Metro East Sun

City of Edwardsville City Council met Dec. 3

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The regularly scheduled meeting of the Edwardsville City Council took place at 7:00 p.m. at Edwardsville City Hall, located at 118 Hillsboro Avenue in Edwardsville, Illinois, with Mayor Risavy presiding. 

The Pledge of Allegiance recited by all present. 

Council members Krause, Warren, Grant, Farrar, Patton, Miracle and Morrison answered present on roll call. 

Mayor Risavy welcomed everyone in attendance and those viewing on Facebook Live to the meeting. 

Special Recognition/Proclamations/Oaths 

None 

Petitions and Communications 

Mayor Risavy announced a Letter from the Zoning Board of Appeals regarding a Variance for 7 Washington Place. 

Mayor Risavy announced a Letter from the Zoning Board of Appeals regarding a Special Use Permit for 301 North Main Street. 

Mayor Risavy opened the Public Comment portion of the meeting. No public comments received. 

Mayor Risavy read an introduction for Mr. Craig James. Mr. James was a 2014 graduate of Edwardsville High School where he was a standout track and football player. Mr. James went on to the NFL. He is passionate about activities and services for young people. Mr. James came forward to deliver a public comment. 

Mr. Craig James spoke about his foundation, the Craig James Foundation. The foundation strives to help under-privileged youth in the sports realm. Help with sports, education, financial literacy and tutoring are other services within the foundation. The foundation believes the youth are successful with community backing. 

Fred Faust came forward to deliver a public comment. Mr. Faust is the President of Directors for the Madison County Historical Society. The Madison County Historical Society is asking for help. They are appealing the certificate of appropriateness for solar panels on the roof of one of the buildings. The campus has four buildings at 801 N. Main Street. The organization is completely funded by donations and grants. The organization is no longer part of Madison County. The organization cannot continue to heat/cool buildings on the property due to the cost. The group can spend $68,000 to gain savings in power costs. The solar panels planned installation on the building perpendicular to Main Street. 

Consent Agenda 

Mayor Risavy read Consent Agenda items as follows: 

Approval of minutes of Council Meeting on November 19, 2024 

Motion by Morrison, seconded by Miracle to approve the Consent Agenda presented. 

Roll Call on Consent Agenda: Seven Ayes with Aldermen Krause, Warren, Grant, Farrar, Patton, Miracle and Morrison voting aye. Motion carried. 

Legislative & Executive 

Motion by Grant, second by Warren to approve 2025 Liquor/Tobacco Licenses for the City of Edwardsville 

Roll Call: Seven Ayes with Aldermen Krause, Warren, Grant, Farrar, Patton, Miracle and Morrison voting aye. Motion carried. 

Legal & Judicial 

None 

City Clerk 

None 

Finance Committee 

Motion by Krause, second by Miracle to approve the Claims-the total claims amount- $725,276.66. 

Roll Call: Seven Ayes with Aldermen Krause, Warren, Grant, Farrar, Patton, Miracle and Morrison voting aye. Motion carried. 

Motion by Krause, second by Miracle to approve a Resolution Authorizing the Police Department to Purchase (47) Axon Enterprise, Inc., Taser 10's and Associated Technology and Equipment. 

Alderman Krause commented this is an upgraded taser. It has more capacity to fire. Axon Enterprise is the only maker of the product. Alderman Patton asked if anything could be done with the older models. Alderman Krause commented the software if out of date and would no longer be useful. The trade-in value is very small. Lieutenant Kohlberg came forward to comment. Alderman Grant asked about sharing equipment. Lieutenant Kohlberg said every officer is a first responder and would have access. The new tasers have the ability to initiate body camera when drawn. The new tasers have many new safety features. The new tasers have 10 cartridges each (older models only 1). 

Roll Call: Seven Ayes with Aldermen Krause, Warren, Grant, Farrar, Patton, Miracle and Morrison voting aye. Motion carried. 

Finance Committee will meet on Thursday, December 12, 2024 at 4:00 p.m. in City Hall located at 118 Hillsboro Avenue, Edwardsville, IL 62025. 

Public Services Committee 

Public Services Committee will meet on Tuesday, December 10, 2024 at 4:30 p.m. in City Hall. 

Administrative & Community Services Committee 

Minutes of the Administrative & Community Services Committee meeting on November 14, 2024 presented for information and file.

Motion by Grant, second by Krause to approve an Ordinance Amending Chapter 1242.03.1 Central Business District (B-1) of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Edwardsville. Alderman Farrar commented on the work that went into the changes. The change no longer allows drive-thru in the B-1 District. Current drive-thru's can stay as long as they stay the same type of business (does not affect walk-up windows). Alderman Farrar clarified gas station vs. service station. He said a service station is a separate special use gas stations are affected. He commented on creating space for creating a more walkable community with a more vibrant design. 

Alderwoman Miracle commented on concerns to evaluate future projects. She pointed to the usefulness of a drive-thru during Covid. She would like to opportunity to evaluate future projects as they come forward. She is concerned that the Ordinance is too restrictive. Alderwoman Grant commented that she shared the same view with a walkable community. She said the ordinance removes the ability to look at new opportunities. Alderwoman Warren commented she also feels the ordinance is too restrictive. She agrees we want a walkable community but the ordinance is too restrictive in the current format. Alderman Krause commented on the historical changes. He feels we may lose the diversity of the community in the mix of new and old. He is supportive of the changes. Alderman Morrison commented rezoning to preserve the character is frustrating and wants to work to protect the pedestrian character. Current drive-thru's are protected. He feels the ordinance is worthwhile. 

