Carbondale Reporter

The Murphysboro City Council met Oct. 25 to approve street closures for a veterans' event.

Here are the meeting's minutes, as provided by the council:

Murphysboro City Council Meeting

October 25, 2016

The Murphysboro, Illinois, City Council met in regular session, pursuant to its

ordinances, on the 25th day of October 2016. Mayor Stephens called the meeting to

order at 7:02 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 Deputy City Clerk Ripley to call the roll. The roll was called with the

following

Present: Barb Hughes, Russell Brown, Gary McComb, Bill Pierson, John Erbes,

Gloria Campos, Tom Ridings

Absent: Linda Porter-Smith, Herb Voss, Dan Bratton

Motion: To approve the minutes of the October 11th

, 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 Campos

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

Motion Carried

Motion: To approve the accounts payable register #660 through October 21st

,

2016. All aldermen received a copy of the accounts payable for their review,

prior to the meeting.

Motion by Alderman Hughes Second by Alderman Brown

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

Motion Carried

COMMITTEE/COMMISSION REPORTS

Mayor Stephens opened the Budget & Finance Meeting.

There was no old business to discuss. Scott Evans presented financial reports to

the Council. Health care is the biggest unknown issue at this point.

No public comment.

Alderman Brown opened the Building and Grounds Meeting.

Attorney Blake informed the council that we are still waiting to hear back from

Ameren. It has been approximately three weeks. He will follow up with them.

Alderman Brown advised that we have received a proposal from Murphysboro Lawn

& Garden for the planting of tulips this fall at Smysor Plaza and Town Center Park.

Alderman Hughes asked about using Smysor Funds recently received. Alderman

Pierson stated that 1,000 tulip bulbs online costs approximately $300 and does not

think we should do this.

Alderman Brown also brought up the installation of the sign that was purchased by

the Murphysboro Youth and Recreation Center Board many years ago and has been

stored at Roth Signs, but hasn’t been installed because of the construction that took

place at Town Center Park. It has been stored for approximately eight years at Roth

Signs. It needs about $2000 worth of work done to be operable. Initially they

received a grant of $15,000 for the sign. Questions were raised as to any legal

recourse we had for damage done to the sign but since Roth was under no

obligation to store the sign there is none. At this point Roth informed us to either

remove the sign and pay the repair costs or pay them storage fees. Mayor

Stephens thinks the sign would complement the park. It was suggested that

perhaps we could ask the park district to split the cost for repairs.

Motion: To approve paying up to $2,000 to repair and install the Murphysboro

Youth and Recreation Center sign and to inquire if the Park District would

consider paying for half the costs.

Motion by Alderman McComb Second by Alderman Campos

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

Motion Carried

No public comment.

Mayor Stephens opened the Community Relations Committee Meeting.

There was no old business to discuss. Mayor Stephens advised that there was a

request in the packets for the closure of North 17th Street from Pine to Elm on

November 5th for the Stand Up For Vets event taking place at 17th Street

Warehouse.

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Motion: To approve the closure request of North 17th Street from Pine to Elm

on November 5th for the Stand Up For Vets event taking place at 17th Street

Warehouse.

Motion by Alderman McComb Second by Alderman Hughes

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

Motion Carried

No public comment.

Alderman McComb opened the Public Improvement Committee Meeting.

Alderman McComb asked Harold if he had any word on the road improvements

issue and he had none. He inquired about the Roberta Drive drainage issue and if

we had any information from Billy Knowles. Mayor indicated that with inflation costs

prior amount was about $60,000 so now would be around $90,000. Discussion

about them doing it versus us doing it ourselves.

Brown Shoe Factory was discussed and a possible Brownfield Grant. Emily Burke

stated that Stanley Consultants would write the grant for $5,000. Grant deadline

date is December 20, 2016, with awards in May. The company has an 80 percent

success rate and will agree to rewrite the grant for free in the following years if we do

not get it. They also will meet with the EPA to find out why it was denied. The

deadline date to engage Stanley Consultants is November 4th

. Emily Burke stated

that the grant is an 80-20 match and she would help with up to $8000 in kind and

any additional needs. Mike Bost has advised the Mayor that we are on the list to

receive federal dollars should they ever become available. Alderman Hughes is in

favor of pursuing, Alderman McComb thinks this is the best possibility at getting the

factory down.

Motion: To approve the authorization to engage Stanley Consultants for

writing a Brownfield Grant up to $5,000.

Motion by Alderman Campos Second by Alderman Hughes

Yeas: Barb Hughes, Russell Brown, Gary McComb, Bill Pierson, John Erbes, Gloria

Campos

Nays: Tom Ridings

Motion Carried

No public comment.

