individual vote.
7:35 Apparently the audience members got confused and thought item 4.4 was dealing with the city budget, when it actually dealt with re-appointing people to various commissions.
7:37 Now discussing the annexation of property in the Lakeland Hills subdivision. Some concern by audience members of tax implications of the annexation as well as flooding and drainage problems.
7:50 Lakeland Hills annexation approved.Now under discussion is renewal of the city's mowing contract. Apparently one of the companies that submitted a bid to handle the city's mowing has pulled out the bidding, saying that, if they did not get a contract for the entire area, it would not be profitable for them.
7:50 Mowing contract approved with the hope the company buys its gas in Carbondale.
8:00 to applause, Chris Wissmann just moved the city start the process for renaming a section of Jackson Street in honor of Corene McDaniel.
8:15 McDaniel and Wissmann getting certificates recognizing them for their service on the council.
8:30 Fair Days resolution considered for the Sunset Concerts. Passes 7 to 1 with McDaniel voting no, as she has consistently since joining the council. She does not feel it appropriate to have alcohol at events held on city property.
8:39 Now we are discussing the budget. Audience member is asking if the council could require SIUC project paid for by the Saluki Way tax to use Carbondale business in the construction. Mayor Fritzler is pointing out that the money raised from the tax only went to fund bonds for the new stadium and Arena renovation.
8:45 In response to a question Councilman Fronabarger points out that the new Student Services building is funded solely from student fees.
8:45 Wissmann now talking about about a company called Buxton (sp) that does surveys of communities to determine what types of businesses has a good chance of surviving in a community. As he pointed out to me during the pre-council reception, it makes little sense for another auto parts company to locate in a community if there are already 5 similar businesses there unless there is evidence there is unserved demand for auto parts.
8:49 New budget passes unanimously
8:50 Motion to adopt a new five year community investment program. Essentially, this is a guide on where the city should invest dollars in the community over the next five years. The firs station and public safety buildings were both part of past CIPs.
8:54 City manger Kevin Baity points out that the CIP also indicates where funding for the proposed city projects come from. Passed unanimously.
8:55 Pay plan for non union city employees adopted unanimously as well.
8:57 Council now discussing requests for funding from local community organizations. This might get a bit dicy as several organizations that requested funding are not in the proposal so representatives from those organizations might push council to add funding for them..
9:05 Nope, nothing from the audience. Passed unanimously. Authorization of refunding bonds for various improvements up next. Part of this will go to Schwartz Street improvements first proposed back in 2006
9:15 Monty pointing out that he was opposed to funding the Swartz Street project through additional debt but that the cost of said debt (interest) is so low that it makes sense to take on debt in order to do the construction now, rather than later when construction costs increase
9:19 Adams pointing out that debt took on to fund University Mall will be paid off about 2019, freeing up more city money.
9:30 Refinancing of bonds passed unanimously. Moving onto a discussion of technical changes to the Revised Code dealing with the revisions to the Neighborhood Business District. No substantive changes to the code are proposed.
9:34 Month compares the ordinance to correcting punctuation errors in the original ordinance. vote is 7-1 in favor with Adams opposing.
9:36 Tony Espozito (sp?) speaking during citizen comments about trash pickup. Concerned about one price charged to all residents when some households generate lots of trash while others generate very little. Fritzler says he has been pushing for graduated refuse collection fees but the process is very slow.
9:40 Fritzler says the city is looking at other methods of charging for refuse collection but does not go into specifics.
9:43 Baity says there are currently overage charges if you set out too many cans of trash but enforcement and tracking are difficult. Councilman Jack welcomes Espozito to Carbondale and agrees trash collection should be looked at.
9:45 Fritzler comments that the city gets complaints about charging recycling fees. Adams notes that some landlords don't provide trash receptacles for tenants, piggybacking on other locations that do have trash receptacles.
9:49 Jack thanking Wissmann and McDaniel further.
9:51 McDaniel now thanking city staff for their courtesy and especially city police for escorting her to her car on late nights. Mayor Fritzler now commenting.
9:52 Fritzler thanking Wissmann and McDaniel for their service. Now talking about H Group, which was denied a permit to open in Carbondale, is opening a home in West Frankfort.
