Carbondale Reporter

City of Murphysboro City Council met Jan. 25.

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 6:04 p.m. and invited Pastor Jason Frederick 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: Barbara Hughes, Jance Curry-Witzman*, Gloria Campos, Mike Austin, W.J. Pittman*, John Erbes*, Gary McComb, Mike Bastien*, Don Gladden*teleconference

Absent: Russell Brown

The council then reviewed the minutes from the previous meeting.

Motion: To approve the minutes of the January 11, 2022, 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 Stephens called for a voice vote. All were in favor.

Motion Carried

Motion: To approve the accounts payable, register #376, through January 25, 2022. 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

Mayor Stephens 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 wanted to review report from last meeting first. Ended the year over budget on payroll for 2021. Factors affecting that is the overtime to firefighters for the Louisianan disaster, haven’t received reimbursement yet. Also retroactive adjustments due to the contract renewal. Revenues were over budget, so good there. Final Health Care is approximately $75,000 under budget and Sales Tax was good. Report for this meeting – Income Tax Receipts are higher even with the lower census numbers.

Consideration of Ordinance Authorizing Loan from IEPA Water Supply Loan Program for Water Tank Projects: Mr. Sheffer stated required by EPA, $830,000 approximate cost, bond is typically 25% more, will be looking for loan forgiveness of $400,000. Just another step in the process.

Motion: To Approve the Ordinance Authorizing Loan from IEPA Water Supply Loan Program for Water Tank Projects.

Motion by Alderman McComb Second by Alderman Hughes

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:

Update from City Attorney on the proposed AIA Agreement: Attorney Blake stated looked over the FGM Architects agreement, initial phase of their services if they are contracted with. Our concerns - terms that limit liability of architects. Will draft counter-proposal regarding the provisions, to modify them and will send the draft to them.

Consideration of Obtaining an Appraisal for Acquisition of 1008 Locust Street: Mayor Stephens stated this is the Spears building. Believes the owner will demand we go through eminent domain, need an appraisal. Attorney Blake stated before you can do eminent domain, have to make a good faith offer and need an appraisal to do that. Mayor Stephens asked can we use an appraisal based only on viewing the outside? Attorney Blake stated he thinks an appraiser could prepare a legitimate appraisal. Alderman Pittman stated it would cost approximately $500, maybe a little higher. Alderman Hughes asked what if the owner will not let anyone in? Alderman Pittman stated they can still get square footage, will do a market approach, based on sales, to get an appraisal. Mayor Stephens asked Aldermen Erbes and Pittman if they would work on this? Both agreed.

Motion: To Approve Obtaining an Appraisal for Acquisition of 1008 Locust Street.

Motion by Alderman McComb Second by Alderman Campos

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.

New Business:

Consideration of Request for Street Closure – St. Patrick’s Day Events: Alderman Austin stated has spoken to both chiefs and both are good with this.

Motion: To Approve the Street Closure Request for the St. Patrick’s Day Events March 19, 2022.

Motion by Alderman McComb Second by Alderman Hughes

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

Motion Carried

Public comment: Alderman Campos stated the city usually walks in the parade, want to order green t-shirts or sweatshirts? Mayor Stephens stated sounds good.

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 McComb opened discussion for Public Works related items.

Old business:

Consideration of Revised Bid for Future Lane Improvement Project: Alderman McComb stated can put up Road Closed signs, no need for traffic control. Alderman Austin asked what about Hines Oil? Alderman McComb stated can get in other ways. Remove that amount and bid will be below $200,000. Mayor Stephens asked Mr. Evans how will we pay for this? Was told that Samron plans to use 7th Street after it opens back up. Mr. Sheffer stated he told the Mayor that. Mayor Stephens stated can do a lot with this money if it is not needed right now. Mr. Evans stated at budget time only had an informal bid, hoped county would help out, $85,000 budgeted. Alderman McComb stated don’t think it is a priority right now. Can put some bigger stone on it. Need to get the water moved away from it first. Mayor Stephens asked Mr. Mills when was the last time we did maintenance on this? Mr. Mills stated about a month ago. Mayor Stephens stated he spoke to Mitch Burdick, county doesn’t run trucks on Future Lane, county has maintained Enterprise Avenue and mow it twice a year. Alderman McComb stated when 7th Street is done, they can go to the experimental road. Darrin putting in a ditchline would help. Mayor Stephens stated would try to go that route right now. Alderman McComb asked when 7th Street will be done? Mr. Sheffer stated Mediacom and another utility have been delayed. Maybe by mid- to late spring road work will begin. Will check with Samron. Alderman McComb stated he will talk to Dave Murray, if the road gets bad he can let us know, will put down some more rock. Alderman Austin stated he spoke to Paul Hines, if give him some notice, he will keep more fuel at his office site.