Alderman Pierson opened the Public Works Committee Meeting.

There was no old business for discussion.

No public comment.

Alderman Brown opened the Public Safety Committee Meeting.

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There was no old business for discussion. Alderman Brown stated that Chief

Roberts would like to purchase taser cartridges. The information was included in the

packets giving the cost estimate of approximately $594 for the cartridges. These are

required for officer recertification.

Motion: To approve the purchase of taser cartridges at an estimate of $600

from Taser International.

Motion by Alderman Erbes Second by Alderman McComb

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

Motion carried.

No public Comment.

Alderman Hughes opened the Personnel Committee Meeting

There was no old business for discussion. Alderman Hughes informed the council

that Darrin Mills, Street Foreman, is requesting to advertise for a Laborer in the

Street Department due to the pending retirement of Kenny Word. Mayor Stephens

commented on his concern with hiring another employee since we had just

purchased the street sweeper and backhoe and we now have more debt service.

He would like to push for a public works director. Mayor Stephens does not think we

should replace at this time. Alderman Pierson agrees we should hold off. Alderman

Campos inquired how it will affect the department. Darrin stated an employee is

needed. Alderman Hughes stated that some services may not get done. Alderman

McComb states it will not affect over time. Scott inquired when the retirement date

would be effective; it will be 12/2/16. Alderman McComb thinks the first department

to be cut is always the street department.

Motion: To approve advertising for a laborer in the street department.

Motion by Alderman Brown Second by Alderman McComb

Ayes: Barb Hughes, Russell Brown, Gary McComb, John Erbes

Nays: Bill Pierson, Gloria Campos

Motion Carried

No public comment.

We need to move the November 8, 2016 meeting, as it is Election Day. We will hold

the meeting on Wednesday, November 9

th at 6 p.m.

MAYOR’S REPORT

Mayor Stephens indicated that we need to go into executive session to review past

executive session minutes.

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Motion: To go into executive session at 8:15 pm to review past executive

session minutes.

Motion by Alderman Hughes Seconded by Alderman McComb

Yeas: Barb Hughes, Russell Brown, Gary McComb, Bill Pierson, John Erbes, Gloria

Campos, Tom Ridings

Nays: None

Motion carried.

Motion: To come out of executive session at 8:33 pm.

Motion by Alderman Hughes Seconded by Alderman Brown

Yeas: Barb Hughes, Russell Brown, Gary McComb, Bill Pierson, John Erbes, Gloria

Campos, Tom Ridings

Nays: None

Motion Carried

Motion: To approve releasing executive committee meeting minutes for

October 23, 2006, December 17, 2007, December 18, 2008, January 26, 2009,

February 23, 2009, April 27, 2009, May 26, 2009, June 22, 2009 and July 14,

2009, August 22, 2011, September 26, 2011, October 24, 2011, February 27,

2012, April 23, 2012, June 25, 2012, November 13, 2012, December 11, 2012,

January 8, 2013, February 25, 2013, June 24, 2013, June 24, 2013, July 9, 2013,

September 10, 2013, August 26, 2013, October 21, 2013, November 25, 2013,

May 13, 2014, June 23, 2014, August 25, 2014, November 20, 2014, March 21,

2016, May 23, 2016, June 14, 2016, July 25, 2016.

Motion by Alderman Campos Seconded by Alderman Hughes

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

Motion Carried

Motion: To approve holding executive committee meeting minutes for May 28,

2013, July 22, 2013, March 17, 2014, July 28, 2014, May 26, 2015, February 22,

2016 and September 27,2016.

Motion by Alderman Hughes Seconded by Alderman Brown

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

Motion Carried

ALDERMEN ANNOUNCEMENTS/REQUESTS

Barb Hughes Thank you for Feed the Team

Russell Brown Nothing

Gary McComb Nothing

Bill Pierson Nothing

John Erbes Nothing

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Gloria Campos Praise to the police department. Professionalism with events.

Tom Ridings Nothing

DEPARTMENT HEAD ANNOUNCEMENTS/REQUESTS

Richard Blake Nothing

Harold Sheffer Nothing

Chad Roberts Ron Brooks was promoted to investigator. Auxiliary has seven

volunteers to work Trunk or Treats. Men and women within the

department have handled a lot within the last two weeks. Very

proud of them all.

Scott Evans Nothing

Sandra Ripley Nothing

Jim Stewart Nothing

Eric Kennedy Nothing

Darrin Mills Nothing

Motion: To adjourn

Motion by Alderman Campos Second by Alderman Erbes

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

Motion Carried

Meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m.