Carbondale Reporter

           

Murphysboro City Council met Nov. 26.

Here is the minutes provided by the council:

The Murphysboro, Illinois, City Council met in regular session, pursuant to its ordinances, on the 26th day of November, 2019. Mayor Stephens called the meeting to order at 6:05 p.m. and invited Alderman Hughes to lead 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, Jance Curry-Witzman, Russell Brown, William Pierson, Gary McComb, John Erbes, Dan Bratton, Mike Bastien, Gloria Campos

Absent:W.J. Pittman

The council then reviewed the minutes from the previous meeting.

Motion: To approve the minutes of the November 12, 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

The council then reviewed the minutes from the Budget and Finance Committee Meeting from November 14, 2019.

Motion: To approve the minutes of the November 14, 2019, Budget and Finance Committee meeting. All aldermen received a copy of the minutes, for their review, prior to the meeting.

Motion by Alderman Erbes

Second by Alderman Campos

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

Motion Carried

Alderman Bratton inquired as to:

#826 page 2 Blue Valley? EMS siren control cabinet.

page 2 Bower rock – gun range? Yes.

page 4 First Bankcard – controller hat? WWTP. Rack tire? Server tower.

Eye wash? Fire Department did not have one, this one attaches to the sink. Ammo/target? Ammo for the Fall night shoot.

page 5 Heartland? Alderman McComb met with them, last mowing, they said they were done. I told him need to level graves. They did one gravesite. Ok to release this one.

page 10 St. Joseph Hospital? Fire truck came in contact with the canopy.

Alderman Erbes asked if need to turn in to insurance? Ms. Ripley stated have a $1000 deductible, may increase the rates. Mayor Stephens stated he discussed both options with Ms. Ripley.

Alderman Bratton stated just pay it. Eye wash station? Had to replace the original one at the sewer plant.

Alderman Hughes inquired as to:

#826 page 3 Lift station in General Fund instead of WWTP? Ms. Ripley stated will be checking.

Alderman Campos inquired as to:

#826 page 5 Nextiva? Phone bill, split in General Fund and water/sewer.

Motion: To approve the accounts payable, register #826, through November 26, 2019. All aldermen received a copy of the accounts payable for their review, prior to the meeting.

Motion by Alderman Second by Alderman

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: Nothing at this time.

New Business:

Financial Reports by Budget Officer Scott Evans: The Cash Balance decrease was mostly due to the semi-annual WWTP payment. It was another good month for Sales Tax, up from last year. Income Tax was up slightly from the previous year. The General Fund Revenue is ahead of what was anticipated. Salaries are slightly under budget. Health Insurance had two months of premiums in one month due to change in provider. Should have none due in November since paid in October.

No public comment.

Alderman McComb opened discussion for Building & Grounds related items.

Old Business:

Apple Festival Bakery building: Alderman Hughes stated she si still getting calls about this – it is on the sidewalk, they can’t see around it to pull out. Mayor Stephens stated he has spoken to Mr. Stearns regarding this, he is going to move it. Getting with Express Towing to move it to the city lot behind Real church. Will check with him in the morning.

New Business:

Consideration of Termination of Current Cemetery Contract: Alderman McComb stated they are done with mowing. Will put up for bid, can give them 30-day notice. Attorney Heller asked if they are finished. Alderman McComb stated they have to finish some graves – level, seed and straw. Have bumped some tombstones, burnt up some grass. Attorney Heller asked if under their contract they are supposed to do grave maintenance all winter long, until March 31? Alderman McComb answered yes. Attorney Heller asked if fixing graves is part of his contract? Alderman McComb answered yes. Mayor Stephens asked his contract expires March 31, no automatic renewal? No. It will expire then and then will be put out for bid for the next year. If it is cancelled, he has no motivation to finish. Attorney Heller asked if the city is holding any money? Alderman McComb answered have $3400.00 held back until he gets it done. Alderman Bratton stated we paid for mowings except $3400, wait until he gets done, then put it out for bid. Alderman McComb stated then will leave him until his contract is up, not take any action tonight. Alderman Bratton thanked Alderman McComb for all his hard work out there. Alderman Campos stated let him know what needs to be done or he can sue. Alderman McComb stated that he told him what else needs to be done, it is in the contract. Some of it is from settling. Mayor Stephens stated they will do the work, once the check is held up, they will call.

MYRC Loading dock: Mayor Stephens stated there are continual complaints by MYRC employees that they are unable to use it, it is full of the city’s stuff. Would like to wait until Mr. Manwaring is present to discuss.

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:

Discussion regarding the condition of various properties:

1.Old Depot: Alderman Bratton stated the roof is under contract. Mayor Stephens stated he has not heard anything additional.

2.North 17th Street: Mr. Kennedy stated it is still being worked on.

