The Murphysboro City Council met on Tuesday, Sept. 27.
Here are the meeting minutes as supplied by the council:
The Murphysboro, Illinois, City Council met in regular session, pursuant to its
ordinances, on the 27th day of September 2016. Mayor Stephens called the meeting
to order at 7:00 p.m. and 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: Linda Porter-Smith, Russell Brown, Herb Voss, Gary McComb, Bill
Pierson, Danny Bratton, John Erbes, Gloria Campos, Tom Ridings
Absent: Barb Hughes
Mayor Stephens presented meritorious conduct awards to officers Steven Zang and
Benjamin Jones. Officer Zang established a training program with certifications for
medical first responders and Officer Jones for applying CPR on a 911 call at the Elks
Club.
Motion: To approve the minutes of the September 6, 2016 council meeting and
the minutes of the September 9, 2016 special council meeting with the
amendment of $7300 to $7000 for the purchase of a truck to be used for
mosquito spraying. All aldermen received a copy of the minutes, for their
review, prior to the meeting.
Motion by Alderman McComb Second by Alderman Campos
Mayor called for a voice vote. All were in favor.
Motion Carried
Motion: To approve the accounts payable, register #655, #656, and #657
through September 27, 2016, accounts receivable through September 27, 2016
and payroll through September 27, 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 Brown
Mayor called for a voice vote. All were in favor.
Motion Carried
COMMITTEE/COMMISSION REPORTS
Alderman Bratton opened Budget & Finance Meeting.
Scott Evans discussed the following finance reports: Schedule of Costs Related to
WWTP Construction, Water/Sewer Fund Aging Schedule, Schedule of Certificates of
Deposit, List of Cash & Cash Equivalents, Citywide Balance Sheet, Schedule of
Operating Expenses by Department vs. Budget, Schedule of Healthcare Costs,
Comparison of Budgeted vs. Actual Payroll, Schedule of State Income Tax Receipts,
Schedule of Sales/HR Tax Receipts.
Mayor Stephens opened bids for the 2017-2018 general liability insurance. Four
agencies submitted quotes: Ozburn Insurance Agency-$110,635; Consolidated
Insurance Agency-$134,124 through Burnham & Flower; Consolidated Insurance
Agency-$138,258 through Traveler’s; Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.-$112,059 and
Snedeker Risk Management-$122,762 through Illinois Counties Risk Trust. Mayor
Stephens will establish an ad hoc committee to review bids for a sound judgement
call. Along with himself and Sandra he will be contacting council members to sit on
the committee.
No public comment.
Alderman Brown opened the Building and Grounds Meeting.
Attorney Heller informed the council that Brian had added more necessary details to
the franchise agreement with Ameren and the agreement was now ready to go back
to Ameren.
The roof at the Senior Citizens Center and the roof at the Daum Building were
discussed. Alderman Bratton had contracted local roofers. Clover’s cost is $3,000
to repair. He sucked up 30 gallons of water and applied a coasting. There is bad
decking underneath the roof. He will submit a bid for replacement of the roof in
spring. Baine will be over in the next week to repair the Daum Building roof, repair
costs are on him.
The Panasonic photocopier from the library was discussed.
Motion: To approve not accepting the Panasonic photocopier from the library
surplus property.
Motion by Alderman Pierson Second by Alderman Bratton
Mayor Stephens called for a voice vote. All were in favor.
Motion carried.
A discussion was held regarding the heating and air in the police department.
Telecommunication room is typically down. System is about 20 years old.
Alderman Pierson stated we should solicit additional bids to update the a/c system in
the police department as need and Alderman Bratton stated we should include bid
specs.
3
Motion: To approve soliciting bids to update the air conditioning system as
needed in the police department and to include specific bid specifications.
Motion by Alderman Pierson Second by Alderman McComb
Mayor Stephens called for a voice vote. All were in favor.
Motion carried.
Mayor Stephens opened bids for the general maintenance of city-owned heating and
air units. They were as follows: Craine Heating and Air $1350 spring, $1350 fall,
service calls at $97.50; Heartland Mechanical Contractors $1290 spring, $1290 fall
and $85 service call, Voss Heating and A/C $770 spring, $770 Fall and $35 service
call. This would take effect on January 1, 2017. Jody Craine stated filters should be
changed quarterly instead of six months. Mayor will ask Jim McNally if he is
changing filters as Steve Swafford said does buy filters.
