Carbondale Reporter

City of Murphysboro City Council met June 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 June, 2018. Mayor Stephens called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. and led 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, Russell Brown, Herb Voss, John Erbes, Dan Bratton,

Mike Bastien, Gloria Campos

Absent: Jance Curry-Witzman, Gary McComb, W.J. Pittman

Presentation of Proclamation for Murphysboro Kiwanis Club 65th Anniversary – Hold,

group will be at the next meeting.

Motion: To approve the minutes of the May 29, 2018 council meeting. All aldermen received a copy of the minutes, for their review, prior to the meeting.

Motion by Alderman Hughes Second by Alderman Brown

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

Motion Carried

Alderman Campos inquired as to:

#678 page 3 – Soil sampling? Around the Curwood facility to help with the sale and transfer.

#678 page 4 – IDOT bike trail? Will be reimbursed by Joe Koppeis.

#678 page 6 – Key Equipment? Broom on street sweeper.

#678 page 12 – Roger Hediger annual maintenance? Programmer for police department, annual maintenance.

Alderman Hughes inquired as to:

#678 page 16 Wright’s plywood? Some for the Code Office but most for awning at water tower.

#678 page 10 Power Plan – anyone closer that does this work? Alderman Bratton will check with Jim Stewart. Per Darrin usually serviced out of Cape Girardeau but they also charge mileage.

20th Street Lift Station roof repair? Was 30 years old, was soft, safety hazard so replaced.

Motion: To approve the accounts payable, registers #677 & 678 through June 12, 2018, accounts receivable through May 31, 2018, and payroll through May 31, 2018. All aldermen received a copy of the accounts payable for their review, prior to the meeting.

Motion by Alderman Erbes Second by Alderman Bastien

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

Motion Carried

Committee/Commission Reports:

Mayor Stephens opened discussion for Budget & Finance related items.

Old Business:

Review of grant writing job description and advertisements: Will review job description handed out and bring back any questions or concerns to the next meeting. Alderman Bratton asked if we would be charged for the grant writer attending City Council meetings? No, would be part of the job requirements. Alderman Erbes inquired if the wording independent contractor should be added? Attorney Blake agreed would need to be independent contractor. He will draft some language to make sure it is for an independent contractor, not entitled to any benefits. Mayor Stephens stated he will get with the attorney concerning the language.

Discussion regarding the agreement with the Village of Vergennes: Mayor Stephens asked legal counsel to review. Attorney Blake stated it is a 40-year binding contract. The city over-billed so they are due a credit equal to that amount. Alderman Hughes asked if both parties agreed to opt out of the contract, would that be ok? Per Attorney Blake yes. He also stated that the contract states any maintenance Vergennes requires, they have to reimburse the city at cost. Alderman Bratton stated when they call for maintenance or repairs, we do that at cost. Can we look at increasing the cost to make a profit? Attorney Blake replied the contract states reimburse at city’s cost. Mayor Stephens suggested the council advise the attorney to draft a letter to Village of Vergennes to dissolve the contract. Per Attorney Blake there are 17 years remaining. Alderman Bratton suggested it be worded to let them out of the contract. Alderman Campos suggested adding wording that they will get a better price. Alderman Bastien stated that maybe it would give them a clearer idea of what all the city does for them. Attorney Blake suggested the letter have wording to the effect - ending the agreement with them to pursue a direct purchase from Kinkaid.

Motion: To contact the Village of Vergennes by letter regarding their ability to opt out of the contract with the City of Murphysboro.

Motion by Alderman Hughes Second by Alderman Campos

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

Motion Carried

New Business: Nothing at this time.

No public comment.

Mayor Stephens opened discussion for Building & Grounds related items.

Old Business: Nothing at this time.

New Business: Nothing at this time.

No public comment.

Alderman Erbes opened discussion for Community Relations Committee related items.

Old Business: Nothing at this time.

New Business: Nothing at this time.

No public comment.

Alderman Bastien opened discussion for Public Improvement related items.

Old business: Nothing at this time.

New business: Nothing at this time.

No public comment

Alderman Bratton opened discussion for Public Works related items.

Old business:

Consideration of request to vacate an alley right-of-way off of Kennedy Street: Alderman Bratton contacted Tom Ridings concerning this and he will take 1⁄2 the right-of-way. Directed Justin “Pete” Spitler to get with Eric Kennedy for variance. Attorney Blake stated need 3⁄4 of members to vote on this. Will hold until next meeting.

New Business:

Consideration of modifying the Street Maintenance Program (overlay projects): Mayor Stephens would like to suggest the following streets be considered for the Street Maintenance Program: Bridgewood between 5th and Bridge ($126,095.11), 17th Street from Spruce to Oak replace concrete (approx. $8000), Shomaker between 18th and 20th ($108,169.50), and Hanson between 7th and 9th ($69,452.70). This would be at a cost of $311,717.

Motion: To have the Street Maintenance Program repair the following streets: Bridgewood between 5th and Bridge, 17th Street from Spruce to Oak replace concrete, Shomaker Drive between 18th and 20th, and Hanson between 7th and 9th.

Motion by Alderman Bratton Second by Alderman Voss

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

Motion Carried

No public comment.

Alderman Brown opened discussion for Public Safety related items.

