Carbondale Reporter

City of Murphysboro City Council met Jan. 14.

Here is the minutes provided by the council:

Present: Barb Hughes, Jance Curry-Witzman, Russell Brown, Bill Pierson, Gary McComb, John Erbes, Dan Bratton, Mike Bastien, Gloria Campos, WJ Pittman

Absent:

The council then reviewed the minutes from the previous meeting.

Motion: To approve the minutes of the December 17, 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 Hughes 

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

Motion Carried

Mayor Stephens presented the accounts payable register #833, 834, 835 and 844 as well as the accounts receivable and payroll registers for consideration. Several items were questioned. Nothing was requested to be held.

Motion: To approve the accounts payable registers #833, 834, 835 and 844, the accounts receivable and the payroll register.

Motion by Alderman McComb Second by Alderman Bastien 

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

Motion Carried

COMMITTEE/COMMISSION REPORTS

Mayor Stephens requested that the agenda be altered and to move Personnel first. Chairman Hughes opened discussion for Personnel related items. There were no items listed under old business. New Business included the discussion regarding making the position of Mayor full-time. Alderman McComb suggested that this time be taken to executive session for discussion. Alderman Hughes proposed that a committee be established to discuss the financial impacts of making the position full- time as well as developing a job description and to look at the overall legalities of changing this elected position. Alderman Pierson agreed that a committee would be the best place to start, but agreed to hear from the audience in attendance. Alderman Erbes advised that if agreed upon the change would not be effective until the next mayoral term. Attorney Heller added that any change would have to be approved prior to 180 days of the next mayoral election. Alderman Hughes established a committee of herself, Alderman Erbes, Alderman Pittman, and Alderman Pierson as well as a date for the committee to meet. The floor was then opened for public comment. Kyle Fager, Joni Beth Bailey, Rachel Ensor, Joe Fry and Molly Blew each addressed the council with their support of changing the position of mayor from part-time to full-time. Mayor Stephens requested that he be allowed to provide his perspective to the committee.

Chairman Hughes reported that negotiations with the firefighters was moving along nicely. She is hoping to have settlement with them in the near future. She also advised that meeting were set for the following week with the firefighters and public works. Negotiations with the clerical unit has stalled and are waiting on a response from their union representative.

There were no further public comments on Personnel related items.

Chairman Pittman opened discussion for Budget & Finance related items. There were no items for discussion under old business or new business and no public comment on Budget and Finance related items.

Chairman McComb opened discussion for Building and Grounds related items. There were no items for discussion under old business for discussion. He advised that we were considering the replacement of the front doors at the Youth and Recreation Center. One quote from Marion Glass & Mirror has been received. Joe Fry, Park District Director, advised that due to the amount of the first quote they are looking at alternative solutions to meet the needs of the center. Would like to hold the item on the agenda until the next meeting.

There was no public comment on Building and Grounds related items.

Mayor Stephens opened discussion for Community Relations items. He advised that Jason Bak, CEO of NuYen, was here to provide a presentation regarding the Solar Alliance project intended for the former Curwood property. Mr. Bak advised that the video presentation was a summary of who they are and what they plan to do. Questions were answered at the end of the presentation regarding the timeline of the project, what percentage of power would be provided by solar and by Ameren as well as where they projected themselves in 7 years. Mayor Stephens thanked them for their attendance and appreciation of the update that they provided.

Chairman Erbes advised that the agenda included a status update of the hotel project. Mayor Stephens advised that he last spoke to the developer in early January. The financing is scheduled to be approved this week. The project manager, Greg Helton, advised Mayor Stephens that he is ready to go when given the green light. There is an issue currently with Ameren poles being in the new right-of-way. The temporary road has been constructed. The project is looking encouraging. Alderman Bratton advised that he has concern with the location of the sewer line. There still needs to be fill place to shore it up to prevent future damage to the line.

There was no public comment on Community Relations related items.

Chairman Bastien opened discussion for Public Improvement related items. There was no items on the agenda under old business. The first item on the agenda under new business was the discussion of the alley currently closed from Walnut Street to Pine Street between 16th & 17th Street. Mayor Stephens read an update from Amy Mills regarding the sauce factory project. While no work outside is currently being performed, it is requested that the alley remain closed for protection of their workers within that location. The update from Ms. Mills further stated that their contractor was currently working on roughing in the plumbing.

Motion: To take down the barricades and open the alley from Walnut Street to Pine Street between 16th & 17th Street until work continues.

Motion by Alderman Bratton Second by Alderman McComb

Mayor called for a voice vote. Alderman Erbes and Alderman Campos opposed. All others were in favor of the motion.

Motion Carried

Chairman Bastien advised that the second item on the agenda is in regards to the clean-up of the Beckman property on North 17th Street. Mayor Stephens explained to the council his interpretation of how and why the clean-up took place beginning with the roof collapse on Sunday December 29th. Alderman Pierson stated that Mr. Beckman is upset that the personal property was removed. Alderman McComb stated that most of the items were junk, but we should have pushed down the roof to eliminate any hazard and then issue Mr. Beckman a notice to clean up the property. There was much discussion regarding the items removed, existing code violations and how we move forward. Mayor Stephens indicated that he and Alderman Pierson have set a meeting with Mr. Beckman to discuss how to settle the issue and will place it on the next agenda for further discussion.

Chairman Bastien stated that the third item on the agenda is the condition of the accessory structure at 811 North 14th Street. It appears to be falling in and in very poor condition. Eric Kennedy advised that once he saw the item on the agenda he immediately sent a demolition notice to the property owner.

