Carbondale Reporter

City of Murphysboro City Council met April 25.

Here is the minutes as provided by the council:

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

ordinances, on the 25th day of April, 2017. Mayor Stephens called the meeting to

order at 6:00 p.m. and Pastor Larry Gilbert 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

Absent: Tom Ridings

Tim Harper, a new patrolman, and Tim Ward, Communications, were introduced to

the council. They received a welcome.

Motion: To approve the minutes of the April 11, 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 Brown

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

Motion Carried

Motion: To approve the accounts payable, register #682 through April 25,

2017, accounts receivable through April 25, 2017 and payroll through April 25,

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 Campos

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

Motion Carried

Committee/Commission Reports

Alderman Bratton opened Budget & Finance Meeting.

Joe Balsano, Director of Senior Center addressed the council regarding the Senior

Citizens van. He stated seniors can’t afford a cab. Cost is $5 per trip or $10 for

round trip. Mass Transit doesn’t help citizens in or out of the bus and with packages.

Cost is $2 one way. Center charges $1 for a trip. Revenue is $15 to $20 week, they

spent $3000 overhauling engine and should be good for 100,000 miles. It has

180,000 plus miles on it. He has appealed to Terry Bryant for help. Would like a 4-5

passenger van with a gas engine. Alderman Bratton asked Mr. Balsano if we could

give the van to you and you do as you wish and take it over. Mr. Balsano declined

that offer. Mayor Stephens suggested we find out what the current van is worth, get

estimates for the vehicle they want, let them continue fund raising and then see what

we can do to get a different one. Joe had a guy come and look at it and this person

said the value was $2000. Budget for Senior Citizens is 3 lines: building $2500, van

$2,000, fuel $3500 approximately $8000 budgeted every year. Get prices on what

we could get and bring back up at the next meeting. Table issue until next meeting.

Current vehicle is a 2003 Ford Van. Tim Lee volunteered to get prices by next

meeting.

Scott Evans discussed the following reports: Schedule of Health Care Costs,

Schedule of Sales/HR Tax Receipts, Schedule of State Income Tax Receipts,

Budget vs. Actual Payroll, Schedule of Bank Loan Balance, Schedule of Costs

Related to WWTP Construction.

No public comment.

Alderman Brown opened the Building and Grounds Meeting.

Murphysboro Lawn & Garden bid was submitted to Smysor Board. When they get in

touch with the chairman to hold another meeting they will discuss. Alderman Bratton

will call Bert Ozburn.

Motion: To table issue until Smysor Board meets.

Motion by Alderman McComb Second by Alderman Porter-Smith

Alderman Brown called for a voice vote. All were in favor.

There was no public comment.

Alderman Bratton opened the Community Relations Committee Meeting.

Status of Old Depot was discussed. Mayor Stephen spoke with Martin and he is

coaching soccer game and will try to be at the meeting later. Alderman Bratton

wants a date when windows are to be in. Martin texted Mayor Stephens and he has

to attend a fund raiser at Sergio’s and will not be able to attend the meeting later.

Alderman Bratton will meet with him tomorrow.

No public comment.

Alderman McComb opened the Public Improvement Committee Meeting.

Discussion of alley weight and weight limits. Alderman Pierson inquired if anybody

is getting with haulers and finding out how to handle this. If we discuss with them we

would get answers. Mayor Stephens stated he had received a suggestion to give

Burris a five year contract and have a single hauler-that would be a solution to the

whole thing. Discussion then centered around curb side service.

Motion: To approve changing trash service to curb side service, where

possible, effective 9/1/17.

Motion by Alderman Porter-Smith Second by Alderman Campos

Ayes:Alderman Hughes, Alderman Porter-Smith, Alderman Brown, Alderman

Pierson, Alderman Campos.

Nays: Alderman Voss, Alderman McComb, Alderman Bratton, Alderman Erbes.

Motion carried.

Alderman McComb stated that we are under the current cemetery contract for

another year so we don’t need to see it on the agenda until this contract is up.

Mayor Stephens discussed new banners for Walnut Street. Information item only.

Replacement cost is paid for by City Tourism. They banners feature the BBQ, Apple

City and John A. Logan.