Old business:

Discussion regarding Mosquito Abatement and water accumulation near 14th Street: Alderman Bratton stated Eric Kennedy has called the Health Department but there is not anything they can do. Mayor Stephens stated he has met with Sara Brashear regarding annexation and agreement for abating property taxes. She is open to that but will have to get approval from the other partners then will meet again. Also told her the city could possibly help with the mosquito abatement. Mayor Stephens also spoke to IDOT. Troy Raines owns the storage facility, drainage area is grown up and is not sure who is responsible for maintaining it. Alderman Bratton stated that there used to be a ditch that helped drain that area but after construction of One Hot Cookie, area north of it was not cleaned up and the water flow is now constricted. Mayor Stephens inquired if the city can compel maintenance on privately owned property for health or safety reasons? Attorney Blake stated he would need to look into that. Then asked if the accumulation is pushing water onto private property or just on the business property? Alderman Bratton stated that Sara was supposed to put up a fence when the construction was done and has not done that. Attorney Blake inquired as to a drainage easement? Not sure. He then stated that the city has certain authority within the Mile & 1⁄2 regarding health and safety matters. He will look into it for the next meeting. Mayor Stephens will bring a property map to the next meeting. Will hold this until the next meeting.

New business:

Consideration of changing traffic flow/stop signs at 9th & Illinois Avenue: Chief Roberts stated he has talked to residents that live in this area and the consensus is that it is not a problem. The way it is set up now is due to the hill on 9th heading north during winter conditions. Brian Manwaring stated, as someone who travels that street at least twice a day, it is hard to see north bound traffic. It doesn’t seem logical to make it unsafe just for a couple of days and let it be a safety hazard for the rest of the year. A 4-way stop make more sense to him. Darrin Mills agrees, it is hard to see north bound traffic. Alderman Hughes stated it used to be the exact opposite.

Motion: To make the intersection at 9th & Illinois Avenue a 4-way stop.

Motion by Alderman Hughes Second by Alderman Campos

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

Motion Carried

Consideration of changing traffic flow on South 16th Street from Walnut to Spruce Street: Alderman Hughes stated she asked for this to be put on the agenda as she has had 3 calls recently asking why this is a one-way street. Alderman Brown stated there used to be a car wash there. Alderman Bastien stated there also used to be a drive through for the dry cleaners. These are why this is a one-way street. Alderman Hughes inquired if there was any reason to keep it a one-way street?

Motion: To open up South 16th Street from Walnut to Spruce to a 2-way street.

Motion by Alderman Bastien Second by Alderman Erbes

Alderman Campos asked if it would be no parking on one side of the street? Alderman Bratton stated the right side is parking for the beauty salon then the apartments park on the other side. If it is a 2-way street it will hurt the parking situation for all the businesses on that street. Alderman Hughes added that you can park on both sides currently. Alderman Bratton then asked Chief Swafford if it was a 2-way street how hard would it be to get a fire truck through there? Chief Swafford stated it would be difficult. Alderman Bastien stated he had not considered the parking situation and withdrew his motion. Consensus is to leave the street as is.

Public comment: Alderman Campos asked about the slashed tires and also about the robbery on Suburban Drive and only have 2 officers at night? Chief Roberts replied that the tire slashers have been caught, that 2 burglars are locked up, very low call volume at night and used to only have one officer from 3 am to 7 am and now have two. Alderman Bastien inquired about the break-ins? Chief Roberts stated they have narrowed it down, wrote a warrant and the break-ins have stopped. Also stated that he has sent three officers to Crime Scene Training School.

Alderman Hughes opened discussion for Personnel related items.

Old business: Nothing at this time.

New business:

Consideration of Closing the Administration Office: Monday, September 17th, 2018, for staff to attend LOCIS software training. It is at Fairfield, feel it is best for all 4 to go to training. Ms. Ripley feels it would be beneficial for all 4 to attend at the same time. Alderman Bratton suggested putting a notice on the water bill, text messaging service, etc.

Motion: To close the Administration Office Monday, September 17th, 2018, for staff to attend LOCIS software training.

Motion by Alderman Campos Second by Alderman Voss

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

Motion Carried

No public comment.

Mayor’s Report:

Have had good coverage regarding the Curwood Plant transfer. Solar Alliance will be putting out their own statement tomorrow.

Have received 9 applications for Fire Chief.

Aldermen Announcements/Requests:

Barb Hughes Requested Chief Roberts provide Active Shooter Training class at the Administration and Code Offices. Chief Roberts will get with Sandra to set up.

Jance Curry-Witzman Absent

Russell Brown Nothing

Herb Voss Nothing

Gary McComb Absent

John Erbes Nothing

Dan Bratton Heat and air conditioning is up and running at the Senior Citizens Center.

Mike Bastien Nothing

Gloria Campos Nothing

W. J. Pittman Absent

Department Head Announcements/Requests:

Richard Blake Nothing

Sandra Ripley Nothing

Harold Sheffer Nothing

Steve Swafford Hope to have the hydrants completed by end of month. Training with Carbondale was very beneficial.

Chad Roberts Working with Ben Reed with prosecuting ordinance violations. Warrant process for ordinance violations – court will issue warrant and if caught in surrounding areas will be brought in.

Eric Kennedy Nothing

Brian Manwaring Nothing

Darrin Mills Nothing

Motion: To adjourn

Motion by Alderman Bastien Second by Alderman Bratton

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

Motion Carried

Meeting adjourned at 7:06 p.m.

http://www.murphysboro-il.gov/files/Council_Minutes_-_2018-06-12.pdf