Carbondale Reporter

City of Murphysboro City Council met Dec. 12.

Here is the minutes provided by the Council:

The Murphysboro, Illinois, City Council met in regular session, pursuant to its ordinances, on the 12th day of December, 2017. Mayor Stephens called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. and invited Pastor Jerry Hickam 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, Russell Brown, Herb Voss, Gary McComb, John Erbes, Danny Bratton, Mike Bastien, Gloria Campos, W. J. Pittman

Absent:

The Murphysboro Fire Department presented to Mayor Stephens a jacket inscribed with his name. The jackets were made for all members of the fire department and they had a jacket made to thank Mayor Stephens for all he does.

Motion: To approve the minutes of the November 28, 2017 council meeting. All aldermen received a copy of the minutes, for their review, prior to the meeting. Motion by Alderman Campos Second by Alderman Bastien Mayor Stephens called for a voice vote. All were in favor. Motion Carried

Motion: To approve the accounts payable, register #645, #646, and #647 through December 12, 2017, accounts receivable through December 12, 2017 and payroll through December 12, 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 Stephens called for a voice vote. All were in favor. Motion Carried

COMMITTEE/COMMISSION REPORTS

Alderman Erbes opened the Community Relations Committee Meeting.

Brad Fager of the Friends of Murphysboro addressed the council regarding a Splash Pad Water project. Friends of Murphysboro, along with the Kiwanis, wish to put a splash pad in at Longfellow Park and are seeking the city’s help with regard to the water. Mayor Stephens stated it is a plus development and we should discuss how we can help them afford water for the park. There were two plans distributed, one with a cost of $77,000 and another with a cost of $55,000. In addition to the cost of the pad there is also a cost of approximately $15,000 for electric, sewer and water lines and sidewalk. Total cost is approximately $99,000. The Park District has committed to pay for the maintenance once the pad is installed and they will pay for the power. The group wants the city to help out with the water. It would be open Memorial Day to Labor Day, essentially June, July and August. The water does not recirculate, that requires more in depth plans and more costs. It uses 54 gallons of water per minute when in use. Calculated at eight hours a day for 90 days at 54 gallons per minutes it would cost approximately $60 per day to operate, and for 90 days that cost would be $5400 per year. This would be if the pad was in use all eight hours which it will not be. It runs 10 minutes, then shuts off and the button has to be pushed again to start another 10 minutes. Hours will be from 11am to 7 pm.

Motion: To approve furnishing water for the Friends of Murphysboro splash pad. Motion by Alderman McComb Second by Alderman Campos Alderman Erbes called for a voice vote. All were in favor. Motion Carried

Public comment: Don Gladden asked if the splash pad was for weekends and the response was yes. Alderman Curry-Witzman stated she opted they chose design A because B is too small for older kids. She thinks design A would attract a larger age group of kids.

Alderman Brown opened the Public Safety Committee Meeting.

It was determined to table the consideration of the ordinance amending the offense of fighting by agreement. Attorney Blake stated the reason is the proposed language he is getting from Chief Roberts.

Amy Mills addressed the council regarding an alley request. This is the north/south alley behind the old Blankenship Building at 1614 Walnut Street. They have purchased the building and are installing a barbeque sauce factory. They will be bottling their own sauce as well as co-packing for other barbeque enterprises. They also intend to have an area developed for serving breakfast, lunch and coffee. They will be employing approximately 15 employees. They want a drive through and that would be in the alley. Mayor Stephens inquired of Chief Roberts and Darrin Milles if that would cause a problem and both responsed they see no issues.

Motion: To approve making the alley behind the Blankenship building located at 1614 Walnut Street one way. Motion by Alderman McComb Second by Alderman Bratton Alderman Brown called for a voice vote. All were in favor. Motion Carried

Mike Mills thanked the council for their help with this and all the years they have supported the barbeque contest. He stated they are the reason all this could be done and he is truly grateful for all their help.

No public comment.

