Carbondale Reporter

City of Murphysboro City Council met Sept. 11.

Here is the minutes provided by the Council:

he Murphysboro, Illinois, City Council met in regular session, pursuant to its ordinances, on the 11th day of September, 2018. Mayor Stephens called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. and Pastor Shaker Samuel 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 Deputy City Clerk Ripley to call the roll. The roll was called with the following

Present: Barb Hughes, Russell Brown, Herb Voss, Gary McComb, John Erbes, Dan Bratton, Gloria Campos, WJ Pittman

Absent: Jance Curry-Witzman, Mike Bastien

The council then reviewed the minutes from the previous meeting.

Motion: To approve the minutes of the August 28, 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 Hughes

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

Motion Carried

Mayor Stephens presented the accounts payable register #704, #705 and #706 as well as the accounts receivable and payroll registers for consideration. The invoice for repair to the window unit in the police chief’s office was discussed.

Motion: To approve the accounts payable registers #704, #705, #706, accounts receivable and payroll registers.

Motion by Alderman McComb Second by Alderman Campos Mayor called for a voice vote. All were in favor.

Motion Carried

COMMITTEE/COMMISSION REPORTS

Chairman Pittman opened discussion for Budget & Finance related items. There were no old or new business for discussion.

There was no public comment on Budget and Finance related items.

Chairman McComb opened discussion for Building and Grounds related items. Old business for discussion included painting at Fire Station 2. Swafford indicated that he is getting quotes for options of painting or re-siding the structure. He is also researching quotes for pole barn metal to be installed. The next item discussed was the consideration of extending the alley off of 23rd & Gartside Street. City Engineer Sheffer will identify the right-of-way lines and then an estimate will be obtained for rock placement. That bid will be brought back to the council for consideration. The next item under old business was the mow-to-own program. Mayor Stephens presented a very basic draft program. Each step and specific requirements were discussed. Residency requirements were also mentioned. It was agreed that neighbors of the vacant properties should be given first opportunity to participate or decline. Alderman Hughes inquired who will be the party to monitor this program. It was agreed that the Code Enforcement Office would be the monitoring department.

Under new business, the council discussed the need to replace the culvert at the entrance on the west side of our building on Harrison Road. Street Foremen, Darrin Mills, indicated that Somerset Township may replace the culvert at no cost to the City. He will inquire and report back.

Alderman McComb opened up any public comment on Building and Grounds items. Ruby Sendek asked when the decision would be made on Fire Station #2. She also complimented the street department on upgrading the culvert on North 22nd Street. Don Gladden suggested that a sign-off form be available for residents opting to decline participation in the mow-to-own program. He also suggested that the program begin in April to allow for two full mowing seasons to cycle through before anyone takes ownership.

Chairman Erbes opened discussion for Community Relations items. Items on the agenda were only informational in nature. The first item reminded Council members that the Apple Festival parade line-up will begin at 10am at 21st & Walnut Street. Everyone walking is requested to bring a basket to distribute apples from. Joe Fry, Murphysboro Park District Director, was in attendance to invite council members to participate at Community Night Out by helping to serve the meal being provided. Anyone available to help is requested to be there by 4:30 p.m. Alderman McComb advised that the City is once again sponsoring a game at the event and he will man that station. Additionally, he will be purchasing approximately 25 bales of straw for the game and later taken to Public Works for future use. Feed the Team was also discussed. Alderman Hughes is once again spear-heading this event on October 19th. Everyone is invited to help serve.

There was no public comment on Community Relations related items.

Mayor Stephens opened discussion for Public Improvement related items. There was no old or new business on the agenda.

There was no public comment on Public Improvement related items.

Chairman Bratton opened discussion for Public Works related items. There was no old business on the agenda. New items discussed included the evaluation of the water distribution system performed by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency. There were no violations, only recommendations. Bids for the water main replacement at the Big Muddy Gas Plant site were discussed. City Engineer Sheffer advised that AECOM will be billed for all services. Mayor Stephens distributed an email with an update on the other engineering projects currently in progress. The additional cost to the wetland bank for the upgrade to the wastewater treatment plant road was specifically discussed.

There was no public comment on Public Works related items.

Chairman Brown opened discussion for Public Safety related items. There was no items under old or new business on the agenda. Mayor asked Acting Chief Laughland for an update on the disposal of the surplus vehicles. Laughland indicated that one vehicle was ready to go to Cannings for auction on September 15th.

There was no public comment on Public Safety related items.

Alderman Hughes opened discussion for Personnel related items. There were no old items listed on the agenda. Alderman Hughes advised that a patrolman was hired and would start on October 8th. Mr. Brandon Bauer was a lateral hire, so minimal training would be needed. Alderman Bratton requested that the council review the family ride-along policy. Insurance coverage was discussed. It is believed that no actual policy exists and that it is only being allowed within the police department.

Motion: To reverse the decision to allow family members to ride-along in police department vehicles.

Motion by Alderman Bratton Second by Alderman Brown Mayor Stephens called for a voice vote.

Yes – Alderman Hughes, Brown, Voss, McComb, Erbes, Bratton, Campos No – Alderman Pittman

Motion Carried

There was no public comments on Personnel related items.

MAYOR’S REPORT

Mayor Stephens advised that he met with Cary Minnis, Director of Greater Egypt Regional Planning and Development Commission. They installed a camera at 21st & Walnut Street in an effort to get data for the Safe Route to School grant.

Attorney Blake advised that he spoke with the attorney for Ms. Holman regarding the complaint to make the Brown Shoe Factory property safe and secure. Rawson Excavating will be producing an estimate for Ms. Holman’s consideration.

Motion: To go into executive session at 7:08 p.m. to discuss matters related to 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(5) regarding acquisition of real property and matters related to 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(11) regarding pending or possible litigation.

Motion by Alderman McComb Second by Alderman Bratton

Yeas: Alderman Hughes, Brown, Voss, McComb, Erbes, Bratton, Campos, Pittman Nays: None

Absent: Alderman Curry-Witzman, Bastien

Motion Carried

Motion: To come out of executive session at 7:21 p.m.

Motion by Alderman McComb Second by Alderman Brown

Yeas: Aldermen Hughes, Brown, Voss, McComb, Erbes, Bratton, Campos, Pittman Nays: None

Absent: Aldermen Curry-Witzman, Bastien

Motion Carried

ALDERMEN ANNOUNCEMENTS/REQUESTS

Barb Hughes Nothing

Jance Curry-Witzman Absent

Russell Brown Nothing

Herb Voss Nothing

Gary McComb Reminded everyone not to let anyone, especially kids, to

get apples off of the trailer.

John Erbes Nothing

Dan Bratton Thanked Public Works for their hard work in preparation

of Apple Festival and BBQ Competition

Mike Bastien Absent

Gloria Campos Commended the Murphysboro MainStreet organization

for making Murphysboro look good

WJ Pittman Inquired about IDOT mowing the right-of-ways. Stated

that North 6th Street by John Street was very dangerous.

DEPARTMENT HEAD ANNOUNCEMENTS/REQUESTS

Sandra Ripley Nothing

Richard Blake Nothing

Harold Sheffer Nothing

Steve Swafford Advised that his retirement would be moved up to

October 7th

Mike Laughland Nothing

Scott Evans Nothing

Steve McBride Advised that he may be late for the September 25th city

council meeting as he is being honored in Carbondale

that evening

Darrin Mills Nothing

Eric Kennedy 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 7:32 p.m.

http://www.murphysboro-il.gov/files/Council_Minutes_-_2018-09-11.pdf