Carbondale Reporter

City of Murphysboro City Council met Jan. 23.

Here is the minutes provided by the Council:

The Murphysboro, Illinois, City Council met in regular session, pursuant to its ordinances, on the 23rd day of January, 2018. Mayor Stephens called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. and invited Pastor Dean Akins 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: Barb Hughes, Jance Curry-Witzman, Herb Voss, Gary McComb, John Erbes, Danny Bratton, Mike Bastien, Gloria Campos, W. J. Pittman

Absent: Russell Brown

Motion: To approve the minutes of the January 9, 2018 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 Stephens called for a voice vote. All were in favor. Motion Carried

Alderman Pittman inquired about the duplicate billing amount of $2385.62 to the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office. We will check into this.

Motion: To approve the accounts payable, register #652 through January 23, 2018, accounts receivable through January 23, 2018 and payroll through January 23, 2018 with the exception of the $4801.54 check to the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office. 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 Hughes Mayor Stephens called for a voice vote. All were in favor. Motion Carried

COMMITTEE/COMMISSION REPORTS

Alderman Pittman opened the Budget & Finance Meeting.

Scott Evans presented the following budget reports: Schedule of Sales/HR Tax Receipts, Schedule of State Income Tax Receipts Vouchered, Schedule of Bank Loan Balances, Schedule of Operating Expenses by Department vs. Budget, Comparison of Budgeted vs. Actual Payroll, and Schedule of Costs Related to WWTP Construction

Scott gave us an “A” for how we stand now, doing fairly well.

Discussion was held regarding the Village of Vergennes overbilling. In 1995 we signed a 40 year agreement with them for a charge of 10 cents per 1,000 gallons; however, we have been charging 30 cents per 1,000 gallons. Mayor met with Scott and Sandra and previously we had been under billing them and they owed us $10,000 and we accepted $5,000 as a settlement. It was determined that our first offer is that we owe them $23,670.72 so we will offer one half of that amount as a credit on their account. The second offer would be the $23,670.72 less $5,000 (from what they owed us previously) for $18,670.72 as a credit on their account.

Motion: To approve to offer one half of $23,670.72 as a credit on their account. Motion by Alderman Hughes Second by Alderman Bratton Ayes: Barb Hughes, Jance Curry-Witzman, Herb Voss, Gary McComb, Danny Bratton, Mike Bastien, Gloria Campos, W. J. Pittman Nays: None Abstain: Alderman Erbes Motion Carried

No public comment.

Alderman McComb opened the Building and Grounds Meeting.

Attorney Heller gave an update on the North 23rd and Union Pacific issue. A representative had contacted Attorney Heller via email asking when was convenient to talk, he responded with dates but she has not contacted him. Mayor Stephens does not want to lay back on this so we don’t delay on our residents, especially one who is trying to get loan.

No public comment.

Alderman Erbes opened the Community Relations Committee Meeting.

Request by St. Peter’s Church to use Smysor Plaza for Easter Sunrise Service was discussed.

Motion: To approve the request by St. Peter’s Church to use Smysor Plaza for Easter Sunrise Service. Motion by Alderman Bratton Second by Alderman McComb Alderman Erbes called for a voice vote. All were in favor. Motion Carried

There was no public comment.

Alderman Bastien opened the Public Improvement Committee Meeting.

Fence dispute on Division Street and potential civil action was discussed. Court date on citation issued to Ms. Jacobs is February 2, 2018. Ticket issued was for violation of permit code. Alderman Bastien asked if we have to wait to begin action to have fence removed. Attorney Heller said no. Alderman Voss asked if we want to take down fence or have the civil court do it. Alderman Bastien stated we should send a letter to Ms. Jacobs and ask to remove fence within 30 days. City attorney should draft a letter to move the fence into compliance of property lines or remove within 30 days. Bring into compliance with ordinance and with survey. Attorney Heller needs a copy of the survey. Ms. Jones doing that.

