Carbondale Reporter

City of Murphysboro City Council met March 28.

Here is the minutes provided by the Council:

Mayor Stephens called the meeting to order at 6:00 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, Herb Voss, Gary McComb, Bill Pierson, Danny Bratton, John Erbes, Gloria Campos

Absent: Barb Hughes, Russell Brown, Tom Ridings

Motion: To approve the minutes of the March 14, 2017 council meeting. All aldermen received a copy of the minutes, for their review, prior to the meeting. Motion by Alderman McComb Second by Alderman Erbes Mayor called for a voice vote. All were in favor. Motion Carried.

Motion: To approve the accounts payable, register #680 through March 28, 2017, accounts receivable through March 28, 2017 and payroll through March 28, 2017. 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 Bratton 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 business. 

Scott Evans presented the following reports: Schedule of Costs Related to WWTP Construction, Schedule of State Income Tax Receipts Vouchered, Schedule of Sales/HR Tax Receipts, Citywide Balance Sheet, Citywide Income Statement. 

No public comment.

Mayor Stephens opened the Building and Grounds Meeting. Discussion held regarding the air conditioning system in the server room. Air conditioner failed. This unit served three rooms. Voss Heating & Air repaired the current unit and suggested it be used for cooling the two rooms and install a new unit in the server room. They submitted a proposal to install a unit in the server room.

Motion: To put out for bid an air conditioning unit for the server room. Motion by Alderman McComb Second by Alderman Bratton Mayor Stephens called for a voice vote. All were in favor. Motion carried.

There was no public comment.

Alderman Bratton opened the Community Relations Committee Meeting. Motion: To approve the request by Crimson Express to use the administrative parking lot for a flower sale on April 29th . Motion by Alderman McComb Second by Alderman Erbes Alderman Bratton called for a voice vote. All were in favor. Motion carried.

Camping during the eclipse was discussed. Eric distributed an ordinance regarding recreational trailer parking he got from Jackson County Board which really does not apply for us. Our current ordinance says no camping within city limits. Mayor Stephens stated that the park district is looking at this and they are going to allow camping in the park. Alderman were encouraged to review and consider this ordinance at the next meeting.

No public comment.

Alderman McComb opened the Public Improvement Committee Meeting. Mayor Stephens stated that searches on the topic of communities running into the problem of trash trucks using alleys and weight limits show 90% go to street/curb service. Discussion was held and there would be problems with parking and keeping people off streets during pick up. Alderman McComb’s concern is the large trash trucks running over curbs, drains, etc. Alderman Bratton stated we would have a savings of $30,000-$35,000 on oil and chip program. Alderman McComb stated we need to make a decision and go forward. Trash companies would use curb side pickup up only, no alleys. Alderman Bratton wants to wait since some people cannot move their totes. Alderman Campos suggested a six month window to deal with customers on how to do this.

Reviewed the Cemetery Maintenance Proposal of $47,800 by Heartland Lawn Care Inc. DBA Aulgur Lawn Service for March through October. Also, Alderman McComb discussed the bill being submitted for two mowings. Darrin is supposed to be contracting the mower and telling him when to mow and if we didn’t okay we don’t pay. We did not contact the mower for these two mowings so discussion followed regarding paying the mower. Alderman Campos and Porter-Smith stated we should pay for March because we owe but in the future if we don’t contact do not pay. There was a question raised if Alderman McComb could request mowing be done. Attorney Heller stated that the mayor can appoint anyone to oversee any kind of work. We can vacate the old contract and use this new contract. If we want to maintain the system that we contact the mower to mow we need to put that in this proposal; this is just a dollar amount. We can make revision to his proposal stating he is required to get a verbal okay to mow with three days advance notice. We will hold the proposal.

Motion: To deny Heartland Lawn Care Inc. request for payment for March mowings. Motion by Alderman Bratton Second by Alderman McComb Ayes: Alderman McComb, Alderman Pierson, Alderman Bratton, Alderman Erbes Nays: Alderman Porter-Smith, Alderman Campos Motion carried.

No public comment.

