[{"_1":2,"_96":-5,"_97":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,84],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_46":47,"_48":49,"_50":51,"_52":53,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":59,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":65,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},"mediaId",6687764,"mediaKeyId","2159074-32736f27a7a0e6cd681905a9d51d8100","parentId",2159074,"title","Residents ask Carbondale to fix dark Lakeland Lane and announce neighborhood meetings","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",1147000,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2159074-32736f27a7a0e6cd681905a9d51d8100&start=1147&end=1147","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2159074-32736f27a7a0e6cd681905a9d51d8100/thumbnail_1147000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6687764/Carbondale/Jackson-County/Illinois/Residents-ask-Carbondale-to-fix-dark-Lakeland-Lane-and-announce-neighborhood-meetings","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6687764-02406cdaa72f9bdb8801970d7d0efff8/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440229&Signature=A1qu85dSf0NU5hK5LAMT3197w7WobD7J5VG~bd7Fl9syQjHpnjJ2~QgL3Up207ggLS3BJF8uRUgoHTT8o7YaC3-Vfr~sdPae5NxJvtqkqtDbHWIrP29iEMUB6IZVvEt4qoYAKoAUaklSzxYWeqD2U71R2~95WFaJSKNhj3eVRUIsIA~oKf~Xw7hgVyCRTIvsN~EfsJCz2pEZgIyAXwJEQGe-UY0fMg0S9EsHl-K8HrTCoQdB08HEogNAnEAfTR0BGlekehitP~Ra8oXmwK4cg98dakl8QREgFfnKsR6-aQZ60qTXuN2gzWcI4DDzrYXldRBNV6QSa~Ef8GsvA2xtQA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Carbondale","date","2025-01-28T00:00:00Z","article","Residents at the Carbondale City Council meeting raised neighborhood safety and organizing items during the public‑comment period.

Sholita Drew, who identified herself as a Carbondale resident, said lighting on Lakeland Lane is inadequate and poses safety concerns for elderly neighbors and pedestrians who use the street to access nearby park‑district activities. “The lighting is so bad,” Drew said, telling the council she had emailed Interim City Manager Reno on Jan. 9 and had been told an engineer would review the matter but that no work had yet occurred. Drew asked the interim manager to address lighting on the street.

Farrell Lamfine, president of the Arbor District Neighborhood Association and founding member of the Library For Alternate Futures nonprofit, announced the Arbor District annual meeting at 1 p.m. on Feb. 22 at St. Francis Xavier Church and said the neighborhood association and the nonprofit are available to support organizing in other neighborhoods. Lamfine also said a Neighborhood Alliance meeting will be held on Saturday, Feb. 1 at the public library from 10 a.m. to noon and provided contact emails: thearbordistrict@gmail.com and l4af@proton.me.

Why it matters: Street lighting affects pedestrian safety, especially for elderly residents, and neighborhood associations are a channel for resident engagement with city services and planning.

What the council recorded: The speaker asked the interim city manager to follow up; no formal council motion or budget allocation for lighting was recorded during the meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Carbondale - City Council - Jan 28, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Two residents used public comment to request city attention to a dark residential street and to promote neighborhood organizing: Sholita Drew asked the city to address poor lighting on Lakeland Lane; Farrell Lamfine announced the Arbor District Neighborhood Association meeting Feb. 22 and a Neighborhood Alliance meeting Feb. 1.","taxTitle","Carbondale, Jackson County, Illinois","taxId",52780,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":42,"_43":77,"_45":77,"_46":78,"_48":79,"_50":80,"_52":81,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":82,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":83,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6687767,"Carbondale council members urge mediation and reaffirmation of ‘Safe and Welcoming’ policy amid public comments",932000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2159074-32736f27a7a0e6cd681905a9d51d8100&start=932&end=932","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2159074-32736f27a7a0e6cd681905a9d51d8100/thumbnail_932000.jpg","/articles/6687767/Carbondale/Jackson-County/Illinois/Carbondale-council-members-urge-mediation-and-reaffirmation-of-Safe-and-Welcoming-policy-amid-public-comments","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6687767-e1d4621b688677647b9e1c3e09b62dd6/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440229&Signature=M1YWIkvdgh6e9fxZyb7nGPRN~Hi0xtXwY-w2awr14Ip7ange6n~qx8Sk31MwSBEAG6j7Zt34AGWMiiuxkEnhQ2cBWf4VxAY6GPOSJVToeSZitj4tZRO~o3PLe7bg9slbchX5WwZIEyrEuTq9y465rXeHVQ9PqCa1e6CSYVmbEJ3uSRhlVudQDD74W68TENu7YDcxKD0wJlTnZbLt-brF8r2Y1hq5fm7yTt94ZomM0hAxYXo-KnNyxuKbvtJN0A~MtZhCIw-zWZOsvsZqpPRebUjA2VebT1iK67K5S5dwJis39867Gffm~LUArYtJVBI0EeJH3nZlWcTvp17GU9ez8w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At a regular meeting, members of the Carbondale City Council urged internal mediation and renewed public support for the city’s 2017 “Safe and Welcoming Communities” resolution while several residents used public comment to press council conduct and policy concerns.