9:54 Fritzler now talking about Amerin and how they need to paint their rusty power poles. Supposedly, Amerin will start painting them in May.
9:56 Council going into closed session, which means that's it for tonight. Comments on tonight's meeting welcome.
7:28 Councilwoman Jane Adams is making announcements about various events in Carbondale and warning people that if door-to-dorr sales people come to their house, they should have a permit issued by the city. If they do not, they have not been authorized to solicit within the city.
7:30 Councilmen Don Monty and Lee Fronabarger also making announcements about upcoming events including the citywide cleanup laster this spring.
7:33 Mayor Fritzler going over the consent agenda. Would bet $5 that someone wants something pulled from it for a separate vote. Another $5 says it is councilman Monty. Nope, not Monty, but Fritzler and audience members asked to pull 3 items for individual vote.
7:35 Apparently the audience members got confused and thought item 4.4 was dealing with the city budget, when it actually dealt with re-appointing people to various commissions.
7:37 Now discussing the annexation of property in the Lakeland Hills subdivision. Some concern by audience members of tax implications of the annexation as well as flooding and drainage problems.
7:50 Lakeland Hills annexation approved.Now under discussion is renewal of the city's mowing contract. Apparently one of the companies that submitted a bid to handle the city's mowing has pulled out the bidding, saying that, if they did not get a contract for the entire area, it would not be profitable for them.
7:50 Mowing contract approved with the hope the company buys its gas in Carbondale.
8:00 to applause, Chris Wissmann just moved the city start the process for renaming a section of Jackson Street in honor of Corene McDaniel.
8:15 McDaniel and Wissmann getting certificates recognizing them for their service on the council.
8:30 Fair Days resolution considered for the Sunset Concerts. Passes 7 to 1 with McDaniel voting no, as she has consistently since joining the council. She does not feel it appropriate to have alcohol at events held on city property.
8:39 Now we are discussing the budget. Audience member is asking if the council could require SIUC project paid for by the Saluki Way tax to use Carbondale business in the construction. Mayor Fritzler is pointing out that the money raised from the tax only went to fund bonds for the new stadium and Arena renovation.
8:45 In response to a question Councilman Fronabarger points out that the new Student Services building is funded solely from student fees.
8:45 Wissmann now talking about about a company called Buxton (sp) that does surveys of communities to determine what types of businesses has a good chance of surviving in a community. As he pointed out to me during the pre-council reception, it makes little sense for another auto parts company to locate in a community if there are already 5 similar businesses there unless there is evidence there is unserved demand for auto parts.
8:49 New budget passes unanimously
8:50 Motion to adopt a new five year community investment program. Essentially, this is a guide on where the city should invest dollars in the community over the next five years. The firs station and public safety buildings were both part of past CIPs.
8:54 City manger Kevin Baity points out that the CIP also indicates where funding for the proposed city projects come from. Passed unanimously.
8:55 Pay plan for non union city employees adopted unanimously as well.
8:57 Council now discussing requests for funding from local community organizations. This might get a bit dicy as several organizations that requested funding are not in the proposal so representatives from those organizations might push council to add funding for them..
9:05 Nope, nothing from the audience. Passed unanimously. Authorization of refunding bonds for various improvements up next. Part of this will go to Schwartz Street improvements first proposed back in 2006
9:15 Monty pointing out that he was opposed to funding the Swartz Street project through additional debt but that the cost of said debt (interest) is so low that it makes sense to take on debt in order to do the construction now, rather than later when construction costs increase
9:19 Adams pointing out that debt took on to fund University Mall will be paid off about 2019, freeing up more city money.
9:30 Refinancing of bonds passed unanimously. Moving onto a discussion of technical changes to the Revised Code dealing with the revisions to the Neighborhood Business District. No substantive changes to the code are proposed.
9:34 Month compares the ordinance to correcting punctuation errors in the original ordinance. vote is 7-1 in favor with Adams opposing.
9:36 Tony Espozito (sp?) speaking during citizen comments about trash pickup. Concerned about one price charged to all residents when some households generate lots of trash while others generate very little. Fritzler says he has been pushing for graduated refuse collection fees but the process is very slow.
9:40 Fritzler says the city is looking at other methods of charging for refuse collection but does not go into specifics.