Motion: To approve accepting the bid from Voss Heating and A/C in the
amount of $770 for spring and $770 for fall and $35 service call, effective
1/1/17.
Motion by Alderman McComb Second by Alderman Porter-Smith
Mayor Stephens called for a voice vote. All were in favor.
Motion carried.
The city hall emergency generator fuel tank issue was discussed. We can clean it
for $1500-$1800. In addition they can do a load test also for additional money. This
is a 300 gallon tank.
Motion: To approve cleaning and performing a load test on the city hall
emergency generator fuel tank at a cost of $2400-$3000.
Motion by Alderman McComb Second by Alderman Voss
Mayor Stephens called for a voice vote. All were in favor.
Motion carried.
No public comment.
Alderman Bratton opened the Community Relations Committee Meeting.
Discussion followed regarding the request by Shellie Scholz for a 5K Run/Walk on
October 8 using the Park Route to support medical bills for her grandson
Motion: To approve the request of Shellie Scholz for a 5K Run/Walk on
October 8th using the park route.
Motion by Alderman McComb Second by Alderman Brown
Mayor Stephens called for a voice vote. All were in favor.
Motion carried.
There was a discussion on the resolution supporting The Resort at Walker’s Bluff.
This entails the construction of a resort including a multipurpose convention center
and destination complex project. The hotel will be on the Williamson County side
out of the flood plan; the hunting lodge and glamour cabins on the Jackson County
4
side. Discussion centered on the issue of whether it will hurt the Murphysboro hotel
project.
Motion: To approve supporting the Resort at Walker’s Bluff
Motion by Alderman McComb Second by Alderman Campos
Ayes: Linda Porter-Smith, Russell Brown, Herb Voss, Gary McComb, John Erbes,
Gloria Campos
Nays: Bill Pierson, Danny Bratton, Tom Ridings
Motion carried.
No public comment.
Alderman McComb opened the Public Improvement Committee Meeting.
Alderman McComb discussed landscape waste pickup/storage area fees. Mayor
thought we could pick up weekly. This would be an extra service. $1 bag applies to
everybody across the board; clear bags that the residents supply. There would be a
time frame for bags to be put out, as well as a weight limit and bag size-35 gallon
bag not to exceed 25 pounds. Resident calls in name and address. Have stickers
available for sale at Kroger, Wal Mart, Daum Building, Code Enforcement. We could
also issue stickers to citizens to bring items down the storage area; there would be
no charge for this sticker. Mayor Stephens will put together a list of proposed
guidelines.
Discussions were held regarding improvement to the road leading to the wastewater
treatment plant. Harold thought we could utilize loan dollars we have not used.
Approximate cost of $30,000 to plan and get ready to bid. Project cost may be
$400,000 to $500,000 and may have some $200,000 left after the project.
Sidewalk repair at 14th & Olive Streets was discussed. Darrin thinks 90 to 140 feet
of sidewalk depending on how far we want to go. $700 to $1,000 for the concrete
but there are three trees to be removed, perhaps at a cost of $1200. Total cost may
be $2000 but he doesn’t know about the costs for assorted fees and licenses.
Motion: To approve sidewalk repair at 14th & Olive Streets up to a cost of
$3,000
Motion by Alderman Porter-Smith Second by Alderman Campos
Ayes: Linda Porter-Smith, Russell Brown, Herb Voss, Gloria Campos
Nays: Gary McComb, Bill Pierson, Danny Bratton, John Erbes, Tom Ridings
Motion failed.
Council listened to a presentation of Gov311 by Travis Aiken, Bill McCarty and
Jason Perry. This application will maximize municipal dollars. The initial cost is
$2000 for the set-up fee then $1,000 per year for the system.
Discussion was held regarding the ticketing of property owners for grass thrown in
streets. $75 fine and we ticket as we see it or see them do it. We need to
5
reschedule part time code enforcement personnel for weekend duty. We need to
enforce the ordinance we have.
Illinois Masonic Children’s Home wants to donate the property on the northwest
corner of South 20th & Dewey Street to the city. There are two sewer lines through
there.
Motion: To approve accepting the property at the northwest corner of South
20th & Dewey Street from the Illinois Masonic Children’s Home.
Motion by Alderman Voss Second by Alderman Campos
Ayes: Linda Porter-Smith, Russell Brown, Herb Voss, Gary McComb, John Erbes,
Gloria Campos
Nays: Bill Pierson, Danny Bratton, Tom Ridings
Motion Carried.