New business:

Consideration of Resolution for IDOT Utility Permit: Mayor Stephens asked what is this for? Mr. Sheffer stated for the water line relocation on 14th Street.

Motion: To Approve the Resolution for IDOT Utility Permit.

Motion by Alderman Gladden Second by Alderman Campos

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

Motion Carried

Alderman Campos stated that the permit stated on it that no work to be performed by city employees? Mayor Stephens stated it was prepared by Mr. Sheffer. Mr. Sheffer stated that should be taken out.

Motion: To Approve the Resolution for IDOT Utility Permit except for the “Third” be removed and the “Fourth” will now become the “Third”.

Motion by Alderman Gladden Second by Alderman Campos

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

Motion Carried

No public comment.

Mayor Stephens opened discussion for Public Safety related items.

Old business: Nothing at this time.

New business: Nothing at this time.

No public comment.

Alderman Hughes opened discussion for Personnel related items.

Old business: Nothing at this time.

New business:

Consideration of Pay Increases for Non-Union Employees: Alderman Hughes stated non-union employees are Sandra Ripley, Charlie Eisert, Steve McBride, Jamie Ellermeyer and Brian Manwaring. Have followed what the union does percentage-wise and have the following recommendations based on that: Ms. Ripley – 4%, Mr. Eisert just started in September so 1-1/2%, Chief McBride and Chief Ellermeyer – 3% each and Mr. Manwaring – 3-1/2%. All are within budgeted amounts for salaries. Alderman McComb asked how that will set with the union? Alderman Hughes stated no more percentage than what the union received. Mayor Stephens stated he has no problem with the recommendations. Alderman Campos asked if we should wait for Mr. Eisert’s raise until he has been here one year? Alderman Hughes stated that would not be until September, has done a great job and has been keeping us informed. Alderman Gladden asked if Mr. Eisert is on probation? No, not a union employee. Alderman Campos stated wait until first year, is doing a great job. Mayor Stephens stated received an email with a summary of what is going on, certainly deserves one. Mr. Eisert stated appreciated all the kind words, enjoy my job.

Motion: To Approve the following Pay Increases for Non-Union Employees: Sandra Ripley 4%, Steve McBride 3%, Jamie Ellermeyer 3%, Brian Manwaring 3-1/2 % and Charlie Eisert 0%.

Motion by Alderman Gladden Second by Alderman Campos

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

Motion Carried

No public comment.

MAYOR’S REPORT

Alderman Brown is doing better and may be able to attend the next council meeting.

ALDERMEN ANNOUNCEMENTS/REQUESTS

Barb Hughes Nothing

Jance Curry-Witzman Nothing

Gloria Campos Nothing

Mike Austin Nothing

Russell Brown Absent

W. J. Pittman Nothing

John Erbes Nothing

Gary McComb Nothing

Mike Bastien Nothing

Don Gladden Nothing

DEPARTMENT HEAD ANNOUNCEMENTS/REQUESTS

Richard Blake Nothing

Sandra Ripley Nothing

Scott Evans Nothing

Harold Sheffer Nothing

Steve McBride Appreciates the raise.

Jamie Ellermeyer Nothing

Charlie Eisert Went with Ameren and AECom to the residents behind their Building to notify demolition start date of February 7.

Tim Lee Nothing

Brian Manwaring National Weather Service weather spotter training February 23 at the high school.

Darrin Mills Nothing

Pat Gladson Nothing

Katharine Volle Nothing

Leandra Bryant Absent

Motion: To go into executive session at 7:01 pm for Act 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(5) Meetings for the discussion of minutes of meetings lawfully closed under the Act either for purposed of approval by the body of the minutes or semi-annual review of the minutes as required by the Act 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 McComb Second by Alderman Hughes

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

Nays: None

Absent: Alderman Brown

Motion Carried

Motion: To come out of executive session at 7:16 p.m.

Motion by Alderman Hughes Second by Alderman McComb

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

Nays: None

Absent: Alderman Brown

Motion Carried

Motion: To resume regular council meeting 7:16 p.m.

Motion by Alderman McComb Second by Alderman Hughes

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

Motion Carried

Motion: To Release Executive Meeting Minutes 1/14/20 and 8/10/21.

Motion by Alderman McComb Second by Alderman Hughes

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

Motion Carried

Motion: To Continue to Hold Executive Meeting Minutes 3/17/14, 8//28/18, 10/23/18, 6/11/19, 11/12/19, 12/3/19, 2/11/20, 9/8/20, 3/23/21, 6/22/21, 8/24/21, 10/26/21 and 1/11/22.

Motion by Alderman McComb Second by Alderman Hughes

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

Motion Carried

Motion: To adjourn.

Motion by Alderman McComb Second by Alderman Campos

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

Motion Carried

Meeting adjourned at 7:18 p.m.

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