Carbondale Reporter

City of Murphysboro City Council met Feb. 8.

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 6:01 p.m. and invited Pastor Jim Frye 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, Mike Austin, W.J. Pittman, John Erbes, Gary McComb, Mike Bastien, Don Gladden

Absent: Gloria Campos, Russell Brown

The council then reviewed the minutes from the previous meeting.

Motion: To approve the minutes of the January 25, 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

Alderman McComb asked if paying Cyndi Cochran more than Denise Beavers? Alderman Hughes stated A/P and A/R position has more responsibility. Alderman McComb asked if anyone has told Ms. Beavers it pays more? Alderman Erbes stated the contract has the salary schedule so she should be able to look. Alderman Hughes stated they will be looking at wages next contract. Mayor Stephens requested not continue the discussion, can discuss in executive session if going to discuss specific employees.

Motion: To approve the accounts payable, register #386, through February 8, 2022, accounts receivable through January 31, 2022, and payroll through January, 2022. All aldermen received a copy of the accounts payable, prior to the meeting.

Motion by Alderman Gladden Second by Alderman Erbes

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

Motion Carried

COMMITTEE/COMMISSION REPORTS

Mayor Stephens opened discussion for Public Safety related items.

Old business: Nothing at this time.

New business:

Consideration of Declaring an Adult Male Dog as Vicious: Officer Mark Tincher gave a synopsis of the official report. He believes the dog should be deemed vicious, all attacks have been unprovoked. Ms. Travis (Mother) asked questions about how the state law applied. Attorney Blake stated we do not follow state law since Murphysboro is Home Rule, we follow the city ordinances. Matisse Travis stated Zeus is very protective, not vicious. Officer Tincher stated is concerned for public safety since the dog can jump the fence. Ms. Anne Wuest then spoke. Her dog and her son John Wuest were both attacked and bitten. Alderman McComb asked if he is scared to walk the dog there? Mr. Wuest stated won’t go near there. Mr. Gary Smith also spoke as a witness. He has walked his dogs in that neighborhood for twenty years, dog is tied but gets over fence, stated his Great Dane ran away and their dog ran after mine.

Motion: To Declare the Adult Male Dog Known As Zeus a Vicious Dog in accordance with City Article IV, Section 3-4-1.

Motion by Alderman McComb Second by Alderman Gladden

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

Motion Carried

Consideration of Declaring 2014 Dodge Charger as Surplus: Chief Ellermeyer stated has major internal motor problem.

Motion: To Declare the 2014 dodge Charger as Surplus.

Motion by Alderman McComb Second by Alderman Bastien

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

Motion Carried

Fire Department Statistics – 2021: Chief McBride reviewed the Annual Fire Department statistics for 2021.

No public comment.

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 reviewed the year end reports – Cash Balance, Outstanding Debts, Total Assets, Loan Balances and the sales Tax Report. Alderman Austin asked about the pickup truck? 52 months left. Alderman Erbes asked about the large cash receipt? Mr. Evans stated for Home Rule and Sales Tax.

No public comment.

Alderman Erbes opened discussion for Building & Grounds related items.

Old Business:

Update from City Attorney on the proposed AIA Agreement with FGM Architects: Attorney Blake stated just got back to me today, will be getting me the documents.

New Business:

Discussion regarding Roof Leak at Public Works: Mayor Stephens asked if a contractor has been contacted? Ms. Ripley stated it started leaking in the Code Office. Mr. Eisert stated there are two leaks in the Code Office, took down the tiles, one was worse than the other.

Motion: To Approve Mr. Eisert contacting a roofing company to obtain an estimate for repairs.

Motion by Alderman Hughes Second by Alderman Pittman

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: Nothing at this time

Alderman Bastien stated Josh Sayer will have a letter in the next packet concerning the Cruise Nights which will be starting the first Saturday in April.

No public comment.

Alderman Bastien opened discussion for Public Improvement related items.

Old business: Nothing at this time.

