Carbondale Reporter

City of Murphysboro City Council met April 10.

Here is the minutes provided by the Council:

The Murphysboro, Illinois, City Council met in regular session, pursuant to its ordinances, on the 10th day of April, 2018. Mayor Stephens called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m. and invited Pastor Larry Gilbert 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 Hunziker to call the roll. The roll was called with the following:

Present: Barb Hughes, Jance Curry-Witzman, Russell Brown, Gary McComb, John Erbes, Dan Bratton, Mike Bastien, Gloria Campos, W. J. Pittman.

Absent: Herb Voss.

Motion: To approve the minutes of the March 27, 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 Brown Mayor Stephens called for a voice vote. All were in favor. Motion Carried

Alderman Bratton inquired as to the bill on the bottom of page 5 – for the handheld for the water department. Also questioned what the bottom item on page 13 was for – clean-up of trees which will be reimbursed by the utility company.

Aldermen Campos inquired as to the payment on page 12 for the Oak Street Art Fair – is paid out of the tourism budget. Also the bills paid on pages 14, 15 and 16 – for the Code Enforcement remodel. Also on page 2 – replacement of items in the police department trauma packs.

Alderman Erbes asked about the website bill on page 10 – is for the overhaul of the city website, should be done in approximately 60-90 days.

Motion: To approve the accounts payable, registers #661 through April 10, 2018, accounts receivable through March 30, 2018, and payroll through March 31, 2018. 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 Pittman opened discussion for Budget & Finance related items.

Senior Citizens Center Repairs/contract - tabled.

No public comment.

Alderman McComb opened discussion for Building and Grounds related items.

Attorney Blake provided a status update on the North 23rd Street and Union Pacific Railroad issue. The complaint has been filed.

No public comment.

Alderman Erbes opened discussion for Community Relations Committee related items.

Request for consideration by Kim Ellis for use of the Town Center Park for a Corn Hole Tournament on Saturday, June 2nd, 2018, from 8:00am to 8:00pm.

Motion: To approve the request by Kim Ellis for use of the Town Center Park on June 2nd, 2018, from 8:00am to 8:00pm. Motion by Alderman Bratton Second by Alderman Campos Alderman Erbes called for a voice vote. All were in favor. Motion Carried

No public comment.

Alderman Bastien opened discussion for Public Improvement related items.

Update on the fence issue on Division Street – they have received a new permit and are waiting for the ground to dry out to finish removing the fence.

No public comment.

Alderman Bratton opened discussion for Public Works related items.

Approval of appointment of Sedonia Sipes to the Historic Preservation Commission to replace Scott Satterlee.

Motion: To approve the appointment of Sedonia Sipes to the Historic Preservation Commission. Motion by Alderman McComb Second by Alderman Bastien Alderman Bratton called for a voice vote. All were in favor. Motion Carried

Consideration and approval of bids for the Annual City-Wide clean-up: Bid#1: Republic Services for $8900.00. Bid#2: Burris Disposal for $9200.00. Bid#3: S.I.Waste Container for $6490.00.

Motion: To accept the bid of S.I. Waste Container for $6490.00 for the Annual City-Wide clean-up. Motion by Alderman McComb Second by Alderman Pittman Alderman Bratton called for a voice vote. All were in favor. Motion Carried

Approval of streets for the 2018 Street Maintenance Program: Information was provided for the cost to repair several different streets. It was suggested that the Aldermen drive each of the streets and will prioritize at the next meeting. Per Scott we have approximately $300,000.00 for repairs.

Regarding the sewer lining, Tim has a call in to get these checked.

No public comment.

Alderman Brown opened discussion for Public Safety related items.

Update on concerns with No Parking approved on North 10th and Locust Street. The Mayor had reached out to IDOT and received some information but it was not applicable to this situation. He will look into it further. Alderman Bratton remarked that the handicapped spots he has seen tend to take up a large amount of parking space, plus the Chief indicated we only have an average of 2 incidents in that area per year. Aldermen Erbes and Campos suggested painting the curb yellow and then stripe for parking spaces. Aldermen Erbes and Bratton made a motion to remove the no parking, paint the curb and mark spaces but withdrew their motion and requested the issue be tabled until the next meeting.

No public comment.

Alderman Hughes opened discussion for Personnel related items.

Nothing at this time.

No public comment.

MAYOR’S REPORT

Mayor requested consideration and approval of moving the May council meetings to May 15th and 29th due to a schedule conflict.

Motion: To move the May Council meetings to May 15th and 29th. Motion by Alderman McComb Second by Alderman Brown Mayor Stephens called for a voice vote. All were in favor. Motion Carried

Motion: To go into executive session at 6:40 pm to discuss matters related to 5ILCS 120/2(c)(5) regarding potential real estate purchase. Motion by Alderman Erbes Second by Alderman McComb Yeas: Alderman Hughes, Alderman Curry-Witzman, Alderman Brown, Alderman

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

Motion Carried

Motion: To come out of executive session at 6:55 p.m. Motion by Alderman Bratton Second by Alderman Hughes Yeas: Alderman Hughes, Alderman Curry-Witzman, Alderman Brown, Alderman

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

ALDERMEN ANNOUNCEMENTS/REQUESTS

Barb Hughes Thanked Darrin for the repairs made at Shomaker Drive.

Jance Curry-Witzman Nothing

Russell Brown There are 2 houses that need boarded up.

Herb Voss Absent

Gary McComb Lot by the Daum Building, people from the Daniels building are taking their trash there. Police Chief Roberts is having a Community meeting and will address the issue then.

John Erbes Nothing

Dan Bratton Have we heard from Mr. Hollo? The Mayor has spoken to him, he will call back. Will put review of grant writing personnel on agenda. Is there still traffic control at the High School? No, they are done and have opened 16th Street back up. Will bill the High School for the traffic control. Would the school district help with the cost of cleaning out the ditch on the north side of the Railroad tracks? The Mayor will meet with Superintendent Grode concerning the purchase of it. He has spoken to Mr. Ruble about it, he is asking quite a bit for it. Attorney Blake stated we can use eminent domain for purposes of water drainage, etc. 

Mike Bastien Nothing

Gloria Campos Asked Darrin about setting up fences on Steven Ln, he will need to ask Tim.

W. J. Pittman Nothing

DEPARTMENT HEAD ANNOUNCEMENTS/REQUESTS

Richard Blake Nothing

Sandra Ripley Nothing

Harold Sheffer Nothing

Steve Swafford Nothing

Chad Roberts Nothing

Eric Kennedy Nothing

Brian Manwaring Nothing

Darrin Mills Nothing

Leandra Bryant Nothing

Motion: To adjourn Motion by Alderman McComb Second by Alderman Bratton Mayor Stephens called for a voice vote. All were in favor. Motion Carried

Meeting adjourned at 7:04 p.m.

http://www.murphysboro-il.gov/files/Council_Minutes_-_2018-04-10.pdf