City of Murphysboro City Council met Sept. 8.
Here is the minutes provided by the council:
Murphysboro City Council Meeting
September 8, 2020
The Murphysboro, Illinois, City Council met in regular session, pursuant to its ordinances, on the 8th day of September, 2020. Mayor Stephens called the meeting to order at 6:04 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, Mike Bastien, Gloria Campos, W.J. Pittman
Absent:
The council then reviewed the minutes from the previous meeting. Alderman Erbes requested that “road” be added on page 2 where Mr. Evans stated the current cost of the WWTP is $348,205.
Motion: To approve the minutes of the August 25, 2020, council meeting. All aldermen received a copy of the minutes, for their review, prior to the meeting.
Motion by Alderman Erbes
Second by Alderman McComb
Mayor Stephens called for a voice vote. All were in favor.
Motion Carried
Alderman Bratton inquired as to:
#6 page 2 Thanked Carl Clover for a good job on mowing.
#6 page 4 FB&T title change? Water Department truck purchased.
#6 page 8 Murdale True Value? Code car spare keys made.
#6 page 9 Ready Mix? Around the water main.
#6 page 10 Membership? Misplaced payment, check voided and will be re-cut.
#6 page 12 Steve Wilcox-add or on bid? 2 bad spots, did while there, not on the grant.
Mayor Stephens brought to everyone’s attention on Accounts Receivable page 3 the Smysor Trust grant received of $37,500: $9000 park maintenance, $5400 replace markers and $23,100 down payment on new vactor.
Motion: To approve the accounts payable, register #6, through September 8, 2020, accounts receivable through August 31, 2020, and payroll through August, 2020. All aldermen received a copy of the accounts payable for their review, prior to the meeting.
Motion by Alderman McComb
Second by Alderman Erbes
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:
Update on Mobile Ranch Issues: Attorney Blake stated no response from letter already sent. Citation was written for operating without a license and first appearance date is September 25th. Mayor Stephens stated have received $1400.00? Attorney Blake stated will check with Ms. Mulholland, believe it is first year of past due. All outstanding water bills are paid in full. Ms. Volle sent letters to all the tenants and their final bills, water bill will be through landlord.
New Business:
Presentation of Financial Reports by Scott Evans, Budget Officer: Mr. Evans stated the Balance Sheet is slightly ahead on equity. The Income Statement through seven months has a surplus, water fund has a surplus versus last year had a large deficit, was before the water rate increase. Healthcare costs projected looks to be under budget at year end, current plan seems to be working well. Sales tax was the largest collected/posted in September. Mayor Stephens stated at an Illinois Municipal League meeting stated 87% of municipalities are down in sales tax. Murphysboro is in the 13% that has not seen a decrease. Hand out showed the sewer plant road, with the new change orders, will have an approximate cost of $602,000. Hotel water line approximately $30,000. Alderman Erbes asked if the sales tax received this month was from June? Yes. Alderman Pierson asked what the original bid for the WWTP road was? $272,000. Then asked why the bid so low and the cost is two times that? Purchase due to wetlands was approximately $144,000, $20,000 tree clearing and culverts $80,000. Alderman Erbes stated building a whole new road through some tough terrain. Mayor Stephens stated has been an unexpected expense.
Consideration of TIF Application for 1306 Walnut Street: Mayor Stephens stated this is Ryan and Brooke Guthman for 1306 Walnut Street. Moran Economic Development recommends 60% annual reimbursement up to fifteen years.
Motion: To approve the TIF Application for Ryan and Brooke Guthman DBA Walnut Street Properties, LLC, for 1306 Walnut Street.
Motion by Alderman Hughes
Second by Alderman Campos
Mayor Stephens called for a voice vote. All were in favor.
Motion Carried
No public comment.
Alderman McComb opened discussion for Building & Grounds related items.