Alderman Patton commented the ordinance affects and the residents in Alderman Farrar's ward. He will be supporting the ordinance. 

Roll Call: Four Ayes with Aldermen Krause, Farrar, Patton and Morrison voting aye. Aldermen Warren, Grant and Miracle voting nay. Motion carried. 

Motion by Grant, second by Krause to approve an Ordinance Approving a Zoning Amendment of properties along the block on the east side of North Buchanan Street located between Chapman Street and Hillsboro Avenue from "R-2" Multiple-Family Residential District to "R-1" Single-Family Residential District. 

Alderwoman Grant commented the district includes 8-single family homes. Alderman Krause communicated with the residents who are in support. 

Roll Call: Seven Ayes with Aldermen Krause, Warren, Grant, Farrar, Patton, Miracle and Morrison voting aye. Motion carried. 

Motion by Grant, second by Miracle to approve a Resolution Approving an Appeal of a Certificate of Appropriateness Denied by the Historic Preservation Commission. Mayor Risavy addressed a citizen who wanted to come forward and address council. He explained the normal procedure is to speak during public comment. There was some confusion about how to speak. Mayor Risavy allowed the citizen to come forward and address council. 

Mr. David Lott came forward to deliver a public comment. Mr. Lott is the chairperson of the Historic Preservation Commission. He commented regarding the solar panels at the Madison County Historical Society. He outlined the guides that the committee has for operation. Under the policy, it talks about solar panels not being visible from a public thoroughfare. He had specific examples from the guidelines that prevent the commission from approving the panels for the historical society. Mr. Lott presented a photo of the structure for the solar panels. The building has a lot of visibility on Main Street and that why the commission voted to reject the application. They operate agnostic to price savings and within the guidelines. The commission feels the guidelines applied correctly. 

Alderwoman Grant commented HPC operated correctly. The commission has to operate within the guidelines. She said the council has the opportunity to revisit the issue and consider the appeal. Alderwoman Grant visited the site to get first-hand knowledge. She said this historic district is different from others. She is voting yes. 

Alderman Morrison commented Main Street is a hodge-podge of new and old. He will vote yes. 

Alderwoman Miracle commented we have many great historic districts. She referenced the National Parks Service and preserving the past and planning for the future. She will vote yes. Alderman Patton commented the money already spent. Could we have done something with solar credits? He does feel this will be noticeable. 

Alderman Krause referenced the National Park Service and guidelines for solar panels. Historic sites around the country have introduced solar, but the National Park Service does not have any specific guidelines. He is concerned this may set a precedent. He asked why the HPC denied. Can the panels be placed elsewhere? 

Mr. Fred Faust commented the campus has four buildings, and solar panels could not be on the historic building. They looked at placing the panels elsewhere on the campus. The historical society was not eligible to use credits. They need as many panels as they can get. Mr. Lott commented they discussed using the back part of the property. They felt that the panels would be visible no matter how far back on the Weir House. Discussion of changing the amount of panels and color of panels. 

Alderman Krause commented the proposed building is non-contributing to the campus. This is not a precedent. 

Roll Call: Five Ayes with Aldermen Krause, Warren, Grant, Miracle and Morrison voting aye. Aldermen Farrar and Patton voted nay. Motion carried. 

Motion by Grant, second by Miracle to approve a Resolution to Approve a Special Use Permit for a "Type B" Non-Owner Occupied Short-Term Rental at 301 North Main Street. Alderwoman Grant commented this meets our guidelines. Alderman Farrar asked specifically about the address. It is 301 A (upstairs). 

Roll Call: Seven Ayes with Aldermen Krause, Warren, Grant, Farrar, Patton, Miracle and Morrison voting aye. Motion carried. 

Alderwoman Grant presented an Ordinance Making an Assessment, Levy, and Collection of Taxes within the Corporate Limits of the City of Edwardsville, County of Madison, State of Illinois, for the Tax Year 2024 and for the Corporate Expenses for the Fiscal Year Beginning May 1, 2024 and ending April 30, 2025 for first reading. 

Alderwoman Grant announced the hearing for the Ordinance would take place on December 17, 2024 at 6:45 p.m.(before the next council meeting) 

Alderwoman Grant presented the minutes from the Zoning Board of Appeals meeting on October 28, 2024 for information and file. 

Administrative Services Committee will meet on Thursday, December 12, 2024 at 5:00 in City Hall p.m. 

Old Business

New Business 

Mayor Risavy announced the lighting of the new marquee at the Wildey Theater took place. He thanked the Friends of the Wildey Theater. 

Communication Coordinator, Cathy Hensley came forward and reviewed all of the upcoming holiday events. These include the Winter Market Festival, Tree lighting, Municipal Band Concert, Santa at the Nickel Plate Station, White Christmas the Wildey, West End Service station Santa, Holiday Skate at RP Lumber Center. 

Check all events online! 

Alderwoman Grant announced Coach Tim Funkhouser (EHS Baseball Coach) would be inducted into the National High School Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame on December 6! Congratulations Coach Funkhouser! 

Mayor Risavy thanked the Parks Department and laborers on the excellent decorations at City Park! 

Action Taken on Executive Session Items 

None 

There being no further action required, Council adjourned at 7:47 p.m. with a motion by Miracle. 

https://www.cityofedwardsville.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_12032024-3571