Carbondale Reporter

City of Herrin City Council met June 24.

Here is the minutes provided by the council:

PUBLIC

Mayor Steve Frattini called the meeting to order and asked Terry Griffith, West Monroe Apostolic Church to lead us in prayer. Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Shelly Huggins, City Clerk called the roll and the following were present:

STEVE FRATTINI..........Mayor

SHELLY HUGGINS...........City Clerk

CARL GOODWIN...........Treasurer - absent

JOHN BREWSTER...........City Attorney

SHEILA AHLGREN...........Alderman Ward I

DAVID SHOEMAKE...........Alderman Ward I

RANDY CROMPTON...........Alderman Ward II

PAUL YORK...........Alderman Ward II

STEVE MILLER...........Alderman Ward III

SCOTT KINLEY...........Alderman Ward III

BILL SIZEMORE...........Alderman Ward IV

MARILYN RUPPEL...........Alderman Ward IV

Andy Shoemake addressed the sale of Lake #2. He has had other numerous comments from other residents that are against us selling the lake as he is. He believes the lake has been ignored and not received the attention it deserves. He believes that with a little work and help from residents that we could make it a valuable asset. Such as, charging for permits to use with a key if necessary.

Josh Gross DuQuoin State Fair Manager - Business cards available. Welcoming everyone to come out to the fair. He expresses that he grew up in Perry County and was an elected official in the county. He believes the fair is a great asset for the county, trying to restore as it was when he was a child.

DR. GARY APGAR, SIU PROFESSOR DEPT OF AGRICULTURE 

Addressing the pig running around town. Mayor stated some of Dr. Apgar's credentials and introduced him. Dr. Apgar has dedicated his whole life to pigs. He chose Illinois as it is highly ranked in pig production. Biggest concem to the City is public health. He left a handout from the Veterinary association regarding swine disease. Pig has already made a wallering hole and when they go in there they are causing cooling. They also defecate and expound their urine to keep the hole wet and feces carries disease. He could be using baseball fields as his spot therefore leaving his mark and disease. He is pushing 250-300 pounds and is about 45% muscle and no one can tell him how big his flight zone is(meaning how far he will wonder and how he may attack). Pigs can be very aggressive and are more intelligent. More so than a domesticated dog. As pig becomes more socialized is it a valid concern that a child could be at a picnic at the park and the pig decide to be aggressive toward the child for its food. Pigs have large mandibular muscle and not only to they bite they crush bones. Pigs are also near sighted and may run into traffic and then risk is of being hit. Once it gets a taste of blood it may look for additional. The purchase of a "pork chop" is to create lots of pork chops", so he only knows of commercial contacts for pig. Dr. Apgar has given handout to make a trap of sorts to tap the pig and then we could load her into a trailer. Some of her disease she is carrying could be transported to dogs, cats and humans. They may try to escape other animals but due to history they may defend themselves. Dr. Apgar would not want a pig running around next to his house.

MINUTES OF JUNE 10, 2019 MEETING

Motion made by Alderman Shoemake, seconded by Alderman York to approve the minutes of the June 10, 2019 Council Meeting. Alderman Shoemake, York, Crompton, Miller, Kinley, Sizemore, Ruppel and Ahlgren voted “Yea”. None voted "Nay".

TREASURER'S REPORT

Treasurer Carl Goodwin was absent from the meeting.

BUDGET OFFICE 

Carrie Cravens, Budget Director stated the MFT audit has been completed. There were 3 findings, 1 in our favor, 2 that are not. He will be back every 18 months to keep it current. The budget office has to get a new server, it has reached its end of life. The Microsoft package will no longer update and due to sensitive information we have to receive updates. We will put out for bid and will discuss in committee with audit discussions

CODES/ ANIMAL 

Codes Administrator Robert Craig had nothing to report.

PUBLIC WORKS 

Bill Sizemore, Chairman of the Public Works stated street dept. has been patching potholes.

