Marion council approves package: TIF grants, Star Bond amusement tax, fireworks ban and residency buffer for registered sex offenders

At its regular meeting, the Marion City Council approved a package of ordinances and grant actions covering TIF grant rules, a Star Bond district amusement tax, a revised fireworks ordinance and expanded residency restrictions for registered sex offenders.

TIF grants and rules: Staff presented Ordinance 4017 related to a FY25 residential TIF reimbursement where a property that received a prior reimbursement transacted and new owners now seek a second grant to demolish and rebuild due to structural issues. Council discussed the program's historical one-grant-per-property rule, receipts and enforcement, and voted to approve Ordinance 4017 (motion and second; roll-call unanimous). Council also set a public hearing for the third amendment to the North Commercial TIF district via Ordinance 4018 (hearing set for 5 p.m. Monday, May 12, 2025) and approved a final FY25 TIF roof replacement grant representing the last available $25,000 in the current account.

Star Bond district amusement tax (Ordinance 4019): Staff said the amusement tax would apply only within the Star Bond district and would tax non-tangible amusements (e.g., bay rentals, putt-putt and similar activities) to ensure projects that attract visitors contribute toward district infrastructure and bond repayment. Staff noted the tax revenue must be dedicated to district improvements and said the tax is intended to expire when the star bonds are retired (staff cited a 35-year term). Council approved the ordinance by unanimous roll call.

Fireworks ordinance (Ordinance 4020): Mayor Absher framed Ordinance 4020 as replacing a 20-year-old fireworks rule to close a gap that previously did not explicitly ban the sale of certain consumer fireworks. The city attorney and staff cited the Illinois Pyrotechnic Fireworks Act and State Fire Marshal guidance as standards already outlawing some items; novelty items and professionally permitted pyrotechnic displays remain legal under state law. After discussion about enforcement and the likely out-of-jurisdiction purchases, the council voted to adopt the new ordinance unanimously.

Residency buffer for registered sex offenders (Ordinance 4022): Staff (Wendy) presented a map showing the effects of expanding prohibited residency buffers around parks, schools and similar locations from 500 feet to 1,500 feet; staff said existing registrants are grandfathered but would not be able to renew a lease if their distance later falls inside the new buffer. Council discussed whether a 1,200- or 1,500-foot buffer is preferable; the council approved the ordinance with a unanimous roll-call vote.

Votes at a glance (recorded outcomes): - Ordinance 4017 (TIF exterior improvement grant for Brian and Amy Kelly): approved (roll-call unanimous). - Ordinance 4018 (set public hearing for North Commercial TIF amendment): approved (roll-call unanimous); hearing 5 p.m., May 12, 2025. - FY25 TIF roof replacement grant (West Prairie): approved (roll-call unanimous). - Ordinance 4019 (Star Bond district amusement tax): approved (roll-call unanimous). - Ordinance 4020 (replace fireworks ordinance 1943): approved (roll-call unanimous). - Ordinance 4022 (registered sex offender residency restrictions to 1,500 ft with grandfathering): approved (roll-call unanimous).

Speakers and attributions in council records matched meeting roll-call and staff presentations; for detailed vote tallies and mover/second names see official minutes.