Old Business:
Consideration of Vacating a Portion of Alley behind 2201 Division Street: Alderman McComb stated he went to location with Chief McBride and Mr. Lee, do not believe it should be vacated. Chief McBride stated looked at it from both ends, residences on North side have started building fences, fire trucks will not fit, agree should not vacate. Mr. Lee stated have both water and sewer in alley, limited access, landscape on top of it. Not in favor of vacating any more alleys in the city period, can’t get to it without tearing up yards. Alderman McComb stated if there is a water or sewer problem, some have pools built over utilities, will have Mr. Kennedy see if they have a variance. Mayor Stephens stated no pavement or alley, has turned into lawn. Alderman Erbes stated he talked to the landowners, will not put up a fence, just maintain the grass, three-quarters of it is not passable. Alderman McComb stated they already have a fence around their home. Mayor Stephens stated if it is the city’s, need to be mowing it. Mr. Mills stated if it is an alley, should be oil and chipped, should not be mowed, should not have grass growing on it. Alderman McComb stated he considers it a safety issue, would like Mr. Kennedy to look into the fences that are already there.
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: Nothing at this time.
No public comment.
Alderman Bastien opened discussion for Public Improvement related items.
Old business: Nothing at this time.
New business:
Consideration of Ordinance Amending City Code to Allow Billboards in the Highway business District as a Special Use: Attorney Blake stated these were recommended at a prior city council meeting and sent to Zoning Board of Appeals. This report contains their recommendation.
Motion: To approve the Ordinance Amending City Code to Allow Billboards in the Highway Business District as a Special Use.
Motion by Alderman Bratton
Second by Alderman Pittman
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 Bastien, Alderman Campos, Alderman Pittman
Nays: None
Absent: None
Motion Carried
Public comment: Alderman Campos asked if the tree across from Walgreen’s had been checked on? Alderman Bastien replied it has been removed. Alderman Campos requested another tree be checked on located on 17th Street across from the Plumbers Building, is on private property.
Alderman Bratton opened discussion for Public Works related items.
Old business: Nothing at this time.
New business:
Consideration of Change Order #2 for the WWTP Road Project:
Motion: To approve the Change Order #2 for the WWTP Road Project resulting in an increase of $20,098.02, for the New Contract Price of $305,265.54.
Motion by Alderman Pittman
Second by Alderman Bastien
Mayor Stephens called for a voice vote. All were in favor.
Motion Carried
Consideration of Payment #2 to Sierra Bravo Contractors for the WWTP Road: Alderman Bratton stated the payment is for $85,543.94. He went down to Saturday and a couple of culverts had to be taken back out. Approve the payment but hold the check until six culverts are in.
Motion: To approve Payment #2 of $85,543.94 to Sierra Bravo Contractors for the WWTP Road Project but hold the check until six culverts are installed.
Motion by Alderman Campos
Second by Alderman McComb
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: Nothing at this time.
New business:
Presentation of State Fire Marshal Award: Chief McBride stated on February 20, 2019, the Fire Department responded to a structure fire where Charlie Nance, Adam Tarrants, Lance Liggett and Jim Murphy searched the basement and had to breach a wall where they found the victim and were able to rescue him and were able to start life saving measures. Retired Chief Rick Welle, representing the Medal of Honor Committee, presented a Unit Citation for Excellence from the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshall, to Fireman Jim Murphy, Charlie Nance, Adam Tarrants and Lance Liggett, in recognition of their bravery, stamina and teamwork in the removal of a victim from a structure fire in 2019.
Discussion regarding Parking Issue – West side of Courthouse and North side of Courthouse: Alderman Bastien stated just wanted the city to know the sheriff has always had authority regarding parking around the courthouse. The County Clerk has ordered a ballot mailbox that they will be placing in the first parking space on the west side for ballot drop off. They will also be ordering a sign designating that spot. Would like the city to grant them the authority to mount the sign just during the election period, designating that spot is reserved for ballot drop off. Alderman Campos asked if on the west side? Alderman Bastien stated it would be regular mailbox size, first parking space will be reserved for drop off, will have two permanent posts to protect the box. Alderman Bratton asked if the sign will be temporary and will there be bollards on either side of the mailbox? Alderman Bastien answered yes and the county will pay for it. Alderman Campos asked if the posts will be in the way? Alderman Bastien stated shouldn’t be, will be painted yellow. Jackson County Clerk Frank Byrd joined the discussion via teleconference and stated it will be a ballot retrieval box, need to get it done by September 24th.
