Carbondale Reporter

City of Murphysboro City Council met July 23.

Here is the minutes provided by the council:

The Murphysboro, Illinois, City Council met in regular session, pursuant to its ordinances, on the 23rd day of July, 2019. Mayor Stephens called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. and Alderman Hughes 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 Clerk Mulholland to call the roll. The roll was called with the following:

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

Absent: None

Chief Ellermeyer introduced new Patrolman Eric Pingolt. Mr. Pingolt said this area is a new experience for him and he is grateful for the opportunity.

Sedonia Sipes with the Historic Preservation Commission gave a presentation/update on what they have been doing. She passed out a handout with detailed information.

Presentation by the Jackson Growth Alliance regarding the Murphysboro Revitalization

Project: Cheryl gave an update, stating that the Revitalization Project has been fully funded. The consultants they are working with were in attendance - Mickey and Clint with McClure Engineering from Des Moines, Iowa. They started working with the Jackson Growth Alliance a few months ago. They have started focus groups, vision sessions, what is unique, amenities, marketing and are meeting with groups to understand Murphysboro better. Their goals are to bring businesses in and bring business owners together.

The council then reviewed the minutes from the previous meeting.

Motion: To approve the minutes of the July 9, 2019, council meeting. All aldermen received a copy of the minutes, 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

Alderman Campos inquired as to:

#791 page 3 Typewriter purchase from Amazon. Ms. Mulholland stated the old typewriter at the Daum Building broke and this was to replace it.

Motion: To approve the accounts payable, register #791 through July 19. All aldermen received a copy of the accounts payable for their review, prior to the meeting.

Motion by Alderman McCombSecond by Alderman Pierson

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.

Old Business: Nothing at this time.

New Business:

Discussion regarding Property Owner Responsibility of Water Bills: Alderman Bratton stated when the council voted to make landlords responsible it was a 9 to 1 vote, with him voting no. He wants it to be mandatory that the landlord is notified. He would like notices sent to the landlord when the tenant is not paying. Ms. Volle explained there is a process in place that does this and it is a courtesy. Alderman McComb stated sometimes we do not know who the property owner is. He stated they tried to pass that a landlord registers and pays the city a fee and that did not pass. Alderman Pittman asked if there is a spot on the application to fill in the owner’s name? Ms. Volle stated there is. Alderman Bratton stated we need an ordinance to notify the owner when the renter is delinquent. Called for a motion but did not receive a second. Alderman Hughes asked if we know who owns most of the rentals? Don Rahming said he was not notified that his tenant owed over $800. He said they were good tenants and always paid rent, until two months ago. He found out they did not have water when there was a water tank on the property. He does not think it is fair that he is responsible. Tim Lee stated we have criminal cases against the tenant because of theft of water. Brooke Guthman stated that at Egyptian they turn the customer over to collections and that bill stays with the customer. Linda Herrold asked questions as a property owner.

No public comment.

Alderman McComb opened discussion for Building & Grounds related items.

Old Business: Nothing at this time.

New Business:

Consideration of Bids for HVAC system to serve Police Chief’s Office and Dispatch: Alderman McComb stated he thought Voss’ bid for the HVAC should be considered because they are in Murphysboro, we get tax money from them, they service the city and it was only a few hundred dollars difference.

Motion: To approve the bid from Voss for the HVAC system to serve the Police Chief’s Office and Dispatch.

Motion by Alderman Bratton

Second by Alderman Pittman

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

Motion Carried

Update on Gillenberg’s: Chief McBride stated they are dealing with the insurance. No one is in the Willis Building. County has moved their offices.

No public comment.

Alderman Erbes opened discussion for Community Relations Committee related items.

Old Business: Nothing at this time.

New Business:

Consideration of Ordinance approving the Downtown TIF Redevelopment Plan and Redevelopment Project:

Motion: To approve the Ordinance approving the Downtown TIF Redevelopment Plan and Redevelopment Project.

Motion by Alderman McComb

Second by Alderman Hughes

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

Motion Carried

Consideration of Ordinance designating the Downtown TIF Redevelopment Project Area:

Motion: To approve the Ordinance designating the Downtown TIF Redevelopment Project Area.

Motion by Alderman Hughes

Second by Alderman Campos

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

Motion Carried

Consideration of Ordinance adopting Tax Increment Financing:

Motion: To approve the Ordinance adopting Tax Increment Financing.

Motion by Alderman McComb

Second by Alderman Pittman

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

Motion Carried

Alderman Campos stated the business owner of CBD Oils was upset because he did not get a letter about the feather flag, it went to the property owner. She stated we should send letters to both the property owner and the business owner. Mayor Stephens stated he also spoke with the business owner.

No public comment.

Alderman Bastien opened discussion for Public Improvement related items.

Old business:

Discussion regarding the condition of various properties:

1.Old Depot: No update. Alderman Bratton stated will contact him next week.

2.North 17th Street: No movement. Mr. Beckman is having health issues.

3.South 14th Street: A dumpster has been moved in and is full again.

4.North 19th Street: Mr. Cripps checks in with the Code Office. Has moved two vehicles, more will be moved in the next couple of weeks. He is covering up more of the area. Mr. Cripps was present, stated he is getting the property cleaned up but has been having health issues.

Mayor Stephens brought up 208 North 9th Street and its condition. He would like it watched, Alderman Bastien asked that it be added to the agenda.