9:43 Baity says there are currently overage charges if you set out too many cans of trash but enforcement and tracking are difficult. Councilman Jack welcomes Espozito to Carbondale and agrees trash collection should be looked at.
9:45 Fritzler comments that the city gets complaints about charging recycling fees. Adams notes that some landlords don't provide trash receptacles for tenants, piggybacking on other locations that do have trash receptacles.
9:49 Jack thanking Wissmann and McDaniel further.
9:51 McDaniel now thanking city staff for their courtesy and especially city police for escorting her to her car on late nights. Mayor Fritzler now commenting.
9:52 Fritzler thanking Wissmann and McDaniel for their service. Now talking about H Group, which was denied a permit to open in Carbondale, is opening a home in West Frankfort.
9:54 Fritzler now talking about Amerin and how they need to paint their rusty power poles. Supposedly, Amerin will start painting them in May.
9:56 Council going into closed session, which means that's it for tonight. Comments on tonight's meeting welcome.
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
City Council Meeting Liveblogging
7:20 p.m. Joining the city council meeting in process. Currently under discussion is amending the city code to allow the following types of buildings within the city:
Currently, these two types of construction are not permitted by the Carbondale Fire Code
7:30 Passed unanimously
7:35 Discussion of a final Planned Unit Development at Liberty Village. Citizens are expressing concern about the potential of increased traffic in the area and asking for another road exiting the area to Rt. 13. Council passed the proposal for the PUD (does anyone ever consider this acronyms) unanimously.
7:40 Council just passed a proposal approving the proposed development at Liberty Village, unanimously.
7:45 Council getting ready to review the budget and Community Investment Plan and just took a brief break to allow those with no interest in the topic to exit the chamber.
7:47 Councilman Don Monty is questioning why a recommendation from the Sustainability Commission was not included in the budget or brought to council's attention until the public hearing. Councilwoman Jane Adams is asking for a more welcoming sign for bicyclists to be put up at the entries to the city.
8 p.m. Council is discussing installing or moving parking meters from other locations to the Town Square lot on the north side of Hwy 13.
8:10 Councilman Chris Wissmann is not happy with the quality of consultant reports the city has received in the past, save the electric aggregation one. Also thinks the city should look at the types of businesses it works to attract. If we keep getting in clothing stores, and they keep closing, the city should look at encouraging other types of businesses. He appears to be looking for a business analysis of the city.
8:15 Adams now discussing the perception of Carbondale as business unfriendly and her experience in the difficulty of obtaining permits from city hall.
8:25 Mayor Joel Fritzler finished complimenting city staff on the budget briefing books prepared for each budget now, saying they save several hours in meeting time.
8:27 Monty asking about shift of funding from Spirit of Attucks to organization funding and providing additional funding to Carbondale Main Street.
8:30 Citizen Comments now. Meghan Cole, Executive Director of Carbondale Main Street, now addressing council, pointing out the organization received $30,000 from the city for landscaping services in the early '90s and receives significantly less today while providing more services.
8:35 Sandy Litecky of the Arbor District now asking about Neighborhood Assistance Teams. Feed got rather choppy at that point so not clear as to what she asked. Monty now explaining the idea behind the Neighborhood Assistance Teams.
8:36 And here's a question about the Saluki Way sales tax and if it is included in the budget. Also asking about funding for programs at the Eurma Haynes Center and more fonding for police officers. City Manger Kevin Baity responded that the only Haynes Center program funded is the I Can Read program and that 4 police officers were just sworn in for a total of 68. Now asking for a full time affirmative action officer which the mayor says had been added to the duties of the city manager's office.
8:38. Nancy Stemper of Carbondale Community Arts announcing the purchase by CCA of the United Church of Christ, Scientist on W. Walnut as a home for the organization.
8:45 Monty now pointing out that, while there are huge numbers of programs the city would like to fund but it only has a limited amount of funding available.
8:50 Council just voted to rezone properties from underutilized zoning formats to formats that are more used, I guess? I'm sure it makes sense but miss most of the explanation from the city manager.
8:51 Council just recessed.
