Carbondale council extends zoning permit, reviews dog-park plans and security-system delays

Council President Kevin Seals called the Carbondale City Council to order at 7:00 p.m. on Nov. 18, 2024. The council approved the Nov. 4 minutes with three corrections, then moved into regular reports and agenda items.

The council approved a 60-day extension for a contractors' box permit for Jordan Garcia after Garcia said he was unaware that his initial 60-day period had begun. Council member Kaitlyn Ball moved to extend the permit; Council member Chad Moore seconded and the motion carried. Garcia had paid the $25 zoning permit fee.

Library representative Heather Garrison told the council that 59 children attended the library's Halloween costume contest and that regular programs continue with approximately 25 participants in Tween Time and 5–10 in story time. She said the library's next event is "Christmas in Carbondale" with photos available via a QR code, and that the library will observe paid holidays including Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Council members were updated on installation delays to a planned ADT security system. According to the report, the project has faced setbacks finding a local locksmith willing to contract for lock work; one vendor declined after onboarding and another temporarily stopped responding before resuming contact. A site visit had been scheduled and staff indicated work was hoped to start in mid-December; the city noted it would cover two months of service if pricing varies because of locksmith selection. The council discussed potential cost differences but no formal action was taken on the contract at the meeting.

The Park Committee presented competing plans for a dog park and walking path. Council President Seals noted the current dog-park layout lacks a staging area. Committee members, including Dawn Sitz, reviewed two bids (a 50×100 option and a 100×25 option divided for small and large dogs) and discussed whether to concrete fence posts or drive them 12 inches into the ground to save about $30 per post. One bid figure cited was $10,863 after a $200 adjustment for adding a staging area. The committee also discussed gazebo placement, moving picnic tables, using millings for the walking path, and adding benches, trashcans and exercise equipment. Council members asked staff to provide missing emailed materials to inform final decisions.

Maintenance staff reported computer issues at the water plant that temporarily prevented reading the tower level; staff intentionally allowed the tower to overflow to confirm it was full and logged an error code for IT to investigate. Bearings for a playground merry-go-round were ordered for under $200; the unit has been repainted but remains disassembled. Council President Seals asked about water-certification timing for employee Joshua Shreve.

On public-health follow-up, staff said lead-survey returns were about 40% but many responses were marked "unknown," leaving household lead-status uncertain; to comply with KDHE the city mailed letters and additional surveys to all active utility accounts.

Under old business, the council heard that a sidewalk grant appears to be moving forward but likely will not fund the park walking trail. The council also discussed an extension-request program that staff said has been used repeatedly by the same residents; members discussed limiting the number of uses per year or adding a $50 fee. Despite those concerns, Council member Chad Moore moved to approve all current extension requests; Kaitlyn Ball seconded and the motion carried.

Attorney Tom Barnes presented draft ordinances related to homelessness and asked council members to review the drafts and return recommendations at the next meeting. The council acknowledged receipt of codification proposals from American Legal and Ranson Citycode Financial and asked members to review and report back. Council President Seals reported that new office computers are installed and asked staff to gather prices for uninterruptible power supplies.

In police department updates, the council was told new dashcams and automatic license-plate/tag readers have been installed in vehicles; Officer Gilbert is continuing training with schools and Officer Mariah Shultz is performing duties independently. The council moved that it had reviewed the bills, and at 8:39 p.m. Council President Seals moved to adjourn; the motion was seconded by Ball and carried.

Votes at a glance - Approve minutes (Nov. 4, 2024) — Motion by Council member Kaitlyn Ball; seconded by Chad Moore; outcome: carried. - Extend Jordan Garcia zoning permit 60 days — Motion by Council member Kaitlyn Ball; seconded by Chad Moore; outcome: carried. - Approve all current extension requests — Motion by Council member Chad Moore; seconded by Kaitlyn Ball; outcome: carried. - Acknowledge review of bills — Motion by Council member Kaitlyn Ball; seconded by Chad Moore; outcome: carried. - Adjourn meeting — Motion by Council President Kevin Seals; seconded by Kaitlyn Ball; outcome: carried.

The council was scheduled to take up the homelessness ordinance drafts and codification proposals at a future meeting; no final action was taken on those items at this session.