Motion: To approve the County mounting a temporary sign designating a reserved parking spot on the west side of the courthouse for ballot drop off.
Motion by Alderman Pittman
Second by Alderman McComb
Mayor Stephens called for a voice vote. All were in favor.
Alderman Bastien stated on the South side of the courthouse there are two parking spaces that have a 30 minute parking sign for when the coffee shop was open, which is now closed. Would like that sign taken down and those two parking spots designated as two hour parking again.
Motion: To approve changing the two parking spots on the South side of the courthouse from 30 minute parking to two hour parking.
Motion by Alderman Erbes
Second by Alderman Campos
Mayor Stephens called for a voice vote. All were in favor.
No public comment.
Alderman Hughes opened discussion for Personnel related items.
Old business: Nothing at this time.
New business: Nothing at this time.
Public comment: Alderman Hughes thanked the Personnel chair for a great job.
MAYOR’S REPORT
Nothing at this time.
ALDERMEN ANNOUNCEMENTS/REQUESTS
Barb HughesAsked that the Murdale water situation be placed on the agenda.
Jance Curry-Witzman Nothing
Russell BrownNothing
William PiersonNothing
Gary McCombThanked Police Chief Ellermeyer and the Police Department for their quick response to break-ins in his neighborhood, made an arrest. Mayor Stephens also noted the Habitat For Humanity tools stolen have been recovered.
John Erbes 1st block S. 9th Street on west side the sidewalk is destroyed and street is in bad shape. Mayor Stephens stated he has talked to Mr. Rawson who recognized that the sidewalk is not in good shape and wondered who would take care of that.
Dan Bratton Would like to know the status of the old nursing home on N. 14th Street, the grass is tall. Mayor Stephens stated he talked to Audrey Smith, company out of Florida, who purchased the property, said will get the grass mowed. Also the property on N. 19th Street, the old Lustour, whole property needs cleaned up/mowed. Mayor Stephens stated he will reach out about it.
Mike Bastien Nothing
Gloria Campos Nothing
W. J. Pittman Nothing
DEPARTMENT HEAD ANNOUNCEMENTS/REQUESTS
Richard Blake Nothing
Sandra Ripley Nothing
Scott Evans Nothing
Harold Sheffe rNothing
Steve McBride Nothing
Jamie Ellermeyer Nothing
Eric Kennedy Absent
Tim Lee Nothing
Brian Manwaring Nothing
Darrin Mills Nothing
Pat Gladson Nothing
Katharine Volle: Nothing
Leandra Bryant Nothing
Motion: To go into executive session at 7:25 pm for Act 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(5) meetings where the purchase or lease of real property for the use of the public body is being considered, including meetings held for the purpose of discussing whether a particular parcel should be acquired and for Act 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1) meetings held to discuss the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance or dismissal of specific employees of the public body or legal counsel for the public body, including hearing testimony on a complaint lodged against an employee or legal counsel for the public body to determine its validity.
Motion by Alderman Bastien
Second by Alderman Bastien
Yeas: Alderman Hughes, Alderman Curry-Witzman, Alderman Brown, Alderman Pierson, Alderman McComb, Alderman Erbes, Alderman Bratton, Alderman Bastien, Alderman Campos, Alderman Pittman
Nays: None
Absent: None
Motion Carried
Motion: To come out of executive session at 8:02 p.m.
Motion by Alderman McComb
Second by Alderman Bratton
Yeas:Alderman Hughes, Alderman Curry-Witzman, Alderman Brown, Alderman Pierson, Alderman McComb, Alderman Erbes, Alderman Bratton, Alderman Bastien, Alderman Campos, Alderman Pittman
Nays:None
Absent: None
Motion Carried
Motion: To resume regular council meeting at 8:02 p.m.
Motion by Alderman McComb
Second by Alderman Bratton
Mayor Stephens called for a voice vote. All were in favor.
Motion Carried
Motion: To adjourn
Motion by Alderman McComb
Second by Alderman Pittman
Mayor Stephens called for a voice vote. All were in favor.
Motion Carried
Meeting adjourned at 8:03 p.m.
http://www.murphysboro.com/government/administration/council_meetings/meeting_agendas_and_minutes.php
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