Carbondale council approves consent agenda including $200,971 water-sewer adjustment; votes to enter executive session

The Carbondale City Council on the evening it met approved a multi‑item consent agenda, including an ordinance increasing the FY2025 water and sewer fund budget by $200,971 and a three‑year contract authorization with Gateway Fireworks Displays, and later voted to enter executive session to discuss litigation, communications with an insurer and self‑evaluation/professional ethics matters under the Illinois Open Meetings Act.

The consent agenda items listed by interim city staff included approval of minutes from the Jan. 14, 2025 regular meeting; a resolution authorizing the interim city manager to enter a three‑year contract with Gateway Fireworks Displays; an ordinance raising the FY2025 water and sewer fund budget by $200,971 for various operating costs; reappointments to boards and commissions; and a resolution authorizing an employment agreement between the city and Reno (interim city manager). Council then voted to approve the full consent agenda in a single motion.

Council member Doherty moved to approve the consent agenda; the motion was seconded by Council member Killman. The mayor called roll; members voting “yes” were Council member Doherty, Council member Hill, Council member Killman, Council member Lowes, Council member Maxwell and Mayor Harvey. The motion passed.

Later in the meeting the council voted to go into executive session. Council member Doherty moved that the council enter executive session to discuss litigation, communications from or with an insurer or intergovernmental risk management association, and self‑evaluation practices and procedures of professional ethics when meeting with a representative of a statewide association, citing provisions the meeting identified as permitted under the Illinois Open Meetings Act. Council member Hill seconded. A roll call vote recorded the same affirmative votes, and the motion passed.

Why it matters: Consent‑agenda approvals finalize the listed purchases, contracts and budget amendments without separate debate; the water and sewer budget amendment will increase the fund by $200,971 for operating costs. The executive session vote signals the council will discuss matters in closed session that the council said relate to pending or probable litigation, insurer communications and an internal evaluation/ethics topic; council rules require any actions resulting from executive session discussion to be announced in open session before being voted on.

Votes at a glance: - Approval of consent agenda (includes minutes from Jan. 14, 2025; 3‑year contract with Gateway Fireworks Displays; FY2025 water and sewer fund budget adjustment of $200,971; reappointments to boards and commissions; resolution authorizing employment agreement with Reno): Motion moved by Council member Doherty, seconded by Council member Killman. Vote: Doherty — yes; Hill — yes; Killman — yes; Lowes — yes; Maxwell — yes; Mayor Harvey — yes. Outcome: approved.

- Motion to enter executive session to discuss litigation, insurer communications/intergovernmental risk management and self‑evaluation/professional ethics (citing Illinois Open Meetings Act): Motion moved by Council member Doherty, seconded by Council member Hill. Vote: Doherty — yes; Hill — yes; Killman — yes; Lowes — yes; Maxwell — yes; Mayor Harvey — yes. Outcome: approved (council recessed into executive session).

No further council action was taken on those executive‑session topics in open session during the meeting; the council noted that any actions resulting from executive session would be announced publicly when the body returned to open session.