Summary

Council approves drainage, hiring, and bids

MarionAug 11, 20252 min read

At a glance

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Marion City Council approved hiring one police patrol officer, a $65,363.47 sewer department building conversion bid, a subdivision plat for the planned Tru hotel site, and a resolution supporting a flood-control grant application for the Moore Park Drainage project.

Projects mentioned

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D. Discuss/Approve FY26 TIF Approved FY26 TIF

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City Council

Topics discussed

TransportationBudget & TaxPublic SafetyCommerceUtilities

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What this means

The council moved ahead on several practical projects that affect daily life in Marion. It approved funding for a sewer department maintenance building, advanced a drainage fix aimed at reducing flooding in the Moore Park/Westenaire area, and cleared the way for a new Hilton Tru hotel subdivision. The council also hired Aaron Lake as a patrol officer, with his start date set for August 12, 2025.

Key decisions

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Approved hiring Aaron Lake as a patrol officer at the agreed pay rate under the collective bargaining agreement
Approved the low bid of $65,363.47 from Barnett Electric to install components in an existing building for use as a Sewer Department mechanic shop
Adopted Ordinance 4057 accepting the plat of subdivision for Hospitality Tru Subdivision
Approved submission of the Moore Park Drainage project to the Delta Regional Authority grant cycle through Resolution 2025-13
Approved FY26 TIF grant applications received through August 7, 2025

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Meeting information

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City Council Meeting

Aug 11, 2025, 5:30 PM350 Tower Square Plaza, Marion, IL 62959completed

Agenda

CALL TO ORDER
1. ROLL CALL
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
3. PUBLIC COMMENTS/AUDIENCE TO VISITORS (Subject to Ordinance No. 3128 as amended by Ordinance No. 3134)
4. CONSENT AGENDA
A. INVOICES
Decision: CONSENT AGENDA
1) Approve Fowler Heating and Cooling, Inc. Invoice 96779188 for $15,404 for materials and labor to install a new front for center canopy at the Civic Center.
Decision: CONSENT AGENDA
2) Approve Banner Fire Equipment, Inc invoice 01S12834 for $174,476.49 for repairs to the 2022 E-One Typhoon Aerial truck. The city has received $173,883.82 in insurance proceeds for this repair.
Decision: CONSENT AGENDA
3) Approve an invoice from Northbridge I.T. Services for a camera upgrade at the Marion Police Department; a budgeted item.
Decision: CONSENT AGENDA
4) Approve Governmental Consulting Solutions, Inc. invoice 6996 for $3,000 for August 2025 consulting services.
Decision: CONSENT AGENDA
5) Approve 2025-2026 REDCO quarterly payments of $4,917 due in August 2025, November 2025, and February 2026.
Decision: CONSENT AGENDA
B. MINUTES
Decision: CONSENT AGENDA
1) Discuss/Approve minutes from the July 28, 2025 city council meeting.
Decision: CONSENT AGENDA
2) Discuss/Approve minutes from the July 29, 2025 special city council meeting.
Decision: CONSENT AGENDA
NEW BUSINESS
5. POLICE DEPARTMENT
A. Discuss/Approve the recommendation of the merit board, Commissioner Barwick, and Chief Fitts to hire Aaron Lake as a patrol officer at the agreed-upon pay rate per the collective bargaining agreement. Lake's start date will be August 12th, 2025.
Decision: POLICE DEPARTMENT
B. Discuss/Approve the recommendation of Chief Fitts to hire Nathan Douglas as a school safety officer at the agreed-upon pay rate between Marion Unit 2 schools and the City of Marion.
Decision: POLICE DEPARTMENT
6. PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
A. Discuss/Approve the low bid of $65,363.47 from Barnett Electric for materials and labor to install components to an existing building for use as a mechanic shop for the Sewer Department; a budgeted item.
Decision: PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
7. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND MUNICIPAL PLANNING
A. Discuss/Approve Ordinance 4057 accepting the plat of subdivision for Hospitality Tru Subdivision.
Decision: ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND MUNICIPAL PLANNING
B. Discuss/Adopt Resolution 2025-12 Authorizing Mayor Absher to execute and submit any and all documents to DRA for the Fiscal Year 2025 federal award program cycle for the Moore Park Drainage project.
Decision: ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND MUNICIPAL PLANNING
C. Discuss/Adopt Resolution 2025-13 authorizing Greater Egypt Regional Planning & Development Commission to execute and submit any and all documents to DRA for the Fiscal Year 2025 federal award program cycle for the Moore Park Drainage project.
Decision: ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND MUNICIPAL PLANNING
D. Discuss/Approve FY26 TIF grant applications received through August 7, 2025.
Decision: ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND MUNICIPAL PLANNING
8. PUBLIC AFFAIRS
A. Presentation by Mayor Absher on Employee Health Insurance.
Decision: PUBLIC AFFAIRS
9. COMMISSIONER REPORTS
10. MISCELLANEOUS
11. CLOSED/EXECUTIVE SESSION (IF NEEDED) LITIGATION, PROPERTY, PERSONNEL.
12. MOTION FOR ADJOURNMENT