Alderman Hughes opened the Personnel Committee Meeting.

Alderman Hughes gave an update on the position in the street department. We are advertising now as there were no applications from within. The advertised deadline is 12/18/17 and then we will begin interviews.

Motion: To go into executive session at 6:40 pm to discuss matters related to related to 5ILCS 120/2(c)(2) regarding collective negotiating matters and the contract proposal between the city and its employees or their representatives and to review the executive session minutes. Motion by Alderman Bratton Second by Alderman Erbes Yeas: Alderman Hughes, Alderman Curry-Witzman, Alderman Brown, 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 7:15 pm. Motion by Alderman Bratton Seconded by Alderman Campos Yeas: Alderman Hughes, Alderman Curry-Witzman, Alderman Brown, Alderman

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

Motion: To approve the Collective Bargaining Agreement with the FOP subject to final language approval. Motion by Alderman Bratton Second by Alderman Brown Alderman Hughes called for a voice vote. All were in favor. Motion Carried

Motion: To approve the release of executive session minutes for 5/28/13, 7/22/13, 7/28/14, 5/26/15, 2/22/16, 11/9/16, 11/22/16, 2/28/17, and 7/25/17, and hold the executive session minutes of 3/17/14, 9/27/16, 5/23/17, 6/27/17, 8/15/17 and 11/14/17. Motion by Alderman Erbes Second by Alderman Bratton Alderman Hughes called for a voice vote. All were in favor. Motion Carried

Attorney Blake stated the ordinance prohibiting sexual harassment contains the items set forth by the legislature as required in an ordinance and the Illinois Municipal League has also had input as to the information in the ordinance.

Motion: To approve the Ordinance Prohibiting Sexual Harassment. Motion by Alderman Bratton Second by Alderman Voss Alderman Hughes called for a voice vote. All were in favor. Motion Carried

No public comment.

Alderman Pittman opened the Budget & Finance Meeting.

Alderman Pittman stated that although he aggress we need the rate increase for water and sewer he doesn’t want to sell it like it was due to Kinkaid’s raised rates. Alderman Bratton stated we have to pay for that new line.

Motion: To approve accepting the proposed new water and sewer rates. Motion by Alderman Bratton Second by Alderman Hughes Alderman Pittman called for a voice vote. All were in favor. Motion Carried

Line of Credit renewal at First Bank and Trust Company was discussed. Alderman Pittman abstained from the discussion. It is at 4.9% for $500,000 and starts 1/10/18.

Motion: To approve renewing the line of credit at First Bank & Trust Company. Motion by Alderman Bratton Second by Alderman Campos Yeas: Barb Hughes, Jance Curry-Witzman, Russell Brown, Herb Voss, Gary McComb, John Erbes, Danny Bratton, Mike Bastien, Gloria Campos Abstain: W. J. Pittman Motion Carried

Scott Evans presented the following budget reports: Schedule of Sales/HR Tax Receipts, Comparison of Budgeted vs. Actual Payroll, Schedule of State Income Tax Receipts Vouchered.

No public comment.

Alderman McComb opened the Building and Grounds Meeting.

Mayor Stephens stated he was comfortable with the voluntary annexation agreement and the attorneys are okay with it. It has passed muster and will be a tool to help bring people into the city limits. It provides for five years abatement of the city’s portion of taxes, then 50% for five years and after 10 years back up. This is the city, city Library and Murphysboro Park District.

Motion: To approve the Voluntary Annexation Agreement. Motion by Alderman Bratton Second by Alderman Bastien Alderman McComb called for a voice vote. All were in favor. Motion Carried

A status update regarding the issue on North 23rd and Union Pacific was given. Attorney Heller will be getting a letter out in a few days.

Alderman Bratton discussed the consideration of bids for the roof replacement at the Senior Citizens Center. Although the bid of D.E. Martin Roofing was $442 lower than the second lowest bid from Clover Roofing he is recommending Clover Roofing due to the possibility of additional costs for decking and we are allowed a local bid preference of two percent or two thousand dollars.

