Carbondale Reporter

Murphysboro City Council met April 11.

Here is the minutes provided by the Council:

Alderman Bratton opened Budget & Finance Meeting.

Alderman McComb discussed the Senior Citizens van. We furnish the fuel and insurance. They have approximately 4-7 riders a day at a cost of $1 per ride. They pay the driver $10 an hour to drive it. They have spent approximately $3000 on maintenance etc., of that $1,000 we paid and they paid $2,000. It is a money pit. There are many other rides sources available to them. Cost is approximately $1500 for fuel and $1600 for maintenance per year. Van is too big for a small group of people. Jackson County Mass Transit is available. They pay driver for 7 hours per day. Van belongs to the city. Alderman McComb thinks we should finish out this month then discontinue it. Alderman McComb is on the Senior Citizens Board. They are trying to get smaller van. New roof is needed on the building and we are responsible for that. Joe Balsano says the van is bigger than they need. They have saved $1100 toward new van and are working through Bryant’s office to get funds. It was determined to have Mr. Balsano come to the meeting.

Cathy Norton stated vans are hard to get in and out of.

Alderman Brown opened the Building and Grounds Meeting.

Murphysboro Lawn & Garden bid in the amount of $9650 for the annual 2017 maintenance of Youth & Rec Center for $6600 and $3050 for Smysor Plaza was discussed. Perhaps Smysor Board will pay. Alderman Brown can speak to Smysor.

Motion: To approve Murphysboro Lawn & Garden bid in the amount of $9650 for 2017 maintenance of the Youth & Rec Center and Smysor Plaza pending Smysor Board approval less March. Motion by Alderman Bratton Second by Alderman Hughes Ayes: Barb Hughes, Linda Porter-Smith, Russell Brown, Herb Voss, Bill Pierson,

Danny Bratton, John Erbes, Gloria Campos Nays:. Alderman McComb Motion carried.

There was no public comment.

Alderman Bratton opened the Community Relations Committee Meeting.

Camping during the eclipse was discussed. Mayor Stephens stated he doesn’t know that we need to do anything about it.

Status of Old Depot was discussed. Mayor Stephen spoke with Martin today and Martin stated he will be at the 15th meeting. All windows in by next meeting. He had someone up there cleaning bricks.

No public comment.

Alderman McComb opened the Public Improvement Committee Meeting.

Discussion of alley weight and weight limits. Has anything been decided about curb side pickup? Mayor Stephens talked with Republic on how they deal with curb side pick-up and parking. Jennifer Parkhill is to be calling the mayor to discuss. That is only way to solve the problem of the destruction of alleys. Mayor Stephens’ inclination is to go to curb side.

Cathy Norton stated we should leave it to the people.

Reviewed the Cemetery Maintenance Proposal by Heartland Lawn Care Inc. DBA Aulgur Lawn Service. Keep contract just like it is and in July, August if we need to renew and or redo we will handle it then. Mr. Aulgur stated it is an opportunity to bring in a full crew at one time. That’s why those dates, etc. and will allow us to work within a budget for four or five years. It needs a 3⁄4 vote if not bidding it out. We spent $58,000 on it last year and the cost is $47,800. Alderman Campos made a motion to approve the bid. Alderman Bratton stated we should review and vote next meeting. Alderman Campos’ motion to approve the bid failed due to a lack of a second.

No public comment.

Alderman Pierson opened the Public Works Committee Meeting.

Discussion regarding the Pond Creek/Roberta Drive drainage issue. Alderman Bratton apologized but he did not pursue and has no information tonight. We would scoop out an inch or two and pile up on bank. Discuss next meeting.

Osburn Street extension was discussed. IDOT stated that any work done on right of way has to be done by city and they want an agreement from the city with IDOT. Mayor Stephens stated the city can hire personnel to do the work and can use motor fuel dollars. Harold Sheffer will ask IDOT for an agreement for the city and send them a drawing of what we want to do.

Ordinance for living in unsuitable conditions was discussed. This ordinance will greatly simplify the process to write tickets; it will be easier to work with.

Motion: To approve as presented the ordinance for living in unsuitable conditions. Motion by Alderman Hughes Second by Alderman Bratton Alderman Pierson called for a voice vote. All were in favor. Motion carried.

