Carbondale Reporter

City of Murphysboro City Council met September 26.

Here is the minutes provided by the Council:

The Murphysboro, Illinois, City Council met in regular session, pursuant to its ordinances, on the 26th day of September, 2017. Mayor Stephens called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. and invited Pastor Troy Humphries to lead 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: Jance Curry-Witzman, Russell Brown, Gary McComb, John Erbes, Mike Bastien, Gloria Campos, W. J. Pittman

Absent: Barb Hughes, Herb Voss, Danny Bratton

Motion: To approve the minutes of the September 12, 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 #700 through September 26, 2017, accounts receivable through September 26, 2017 and payroll through September 26, 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 Erbes

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

Motion Carried

Committee/Commission Reports:

Alderman Pittman opened the Budget & Finance Meeting.

A part time grant writer was discussed. Mayor Stephens stated that at the last meeting we had said that Alderman Pittman and Attorney Heller should meet to work out a contract that works for Mr. Hollo. We should set a maximum pay out a year and pay only when we received a grant, and use a boiler plate contract. Attorney Heller stated that when Richard Blake, Alderman Pittman and Mr. Hollo meet they should be looking at lines-three component pay parts: 1) percentage of return, 2) contingency percentage if disqualifying grant and 3) separate compensation for large grants. Alderman Pittman would like the information gathered to be property of city. Attorney Heller stated that may not be viable.

Scott Evans presented the following budget reports: List of Cash and Cash Equivalent, Schedule of CD’s, Schedule of Operating Expense by Department vs. Budget, Comparison of Budget vs. Actual Payroll, Schedule of Healthcare Costs, Schedule of Sales/Home Rule Tax, Schedule of State Income Tax Receipts Vouchered and Water Sewer Fund Account Receiving Aging Schedule.

Alderman McComb discussed donating the senior citizens bus to the Senior Citizens Council. They want to sell it and take the dollars and apply to a new vehicle. It should be worth $5,000-$6,000. We would keep the fuel fund but the maintenance line, which traditionally is $3500-$4000 would not be needed. They have applied for several grants. Alderman McComb thinks they have over $2,000 if they get $4,000- $6,000 on the bus this gives them a good down payment.

Motion: To approve donating the senior citizens bus to the Senior Citizens Council.

Motion by Alderman McComb Second by Alderman Campos

Yeas: Jance Curry-Witzman, Russell Brown, Gary McComb, John Erbes, Mike Bastien, Gloria Campos, W. J. Pittman Nays: None

Motion Carried

No public comment.

Alderman McComb opened the Building and Grounds Meeting.

Voluntary annex agreement was discussed. Mayor Stephens stated it is a work in progress. If citizens enter into a voluntary annex agreement there is no tax increase for five years on the city’s portion of taxes. After that it goes to 50% for 5 years, then regular taxes. There is not that much difference in insurance costs with an ISO rating. The increase in tax revenue would help offset additional taxes sate is taking from our tax revenues.

Mayor Stephens discussed the railroad overpass construction project. They want us to pay for moving the water lines. There is a meeting scheduled for October 2,

2017, at 4 pm with the railroad representative. Mayor wants the city attorney there. Harold Sheffer stated that he did not find in the Blankenship records anything defining our contractual relationship. Mayor Stephens stated that the council is not ready to pay for this water line. Options would be to abandon the line but then we would have two dead end lines; or tie into the other line but that is as expensive as moving the line.

Mayor Stephens stated there is an issue with Union Pacific and North 23rd Street. Ms. Tuttle stated that the railroad says the street is inside their property and that residents will have to pay $84 per month to access their homes. There are several homes involved. Attorney Heller says if we can show we’ve been maintaining the road 20 years we can claim prescriptive easement.

No public comment.

Alderman Erbes opened the Community Relations Committee Meeting.

Discussion was held regarding the request for a Liquor License at 1017 North 14th Street for Mike Davis of Art of Hair. Mayor Stephens is the liquor commissioner but before he just signs off on this one he thought he should bring to council. Mike Davis addressed the council and stated that their facial room was not working out financially and he wanted to turn it into a lounge for video gaming and alcohol for his customers. There would be no extended hours, not open to the public, for customers only; not people on the street. DRAM insurance is low cost for the amount of liquor he would sell. This is for customer service only; customers would be 21 and servers would be 21. They would be open from 9 am to 8 pm, just his regular hours. This is just an extra service for his customers. Currently there are seven licenses issued. Attorney Heller stated we have Class A or Class D license only and you cannot say no to the public. This is our ordinance. Can’t limit who comes and goes with an A or D license. However, beauty salon and spa licenses are a new trend; we would create a new license. Mayor Stephens inquired if this satisfies the gaming commissioner? Attorney Heller stated that he would be back at the next meeting with an ordinance that will allow this.

Alderman Campos discussed signs for 14th Street. She thought we should ask IDOT and see if we can get somewhere with that; a sign that says business district. Mayor Stephens directed her to inquire from IDOT.

No public comment.

Alderman Bastien opened the Public Improvement Committee Meeting.

