At a recent meeting, the Murphysboro City Council discussed its options for dealing with a problematic drainage ditch behind the high school.
Below are the minutes from this meeting, as provided by the council.
Murphysboro City Council Meeting
August 9, 2016
The Murphysboro, Illinois, City Council met in regular session, pursuant to its
ordinances, on the 9
th day of August 2016. Mayor Stephens called the meeting to
order at 7:00 p.m. and Father Gary Gummersheimer led the council in prayer.
Following the invocation, Mayor Stephens led the council in the pledge of allegiance
to the flag. Mayor Stephens then directed City Clerk Cottonaro to call the roll. The
roll was called with the following
Present: Barb Hughes, Linda Porter-Smith, Russell Brown, Gary McComb, Bill
Pierson, Danny Bratton, John Erbes, Gloria Campos
Absent: Herb Voss, Tom Ridings
Motion: To approve the minutes of the July 12, 2016 council meeting and the
minutes of the July 7, 2016 and July 25, 2016 special council meeting. All
aldermen received a copy of the minutes, for their review, prior to the meeting.
Motion by Alderman McComb Second by Alderman Bratton
Mayor called for a voice vote. All were in favor.
Motion Carried
Motion: To approve the accounts payable, register #645, #647, #648 and #649
through August 9, 2016, accounts receivable through August 9, 2016 and
payroll through August 9, 2016. All aldermen received a copy of the accounts
payable, accounts receivable and payroll for their review, prior to the meeting.
Motion by Alderman McComb Second by Alderman Hughes
Mayor called for a voice vote. All were in favor.
Motion Carried
REQUESTS FROM THE FLOOR
Tom Pittman addressed the council regarding the drainage ditch behind the high
school. He stated he had talked about this to public works; it had been a problem
since 1975. Mayor Stephens indicated that Mr. Austin and Mr. Dunn had
approached the council last month. Mayor stated this would be a priority for the
coming budget year to correct the problem. Cindy Stall stated she has to have a
fence around her pool and the ditch water is as deep as a pool. They were informed
that in the past, when we had a grant to repair this problem, certain property owners
would not allow access across their property so we lost the grant and could not fix
the problem.
Mr. Pittman asked who could close the gate on North 16th for the summer. Marilyn
Pittman of North 15th stated that when school is in session and the parking lot is full
parents park on the highway. There will be traffic issues when school starts. Sarah
Lavender stated she had water issues on her property. Bob Ellis is looking at that
property and how to help with excavating so that she can build a building.
COMMITTEE/COMMISSION REPORTS
Personnel Committee Meeting of July 25, 2016.
Motion: To approve the amendment to Revised Code 30-2-1.
Motion by Alderman Hughes Second by Alderman Erbes
Mayor Stephens called for a voice vote. All were in favor.
Motion Carried.
Alderman Hughes opened the Personnel Committee Meeting.
Mark Brittingham addressed the council regarding the July 15 arbitration with the
union representing public works and clerical employees. Union accepted offer that
the city made a year ago on the last issue. He received the proposed contract
reflecting agreement that had been reached. He ask that the city approve as to form
but still doesn’t have documents to sign.
Motion: To approve the public works and clerical union employees’ contract
upon final receipt and review as per agreement reached.
Motion by Alderman McComb Second by Alderman Brown
Mayor Stephens called for a voice vote. All were in favor.
Motion carried.
Budget and Finance Committee Meeting of July 25, 2016
Motion: To approve paying Account Payable Register #646 through July 25,
2016.
Motion by Alderman McComb Second by Alderman Campos
Mayor Stephens called for a voice vote. All were in favor.
Motion carried.
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Alderman Bratton opened Budget & Finance Meeting.
Mayor Stephens stated that the Smysor Trust is giving the city $25,000 in funds to
be used for payment for landscaping at Smysor Park and Smysor Plaza and the
Sunset Concerts. This leaves a balance of $15,000 to be used at our discretion;
however, the money cannot be spent on the comprehensive plan. Mayor Stephens
inquired how Alderman Brown would like to use the funds and Alderman Brown
stated he would like the money to go to the demolition fund and to decorate the two
parks on holidays. He will get a breakdown of what those items will cost. Mayor
would like to see the fountain brick work done. Alderman Brown will talk to the
board about that.
Building and Grounds Committee Meeting of July 25, 2016.
Alderman Bratton request we instruct the Senior Citizens’ that we will not pay
anymore repair bills unless we are informed of the issue beforehand.
Motion: To approve paying half of the $2281.40 Gurley & Son HVAC Inc. bill
for the Senior Citizens’ building.
