Carbondale Reporter

City of Murphysboro City Council met Oct. 26.

Here are 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 6:00 p.m. and invited Pastor Charlie Allen 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 Gina Hunziker to call the roll. The roll was called with the following:

Present: Barb Hughes*, Jance Curry-Witzman*, Gloria Campos*, Mike Austin, W.J. Pittman, Gary McComb, Mike Bastien, Don Gladden   *via teleconference

Absent: Russell Brown, John Erbes

The council then reviewed the minutes from the previous meeting. Correction to be made on page 2 second paragraph, change “Chance” to “Change”.

Motion: To approve the minutes of the October 12, 2021, council meeting, with the requested correction. All aldermen received a copy of the minutes, for their review, prior to the meeting.

Motion by Alderman McComb

Second by Alderman Pittman

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

Motion Carried

Alderman Gladden inquired:

List #305 p. 2 Cummins Mid South – charged to Building & Grounds? Building maintenance. Mayor Stephens asked suggest charge to WWTP? Yes. Mr. Evans stated can move to WWTP next year. Chief McBride stated all the generators are charged to Building & Grounds.

Motion: To approve the accounts payable register #305, through October 26, 2021. All aldermen received a copy of the accounts payable, prior to the meeting.

Motion by Alderman McComb

Second by Alderman Austin

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:

Financial Statements prepared by Scott Evans, Budget Officer: Mr. Evans stated another nice month for State Income Tax Receipts, approximately $208,000 under budget. Alderman Pittman asked if the IT line will catch up by year end? Yes. Salaries are ahead going into the end of the year. Alderman Hughes asked if any three paycheck months? Yes, December. Projections for Healthcare are should be under budget for the General Fund and right on budget for water/sewer. Also had spreadsheet showing outstanding loan balances. Alderman Pittman asked his thoughts on the smaller loans, if end the year in a surplus, pay them off? Could free up for something next year. Mr. Evans stated could possibly do that. Mayor Stephens stated would make sense, if we could.

Discussion Regarding Establishing Food Truck Permits: Alderman Gladden stated on agenda since Ms. Mulholland is retiring and she did all this. Mayor Stephens stated the Health Department is inspecting, don’t want to issue just so city can collect small fee. Alderman Gladden stated he believes it was to make sure sales tax came to the city. Chief McBride stated the Health Department does not inspect for fire standards, I do that. Chief Ellermeyer stated they do a check on them. Mr. Evans stated regarding sales tax, have to apply and get a number from the state so the state knows who gets the tax. Mayor Stephens asked do we ask brick and mortar to get a permit from the city to verify? Don’t think so. Alderman Pittman stated the majority are at the Apple Festival. Mr. Evans stated don’t require brick and mortar to do something, on the honor system. Alderman Gladden asked doesn’t the state check? Mr. Evans stated they might check if they are delinquent. Ms. Ripley stated the current ordinance for vehicles carrying food is $15/month. Mayor Stephens stated sounds like there are some concerns I wasn’t aware of. Alderman Pittman asked who is responsible to go out and collect? Attorney Blake stated it refers to the Health Department. Alderman McComb asked is $15 an annual fee? Yes. Alderman Gladden made a motion to table until outside food vendors increase.

Motion: To Table the Food Truck Permits until Outside Food Vendors Increase.

Motion by Alderman Gladden

Second by Alderman Pittman

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

Motion Carried

No public comment.

Mayor Stephens opened discussion for Building & Grounds related items.

Old Business: Nothing at this time.

New Business:

Consideration of Request to Vacate an Alley at 109 E. Walnut Street: Attorney Blake stated the bank found this was not vacated when the rest was vacat4ed in 1992. Vacate a short section to JW2, LLC.

Motion: To Approve the Request to Vacate the Alley at 109 East Walnut Street to JW2, LLC.

Motion by Alderman Bastien

Second by Alderman Gladden

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

Motion Carried

No public comment.