Rezoning of South 17th Street (west of Logan Museum) was discussed. Mayor still in favor of rezoning. It has an EPA tag. Don’t know what we rezone to. Logan Museum is interested in strip of property which is on tax sale. Property belongs to Ed Cripps.

Discussed consideration of purchasing properties from the Jackson County Trustee for demolition and clean-up purposes. Eric stated we’re mowing either way. There are two or three properties now on this sale; 226 N. 8th and property behind Higgs. Cost is $638.00 and Eric has dollars in his budget.

Motion: To approve the purchase of tax sale properties.

Motion by Alderman McComb Second by Alderman Campos

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

Motion Carried

Discussion regarding the establishment of a downtown TIF District. Mayor Stephens stated there are interested parties in some of our downtown buildings. New director of Jackson Growth Alliance, Cheryl Benn, will take to her board and see how they can help us. It is being suggested more often to do a TIF district rather than Enterprise zone.

Alderman Campos inquired why we don’t take care of our properties. We could decorate windows with the colors of our town. Alderman Erbes stated windows are going into old depot.

No public comment.

Mayor Stephens opened the Public Works Committee Meeting.

Harold Sheffer gave an update on the Osburn Street extension. IDOT is receptive to the road going in. Require roadway on H Street. IDOT will work only with the city not an individual. We received the letter from Bishop & Elwell stating confirmation on moving forward with plans to construct their new office building. Cost estimate for building is $300,000. They will have six employees now and hope to grow to 10- 12. Bishop & Elwell thanked the mayor and Harold for time and work done on this project.

Motion: To approve the Osburn Street Extension.

Motion by Alderman McComb Second by Alderman Brown

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

Motion Carried

Discussion regarding declaring the pumps at 7th Street lift station as surplus. Jim thinks they are sold; they are one year old.

Motion: To approve declaring the 7th Street Lift Station pumps surplus.

Motion by Alderman McComb Second by Alderman Pittman

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

Motion Carried

Discussed the maintenance agreement for the wastewater treatment plant. They will spend about 4-5 days, change oil, gear boxes, and check everything out. Jim figures we will do it for few years until we see what needs to be done.

Motion: To approve maintenance agreement for wastewater treatment plant.

Motion by Alderman McComb Second by Alderman Campos

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

Motion Carried

Mayor Stephens stated that the Ruth Lane issue was resolved per Tim Lee.

No public comment.

Alderman Brown opened the Public Safety Committee Meeting.

Discussion regarding chairs out prior to Apple Festival. Alderman Brown stated the chairs are out to early. Alderman Campos stated it is part of the Apple Festival, this issue is worse than trash. Alderman Bastien stated it is only once a year, don’t see problem with it. Alderman Erbes stated people could fall on Friday. Alderman McComb inquired how we would enforce this, how to stop it and whose chairs. Alderman Brown thinks they should be allowed one week before only. Alderman Curry-Witzman stated she thinks it is pretty neat that no one steals them. She is okay with it, people are excited about the parade.

Discussion was held regarding a request for a 4-way stop at 9th and Illinois Avenue. Alderman Pittman had that issue put on the agenda. He stated there are four to five people who live close by and it is a safety issue. Don’t know if doable. Alderman remember that ice was the culprit on that. Chief Roberts stated that he had checked this out and the problem is people running the east/west stop signs. Chief Roberts said that while he was talking to people about it he saw people run the stop signs. He thinks we should bear down on the stop signs and then recheck with residents to see if it was better.

No public comment.

Mayor Stephens opened the Personnel Committee Meeting.

Tanisha Jones is the new hire in the water billing department. We received 45 applications, interviewed 7 or 8 applicants and hired her. She started Monday. There is no old or new business.

No public comment.

Mayor’s Report:

Mayor Stephens recognized Jim Stewart for being nominated by the water pollution operators–EPA staff for the Wastewater Operator of the Year. Jim stated that it was just an honor being nominated.

Harold Sheffer gave an oil and chip update. Hope work will start in the next couple weeks. He will check on that northwest quadrant of town.

Aldermen Announcements/Requests:

Jance Curry-Witzman Murphysboro Park District and City are hosting the 8th Annual Murphysboro Community Night Out on October 3, 2017. Who is going?

Russell Brown Anything from Joe? Mayor was up there and saw 5 million square feet of storage space; a cave for wedding receptions. IDOT entrance and exits approved. He still plans on a hotel.

Gary McComb We will be doing coins in straw this year at Community Night Out. He is getting straw and whatever is left he will give to Darrin for storage.

John Erbes Nothing

Mike Bastien Nothing

Gloria Campos Congratulated Sandra for receiving the Leaders Among Us award

W. J. Pittman Nothing.

Department Head Announcements/Requests:

Ed Heller Nothing.

Sandra Ripley Community Night Out-we need servers for food and such. Feed the Team- accepting donations or can work please let her know.

Harold Sheffer Nothing

Steve Swafford Nothing.

Chad Roberts Nothing

Scott Evans Nothing

Eric Kennedy Nothing

Jim Stewart Nothing.

Motion: To adjourn

Motion by Alderman Bastien Second by Alderman McComb

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_-_2017-09-26.pdf