Motion by Alderman McComb Second by Alderman Brown
Mayor Stephens called for a voice vote. All were in favor.
Motion Carried
Alderman Brown opened the Building and Grounds Meeting.
Attorney Heller informed the council that Ameren had indicated that Richard Blake
could write the contract and they will see if they can live with it. This is the franchise
agreement with Ameren and it regards our equipment on their poles.
Community Relations Meeting of July 25, 2016
Motion: To approve the street closures request for the Apple Festival for
September 11th through September 18th as presented.
Motion by Alderman McComb Second by Alderman Brown
Mayor Stephens called for a voice vote. All were in favor.
Motion carried.
Motion: To approve the street closures for Brews Brothers Taproom for
August 27th and November 5th
.
Motion by Alderman Hughes Second by Alderman Campos
Mayor Stephens called for a voice vote. All were in favor.
Motion carried.
Alderman Bratton opened the Community Relations Committee Meeting.
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Motion: To approve the ordinance to allow daily and weekly raffles.
Motion by Alderman McComb Second by Alderman Pierson
Alderman Bratton called for a voice vote. All were in favor.
Motion carried.
Motion: To approve the street closures request for the BBQ Cookoff.
Motion by Alderman McComb Second by Alderman Erbes
Alderman Bratton called for a voice vote. All were in favor.
Motion carried.
Alderman Bratton discussed establishing a fee for street closures. Alderman Bratton
thinks we should be reimbursed for our expenses. He thinks we should charge $50
for it. Just wanted alderman to think about it. Question was asked who to charge,
groups, individuals, etc. Mayor Stephens stated he was against a fee, people
should get something back from the taxes they pay.
Harold Sheffer gave an update on the Roberts Drive water drainage issue. He went
over the plans from when we had the grant. 7th Street is the same issue and may
help alleviate if property owners will agree.
Gary Miller of the Historic Preservation Commission addressed the council. They
want to send out a solicitation letter requesting donations to establish a fund to be
used for projects such as preservation education for the public, signage for the
Historic District and other local landmark buildings, historic streetlights within the
Historic District and future projects. This letter will go to previous and current
residents of the City of Murphysboro. Since they are an arm of the city they thought
they should run this by the council and get their blessing.
Motion: To approve the Historic Preservation Commission solicitation letter
as presented.
Motion by Alderman McComb Second by Alderman Campos
Alderman Bratton called for a voice vote. All were in favor.
Motion carried.
Mayor Stephens inquired about the 17th Street banner poles and banner placement.
Both the 13th Street and 17th Street locations were for this use but we are not using
the 17h Street location. Darrin Milles stated we can only use that location if the
banners are of good quality, the poles that are there lean so the banners tear. The
city does not have the ability to redo the poles. Mayor inquired if he could get new
poles who could do the work and he was told Mike Clutts. The council gave him
permission to pursue getting the new poles.
Attorney Heller informed the council regarding the establishment of a new class of
liquor license. Molly Blew/Molly’s Pint, LLC. wants to manufacture and sell their own
beer plus sell other brands of beer gotten from a distributor. The city currently does
not have a license that will permit a beer manufacturer to sell the beer of others at its
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premise-we have a Class A and Class M License. We will consider the fee for this
license later.
Motion: To approve the establishment of a Class P License for Brew Pubs.
Motion by Alderman Pierson Second by Alderman McComb
Alderman Bratton called for a voice vote. All were in favor.
Motion carried.
Public Improvement Committee Meeting of July 25, 2015
Motion: To approve to set the date for city clean-up for the first weekend in
June of each year and order a banner at a cost of approximately $300.
Motion by Alderman McComb Second by Alderman Bratton
Mayor Stephens called for a voice vote. All were in favor.
Motion Carried.
Alderman McComb opened the Public Improvement Committee Meeting.
Alderman McComb discussed landscape waste pickup/storage area fees. Mayor
Stephens has not researched what other cities’ fees are but will do that. Dates of
the stickers were also discussed. Mayor and Darrin will discuss and bring their
suggestions back to the council.
Alderman McComb discussed the placement of fences on property lines. The rule is
3 feet without the signature of the neighbor.
Alderman McComb discussed the Old Depot. Did we send the owner a 60 day letter
and how did we send it? It was determined that although we had decided on a line
of action we had not instructed anyone to send the letter. Eric and Sandra will draft
and send the letter to both parties.
Public Works Committee Meeting of July 25, 2016.
Motion: To approve the request from Robert Kupferer to vacate a platted alley
between Clay and McCord Street.
Motion by Alderman Erbes Seconded by Alderman Pierson
Mayor Stephens called for a voice vote. All were in favor.