Tom Somers, Public Works Director was absent from the meeting

PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT 

Marilyn Ruppel, Chairman of the Public Improvement had nothing to report.

PUBLIC SAFETY Quinn Laird, Police Chief gave reminder that Herrin is a large City and the police can't be everywhere at the same time. Please report things to them, they rely heavily on resident reports. He has notice that people are always commenting and complaining on Facebook and when he checks the tapes during those times there have been no reports. Please call in your reports, don't just post on Facebook as it is not monitored 24/7.

Shawn Priddy, Fire Chief stated the repeater was damaged by mice. New repeater has been purchased and is in place and we are trying to get some coverage from insurance. They will also work on securing better to prevent any further damage.

David Shoemake, Chairman of the Public Safety Committee stated they met earlier, items later.

FINANCE 

Motion was made by Alderman York, seconded by Alderman Shoemake to authorize bills to be paid before the Council. Alderman York, Crompton, Miller, Kinley, Sizemore, Ruppel, Ahlgren and Shoemake voted “Yea". None voted "Nay".

INSURANCE 

Sheila Ahlgren, Chairman of the Insurance Committee had nothing to report.

LIBRARY 

Marilyn Ruppel, Liaison for the Herrin City Library stated there was an increase of 4% in circulation, open 26 days in May, 147 users per day on OPAC, 5,868 registered borrowers and 45,100 volumes available. Summer Reading Program – 6/27 make are from nature, 7/11 Parent Trap movie with popcom and 7/18 Blazing the Trail.

CIVIC CENTER

Scott Kinley, Liaison for the Herrin Civic Center stated 6/25 NO Queen of Hearts $10,858, 7/2 SIH event.

NEW BUSINESS:

CONTRACT LABORER'S LOCAL 773 DISPATCH 

Alderman Shoemake made the motion, seconded by Alderman Miller to approve Contract with Laborer's Local 773 – Dispatch. Alderman York, Miller, Kinley, Sizemore, Ruppel, Ahlgren, Shoemake and Crompton voted "Yea”. None voted "Nay". Public Safety recommended.

AUTHORIZATION TO GO OUT FOR BIDS CITY LAKE #2 

Motion made by Alderman York, seconded by Alderman Kinley to authorize going out for bids for Herrin City Lake #2. Recommended by Finance committee. Alderman Kinley agrees with resident that the Lake may have a lot to offer, however the liabilities greater outweigh. We do not have the manpower to monitor the lake as it needs to be. Alderman Crompton stated we are setting a minimum bid on this so we don't foresee us being able to offset $1.2 million dollars even on a long term. Alderman Ruppel believes that it is worth more but if the rest of the committee goes along with it. The 1.2 brings about $4,500 per acre and it is a pretty fair price as some of the area may be worth more but there is more that wouldn't be worth nearly that much. The lake in past decades it could be a backup water resource and did help the City of Marion when they used to use their own city lake for water. However, neither of us need the backup water supply nor do we have the equipment to purify the water. At one time it was pursued as a recreational endeavor but that never panned out. Most recently we have had to send equipment and manpower down to clean up trash. Also recently there were persons using as a homestead. There are exposures of persons swimming and rope swinging there which is not allowed by rules. $15,000 was spend many years ago to do a feasibility study on the lake. The development costs for that type of activity would be so great that we do not have the resources to develop. The profits from the lake will be put into City reserves as we do not have any reserves at this time. This gives us reassurance that we can continue to do business and give us a greater bond rating that will help our future credit needs. There are many City positives in selling. We are surrounded by many lakes in Southern Illinois. There are many elements that are included in deciding to get out of the recreational real estate business. Alderman Kinley stated he doesn't want to see the lake go but the liabilities out weight any potential gains. This idea has been talked about for quite some time.

Advertise locally go out for bids by publishing in local paper, then to a regional paper, then to a free real estate listing site, minimum bid $1.2 million. Sealed bid and anyone who submits sealed big may be present at bid opening and can raise their bid if they would like. If they have put in a qualified sealed bid they can do it auction style at that meeting. Advertising costs will be minimal in our local market. Lake #1 is still ours and we do not have any plans to liquidate it. Alderman Miller, Kinley, Sizemore, Ruppel, Ahlgren, Shoemake, Crompton and York voted "Yea”. None voted “Nay”.