Alderman Austin opened discussion for Community Relations Committee related items.

Old Business: Nothing at this time.

Feed the Team: Alderman Hughes thanked all who donated and came to help.

New Business:

Discussion regarding Noise Ordinance relative to Asphalt Plant: Citizen Dan David asked the city to enforce the ordinance. Requesting something be put on the burner, had another petition with an additional seventeen signatures. Jeff Wilson stated lives in Bob-A-Rosa and can hear it, used to live near E.T. Simonds and could not hear it. Alderman McComb stated Samron came to the council, to build this. They have to start early so get the trucks to where they are going. Mr. David stated burner facing east, asking it to be covered. Alderman McComb stated asphalt has to be so hot to be put down. They are a large employer, can’t ask them to shut it down. Alderman Hughes asked if anyone has spoken to Mr. Fricke about a baffle? Mayor Stephens asked Dave Murray if he has any objections to this? Mr. Murray stated if we start modifying it and deflect it to a new direction, those people will notice a new noise. Mayor Stephens asked has your company looked at these changes? Mr. Murray stated have looked at but no in-depth study. Mrs. David asked if there was a public meeting? Mayor Stephens stated met with them and was discussed at the council meeting but don’t remember a public hearing. Alderman Pittman stated they notified us regarding the roads but no obligation to tell us anything. Mrs. David stated they should have told the city about the noise, not nice to ignore us, we support and contribute to the community. Nick Sabella stated don’t want to interfere with operations, all we are asking are for noise mitigation factors to be looked into. Lots of residents out that way pay taxes in the city. Mr. Wilson asked noise level in the ordinance? Attorney Blake stated the zoning code states loud or shrill noises, no standards. Alderman Hughes asked if move to the west, have they investigated anything? Mr. Murray stated have not done an in-depth engineering study. Alderman Hughes stated maybe should do that. Mr. Murray asked to what standard are we trying to go to? Mayor Stephens stated anything to lessen the noise. Alderman Pittman suggested reach out to similar plants and see what they do. Mr. Murray stated these citizens have not reached out to us, just keep coming to the council meetings. What are the parameters that are wanted? Alderman Pittman stated don’t want to add distance to the ordinance because would vary. Mr. Murray asked so what level to reduce it to? Chief Ellermeyer stated whatever decibel level is going north, south and west should be the same for east. Alderman McComb stated if they change the ordinance, they would be grandfathered. Attorney Blake stated not necessarily. Mr. Sheffer stated he lives on Maes Road and it doesn’t bother him. Mr. Murray asked what exactly is being asked? Mrs. David stated ask Samron to reach out to similar ones that don’t have a problem with their community, should be a way to reduce the noise. Mayor Stephens asked how much longer this season is? Thanksgiving. Mayor Stephens stated does respect the fact that people outside of town spend money in town and generate tax dollars. Don’t have an enforceable ordinance, very vague. Samron have open lines of communication. If it is something reasonably priced, maybe the city could help with it. But should be looked at. Alderman Hughes stated I agree with you Mayor.

No public comment.

Alderman Bastien opened discussion for Public Improvement related items.

Old business: Nothing at this time.

New business: Nothing at this time.

No public comment.

Alderman McComb opened discussion for Public Works related items.

Old business: Nothing at this time.

New business:

Consideration and Approval of Bid for the 16th Street Storm Sewer Improvement Project: Mr. Sheffer stated letter of recommendation and tabulation included in the council packets.

Motion: To Accept the bid from ACI X in the amount of $52,052.50 for the 16th Street Storm Sewer Improvement.

Motion by Alderman Austin

Second by Alderman Pittman

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

Motion Carried

Consideration of Ordinance Change to 40-5-9 Above-Ground Swimming Pools: Chief McBride stated deletion of words “of ridged wall construction”.

