Tara Brown

Key discussions during the City Council meeting involved Councilmember comments regarding community issues, including recent arson, a solar developer meeting, and general cleanup efforts. The Council also addressed federal government actions. The Consent Agenda saw the approval of several financial warrants and an Ordinance authorizing a budget adjustment of $6,355 for Police Department camera system repairs damaged by lightning. Another Ordinance was adopted to increase the CIP Local Improvement Fund budget by $126,242.62 to add a Multi-Use Path project. A resolution was authorized to execute a change order for the Dystor Rehabilitation Project. General Business focused on reviewing Capital Improvement Program (CIP) checklist items, including discussions on merging park projects, supporting a roundabout at University and Mill streets, and addressing concerns about sidewalk accessibility.

The agenda for this regular meeting included several key items. Discussion points covered the Treasurer's Report, including global cash movement recurring withdrawal instructions. Unfinished business involved salary and monthly benefit information for Robert E. Miller and the EPIC Insurance Midwest invoice. New business items focused on an application for benefits from Anthony E. Harris, annual affidavits, the upcoming election, the Independent Auditors' Report from Kerber, Eck & Braeckel LLP, the Foster & Foster Actuarial Valuation, and various invoices and payments. The board also planned to review closed meeting minutes and discuss upcoming training seminars such as the IPPFA Seminar and FOIA & OMA Training, in addition to reviewing pension legislation.

The Preservation Commission meeting included a unanimous approval of the previous minutes. Under New Business, the Commission reviewed and unanimously approved Preservation Award Nominations, as six applications were received for properties including 215 S. Illinois Ave, 201 S Maple, 705 W. Main St, and 600 W. Oak St. Officers were elected, naming B. Rhodes as Commission Chair and J. Zurlinden as Commission Vice-Chair. The Commission voted to continue the current arrangement for sub-committees and postponed discussion on the July 4th subcommittee to a future meeting.

The meeting included reports from various committees, specifically a report from the Nomination and Hardship Committee regarding a drafted letter about the Senator Paul Simon Federal Building, which is slated to be an agenda item for the subsequent month. In Old Business, the Commission discussed the proposed July 4th celebration and resolved to request City Council adopt a Resolution demonstrating commitment to the United States' 250th anniversary celebration in 2026. New Business focused on a discussion regarding the demolition and proposed redevelopment (Saluki Village) of the old Greek Row on the SIU Campus. Staff provided an update on Plan Carbondale, and a member updated the Commission on historic properties going on the market.

The meeting involved several public hearings concerning proposed development projects. Public Hearing PC 25-10 involved initiating the rezoning of property parcel number 15-17-327-023 from PUD to AG, which the Commission recommended City Council approve. Public Hearing PC 25-11 addressed a request by Arena Knight Solar, LLC for a Special Use Permit to construct a 3.8 MW utility-grade solar project on parcel 15-17-376-013. The Commission voted to recommend approval for PC 25-11 with specific conditions, including eventual annexation into the City of Carbondale and submission of wetlands information. Public Hearing PC 25-12 concerned a Special Use Permit request by Arena Knight 2 Solar, LLC for a 3.0 MW solar project on parcel 15-17-376-013 and parcel 15-17-327-023, contingent on the approval of PC 25-10. The Commission also voted to recommend approval for PC 25-12 with attached conditions. All three cases are scheduled for City Council review on July 8th, 2025.