AGREEMENT TRI Utility TRI UTILITY REDUCTIONS INC. 

Motion made by Alderman Kinley, seconded by Alderman Sizemore to approve agreeinent with Cost Reductions Inc. The language regarding confidential terms has to be removed. All agreements that involve the City are public information. It could be accepted striking this verbiage. A couple alderman wish to table until we get change made. Motion and second withdrawn. We will reach out to the company to strike the verbiage and submit corrected agreement to consider next meeting.

MAYOR Bad weather over the weekend, City held up pretty well had a few clogged culverts. However, wird biew many limbs down, if you have some please place and curb and city will pick up, it may take some time but you may call the water dept. and have them put you on the list. This is for storm tree limbs only.

Sign - electronic sign isn't working. We are looking at updating it. We have some donated funds to the City. Committee chaired by Alderman York and include him, Alderman Ahlgren, Alderman Kinley and Alderman Sizemore. Alderman York and Kinley have dealt with this in their jobs. Committee to come back to council with a recommendation, meeting Friday 6/28 at 1:30 p.m.

AMS services rail provider in town last week and met with Greater Egypt regional planning commission, 2 grants being worked on 1 for building and property improvement and a 2nd for crossing improvements. For the first time in the history of Herrin that we will be making money on the railroad. Monthly payment for being here and should be receiving first check next week. $1,000 per month base and then a percentage of the rail activity once it begins. The have purchased old depot from the current owner, closing on July 1. The have a plan to turn it into apartments or will come up with something else that the community will be proud of.

Presentation from Dr. Apgar gave us some enlightening information regarding health aspects and problems with having swine roaming in our town. We now have 2 pigs roaming. Mayor will provide additional information via the City Clerk to the council regarding rehoming the pigs. Increased calls regarding pig property damage. Looking for ideas to renome. Newspaper will help put word out looking for someone to trap and rehome the pig outside of our city limits and provide with adequate pens and shelter. Mayor stated there are several communities throughout the US with pig issues. Give information to city clerk

COUNCIL

Alderman Crompton regarding aggregation emails we have received. Our aggregate company has addressed that there is a 2 cent difference between it and Ameren's rate. He believes that we need to see what can be offered. You may opt out at any time but will have to stay for a minimum of a year,

Alderman Ruppel stated we have recycling out at the garage. She stated that this is in pretty bad shape. Public Improvement meeting 7/8 at 1:30 p.m.

Alderman Shoemake stated he knows that we can dump yard waste as residents which is fine. However, we now have commercial tree trimmers dumping for nothing. Mayor will discuss with tonn.

Alderman Miller stated we share one of the same landlords as Marion. These houses have had occasion that someone is living in them without services. If that happens, we serve them with notice that they cannot live there. Maybe we can work with Marion to address these landlords that allow violations to occur. We are picking up a lot of dogs. We are struggling with help. We found money for raises and for other things. We need to either get all in or get out. We have to figure out a way to address this. We need to revisit. Boat ramp issues at City Lake #1, not being kept up. There have been many persons using the lake. There are no parks out that way so there are many persons using the lake. There is a dumpster there. Hopefully it doesn't get abused. May need to put out a smaller canister.

Alderman Ahlgren appreciates everyone coming to these meetings and you are getting it firsthand. She asks people to come to the meetings rather than just hide behind the computers on facebook.

Alderman Sizemore 14,000 for high school alumni golf fundraiser.

ADJOURN

Motion made by Alderman Miller, seconded by Alderman Kinley to adjourn. Alderman Sizemore, Ruppel, Ahlgren, Shoemake, Crompton, York, Miller and Kinley voted “Yea”. None voted "Nay".

http://www.cityofherrin.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/minutes-062419-signed.pdf