Motion: To Approve Amending the Zoning Code 40-5-9(C) as it applies to Above-Ground Swimming Pools by removing the words “of Ridged Wall Construction”.

Motion by Alderman Gladden

Second by Alderman Bastien

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

Motion Carried

Public comment: Mr. Eisert asked that the change to the Above-Grounds Swimming Pool Ordinance be put on the back of the water bill closer to pool season, will work on the definition of fence. Mayor Stephens suggested reviewing other municipalities’ codes.

Mayor Stephens opened discussion for Public Safety related items.

Old business: Nothing at this time.

New business:

Discussion regarding Shomaker Drive Lighting: Mayor Stephens stated received a call from a resident that nearly hit someone walking in the street. There are no sidewalks. Suggested we add some lights. Maybe add five to six lights between Old 13 and the railroad tracks. Alderman Hughes added it might help illuminate the deer in that area also. Alderman Campos asked if the city would build sidewalks? Mayor Stephens stated it is a long length, would be quite an expense. Alderman Curry-Witzman stated the last time sidewalks were discussed, flooding was mentioned as to why not. Alderman Gladden stated he drove it last night, very dark. Alderman Pittman stated it is a good idea, just make sure it doesn’t light up residents’ homes. Alderman Gladden stated let Chief Ellermeyer look at it and make a recommendation. Chief Ellermeyer stated he will do that.

Motion: To Approve the Addition of Street Lighting where Available on Shomaker Drive, up to eight lights.

Motion by Alderman Pittman

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

Murphysboro home playoff Football game Saturday at 3:00 p.m.

ALDERMEN ANNOUNCEMENTS/REQUESTS

Barb Hughes Methodist church is having trunk or treat.

Jance Curry-Witzman Nothing

Gloria Campos Nothing

Mike Austin Multiple churches trunk or treat Saturday night at the BBQ cookoff location.

Russell Brown Absent

W. J. Pittman Nothing

John Erbes Absent

Gary McComb Handing out candy at the Daum Building from 5-8.

Mike Bastien Nothing

Don Gladden Nothing

DEPARTMENT HEAD ANNOUNCEMENTS/REQUESTS

Richard Blake Reached out to S.T.A.R.T regarding 501 North Street, board is Interested in accepting title and splitting cost of demolition with the City. Will put on the agenda.

Sandra Ripley Friday is Leslie’s last full-time day, will have lunch from 12-2.

Scott Evans Nothing

Harold Sheffer Nothing

Steve McBride Garrett James is doing well.

Jamie Ellermeyer Nothing

Charlie Eisert Nothing

Tim Lee Nothing

Brian Manwaring Nothing

Darrin Mills Nothing

Pat Gladson Wednesday is the last day for John Hunziker, will be having lunch, has worked for the city for 34 years.

Katharine Volle Nothing

Leandra Bryant Absent

Motion: To go into executive session at 7:30 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.

Motion by Alderman Pittman

Second by Alderman Austin

Yeas: Alderman Hughes, Alderman Curry-Witzman, Alderman Campos, Alderman Austin, Alderman Pittman, Alderman McComb, Alderman Bastien, Alderman Gladden

Nays: None

Absent: Alderman Brown, Alderman Erbes

Motion Carried

Motion: To come out of executive session at 7:52 p.m.

Motion by Alderman McComb Second by Alderman Pittman

Yeas: Alderman Hughes, Alderman Curry-Witzman, Alderman Campos, Alderman Austin, Alderman Pittman, Alderman McComb, Alderman Bastien, Alderman Gladden

Nays: None

Absent: Alderman Brown, Alderman Erbes

Motion Carried

Motion: To resume regular council meeting 7:52 p.m.

Motion by Alderman Pittman

Second by Alderman Austin

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

Motion Carried

Motion: To adjourn.

Motion by Alderman Pittman

Second by Alderman Austin

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

Motion Carried

Meeting adjourned at 7:53 p.m.

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