No public Comment.

Alderman Brown opened the Public Safety Committee Meeting.

Mayor Stephens stated that the suggestion regarding putting a stripe down the side of Shomaker Drive for the public to walk in was not a viable option. No ADA ability.

Cindy asked when potholes are going to be fixed. Eric stated we are out doing patching now.

Alderman Hughes opened the Personnel Committee Meeting.

Discussion was held regarding the resolution for IMRF and the 600 hourly requirement for elected officials. Attorney Helter laid out requirements for calculating the 600 hours.

Motion: To approve IMRF Board Resolution 2017-02-13 for Elected officials’ Participation in IMRF. Motion by Alderman Erbes Second by Alderman McComb Alderman Hughes called for a voice vote. All were in favor. Motion carried.

Alderman Hughes stated they are working on the FOP contact and getting close.

No public comment.

Mayor's Report

Motion: To approve the appointment of Linda Herrold to the Historic Preservation. Motion by Alderman McComb Second by Alderman Campos Mayor Stephens called for a voice vote. All were in favor. Motion carried.

Motion: To approve the appointment of Madelyn Steimle to the Historic Preservation. Motion by Alderman McComb Second by Alderman Brown Mayor Stephens called for a voice vote. All were in favor. Motion carried.

Motion: To approve moving the August City Council meetings to August 15th and August 29th. Motion by Alderman Bratton Second by Alderman McComb Mayor Stephens called for a voice vote. All were in favor. Motion carried.

Mayor Stephens reminded everyone to mark your calendars for May 4th for the Plan Commission Meeting to discuss the Comprehensive Plan.ALDERMEN ANNOUNCEMENTS/REQUESTS

Barb Hughes Thank Chief Swafford for what they did on Pine Street fire.

Linda Porter-Smith Talk to Cathy regarding pot holes. Hanson 6th to 12th has

terrible potholes. It was stated that some had been filled in the 800 block. Mayor will ask Darrin to explain how we go about filling potholes. Alderman McComb thinks we do in sections like oil and chip.

Russell Brown Nothing.

Herb Voss Nothing

Gary McComb He has had complaints that kids are shaking houses with loud

music on Commercial and Roblee Streets. Chief Roberts stated they will patrol and write tickets.

Bill Pierson Nothing

Dan Bratton What is motel development status? Joe is in Florida on vacation. He had a meeting with two business for expansion of restaurant and a brewery there.

John Erbes What is the status of the boot camp? Mayor wonders himself.

He has been taking to elected representatives.

Gloria Campos Are we changing the meeting time? Keep at 6 pm per mayor.

Rehab facility on 14th street. When done? How to apply to be there. Mayor stated they continue to work on the facility. Contractors are having trouble getting paid.

Department Head Announcements/Request

Ed Heller Nothing.

Sandra Ripley Nothing

Harold Sheffer Nothing

Steve Swafford Nothing

Chad Roberts Nothing.

Eric Kennedy Nothing

Brian Manwaring Nothing

Jim Stewart Tim Lee Fund Raiser. Public workers selling raffle tickets for $20 for gun or cash.

Motion: To go into executive session at 7:30 pm to review past executive session minutes. Motion by Alderman Hughes Seconded by Alderman McComb Yeas: Barb Hughes, Linda Porter-Smith, Russell Brown, Herb Voss, Gary McComb, Bill Pierson, Danny Bratton, John Erbes, Gloria Campos Nays: None Motion carried.

Motion: To come out of executive session at 7:40 pm. Motion by Alderman Bratton Seconded by Alderman Brown Yeas: Barb Hughes, Linda Porter-Smith, Russell Brown, Herb Voss, Gary McComb, Bill Pierson, Danny Bratton, John Erbes, Gloria Campos Nays: None Motion carried.

Motion: To approve releasing executive committee meeting minutes for November 9, 2016 and holding executive committee meeting minutes for May 28, 2013, July 22, 2013, March 17, 2014, July 28, 2014, May 26, 2015, February 22, 2016, September 27,2016, November 22, 2016 and February 28, 2017.

Motion by Alderman Hughes Seconded by Alderman Linda Porter-Smith Mayor Stephens called for a voice vote. All were in favor. Motion Carried

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 7:41 p.m.