Council member Blost told colleagues the new federal administration made it timely to reaffirm the 2017 resolution and to signal to residents that the city will not cooperate with demands beyond legal requirements. “We can set an expectation that where there is genuine question as to what the law is, that we seek relief in court before we cooperate with certain things,” Blost said, urging the council to reaffirm parts of the prior policy.

Council member Maxwell called for “peace within our city council,” asking colleagues to participate in mediation so the council could work “as a cohesive team” and focus on serving residents. Maxwell said leaders must “prioritize the well‑being of the city and the people who have entrusted us with this responsibility.”

Council member Kilman likewise emphasized protecting community safety and said she was “glad that we are a city that allows women to own their own bodies,” noting access to abortion care providers in Carbondale.

Several members of the public addressed council conduct. Georgia Della Garza, who identified herself as CEO of People’s Tribune and Tribune Hotel Pueblo and a long‑term Carbondale resident, spoke in support of Councilwoman Ry Sanders and condemned what she described as bullying of Black council members. “No city council member should ever resort to threats or intimidation,” Della Garza said, and she called for a quick resolution so the council could return to work on neighborhood issues.

A public commenter, Kimberly M. Brooks, pastor of MSW Ministries Global, used her time to voice spiritual objections to what she described as decisions during the pandemic that she said had allowed abortion clinics access to the city; Brooks characterized those decisions in strongly worded religious terms. Her remarks were presented as public comment and were not proposed as a formal council action.

Why it matters: Council cohesion and public trust affect the body’s ability to act on policy, budgets and services. Calls to reaffirm local policy and to pursue mediation indicate members see a need to address internal conflict in order to focus on city business.

No formal motions to adopt new policy or to commence mediation were recorded in the meeting minutes; members framed their remarks as requests and appeals to colleagues.

What’s next: Council members asked for patience while an investigation referenced by one member proceeds; no timeline for formal action on reaffirming the 2017 resolution or for mediation was announced.","Council members called for mediation between colleagues, urged unity, and discussed reaffirming the city’s 2017 “Safe and Welcoming Communities” resolution after public comments about council conduct and community concerns.",{"_33":85,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":86,"_41":87,"_43":88,"_45":89,"_46":90,"_48":91,"_50":92,"_52":93,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":94,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":95,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6687769,"Carbondale council approves consent agenda including $200,971 water-sewer adjustment; votes to enter executive session",153,1813000,1966000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2159074-32736f27a7a0e6cd681905a9d51d8100&start=1813&end=1966","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2159074-32736f27a7a0e6cd681905a9d51d8100/thumbnail_1813000.jpg","/articles/6687769/Carbondale/Jackson-County/Illinois/Carbondale-council-approves-consent-agenda-including-200971-water-sewer-adjustment-votes-to-enter-executive-session","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6687769-4f85becd7110302b0fae182bd270c9e0/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440229&Signature=LXCO81lZ9IdK5X5TZHAds8MKbzKNN~UGF62~e5UXVqLs0vMZOkiZbED0zLS6WcUJL94oBuutYY169knzDwe3rRBQx9pOzBTnoYADOYj~mAdLekpycLKwGpkxnTHCK-z-LHiTSPzZbMxpYttgQ2mcCiWXlf~A8eO-OvS4Mcm9A8EpH0uk2SMYiEpVcd0kHU7ivrUhcvfcdAf9WqspxSgMgw9ySdEXOM3gm~uNTOOAQFWJj5bbqQ8BcSRA-1R5jfY4W4-KUL1b4Rs66XTXOVUyHY5MRRTThcCWAVZcCPGR2ST1HWl8ZT-WClJT5Plh6zLPI55I2MJpqaZOniO91zx0Ag__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","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.","At its regular meeting, the Carbondale City Council approved the consent agenda — including a $200,971 FY2025 adjustment to the water and sewer fund and a three‑year fireworks contract — and voted to recess into executive session to discuss litigation, insurer communications and a self‑evaluation/ethics matter.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Residents ask Carbondale to fix dark Lakeland Lane and announce neighborhood meetings

Carbondale council members urge mediation and reaffirmation of ‘Safe and Welcoming’ policy amid public comments

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