Carbondale Reporter

City of Murphysboro City Council met May 26.

Here is the minutes provided by the council:

The Murphysboro, Illinois, City Council met in regular session, pursuant to its ordinances. Mayor Stephens called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m. and 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 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, Gloria Campos, W.J. Pittman

Absent:Mike Bastien

The council then reviewed the minutes from the previous meeting.

Motion: To approve the minutes of the May 12, 2020, council meeting. All aldermen received a copy of the minutes, for their review, prior to the meeting.

Motion by Alderman McCombSecond by Alderman Bratton

Mayor Stephens called for a roll call vote.

Yeas: Alderman Hughes, Alderman Curry-Witzman, Alderman Pierson, Alderman McComb, Alderman Erbes, Alderman Bratton, Alderman Campos, Alderman Pittman.

Nays: None

Absent: Alderman Bastien

No Response: Alderman Brown

Motion Carried

Alderman Bratton inquired as to:

#930 page 6 Midway Concrete – city’s or provide for Walnut St? For city for the sidewalks.

Alderman Pierson inquired as to:

#930 page 7Concrete – for the sidewalks being replaced? For sidewalks the city is replacing (not the grant), budgeted.

Motion: To approve the accounts payable, register #929 & #930 through May 26, 2020. All aldermen received a copy of the accounts payable for their review, prior to the meeting.

Motion by Alderman McCombSecond by Alderman Bratton

Mayor Stephens called for a roll call vote.

Yeas: Alderman Hughes, Alderman Curry-Witzman, Alderman Brown, Alderman Pierson, Alderman McComb, Alderman Erbes, Alderman Bratton, Alderman Campos, Alderman Pittman.

Nays: None

Absent: Alderman Bastien

Motion Carried

COMMITTEE/COMMISSION REPORTS

Alderman Pittman opened discussion for Budget & Finance related items.

Old Business: Nothing at this time.

New Business:

Presentation of Financial Reports by Scott Evans, Budget Officer: Mr. Evans stated the Income Tax Receipts are substantially lower than last year, indirectly related to COVID19 - income taxes were pushed back and quarterly estimates. Should rectify itself in a couple of months. Reviewed the Schedule of Loan Balances for the backhoe, dump truck, waterline replacement and the wastewater treatment plant.

Mayor Stephens stated that there is a portal through mytax.gov that will show what individual businesses are paying in taxes.

No public comment.

Alderman McComb opened discussion for Building & Grounds related items.

Old Business: Nothing at this time.

New Business: Nothing at this time.

No public comment.

Alderman Erbes opened discussion for Community Relations Committee related items.

Old Business: Nothing at this time.

New Business:

Reminder – Annual City-Wide Clean-up – June 5th & 6th from 8a to 3p each day: Alderman McComb asked if anybody had checked to see if we received any help? He will go by tomorrow.

Alderman Hughes stated the city-wide texting is being underutilized. Could use for the clean-up, announcing when bars and restaurants are opening, informational notifications for the city. Mayor Stephens stated that’s a good idea, will train a couple of more people on how to send messages, will get with Ms. Ripley and Ms. Volle. Alderman Hughes stated SIH may be interested in co-sponsoring it again.

No public comment.

Mayor Stephens opened discussion for Public Improvement related items.

Old business: Nothing at this time.

New business: Nothing at this time.

No public comment.

Alderman Bratton opened discussion for Public Works related items.

Old business:

Update on RR Clean-Up and Damage to Shomaker Dr.: Alderman Bratton stated $69,276.77 estimated cost to repair? He did not see that much damage. Mayor Stephens stated he had spoken to Alderman Bratton earlier, don’t know how to hold them to a repair of this size, have no before pictures. It is a high traffic area, need to think about repairing it. Alderman Erbes stated one section was starting to break up before they started work. Thinks we should approach them. Mayor Stephens asked Ms. Ripley to help him draft a letter regarding the damage around Shomaker Drive. Alderman Campos stated she agrees with sending the letter.

New business:

Consideration of Oil & Chip Program for 2020: Alderman Bratton asked if this is budgeted? Mr. Evans stated 2020 resolution, part of the original budget. Ms. Ripley stated it is in the city-wide budget but would need a new resolution. Alderman Bratton stated 7th Street from Illinois to Industrial Park Rd., half of that is going to be torn up. Mr. Sheffer agreed, stated he had missed that, would not spend money on that. Mayor Stephens stated he has a couple of concerns – with the corona virus people are not buying as much gas so not as much motor fuel revenue coming in. Mr. Evans stated the allotment every month is approximately $17,000 to $25,000. Have $87,000 from the Build Illinois Program. Still have the lion’s share to go on the 7th Street Project, approximately $400,000. Have approximately $800,000 in the bank for motor fuel revenue. Feels should wait and see, for a few months. Alderman Bratton stated he feels the same way, put on temporary hold. Alderman Pierson stated he feels we should wait until this fall, see how it works out. Alderman Hughes agrees. Alderman McComb asked why there are no culverts under the main road for the road into the sewer plant? Mr. Sheffer stated he thinks it is time to have a meeting with the contractor, their plan is not working. Could just drain the pond but she wants it. Alderman Bratton asked Mr. Sheffer if he will try to get a meeting set up and let him know. Mayor Stephens stated he agrees completely, have proven to be almost unable to use them for future projects. Alderman McComb stated he would like to attend the meeting, too. Alderman Bratton stated put the Oil & Chip for 2020 on hold.

No public comment.