3.17th & Walnut Street: Alderman Bastien stated Attorney Blake was going to check ordinances regarding the requirement for slats. Attorney Heller stated it is only required in B2 district, not in B1 district. Would need to change the ordinance. Mayor Stephens asked if would need to amend requirements or re-zoning? Attorney Heller answered amending B1. Mayor Stephens asked what the implications would be for the rest of the district? Attorney Heller stated B2 is the highway district and B1 is the town district. Mr. Kennedy stated B1 is the entire downtown and a couple of blocks back. Attorney Heller stated it requires screening for any lot that abuts a residential district. Alderman Erbes noted that the Lutheran School has slats and is in B1.

4.South 14th Street: Mr. Kennedy stated it looks the same but looks better. Mayor Stephens stated it is essentially cleaned up, need to leave on the agenda? Alderman Bastien suggested taking it off and keeping an eye on it.

5.North 19th Street: Alderman Bastien stated it is the same. Mr. Kennedy stated he will talk to the owner tomorrow.

6.902/908 Locust Street: Alderman Bastien stated 902 is up for taxes. Mr. Kennedy stated he is checking with Jackson County as to what was bought.

Front of the Police Department Building: Alderman Campos asked if anything was decided. Chief Ellermeyer stated that would be for the council to discuss and decide.

New business: Nothing at this time.

No public comment.

Alderman Bratton opened discussion for Public Works related items.

Old business: Nothing at this time.

New business:

Ordinance amending groundwater ordinance in the area of 20th & Walnut Street:

Motion: To amend the groundwater ordinance in the area of 20th & Walnut Street.

Motion by Alderman McCombSecond by Alderman Bastien

Mayor Stephens 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 the Gillenberg Property: Chief McBride stated no change since the last council meeting. The county’s insurance is still deciding what to do, Joe Summers is ready to go. Alderman Hughes asked about the orange fencing. Chief McBride answered they have put some back up, the wind keeps blowing it down. Alderman Bratton asked if there was anything they can do to push the county along? Attorney Heller stated the county’s insurance says their building is damaged due to the collapse of Joe’s building. Joe’s insurance says there is not a common wall, the county’s wall is only up due to Joe’s wall, Joe’s is in better shape.

New business: Nothing at this time.

No public comment.

Alderman Hughes opened discussion for Personnel related items.

Old business:

Contract Update: Mayor Stephens stated he has received a letter from the FOP, will start on their contract soon. Alderman Hughes stated currently working on administration and fire department contracts.

Mayor Stephens stated Ron Burdick is resigning from the Fire and Police Commission Board as of December 31, 2019. Will be appointing someone to replace him in the near future. Alderman Hughes stated she has the name of someone to consider.

Alderman Bratton asked about an update on Mark Tincher. Chief Ellermeyer stated he came in today, is off until January 12, 2020, his doctor would not release him. Mayor Stephens stated can be discussed in executive session.

New business: Nothing at this time.

No public comment.

MAYOR’S REPORT

Annexation of Property: Attorney Heller stated he will be talking to Scott Maloney. Mayor Stephens stated 127 N/IL 149 intersection property, potential for development, would like the property to be annexed.

Has contracted with Southwest Bus Service to take fans to Dekalb for the championship game. Have three buses, so far 114 tickets sold.

New Hotel: Temporary road has been put in. Too wet to pour footings at the moment.

ALDERMEN ANNOUNCEMENTS/REQUESTS

Barb HughesFed the team, was really nice, had the amount needed donated. Wished everyone a wonderful holiday with their family and stated we as a country are blessed.

Jance Curry-Witzman Nothing

Russell Brown Nothing

William Pierson Nothing

Gary McComb Nothing

John ErbesAsked if have received EPA permit? Mr. Sheffer stated yes and the Corp permit has been received.

Dan BrattonCorp permit? Mr. Sheffer answered the contractor is going to schedule to get in there, have Holcomb do some boring. He wished everyone a good Thanksgiving and congratulated Mayor Stephens on filing for Representative and wished him luck.

Mike BastienNothing

Gloria Campos Wished everyone a Happy thanksgiving and encouraged the council to sponsor someone to go to the football game.

W. J. PittmanAbsent

DEPARTMENT HEAD ANNOUNCEMENTS/REQUESTS

Ed Heller Nothing

Sandra Ripley Stated packets for next week’s meeting may not have everything in them but will get handed out at the meeting.

Scott Evans Go Red Devils.

Harold Sheffer Nothing

Steve McBride Nothing

Jamie Ellermeyer Went to Officer Pingolt’s graduation. Mayor Stephens thanked Chief Ellermeyer for the escorts for the football team.

Eric Kennedy Nothing

Tim Lee Absent

Brian Manwaring Absent

Darrin Mills Absent

Jim Stewart Nothing

Katharine Volle: Nothing

Motion: To adjourn

Motion by Alderman Erbes

Second by Alderman Hughes

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

Motion Carried

Meeting adjourned at 7:09 p.m.

http://www.murphysboro.com/government/administration/council_meetings/meeting_agendas_and_minutes.php