Stix

Appears that Stix will be reopening in its original downtown locations, sometime within the next month. Spoke with one of the people involved in the business who said they have done extensive remodeling on the South Illinois location. He was not sure how the rumor that Stix was moving to the Levels location on East Grand but that is not happening.

Council and Park District Meeting

 The joint meeting between the city council and park district proceeded amicably although without any resolution. The city wants to see a proposal from the park district. Of course, this means that the park district has to come up with a proposal, which it has been loath to do. Here is a more lengthy look at the disputes between the two entities. One of the big financial problems the park district has to deal with is Hickory Ridge Golf Course, which, last time I checked, had a huge amount of debt.  If the park district merges with the city, of course the city assumes that debt, which the city may not want to do. Hickory Ridge has been a financial problem for the park district for over a decade and is the primary reason for the shuttering of the park district's BMX track. 

Sustainability Commission

 The Sustainability Commission meets tomorrow via Zoom.  here is the link if you want to attend. The commission has discussed establishing a Green Spot Award, similar to the Bright Spot Award, for several months now

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82963768736?pwd=QVRNQ1FQeEZ3M2ViV2JiZmFWZUF6QT09

1. Call to Order & Roll Call:

 2. Approval of Minutes: Minutes from the last meeting

 3. Presentations: None

 4. Communications: None 

5. Old Business: ● Monthly Updates/Review of: o Solar Projects o City Composting o Former Koppers Wood Treatment Site Status Report o Updates and amendments to the Proposed Sustainability Action Plan have all the data to finish the base line report from 2019 Full meeting in January focused on this o ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability - discussion on green bonds and a resilient city. ○ catering clients to reduce waste 

6. New Business: Green Spot Award

Downtown Shopping

 Looking at downtown, there are not a lot of places to shop. Most of downtown Carbondale consists of bar, restaurants, tattoo parlors and hair salons. There is Legal Smile at the south end of the Strip, Shawnee Trails, Jerry's Flower Shop, Insomnia cookies, a small clothing boutique above Traxx, the Printing Plant, Slabz, Old Town Liquors, Phoenix Cycles, Carbondale Cycle, Yesteryear tobacconists, Priority Sports, Consume, Town Square Market, Electric Larrys, La Unica, Castle Perilous Games and Books and Dona Camilla. What, if any, am I missing?  

Pretty eclectic collection of shops, almost all of which will draw their own group of customers who will shop there and then leave. there is no moving from store to store looking for different items. Not sure how to fix it, given that the downtown landlords appear in no rush to fill the empty spaces.

Denny's

 Well looks as if Denny's has completely bit the dust. The signs are all removed or covered up on the building. That, as far as I can count, leaves Burger King,  Pita Alley, Dale's Burger Shack, El Paisano and Tequila's for food on the West side of town

Barnes and Noble

 Barnes and Noble no longer sells books, I guess. Else they was to de-empathize the selling of books? Anyhow the company has replaced the sign on the west facing side of the building. Previously it read "Barnes and Noble, Booksellers". The new sign says "Barnes and Noble". I would assume this is part of the company rebranding as an entertainment retailer, rather than solely a book retailer. Of course, on the occasion I have to walk into the place, it is still wall to wall books

Council Meeting

Special joint meeting of the City Council and Carbondale Park District next Tuesday at 8:30 a.m. at the Garden Grove Event Center on West Main.  That is quite a bit earlier than normal and I would be willing to bet it is an attempt to smooth over the rift that has developed between the two bodies. Unfortunately, due to Illinois open meetings law, the meeting has to take place in public which means neither body will likely be willing to ceed anything from their position. 

Special Joint Meeting of the City Council and Park District

Garden Grove Event Center, 1215 East Walnut Street, Carbondale

Tuesday, April 19, 2022, at 8:30 a.m.

1. Roll Call

1.1 Roll Call for Each Body

2. Approval of Agenda

2.1 Approval of the Agenda

3. Citizen Comments

3.1 Citizen Comments on Matters Not on the Printed Agenda

4. General Business

4.1 General Discussion Among Board Members about Carbondale Parks and Recreation

5. Comments from Council and Board

5.1 Comments from Park District Board Commissioners and City Council Members