The property at 631 North 15th Street was discussed. There is a complaint of people living there without water. It was agreed that the affected department work together to research and coordinate how to properly address the issue.

Alderman Curry-Witzman inquired as to the structure built over the sidewalk on South 17th Street by the museum. Mayor Stephens advised that it is a temporary structure to protect an historical dig site from the elements. He further stated that he will reach out to Mike Jones to inquire as to when the structure would be removed.

Public comment on Public Improvement related items included Don Gladden asking the status of the property known as the Old Depot. There has not been any visible work performed and most certainly no roofing work accomplished.

Chairman Bratton opened discussion for Public Works related items. There was no items listed as old business on the agenda. The first item under new business was the discussion regarding the ditch running parallel to North 16th Street from Illinois Avenue to Roberta Drive. It was stated that the drainage of this ditch is all tied into the Pond Creek/Ruble drainage issue that is currently in progress.

The second item on the agenda was the consideration of the Motor Fuel Resolution for the paving of the parking lanes along Walnut Street. This would be in coordination of the IDOT paving project this spring.

Motion: To approve the proposed Motor Fuel Resolution for the paving of the parking lanes along Walnut Street in conjunction with the IDOT paving project. 

Motion by Alderman McComb Second by Alderman Pittman

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

Motion Carried

There was no public comment on Public Works related items.

Chairman Brown opened discussion for Public Safety related items. The status of the Gillenberg property was discussed under old business. Chief McBride advised that he spoke with Joe Summers regarding the property. Mr. Summers has a contractor and is waiting on the County to give them the green light from their structural engineer. It was agreed that once the job is awarded, the City would pull their fencing and barricades as it would now be under the responsibility of the contractor to provide security.

Under new business, the council discussed the request for parking on South 13th Street by the REAL Church on Sunday only.

Motion: To authorize parking on South 13th Street in front of the REAL Church on Sunday only.

Motion by Alderman Bratton Second by Alderman Campos

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

Motion Carried

There was no public comment on Public Safety related items.

MAYOR’S REPORT

Mayor Stephens introduced to the council the new employee of the wastewater treatment plant, Travis Stewart. The council welcomed him and Travis stated that he appreciated the opportunity to work for the City of Murphysboro.

There was no discussion on the annexation of the property at Route 13/127. It was agreed that we would hold it on the agenda for the next meeting.

Mayor Stephens looked to Harold Sheffer for an update on the Ruble drainage issue. Mr. Sheffer advised that they are working on the hydraulics and legal description. A deadline was requested and Mr. Sheffer felt that he could have something for the next meeting.

Mayor Stephens referenced a copy of a quote he received for the purchase of new Christmas decorations. There was discussion regarding converting the existing decorations to LED, if we could use tourism funds and the different in the color of white lighting. Mayor Stephens advised that he will seek assistance from other groups to coordinate the decorations.

Mayor Stephens advised that the City of Murphysboro is in receipt of a grant in the amount of $60,000 for new awnings downtown. He has been seeking bids for the awnings and has found a Carbondale based company that has been very helpful. They are able to provide CAD drawings to each building owner. Mayor Stephens is seeking to waive the requirement of competitive bidding for this one item. A motion was made and withdrawn to waive the bid requirements. Attorney Heller advised that we should bring back a formal bid for consideration.

ALDERMEN ANNOUNCEMENTS/REQUESTS

Barb Hughes Stated that the Public Works is a great team that works well together. Very commendable for their recent project completion. 

Jance Curry-Witzman Nothing

Russell Brown Nothing

Bill Pierson Nothing

Gary McComb Nothing

John Erbes Noted that in the GERPDC minutes, SIMPO approved the downtown revitalization study. This is just a grant to perform the study.

Dan Bratton Advised that the new owner of the Kinkaid Marina, Mr.Alkan, was in attendance. Mr. Alkan advised that he is just attending to learn more about the community.

Mike Bastien Thanked Tim and CJ for clearing the sewer lines during the heavy rains

Gloria Campos Happy New Year, blessed to have wonderful departments 

WJ Pittman Stated that marijuana has been legal since the 1st ofJanuary and there are no issues yet

DEPARTMENT HEAD ANNOUNCEMENTS/REQUESTS

Sandra Ripley Advised that we need to consider mine subsidence insurance

Ed Heller Stated that the railroad is ready to settle the issue on North 23rd and Logan Street.

Leslie Mulholland Nothing 

Scott Evans Nothing

Harold Sheffer Nothing

Steve McBride Nothing

Jamie Ellermeyer Nothing

Eric Kennedy Nothing

Tim Lee Nothing

Brian Manwaring Nothing

Darrin Mills Nothing

Pat Gladson Nothing

Katharine Volle Nothing

Mayor Stephens indicated that we would recess for 5 minutes before going into Executive Session.

Motion: To go into executive session at 8:14 p.m.

Motion by Alderman Hughes Second by Alderman Bratton 

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

Motion Carried

Motion: To come out of executive session at 8:41 p.m.

Motion by Alderman Bratton Second by Alderman McComb 

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

Motion Carried

Motion: To resume the regular session of the City Council meeting.

Motion by Alderman Bastien Second by Alderman Erbes 

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

Motion Carried

No action taken.

Motion: To adjourn the regular session of the City Council meeting.

Motion by Alderman McComb Second by Alderman Bratton 

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

Motion Carried

http://www.murphysboro.com/Council%20Minutes%20-%202020-01-14.pdf