Alderman Brown opened discussion for Public Safety related items.

Old business:

Discussion regarding the Gillenberg Property: Mayor Stephens stated the reports requested by Joe Summers have been provided and should answer all their questions so they can move forward. Alderman Bratton asked if Mr. Summers could join the next meeting and let us know what is going on? Mayor Stephens stated he will contact him.

New business:

Consideration of Purchase of New 2020 Dodge Durango: Chief Ellermeyer stated this was budgeted for 2020, ordered in November, 2019, cost of $28,297. Alderman McComb asked if it came equipped? Chief Ellermeyer stated no, ordered the equipment for it and the other vehicle, paid for out of seized assets. Alderman Hughes asked if out of seized assets? Yes.

Motion: To approve the purchase of the 2020 Dodge Durango Pursuit AWD for $28,297.00 from Thomas Dodge Chrysler-Jeep.

Motion by Alderman BrattonSecond by Alderman McComb

Mayor Stephens called for a roll call vote.

Yeas: Alderman Hughes, Alderman Curry-Witzman, Alderman Brown, Alderman McComb, Alderman Erbes, Alderman Bratton, Alderman Campos, Alderman Pittman.

Nays: None

Absent: Alderman Bastien

No Response: Alderman Pierson

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

Update on the Ruble Flooding Issue: Mr. Sheffer stated he has talked to Dave Canning regarding easement for ingress and egress, has not heard from the two others. Attorney Blake stated he has no further information.

Review and Discussion of Billboard Ordinances: Alderman Bratton stated the developer wants to put up a billboard, has contacted local contractor Sam Burkey, also Mr. Sheffer, thinks we need to do this. Will contact them and let them know, also someone needs to speak to Mr. Grither in the morning. Mayor Stephens stated he looked at the existing ordinance, is allowed in the Industrial district, with restrictions. Need to make sure what we need to do is not outside the bounds. Attorney Blake stated would have to make an amendment to the city zoning, this property is B2. If passed, all in B2 would be allowed, cannot pick and choose, they would just have to meet the requirements. It is very important we look at the standards and see what we want them to be. Carbondale basically does not allow them. Mt. Vernon and Peoria have special use permits with certain standards. Thinks should have a committee to set what standards we want. Attorney Blake then outlined the steps that would have to be taken for different scenarios depending on what route the council wanted to take. Alderman Pierson asked if New 13 East to the city limits is state property? Attorney Blake stated cannot put in state right-of-way, if it is outside of that, is okay. Alderman Pierson asked if he has bought the property already? Alderman Bratton stated not yet, waiting to see about the billboard. Alderman Pierson stated now that he knows what all places are zoned B2, has changed his mind, if he has six or seven businesses doesn’t think the developer will need it. Alderman Bratton stated the developer will keep the billboard and have income from it. Mayor Stephens stated billboards are a large industry, very lucrative. The startup costs are higher but the long-term profit is higher. Asked if it is an LED lit sign at the intersection, the city is not liable, are we? Attorney Blake stated that is usually addressed in the zoning code. Mr. Sheffer stated that it would require an IDOT permit. Alderman Erbes stated is not going to happen for a while, the developer wants us to pull the trigger. Need to look real closely at the standards for this. Alderman Campos stated she does support businesses but not sure about having billboards in town. Alderman Bratton stated the developer really wanted this piece of property, wants to get the dirt work done and get started. Mr. Sheffer stated yes but without the ability to put up a billboard not sure he wanted this property. Mayor Stephens stated we need to study this issue more and make sure we do it right. Possibility we could have signs right next to residential property.

ALDERMEN ANNOUNCEMENTS/REQUESTS

Barb HughesNothing

Jance Curry-Witzman Thanked Chief Ellermeyer and Chief McBride, the birthday

drive-by’s have been fantastic, bright spot in our community.

Russell BrownNothing

William PiersonPush to get the road done, taking too long. Also thanked Mr. Manwaring and Mayor Stephens for all their work with the COVID19 situation.

Gary McCombNothing

John ErbesGlad to see the hotel progressing. Solar Alliance update? Mayor Stephens stated they still have not gotten their funding, have mowed once.

Dan BrattonDoing a good job on the concrete work on the sidewalks on Walnut Street. Hotel is putting up steel and walls.

Mike BastienAbsent

Gloria CamposThanked the Fire and Police Departments for supporting the High School and Mayor Stephens for broadcasting the graduation. Ms. Ripley did a great job with the Murphysboro Minute. How soon will we start meeting in person? Mayor Stephens stated he will review the Phase 3 guidelines, it is still 10 people or less. Alderman Bratton asked if could meet at the Senior Citizen’s Center? Mayor Stephens will look into it.

W. J. PittmanNothing

DEPARTMENT HEAD ANNOUNCEMENTS/REQUESTS

Richard BlakeNothing

Sandra Ripley Nothing

Scott Evans Nothing

Harold Sheffer Nothing

Steve McBride Nothing

Jamie Ellermeyer Great ceremony, thanked all for their participation and thanked the council for supporting the purchase of the Dodge Durango.

Eric Kennedy Absent

Tim Lee Nothing

Brian Manwaring Nothing

Darrin Mills Nothing

Pat Gladson Would like to attend the meeting with the contractor concerning the WWTP road.

Katharine Volle: Nothing

Leandra Bryant Nothing

Motion: To adjourn

Motion by Alderman BrattonSecond by Alderman Campos

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

Motion Carried

Meeting adjourned at 7:12 p.m.

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