Motion: To approve to accept the bid from Clover Roofing for the roof replacement at the Senior Citizens Center Motion by Alderman Bratton Second by Alderman Pittman Alderman McComb called for a voice vote. All were in favor. Motion Carried

No public comment.

Alderman Bastien opened the Public Improvement Committee Meeting.

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

Alderman Bratton opened the Public Works Committee Meeting.

Motion: To approve the 2018 Motor Fuel Tax General Maintenance Resolution in the amount of $210,000. Motion by Alderman Hughes Second by Alderman Erbes Alderman Bratton called for a voice vote. All were in favor. Motion Carried

Discussion of the contractor’s application for final payment for the wastewater treatment plant was discussed. Jim Stewart said we are still waiting on the air seal to be replaced. Harold stated that he would like to get it paid so we can finish paperwork and stop paying loan interest. It was determined we should say we will make final payment to the contractor contingent upon completion.

Motion: To approve to make final payment in the amount of $20,450.37, to the contractor for the wastewater treatment plant contingent upon completion. Motion by Alderman Voss Second by Alderman McComb Alderman Bratton called for a voice vote. All were in favor. Motion Carried

Alderman McComb inquired about the wheelchair issue. Harold stated if the city will fix it, Blankenship will pay for it.

The request from Tim Lee to carry over more vacation days then what the contract allows was discussed. You can hold over one week vacation by contract, he wants to hold over another four weeks’ vacation due to his surgery. Alderman McComb stated he had talked to the Labors International Union and they agreed to an exemption. Per Alderman McComb they said it is not a violation of the contract and not setting a standard. They are willing to give him a one-time exemption. Discussion followed about allowing for one employee may set a precedent which we do not want to do, not all employees are of the standard of Tim Lee. Alderman Voss stated that we need a letter from the union stating their position. Alderman McComb will call the union for a letter to that effect. Alderman Erbes can talk to Mark Brittingham regarding this issue. Alderman Bratton said he would contact both the fire and police union to see if they would agree. We will hold until the next meeting.

Motion Carried

No public comment.

MAYOR’S REPORT

Mayor had nothing to report on at this time.

ALDERMEN ANNOUNCEMENTS/REQUESTS

Barb Hughes Nothing

Jance Curry-Witzman Nothing

Russell Brown Asked Leander to have the code office check the building behind him, plywood has fallen off the building.

Herb Voss Nothing

Gary McComb Nothing

John Erbes City looks great. Thanks to city staff and store owners for making the city look great.

Dan Bratton Ditto

Mike Bastien Nothing Gloria Campos Nothing

W. J. Pittman Inquired about 20th Street and the cinder seal that Illini Asphalt put down; it looks bad. Mayor Stephens stated at this time he hasn’t signed the check for payment. Harold stated he knows it has ruts; this is a new type of surfacing.

DEPARTMENT HEAD ANNOUNCEMENTS/REQUESTS

Richard Blake Nothing.

Sandra Ripley Nothing

Harold Sheffer Nothing

Steve Swafford Nothing

Chad Roberts Nothing

Scott Evans Nothing

Tim Lee Sewer line project on Steven Lane completed under budget. It was a time and material for five days and it took three days. One half of railroad job completed: east done, working on west Thursday. Alderman Campos inquired about the cut trees left behind. Tim stated this was part of the time savings and he will get the limbs.

Brian Manwaring Nothing

Darrin Mills Finished project on Roberta Drive; the one involving Mr. Austin.

Jim Stewart Nothing

Joyce Cottonaro Announced her resignation from the position of city clerk effective 1/31/18 due to the fact she has sold her home and will be moving outside the city limits.

Motion: To adjourn Motion by Alderman Bratton Second by Alderman Hughes Mayor Stephens called for a voice vote. All were in favor. Motion Carried Meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m.

http://www.murphysboro-il.gov/files/Council_Minutes_-_2017-12-12.pdf