Carbondale Reporter

Jackson County Real Property Committee met May 9. 

Here is the minutes as provided by the committee:

Call to Order (5:03 pm)

Members Present:           Hunter, Mendoza, Jr., Mueller and Peterson

Members Absent:             D. Bost, Endres and S. Bost

Also Present: Andrew Erbes, Grant Guthman

Approval of Minutes

I.   18-3360      April 11, 2018 Minutes

                         A motion was made by Hunter, seconded by Mueller, to approve the April 11, 2018 minutes as

                         presented. The motion carried by unanimous vote.

Communication

Peterson spoke to the committee about the IDNR working with SIU on marketing the Shooting Park and Pyramid Park and she wonders about including Burning Star in the marketing. She also informed the committee that she asked about a Kinkaid Public Beach being part of a DRA grant; it is not the kind of thing for those grants but they are looking at other options.

Highway Department

          A. SIMPO-Southern Illinois Metropolitan Planning Organization

          B. Jackson County Bike Paths/Trails

          C. Payment of Highway Monthly Claims

Peterson began by telling the committee that she has asked Ted Gutierrez to attend a meeting to give a report on Mass Transit.

A. Peterson informed the committee that the MPO has received some ITEP money for a Bike Path around John A. Logan and a new pedestrian path on New Era Road. She also stated that the MPO will be selecting a firm to do a safety study.

B. See above.

C. Mueller moved and Hunter seconded to approve the Highway monthly claims in the amount of $94,908.29, motion carried.

II.    18-3361    ROW ADA Transition Plan Adoption

                        Guthman informed the committee that the plan has been posted on the website for the

                        required 30 days and he has received no feedback.

                        A motion was made by Mueller, seconded by Hunter, to approve adoption of the ROW ADA

                        Transition Plan as presented. The motion carried by unanimous vote.

III.   18-3362    Wood Road Speed Limit Ordinance

                        Guthman stated that at the request of the township a speed study was completed on Wood

                        Road. The study shows that the speed limit can be lowered to 35 mph. He also stated that this

                        area is considered a high violation area due and that law enforcement will need to be notified

                         once the ordinance passes.

                        A motion was made by Hunter, seconded by Mueller, to approve the Wood Road speed limit

                        Ordinance. The motion carried by unanimous vote.

IV.   18-3363    Summer Help Hires

                        Guthman presented the committee with the applications for summer help that he has

                         received. He explained that he plans to hire six summer laborers (from eight applicants) and

                         two summer technicians (from three applicants). He commented that this year he received the

                         fewest number of applications of any year and he may consider raising the hourly wage next

                         year. Guthman stated that five of the six laborers are returning from last year and the sixth one

                         was chosen because they are a Jackson County resident. Hunter asked about female

                        applicants; Guthman said that there was one female applicant but she is not a resident of

                        Jackson County. Hunter asked that Guthman consider gender in his future hiring.

V.    18-3383    Herrin Road Extension to Reed Station Road

                         Guthman informed the committee that IDOT and Greater Egypt are applying for funding to

                         connect Herrin Road with Reed Station Road. This road will give Walkers Bluff a better road

                         and they are willing to possible assist with costs. Guthman brought this to the committee so

                         they could think about whether they are willing to assist with the matching funds that will be

                         required. The consensus of the committee is that there is not funding available now but there

                          may be some in the 2020 budget and this item can be revisited at a later date.

Land Use & Economic Development

     A. Greater Egypt Regional Planning & Development Commission

     B. Supervisor of Assessments

     C. Jackson Growth Alliance

     D. Comprehensive Plan

     E. River Levee Project Update

A. Peterson spoke to the committee about a marketing presentation from the Arthur Agency, a consulting firm hired by Greater Egypt. Their new tag line for Southern Illinois is "SIWorks" more information can be found on the Greater Egypt website. The committee had a discussion on bus schedules related to those who cannot drive getting to work and the work that the Center for Empowerment and Justice is doing.

B. None

C. Mueller talked about the work JGA is doing on developing a strategic plan. She also spoke about the outreach being done by Cheryl Benn and the JGA board members.

D. The committee was informed of some work being done in the office to draft an outline for a comprehensive plan the consensus is to keep moving forward with this. Mendoza informed the committee that he has read the 1964 Regional Comprehensive Plan and has taken some summary notes and gather ideas from people. He will share that info with the committee. He also said he is interested in reading the 1965 Jackson County Comprehensive Plan, the committee coordinator will attempt to locate that. Mendoza has started to read the 2010 Regional Comprehensive Plan. Mueller took the 1964 Regional Comprehensive Plan to read.

E. Peterson and Guthman stated that they are not sure exactly where the process is right now because there was some other construction going on and the levee work had to stop until that work was done. An update will be given next month.

County Buildings & Grounds

VI. 18-3382 Energy Billing

Peterson read the memo provided by Accounting Coordinator Tweedy. The committee briefly

discussed the number of bills for each building and why it was being handled that way.

Guthman state that he deals with the same issue with his energy bills. The consensus of the

committee is for Tweedy to move forward with getting the bills better organized.

VII.   18-3364    Flag Pole

                          The committee was informed that the current county flag pole is to short for the number of

                          flags that are on it. Additionally, some of the flags get close to the power lines when it is

                         windy. Maintenance has suggested getting a new flag pole that is higher, or three new poles to

                          spread out the flags and possibly moving the pole to the other side of the courthouse. The

                          consensus of the committee is that there is not money in the budget at this time. The

                          suggestion is to reconsider this request during budgeting.

VIII.   18-3365    Placement of Lincoln Portrait

                          The committee members will look around the courthouse and come up with ideas for the next

                           meeting.

IX.    18-3366   Commercial Property for Sale

                         Peterson reviewed the information on two commercial properties for sale in Murphysboro. She

                         believes that they could be used to house probation or the offices from the basement of the

                         Courthouse. She informed the committee that she has also given the information to the Public

                         Building Commission. The committee discussed the properties and where funding would come

                         from. Mueller and Peterson are going to view the sites after the meeting.

X.    18-3367    Burke Electric Presentation

                          Nothing at this time.

Old Business

New Business

Adjourn (6:06 pm)

Mueller moved and Mendoza seconded to adjourn, motion carried.

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