9:00 And they are back, discussing revisions to the Carbondale Revised Code regarding neighborhood Business Districts, which have attracted quite a bit of attention over the past couple of weeks.
9:15 Monty is now talking about limits in the code on the number of allowed dwelling units, not even getting to the Neighborhood Business Districts yet, meaning this will be a long night. Since I have to get up early, I shall bid you all goodnight. Comments or an update on what happens next are welcome.
Type 4 – Exterior walls are non-combustible, interior building elements are heavy timber construction.
Type 5 – All structural and interior building elements are of any materials permitted by code.
Currently, these two types of construction are not permitted by the Carbondale Fire Code
7:30 Passed unanimously
7:35 Discussion of a final Planned Unit Development at Liberty Village. Citizens are expressing concern about the potential of increased traffic in the area and asking for another road exiting the area to Rt. 13. Council passed the proposal for the PUD (does anyone ever consider this acronyms) unanimously.
7:40 Council just passed a proposal approving the proposed development at Liberty Village, unanimously.
7:45 Council getting ready to review the budget and Community Investment Plan and just took a brief break to allow those with no interest in the topic to exit the chamber.
7:47 Councilman Don Monty is questioning why a recommendation from the Sustainability Commission was not included in the budget or brought to council's attention until the public hearing. Councilwoman Jane Adams is asking for a more welcoming sign for bicyclists to be put up at the entries to the city.
8 p.m. Council is discussing installing or moving parking meters from other locations to the Town Square lot on the north side of Hwy 13.
8:10 Councilman Chris Wissmann is not happy with the quality of consultant reports the city has received in the past, save the electric aggregation one. Also thinks the city should look at the types of businesses it works to attract. If we keep getting in clothing stores, and they keep closing, the city should look at encouraging other types of businesses. He appears to be looking for a business analysis of the city.
8:15 Adams now discussing the perception of Carbondale as business unfriendly and her experience in the difficulty of obtaining permits from city hall.
8:25 Mayor Joel Fritzler finished complimenting city staff on the budget briefing books prepared for each budget now, saying they save several hours in meeting time.
8:27 Monty asking about shift of funding from Spirit of Attucks to organization funding and providing additional funding to Carbondale Main Street.
8:30 Citizen Comments now. Meghan Cole, Executive Director of Carbondale Main Street, now addressing council, pointing out the organization received $30,000 from the city for landscaping services in the early '90s and receives significantly less today while providing more services.
8:35 Sandy Litecky of the Arbor District now asking about Neighborhood Assistance Teams. Feed got rather choppy at that point so not clear as to what she asked. Monty now explaining the idea behind the Neighborhood Assistance Teams.
8:36 And here's a question about the Saluki Way sales tax and if it is included in the budget. Also asking about funding for programs at the Eurma Haynes Center and more fonding for police officers. City Manger Kevin Baity responded that the only Haynes Center program funded is the I Can Read program and that 4 police officers were just sworn in for a total of 68. Now asking for a full time affirmative action officer which the mayor says had been added to the duties of the city manager's office.
8:38. Nancy Stemper of Carbondale Community Arts announcing the purchase by CCA of the United Church of Christ, Scientist on W. Walnut as a home for the organization.
8:45 Monty now pointing out that, while there are huge numbers of programs the city would like to fund but it only has a limited amount of funding available.
8:50 Council just voted to rezone properties from underutilized zoning formats to formats that are more used, I guess? I'm sure it makes sense but miss most of the explanation from the city manager.
8:51 Council just recessed.
9:00 And they are back, discussing revisions to the Carbondale Revised Code regarding neighborhood Business Districts, which have attracted quite a bit of attention over the past couple of weeks.
9:15 Monty is now talking about limits in the code on the number of allowed dwelling units, not even getting to the Neighborhood Business Districts yet, meaning this will be a long night. Since I have to get up early, I shall bid you all goodnight. Comments or an update on what happens next are welcome.
Monday, April 1, 2013
Liveblogging City Council
Haven't done one in awhile but tomorrow night's city council meeting promises to be interesting so I will liveblog the festivities, assuming I can keep up with them, starting about 7 p.m
Monday, March 25, 2013
Friday, May 11, 2012
Error
In case you missed my update on the original post, the building housing the Country Goddess is not for sale. The people I spoke with about it had the wrong information. Stuff inside the building, yes, that is still for sale until May 28.