Alderman McComb stated the township is giving us dollars for the city wide clean up.

Mayor Stephen’s will send them a thank you letter.

No public comment.

Alderman Pierson opened the Public Works Committee Meeting.

Osburn Street extension was discussed. Harold Sheffer stated he had sent details

of the plan and what we wanted to do to IDOT; we now wait on their response.

Discussion was held regarding street repairs on Hanson Street from 6th to 12th

Street. The only way to help is to mill and resurface. It will not hold up because it is

a brick street. Darrin is putting patch in large holes. Mayor Stephens-stated that the

comprehensive plan should help with how to get dollars for street upgrades.

No public Comment.

Alderman Brown opened the Public Safety Committee Meeting.

Motion: To approve declaring the 100kw military generator as surplus

property.

Motion by Alderman McComb Second by Alderman Bratton

Alderman Brown called for a voice vote. All were in favor.

No public comment.

Alderman Hughes opened the Personnel Committee Meeting.

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 Kenny Akins to Crimestoppers.

Motion by Alderman McComb Second by Alderman Brown

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

Motion carried.

Mayor Stephens reminded everyone regarding the May 4th Plan Commission

Meeting to discuss the Comprehensive Plan. It will be at 6 pm at Davis McCann

Center.

Mayor Stephens stated the Presbyterian Church formed a community garden and

anyone interested should contact them.

Aldermen Announcements/Requests

Barb Hughes Wanted everyone to know that Jamie Green received the

Citizen Of Year at Chamber last week. Sandra Ripley

conducts safety meeting with supervisors and foremen and it

brings to light what is needed to keep personnel safe.

Commend her on it; it decreases amount of claims we have

and lowers our premiums. Sorry to see Linda Porter-Smith

and Bill leaving. Thank you for your service. Will miss you.

Linda Porter-Smith Washington School fence-We were going to check WWTP to

see if any fencing was left to do the work. Darrin stated there

was enough to put up, just needs to find the time to do the

work.

Russell Brown Property at 5th & Walnut. His 10 year old grandson killed four

snakes. People complaining. Eric stated foreclosure

postponed again. Mayor Stephen’s stated it is a safety issuetwo

trees could fall on Walnut Street. Perhaps we should

pursue legal action for safety concern.

Herb Voss Nothing

Gary McComb Nothing.

Bill Pierson He has been on council 12 years and this is his lst day. Proud

of stuff we did: balanced the budget, new WWTP, new water

line main down Walnut Street.

Dan Bratton Do we need curb side trash pickup up ordinance? Said

farewell to Bill and lsted some of the accomplishments that

were done in his 12 years of service.

John Erbes Thank you Bill for service.

Gloria Campos Thank you Bill.

Mayor Stephens Thank you Alderman Porter-Smith and Bill. Bill helped me a

lot. I think I only won the mayor’s race because Bill didn’t run

for mayor. Bill was asked to mentor me and he did and I have

valued his mentoring.

Department Head Announcements/Requests

Ed Heller Need to address curb side pickup ordinance. Chester and

Carbondale are two towns that have curb side pickup. Review

their ordinances to determine what is needed here. Litigation of

Marfio and Ryan. There is a status conference Monday. We

are asking the court to have Marfio to sign the settlement and

remove flags.

Sandra Ripley Nothing

Harold Sheffer Nothing

Steve Swafford Nothing

Chad Roberts All officers are through training. Successful week in that we

have solved a burglary and gun theft.

Scott Evans Nothing

Eric Kennedy Nothing

Tim Lee Twelve years seems like 20 really. Bill has helped me

throughout these 12 years. It has been a nice relationship.

Brian Manwaring Nothing

Darrin Mills Nothing

Jim Stewart Thanks Bill. We have worked together for a long time. I

appreciate him and have a great deal of respect for him.

Mayor Stephens stated he was looking forward to working with new members of the

council who were in the audience.

Motion: To adjourn

Motion by Alderman Pierson Second by Alderman McComb

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

Motion Carried

Meeting adjourned at 7:35 p.m.

http://www.murphysboro-il.gov/files/Council_Minutes_-_2017-04-25.pdf