There is no interest in accepting the request by Mr. Desrosiers to donate property at
2115 Alexander Avenue to the city.
No public comment.
Alderman Pierson opened the Public Works Committee Meeting.
Brian gave an update on the Fiber Optic Project at the WWT. The company is way
behind on the project and unfortunately there was no project completion date on the
contract. The boring machine was down and Brian was told they were going to rent
one but Brian has not seen a boring machine there. He will be checking with them
again tomorrow. Brian assured the council that he will see that we are functioning.
No public comment.
Alderman Brown opened the Public Safety Committee Meeting.
Mayor Stephens stated he had received only one price for the installation of fencing
at the old Washington School property so he does not want to go with it now.
Steve Swafford discussed the FEMA Firefighters Assistance Grant. He would like to
request new air packs and an aerial truck. Council indicated he should proceed.
Mayor inquired if we could write for a piece of equipment so we do not need to call
the City of Carbondale as they are complaining about assisting us.
No public Comment.
Mayor Stephens opened the Personnel Committee Meeting
Motion: To go into executive session at 9:35 pm to discuss matters related to
5ILCS 120/2(c)(1) regarding the appointment, employment, compensation,
discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees of the public body
or general counsel and to discuss matters related to 5ILCS 120/2(c)(2)
6
regarding collective negotiating matters and the contract proposal between
the city and its employees or their representatives.
Motion by Alderman Bratton Second by Alderman Erbes
Yeas: Alderman Porter-Smith, Alderman Brown, Alderman Voss, Alderman
McComb, Alderman Pierson, Alderman Bratton, Alderman Erbes, Alderman
Campos, Alderman Ridings
Nays: None
Motion Carried
Motion: To come out of executive session at 9:57 p.m.
Motion by Alderman Campos Second by Alderman Bratton
Yeas: Alderman Porter-Smith, Alderman Brown, Alderman Voss, Alderman
McComb, Alderman Pierson, Alderman Bratton, Alderman Erbes, Alderman
Campos, Alderman Ridings
Nays: None
Motion Carried
Motion: To approve the promotion of Mike Laughlin to the position of
Lieutenant Chief at a salary of $58,000.
Motion by Alderman McComb Second by Alderman Pierson
Mayor Stephens called for a voice vote. All were in favor.
Motion carried.
Motion: To approve the appointment of Chad Roberts to the position of
Deputy Chief of Police and effective October 8, 2016 to the position of Chief of
Police.
Motion by Alderman McComb Second by Alderman Brown
Mayor Stephens called for a voice vote. All were in favor.
Motion carried.
MAYOR’S REPORT
Mayor reminded the council that the Community Night Out is October 4th
.
ALDERMEN ANNOUNCEMENTS/REQUESTS
Linda Porter-Smith Nothing
Russell Brown Nothing
Herb Voss Nothing. National League team has 101 wins.
Gary McComb Nothing.
Bill Pierson Nothing.
7
Danny Bratton What is projected switch over date? Per Harold this Thursday.
Not ready to move into some of those building, i.e. old lab,
until floor and stuff is clean and they should do that before we
move in. Strip and wax floors so Jim can work. Builder wants
us in when inspections are done. What is progress on the
7thStreet project? Harold stated we met with IDOT and feds
and they demand a sidewalk on west side.
John Erbes Nothing
Gloria Campos Welcome chief. Does 14th Street sidewalk belong to the
state? Mayor Stephens will make inquiry and Harold will
check with IDOT.
Tom Ridings Nothing
DEPARTMENT HEAD ANNOUNCEMENTS/REQUESTS
Ed Heller Nothing
Sandra Ripley Nothing
Harold Sheffer EPA waste/storm water loan. Maybe qualify for 45% loan
forgiveness. This is regarding the Roberta Drive flooding. He
has been trying to meet/contact Bill Knowles from Chester.
Steve Swafford Nothing
Brian Hollo Thanks to everybody and please plan to attend his going away
thank you celebration on Saturday, October 8th from 5-11 at
Bleyers Lake Lodge. No speeches allowed.
Scott Evans Nothing
Eric Kennedy Nothing
Brian Manwaring Nothing
Darrin Mills Nothing
Jim Stewart Thanks for Relay for Life Golf Scramble. It was a big success.
Motion: To adjourn
Motion by Alderman Bratton Second by Alderman Campos
Mayor Stephens called for a voice vote. All were in favor.
Motion Carried
Meeting adjourned at 10:10 p.m.
Alerts Sign-up