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Strike News
In case you want a strikers' eye perspective of what is going on at the picket lines, the new Occupy SIUC blog does a pretty good job of posting comments and photos . The Bit51blog also has a post up on the university's lousy response to negative posts regarding the administrations response to the strike.
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Whoops!
I don't know how the vote on the liquor ordinance went last night, but made a mistake in yesterday's post in that Lance Jack, due to his holding a liquor license, could not particpate in any of the discussion or vote on any ordinances or issues having to do with liquor.
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Bucky's Dome Visit
CNET blogger Amanda Kooser writes about her visits this weekend to Bucky's Dome and the Boo Rochman Memorial Park. Apparently, she's both a fan of Buckminister Fulller and Dungeons & Dragons. When you think about it, that's not really so hard to understand. Fuller was one of the most visionary and imaginiative people of the 20th century and Dungeons & Dragons is a game that plays best with people of strong imaginations.
Saturday, April 9, 2011
CNET Visit to Bucky Dome
Amanda Kooser, a freelance blogger for CNET, is making a drive along Rte. 66 from Albequerque to Chicago. While that's cool (and something I've done a couple of times), the interesting part is her plan to detour off the Mother Road to Carbondale for a visit to Bucky's Dome.
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Marion Revealed & County Guardian
In case you want to keep up with what's going on in Marion politics, Marion Revealed is a pretty good site, though it's not exactly pro-Mayor Bob Butler. The County Guardian blog looks at Williamson County with side trips to Southern Illinois.
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
SIUC Reductions
A reader of the blog pointed out that SIUC is threatening non-tenure track faculty with layoff or reduction to part time if they fail to accept the 4 administrative closure days the administration proposed. WSIL says 9 faculty have already received layoff notices and 76 more will have spring hours cut:
The Non-Tenure Track Faculty Association says nine people received layoff notices -- another 76 were told their hours will be cut.
The NTT is one of the unions still in contract negotiations with the university. Members have not agreed to any unpaid closure days.
The university calls Friday's announcement "proposed layoffs." But the union says employees received official notifications by certified letter -- and that it could be against the law.
No matter how you slice it, this doesn't put the university in a good light. Hitting people with layoffs without warning and a week before Christmas, or even using them as a threat, the way the SI article positions it, does nothing to foster any better relations between faculty and administration.
The Non-Tenure Track Faculty Association says nine people received layoff notices -- another 76 were told their hours will be cut.
The NTT is one of the unions still in contract negotiations with the university. Members have not agreed to any unpaid closure days.
The university calls Friday's announcement "proposed layoffs." But the union says employees received official notifications by certified letter -- and that it could be against the law.
No matter how you slice it, this doesn't put the university in a good light. Hitting people with layoffs without warning and a week before Christmas, or even using them as a threat, the way the SI article positions it, does nothing to foster any better relations between faculty and administration.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Dayshift Not Closing
Contrary to an earlier report Dayshift, the art and crafts store on the Carbondale Square, is not closing. There may be a change in ownership but business hours will remain the same.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Reader Looking for a Name
Got an email from a reader who was a student at SIUC in the 70's asking for the name of a small shop that carried "spacey, hippy style stuff", including clothes and smoking paraphenalia. It was located near the corner of West College & S. Illinois and was in business during the 70s, closing during the 80s. I remember one located where Shokokan Karate is now, but it was open through the early 90's, closing when the city council started strictly enforcing the ordinance against shops selling smoking paraphernalia (three stores closed within a week after the enforcement started).
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Monday, June 28, 2010
Bike Bloggers
Had a couple of distance bicyclists come through Carbondale recently. The King Brothers are biking to raise money to fight MS, while D-Spin is a Irish cyclist riding to raise money for the Mid-Western Cancer Foundation (that's mid-western Ireland).
Update: Must be the time for biking bloggers as here's another one. No charity apparently involved though.
Update: Must be the time for biking bloggers as here's another one. No charity apparently involved though.
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Crime In Carbondale
The original poster to this thread asks about crime in Carbondale. The responses from people give you a pretty good idea of how the responding locals view the C'dale crime situation.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)