Motion: To approve the city attorney to draft a letter to Ms. Jacobs to move fence into compliance of property line or remove within 30 days. Motion by Alderman Voss Second by Alderman Bratton Alderman Bastien called for a voice vote. All were in favor. Motion Carried

No public comment.

Alderman Bratton opened the Public Works Committee Meeting.

Alderman Bratton stated that at the last meeting we voted to cut price to $4,000 to Illini Asphalt. Alderman Bratton and Mayor Stephens met with Bill Simon and his daughter. They offered to settle for $6,000 which is below their cost. We didn’t blow cracks out and fill them before they did that process. Mayor thinks $6,000 compromise is reasonable. Weather too bad to do prep work and if we waited then weather would have been too bad to do experimental work. We made decision to move forward. Alderman Erbes asked about stripping. It will be stripped, just not done because of the weather. Alderman Voss stated this is a good vendor for the city.

Alderman Bratton discussed North 12th Street in front of public works. Make 12th Street for one block running in front of public works into a one way street because someone coming up the hill has problems with vehicles pulling out, etc. One way going south would eliminate problems with pulling out and backing up. Think about it. Darrin doesn’t want to go out by Auto Works. There have been no accidents either way.

No public comment.

Mayor Stephens opened the Public Safety Committee Meeting.

The ordinance amending the definition of peddle was discussed. Kirby Company lawyer had come up with a loophole in our ordinance that is why the new one.

Motion: To approve ordinance amending the definition of peddle. Motion by Alderman Bratton Second by Alderman Hughes Mayor Stephens called for a voice vote. All were in favor. Motion Carried

No public comment.

Alderman Hughes opened the Personnel Committee Meeting.

Mark Brittingham had a copy of the new FOP contract. We had previously voted to approve with appropriate language. We need to sign and he needs three copies. Effective to April 30, 2020.

Alderman Hughes stated we had a new hire public works employee starting the 29th- Roy Phoenix.

No public comment.

MAYOR’S REPORT

Mayor stated the following:

Taste of Chocolate is February 9th at Carbondale Civic Center. Eight tickets came with sponsorship so anyone wishing to go let him know. Starts 6 or 6:30 p.m.

Motion: To go into executive session at 7:05 pm to discuss matters related to 5ILCS 120/2(c)(1) regarding the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees of the public body or general counsel and to discuss matters related to 5ILCS 120/2(c)(2) and to discuss real estate purchase. Motion by Alderman Erbes Second by Alderman Campos Yeas: Alderman Hughes, Alderman Curry-Witzman, Alderman Voss, Alderman

McComb, Alderman Erbes, Alderman Bratton, Alderman Bastien, Alderman Campos, Alderman Pittman Nays: None Motion Carried

Motion: To come out of executive session at 7:26 p.m. Motion by Alderman Pittman Second by Alderman Campos Yeas: Alderman Hughes, Alderman Curry-Witzman, Alderman Voss, Alderman

McComb, Alderman Erbes, Alderman Bratton, Alderman Bastien, Alderman Campos, Alderman Pittman Nays: None Motion Carried

No action taken.

ALDERMEN ANNOUNCEMENTS/REQUESTS

Barb Hughes Thank you Gloria, glad you had safe trip.

Jance Curry-Witzman Nothing

Herb Voss Nothing

Gary McComb Remember Tim Lee in your prayers, he is in a fight.

John Erbes Thank Chief Roberts on getting contract done.

Dan Bratton Commend Chief Roberts on banquet for officers, very, very nice.

Mike Bastien Nothing

Gloria Campos Nothing

W. J. Pittman Nothing

DEPARTMENT HEAD ANNOUNCEMENTS/REQUESTS

Edward Heller Nothing

Sandra Ripley Nothing

Harold Sheffer Nothing

Chad Roberts Nothing

Scott Evans Nothing

Eric Kennedy Nothing

Motion: To adjourn Motion by Alderman McComb Second by Alderman Bastien Mayor Stephens called for a voice vote. All were in favor. Motion Carried Meeting adjourned at 7:30 p.m.

http://www.murphysboro-il.gov/files/Council_Minutes_-_2018-01-23.pdf