New business:

Consideration of Resolution for Legal Services: Mayor Stephens stated he applied for a grant for new awnings, working with Greater Egypt. That grant needs the city to show in the minutes where they have legal services.

Motion: To approve resolution of legal services by Reed, Heller and Roberts.

Motion by Alderman Bratton

Second by Alderman Campos

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

Motion Carried

No public comment.

Alderman Bratton opened discussion for Public Works related items.

Old business:

Discussion regarding Truck Usage on South 20th Street: Alderman Pierson spoke with someone that works with Illinois State Police and they recommend restricting it to an H plate street, which would be a 26,000 pound limit. Alderman Erbes asked does it include trash trucks? Alderman Pierson stated we would have to make a variance. Alderman McComb stated there is a truck route around town to avoid 20th Street. Mayor Stephens stated we would need to coordinate with the county. Alderman Pierson stated we would have to start at Route 3.

Consideration of Bids received for the Overlay Project on South 20th Street: Mr. Sheffer stated he is waiting on bids, looking at new prices. May have to re-bid but does not want to do that. Mayor Stephens stated it is ridiculous that ETSimonds won’t honor their prices.

Discussion regarding Wastewater Treatment Plant Generators: Mr. Stewart has gotten bids on portable generators. Generators have been moved frequently because of space to store them. He has bids from Samron to mount one generator at Jackson Square for $2954.00 and one for Ritter Street Lift Station for $13,750.00. The Jackson Square generator can come from Mr. Stewart’s budget this year. Alderman Bratton stated we do not have $13,730 in the budget for Ritter Street. He would like Mr. Evans to find a way to get this done this year. It could potentially effect Bid Muddy Assisted Living, could come back on the city.

Motion: To approve the Samron bid of $2954.00 to mount the generator at Jackson Square.

Motion by Alderman Bastien

Second by Alderman Pittman

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

Motion Carried

New business:

Update on Lighting Grant at Wastewater Treatment Plant: Mr. Stewart stated he applied for the grant.

Alderman Campos asked Mr. Lee about a sinkhole. Mr. Lee stated he would go in when it is dry.

No public comment.

Alderman Brown opened discussion for Public Safety related items.

Old business: Nothing at this time.

New business:

Consideration of Request for Street Lighting at the entrance to the Jackson County Ambulance: Alderman Bratton stated he will check on it, thought a light is already there. Mayor Stephens asked the police department to look into it.

Consideration of Amendment to Revised code 27-2-8 regarding the Sale of Cigarettes/Tobacco to minors: Attorney Blake stated this would be adopting the State statute.

Motion: To approve the Amendment to Revised Code 27-2-8 regarding the Sale of Cigarettes/Tobacco to minors.

Motion by Alderman Bratton

Second by Alderman Bastien

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

Motion Carried

No public comment.

Alderman Hughes opened discussion for Personnel related items.

Old business: Nothing at this time.

New business: Nothing at this time.

No public comment.

MAYOR’S REPORT

Consideration of Ordinance annexing the Wastewater Treatment Plant Property:

Motion: To approve the Ordinance annexing the Wastewater Treatment Plant Property.

Motion by Alderman CamposSecond by Alderman Pierson

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

Motion Carried

Consideration of Ordinance amending the offense of discharge of firearms within City Limits:

Motion: To approve the Ordinance amending the offense of discharge of firearms within City Limits.

Motion by Alderman Bratton

Second by Alderman Erbes

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

Motion Carried

Discussion regarding Liquor Licenses/Video Gaming: Mayor Stephens stated he would like to cap video gaming at the current 11 establishments, that are allowed by state six machines per establishment. That would cap it at 66.

Motion: To cap Video Gaming at the current 66.

Motion by Alderman PiersonSecond by Alderman Bratton

Mayor Stephens called for a roll call vote.

Yeas: Alderman Curry-Witzman, Alderman Brown, Alderman Pierson, Alderman Bratton

Nays: Alderman Hughes, Alderman McComb, Alderman Erbes, Alderman Bastien, Alderman Campos, Alderman Pittman

Absent: None

Motion Did Not Pass

Discussion regarding Adult-Use Cannabis: Mayor Stephens passed out an information sheet, had a draft ordinance from the Illinois Municipal League. Not asking for a motion on this issue. Alderman Bratton stated he is 300% against it. Alderman Campos and Alderman Pierson agreed. Alderman Erbes stated look at the zoning. Alderman Hughes stated we can’t change it, people will get it somewhere, look at zoning.

ALDERMEN ANNOUNCEMENTS/REQUESTS

Barb Hughes Nothing

Jance Curry-Witzman Nothing

Russell Brown Nothing

William Pierson Nothing

Gary McComb21 to buy tobacco but can serve our country and no law against kids smoking them, only buying.

John Erbes Nothing

Dan Bratton Nothing

Mike Bastien Nothing

Gloria Campos Nothing

W. J. Pittman Nothing

DEPARTMENT HEAD ANNOUNCEMENTS/REQUESTS

Richard Blake Nothing

Sandra Ripley Absent

Harold Sheffer Nothing

Steve McBride Nothing

Jamie Ellermeyer Nothing

Scott Evans Absent

Eric Kennedy Absent

Tim Lee Nothing

Brian Manwaring Nothing

Darrin Mills Absent

Jim Stewart Nothing

Motion: To adjourn

Motion by Alderman Bastien 

Second by Alderman McComb

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

Motion Carried

Meeting adjourned at 7:45 p.m.

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