Carbondale Reporter

Murphysboro City Council met Tuesday, Oct. 11.

The Murphysboro City Council meets at 7 p.m. on the second Tuesday of the month in Council Chambers, 202 N. 11th St.

Here are the minutes as provided by Murphysboro:

Murphysboro City Council Meeting

October 11, 2016

The Murphysboro, Illinois, City Council met in regular session, pursuant to its ordinances, on the 11th day of October 2016. Mayor Stephens called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and Pastor Charlie Allen 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, Herb Voss, Gary

McComb, Bill Pierson, Danny Bratton, John Erbes, Gloria Campos,

Tom Ridings

Absent:

Motion: To approve the minutes of the September 27, 2016 council meeting.

All aldermen received a copy of the minutes, 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

Motion: To approve the accounts payable, register #658 and #659 with the exception of the $43,919.60 check payable to the Illinois EPA Agency until clarification can be made that this is payment for the Main and not 7th Street Waterline, through October 11, 2016, accounts receivable through October 11, 2016 and payroll through October 11, 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.

There was no old or new business to discuss. Alderman Bratton inquired regarding Roberta Drive. Harold Sheffer stated that he was assured that Bill Knowles would be here Friday to check out the Roberta Drive issue. Alderman Bratton suggested we start on the bids for 7th Street so we can look at budgeting some dollars for the project and also the costs of things for the road to the sewer plant.

No public comment.

Alderman Brown opened the Building and Grounds Meeting.

Attorney Blake informed the council that the final revisions were completed to the franchise agreement with Ameren and the document was at Ameren and we are waiting on them to return it to us.

Alderman Bratton inquired if we should be getting estimates for the cost for putting on a new roof at the Senior Citizens Center. Alderman Bratton will track down those estimates.

No public comment.

Alderman Bratton opened the Community Relations Committee Meeting.

Alderman McComb inquired about the status of the Old Depot. Was has happened?

Alderman Erbes stated that Martin told him he would be putting the windows in next week.

Alderman Hughes discussed Feed the Team on October 21st. She needs four people to work. Mayor Stephens and Alderman McComb stated they would be there. Alderman Hughes will be gone so Sandra will be handling the meal. It will be at 3:30 at the high school.

No public comment.

Alderman McComb opened the Public Improvement Committee Meeting.

Landscape waste pickup/storage area fees program was discussed. Everyone had received written details of the program in their packet. It was determined that changes needed to be made. Those changes consisted of requiring residents to call for collection and starting the program December 1, 2016. Information will be disseminated by putting out a press release, putting on social media and water bills.

Motion: To approve the Landscape Waste Pickup Sticker Program and

Holding Area Sticker Program with a start date of December 1, 2016.

Motion by Alderman Pierson Second by Alderman McComb

Yeas: Alderman Hughes, Alderman Brown, Alderman Voss, Alderman McComb,

Alderman Erbes, Alderman Campos

Nays: Alderman Porter-Smith, Alderman Pierson, Alderman Bratton, Alderman Ridings

Motion Carried

Improvement to the road leading to the WWTP was discussed. Hopefully by the end of November will be done so then we would have an idea of what we have left over. Possible cost of $30,000 needed to survey, right of way and other factors. 

Consideration of Gov311 Mobile App was discussed. This is a smart phone app for citizens to report what they see that needs to be fixed. General sense of council is that we do not pursue at this time.

No public comment.

Alderman Pierson opened the Public Works Committee Meeting.

The change order for the WWTP was discussed. There are five items. Alderman

Pierson has talked to Jim Stewart and Jim said we should pay items #1, 2, 3 and 5, they were necessary. The exception is Item #4, Change Order Proposal 022. If they had done this at the right time this cost would not have been necessary.

Motion: To approve Change Order Items #1, 2, 3, and 5 only.

Motion by Alderman McComb Second by Alderman Bratton

Mayor Stephens called for a voice vote. All were in favor.

Motion carried.

Jim Stewart discussed selling our used pumps. We did not have much success.

The city of Cambria needs pumps. We cannot use them and Jim does not want to store them. He would like to donate them to Cambria. Per Richard Blake if we previously declared them surplus and instructed Jim to handle he can donate; if not we would have to put the issue on the agenda and vote. Mayor Stephens instructed Clerk Cottonaro to check into the motion regarding the pumps.

Alderman Campos issued a thank you for the 16th Street signs.

No public comment.

Alderman Brown opened the Public Safety Committee Meeting.

Mayor Stephens opened the bids for the installation of five foot fencing at the old Washington School property. Bids were as follows: Terrace Fence Company, Marion, Illinois $5650; Bootheel Fence Company, Jackson, Missouri $11,500.

Motion: To approve the $5650 bid from Terrace Fence Company, Marion,

Illinois for installation of five foot fencing at Old Washington School.

Motion by Alderman Pierson Second by Alderman Bratton

Mayor Stephens called for a voice vote. All were in favor.

Motion carried.

No public Comment.

Alderman Hughes opened the Personnel Committee Meeting

Alderman Hughes informed the council that Mark is writing a counter proposal for

FOP.

No public comment.

MAYOR’S REPORT

Mayor Stephens welcomed Chief Roberts to his first council meeting.

Discussion was held regarding consideration of changing the council meeting start time to 6 p.m. Attorney Blake stated there is a ten day publication required.

Motion: To approve changing the council meeting start time to 6 p.m. effective

November, 2016

Motion by Alderman Bratton Second by Alderman Campos

Mayor Stephens called for a voice vote. All were in favor.

Motion carried.

ALDERMEN ANNOUNCEMENTS/REQUESTS

Barb Hughes Nothing

Linda Porter-Smith There is a broken telephone pole at 11th & Illinois Avenue.

Chief informed her this was due to a traffic accident.

Russell Brown Nothing

Herb Voss Nothing

Gary McComb Nothing

Bill Pierson Nothing.

Danny Bratton Nothing

John Erbes Nothing

Gloria Campos Nothing

Tom Ridings Nothing

DEPARTMENT HEAD ANNOUNCEMENTS/REQUESTS

Richard Blake Nothing

Harold Sheffer We are doing a pre-final inspection on Friday. Council members asked if were doing a grand opening. Mayor Stephens indicated we should be doing something.

Steve Swafford Nothing

Chad Roberts Extended an offer of employment for telecommunication position. Discussed the security fencing at range; there is a  issue regarding the old plant and the range fencing. If we don’t demo any fencing, range is open and fine; however, they can’t demo the plant without taking the back fence down.

Jim Stewart Nothing

Motion: To adjourn

Motion by Alderman Hughes Second by Alderman Bratton

Mayor Stephens called for a voice vote. All were in favor.

Motion Carried

Meeting adjourned at 8:05 p.m.