City Council

City Council Meeting April 28, 2026 1. Roll Call Councilmembers present Councilmember Dawn Roberts, Councilmember Brian Stanfield, Councilmember Nathan Colombo, Councilmember Clare Killman, Councilmember Adam Loos, Councilmember Nancy Maxwell, Mayor Carolin Harvey Meeting called to order at 6:07 PM. 2. Public Comments Members of the public addressing the City Council included Sandy Litecky and James Cooper, Jr. 3. Council Comments, General Announcements, and Proclamations Councilmember Colombo announced the graduation ceremony on May 3 for the Southern Illinois Video and Television Workforce Training program. Councilmember Roberts expressed condolences on the passing of George Sheffer, commented on his service to the community, shared that May 1 starts Jewish American Heritage Month, commented on the Fuller Futures Festival, which wrapped up last week, commented on his legacy, and shared two action proposals relating to Buckminster Fuller. Mayor Harvey extended her thanks to City Staff for their work recovering from the storm damage and expressed her personal condolences to the family of George Sheffer. City Manager Reno reminded residents about the Spring Clean Up beginning Friday, May 1. 4. Public Hearings and Special Reports 5. Consent Agenda Agenda Item 5.7 - Donald Monty asked for clarification on agenda item 5.7 Agenda Item 5.3 - Leah Maciell requested clarification about a specific part referenced in the proposal. MOTION: Approve all Consent Agenda Items not pulled for separate consideration Motion by Dawn Roberts, second by Nathan Colombo Final Resolution: Motion Passed Yea: Dawn Roberts, Brian Stanfield, Nathan Colombo, Clare Killman, Adam Loos, Nancy Maxwell, Carolin Harvey 1. Approval of Minutes from the Regular City Council Meeting of April 14, 2026 2. Approval of Warrant 1535 for Period Ending 04/10/2026 in the amount of $1,192,341.74 3. Award a Contract for the Replacement of the 911 Radio Communications Tower at  501 Washington Street in the Amount of $63,095 to Roy Walker Communications. 4. Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Execute an Engagement Letter with Kerber, Eck, & Braeckel for the City's FY 2026 Audit 5. Reappointments to the Police Pension Board and the Preservation Commission 6. Resolution Appropriating $527,060 of Motor Fuel Tax Funds for the FY 2027 Program for Maintenance of Streets and Alleys 7. Award a Contract to Lighting Associates in the Amount of $34,678.52 for the Purchase of String Lights and Materials, and Award a Contract to Judge Services in the Amount of $14,120.00 for the Installation of String Lights Downtown 8. A Resolution to Renew the Mayors' Monarch Pledge 6. General Business 1. A Resolution Approving and a Resolution Denying a Special Use Permit to Arena Eclipse Solar, LLC for the Construction of a 4.0 Megawatt Solar Array at 14 Minnesota Road There was a question about the redrawing of the city limits boundaries upon annexation, and it was noted that there was good discussion about this matter at the Planning Commission meeting. MOTION: Adopt a Resolution Approving a Special Use Permit to Arena Eclispe Solar, LLC for the Construction of a 4.0-Megawatt Solar Array with Four Conditions Motion by Adam Loos, second by Dawn Roberts Final Resolution: Motion Passed Yea: Dawn Roberts, Brian Stanfield, Nathan Colombo, Clare Killman, Adam Loos, Nancy Maxwell, Carolin Harvey 2. Ordinance Adopting the Operating Budget for the City of Carbondale and the Carbondale Public Library for FY 2027 and an Ordinance Adopting a Pay Plan for Non-Bargaining Unit Employees for FY 2027 Council shared their thoughts on the reinstatement of the Assistant City Manager position, noted their concerns regarding communication about the inclusion of the position in the budget, recommendations to avoid appearances of impropriety in the future, suggestions for including additional meetings with Council regarding the budget, posting the budget at least 30 days before its adoption, shared opposition to the lack of funding for community organizations and remarked on how other communities support their not-for-profits, that other funding that may be available to support the community agencies, remarked on the City's diminishing ability to fund such agencies, the limitations of how grant funds are permitted to be utilized, and their differing perspectives relating to the funding of community agencies and organizations. Leah Maciell noted that support for nonprofits can take various forms aside from financial. Donald Monty responded to comments about the budget process and calendar, suggesting a possible revision to it. Additionally, he made suggestions relating to the City Manager's budget letter. MOTION: Approve an Ordinance for the City and the Public Library Annual Operating Budget for Fiscal Year 2027; Ordinance Adopting a Pay Plan for Nonbargaining Unit Employees for FY2027 Motion by Nathan Colombo, second by Dawn Roberts Final Resolution: Motion Passed Yea: Dawn Roberts, Brian Stanfield, Nathan Colombo, Clare Killman, Adam Loos, Carolin Harvey 3. Resolution Approving the Five-Year Community Investment Program for Fiscal Years 2027 through 2031 Council discussion included a suggestion that quarterly project planning meetings would be beneficial for the Council, commented on the challenges with slow changes to policies and practices, and requested that a discussion item be placed on an upcoming agenda to provide for three structured meetings in the budget calendar, quarterly project update meetings, and uniformly titling the 5 Year CIP as Capital Improvements Program, instead of Community Investment Program. Donald Monty asked a question about the title of the agenda item. MOTION: Adopt a Resolution approving the Five-Year Community Investment Program for Fiscal Years 2027 through 2031 in the amount of $46,711,047 Motion by Dawn Roberts, second by Nathan Colombo Final Resolution: Motion Passed Yea: Dawn Roberts, Brian Stanfield, Nathan Colombo, Clare Killman, Adam Loos, Nancy Maxwell, Carolin Harvey 7. Executive Session 8. Adjournment There being no further business to come before the City Council, the meeting was declared adjourned at 7:19 p.m. _______________________________ _______________________________ Jennifer R. Sorrell, City Clerk Date