Motion Carried
Motion: To approve the surplus of a 5’ disc at the WWTP.
Motion by Alderman McComb Seconded by Alderman Bratton
Mayor Stephens called for a voice vote. All were in favor.
Motion Carried
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Motion: To approve to solicit prices for road raising improvements into
WWTP.
Motion by Alderman McComb Seconded by Alderman Porter-Smith
Mayor Stephens called for a voice vote. All were in favor.
Motion Carried
Motion: To approve the replacement of the water main along North 19th Street
from Illinois Avenue to the pump station for a cost of $11,275.
Motion by Alderman McComb Seconded by Alderman Pierson Seconded by Alderman Ridings
Mayor Stephens called for a voice vote. All were in favor.
Motion Carried
Alderman Pierson opened the Public Works Committee Meeting.
Alderman Pierson discussed the improvements to the road inside Riverside Park.
The improvements are minimal and it is in the contract so the good news is it will not
cost as much as we thought it would.
Alderman Pierson discussed the demolition of the existing WWTP. River City
demolition of the existing WWTP and grading cost is $567,098. If we use them we
can use funds from the project, if we go outside we have to borrow funds because
we cannot use the loan funds. There is $800,000 to $900,000 left over from the loan
now.
Motion: To approve River City demolition of the existing wastewater treatment
plant at a cost of $567,098.
Motion by Alderman McComb Seconded by Alderman Campos Seconded by Alderman Ridings
Mayor Stephens called for a voice vote. All were in favor.
Motion Carried
Public Safety Committee Meeting of July 25, 2016
Motion: To approve the request for a No Parking sign on the South Side of
Gartside Street from 21st to 22nd Street.
Motion by Alderman Bratton Seconded by Alderman Pierson
Mayor Stephens called for a voice vote. All were in favor.
Motion Carried
Motion: To recommend to council to approve the request for a Children At
Play sign at 2131 Hortense on the south side facing west.
Motion by Alderman McComb Seconded by Alderman Brown
Mayor Stephens called for a voice vote. All were in favor.
Motion Carried
Alderman Brown opened the Public Safety Committee Meeting.
Alderman Brown discussed the request for No Parking on the south side of Birkner
Lane.
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Motion: To approve the request for a No Parking sign on the south side of
Birkner Lane.
Motion by Alderman McComb Seconded by Alderman Pierson
Alderman Brown called for a voice vote. All were in favor.
Motion Carried
Darrin Mills informed the council that the county employees are parking in the Daum
Building parking lot again. Sgt. Legere will remind them again.
MAYOR’S REPORT
Mayor discussed changing the time of the city council meeting to 6 p.m. It was
decided that for the time being we will leave the time at 7 pm. and will consider as
we move forward.
ALDERMEN ANNOUNCEMENTS/REQUESTS
Barb Hughes Discussed 4-way stop and bucket collections. She requested
a copy of the rules concerning time frames.
Linda Porter-Smith Nothing
Russell Brown Nothing
Gary McComb Sidewalks on Walnut Street, who enforces the ordinance?
Concerns about Mr. Green and his “loading zone” which is not
his personal parking space. We should ticket or take it away.
Bill Pierson He wanted to let the council know that Alderman Hughes was
going alligator hunting in Alabama.
Danny Bratton Nothing
John Erbes Nothing
Gloria Campos What is status of the old Brown Building? Mayor stated he
has one bid, in the amount of $34.000, to push the northeast
and south side walls and lay the rubble on the current stack of
rubble and take down the smoke stack. He is soliciting other
bids. He is discussing cleaning up the property with
Representative Bost and Dr. John Southerland. Thanks to
Alderman Hughes & Alderman Erbes for leading negotiations
with personnel and to Alderman Brown and the Smysor
dollars.
DEPARTMENT HEAD ANNOUNCEMENTS/REQUESTS
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Ed Heller Nothing
Sandra Ripley Several questions: She is assuming we will want to walk in the
Apple Festival Parade and she should order apples and who
does not have a T-shirt? Only one T-shirt is needed. What
about signage for trailer? Also a reminder to submit to her any
items to be discussed at least a week before so she can get on
the agenda.
Harold Sheffer Nothing
Tim Legere Thanks for the one sergeant. They are holding Interviews, 17th
is the oral test and one week later written test.
Scott Evans Nothing
Eric Kennedy Nothing
Tim Lee Nothing
Brian Manwaring Nothing
Darrin Mills Nothing
Jim Stewart Nothing
Motion: To adjourn
Motion by Alderman Campos Second by Alderman McComb
Mayor Stephens called for a voice vote. All were in favor.
Motion Carried
Meeting adjourned at 8:55 p.m.
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