Alderman Pierson opened the Public Works Committee Meeting. Discussion regarding the Pond Creek/Roberta Drive drainage issue. Alderman McComb checked on costs for renting equipment. We not only have to rent a machine but also hire an operator at prevailing wage. Cost is approximately $4500 for rental and we either have to go and pick up the machine or have them deliver it and show proof of insurance. Alderman Bratton would like to contact three small operations in town and see what they are charging. Harold Sheffer stated we have some easements and will need to write specs and get bids. City wide clean up bids were opened. Bids are as follows: Republic Services $9,869, Burris Disposal Service $9,200 and SI Waste $5,865.

Motion: To approve Annual City Wide Clean Up bid of SI Waste in the amount of $5,865. Motion by Alderman McComb Second by Alderman Campos Alderman Pierson called for a voice vote. All were in favor. Motion carried.

Osburn Street extension was discussed. The cost is approximately $35,000. Bishop and Elwell are erecting a $300,000 plus building. Harold wants to send out a crew and pin numbers down better. We can use motor fuel tax for materials and labor. Rock and gravel road initially then oil and chip next year. Attorney Heller raised the question of IDOT approval. Street names were also discussed. Request by Jeanette Harper for approval of boulevard landscaping was discussed. Per attorney Heller we need to change our ordinance to allow boulevard landscaping

Motion: To approve authorizing a revision to our ordinance Motion by Alderman Campos Second by Alderman Voss Ayes: Linda Porter-Smith, Herb Voss, Gary McComb, Bill Pierson, Danny Bratton, John Erbes, Gloria Campos Nays: None Motion carried.

No public Comment.

Mayor Stephens opened the Public Safety Committee Meeting. The request for street lighting on Shoemaker Drive was discussed. Eric had contracted Ameren. Chief Roberts stated bulbs were out and reported to Ameren. Ameren is going to LED and the plan is to replace burned out bulbs first and then the other bulbs. Suggestion regarding putting a stripe down the side of the road for the public to walk in; provide a space for walking. Harold Sheffer will check it out, we do striping every year. Mayor Stephens asked Harold to get back to him on this. Request by Samantha Douglas for a 4-way stop at South 9th and Chestnut Streets was discussed. We could eliminate two parking spots on north side of Chestnut at 9th Street.

Motion: To approve eliminating two parking spots on north side of Chestnut at 9th Street. Motion by Alderman Bratton Second by Alderman McComb Mayor Stephens called for a voice vote. All were in favor. Motion carried.

No public comment.

Mayor Stephens opened the Personnel Committee Meeting.

There was no old or new business and no public comment.

Mayor's Report:

Reminder that Ms. Mahoney’s 5th Grade Class Project is a clean-up beginning at 9 a.m. on April 4th at Berean Christian Church. Darrin dropped off roles of trash bags. Mayor Stephens gave an update on text messaging service. We have sent out one boil order alert and so far 780 people have signed up for the service. . Chief Swafford stated that we are starting hydrant flow today in the northwest quadrant.

Alderman Announcements/ Requests:

Linda Porter-Smith What is status of Washington School; status of fence? Mayor Stephen got quote today. Alderman McComb will see if we had fence left from sewer plant and use that. Brown Shoe Company status. Per attorney Heller we are waiting for title search. Trying to get order from judge. We have to contact current persons who have an interest in it. We have to get notices out to all those people. They have to have 15 days’ notice and then we can proceed.

Herb Voss Nothing

Gary McComb Nothing

Bill Pierson Nothing

Dan Bratton Nothing

John Erbes Nothing

Gloria Campos Potholes by public works department need to be repaired

Department Head Announcements/ Requests:

Ed Heller Ameren-agreed not to charge us for system to ask about putting something on poles. Now they must submit the revised proposal to their risk management. Sandra Ripley Proud of fire and police during Draper fire.

Harold Sheffer Nothing

Steve Swafford Nothing

Chad Roberts Hired three new police officers, two experienced officers, one from Mounds, and one from Chester. The other, Aaron Beavers, will be starting the academy.

Eric Kennedy Nothing 

Brian Manwaring Signal dealer doing annual siren maintenance.

Jim Stewart Nothing. 

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 7:50 p.m.

http://www.murphysboro-il.gov/files/Council_Minutes_-_2017-03-28.pdf