New business:

Discussion regarding Parking of Trailers on Streets: Alderman Bastien stated Joseph Gray contacted council members, has boat parked on street in front of his house on Tina Drive, someone complained. Mr. Gray stated he did not know could not park there, has been there for one and a half years, there is ample parking behind it. Has looked over the ordinances. It is a seventeen foot john boat, not large. Asking the council to make some kind of exception – parked in front of owner’s residence, size limit, something. Alderman McComb stated he went by. He pushed for the trailer ordinance, can’t pick and choose. Alderman Hughes stated no alleyway to get it to the back of the house. Alderman Austin stated if park the boat in the driveway, will park a car on the street. Alderman Erbes stated it is not a parking issue, people were leaving trailers parked on streets overnight. Chief Ellermeyer stated the complainant stated cars park on both sides of her driveway and it is hard to get out. Alderman Bastien stated how can we change, would have boat trailers all over town. Alderman Pittman asked Alderman Curry-Witzman if she saw any parking issues? Alderman Curry-Witzman stated she really doesn’t see it. Alderman Pittman stated maybe put wording in the ordinance for a permit to park the boat and/or trailer, have to have reflectors, etc. Alderman McComb stated he bought a boat not knowing about the ordinance, there are storage places. Put the ordinance out for all trailers, to be fair to everyone. Chief Ellermeyer stated keep in mind changes will effect South 20th Street, Illinois Avenue, etc. Alderman Bastien asked if the fire truck can get through? Mayor Stephens stated the difficulty about tailoring specific exceptions is that the streets are not all the same. Alderman Erbes stated don't think should make exceptions, will run into problems. Alderman Pittman stated if there is no change to the ordinance, will he have to move the boat? Mr. Gray stated can’t put in the driveway, too steep. Alderman McComb stated if you leave it as is, it is a safety issue.

No public comment.

Alderman McComb opened discussion for Public Works related items.

Old business: Nothing at this time.

New business:

Discussion regarding use of ARPA Funds: Mayor Stephens stated these are funds for water infrastructure. Approximately $503,000 in ARPA funds we have budgeted to spend. Will get an additional $500,000 next year. Looking at Projects #1, #2 and #3 on page four of the handout. Would like the council to look them over. Mr. Sheffer stated the estimates may be a little high, there is a 10% contingency built in. Mayor Stephens stated looking at improvements #1, #2 and #3 which total $245,000 and one under #6, maybe #4 and #5 also. Mr. Sheffer stated just have to keep track of the cost. Mayor Stephens stated total cost for #1, #2, #3, #4 and #5 is $320,000. Mr. Evans stated he thought were using them funds for water tank maintenance. Mr. Sheffer stated he thought getting IEPA, forgiveness loan. We have until 2025 to spend this money. Alderman Pittman stated would like to discuss this with Mr. Lee and Mr. Gladson and see what their priority is. Mayor Stephens stated will hold until next meeting.

Consideration of Change Order #1 for the 16th Street Storm Sewer Project: Mr. Sheffer stated essentially done exact oil and chipping, went a little over, $1175.00 over bid amount.

Motion: To Approve Change Order #1 for the Street Storm sewer Project in the amount of $1175.00.

Motion by Alderman Erbes Second by Alderman Pittman

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

Motion Carried

Consideration of Pay Request #1 for the 16th Street Storm Sewer Project:

Motion: To Approve Pay Request #1 for the Street Storm sewer Project in the amount of $50,857.50.

Motion by Alderman Gladden Second by Alderman Hughes

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

Motion Carried

Consideration of Resolution Authorizing the Mayor to Sign all IEPA Loan Documents for the Water Tanks Repainting Project:

Motion: To Authorize the Mayor to sign All IEPA Loan Documents for the Water Tanks Repainting Project.

Motion by Alderman Pittman Second by Alderman Erbes

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

Motion Carried

Consideration of IEPA Highway Authority Agreement for Bost Truck Service: Alderman McComb asked if there is any city liability? Attorney Blake stated it covers the street in front of Bost Trucking, city won’t let anyone dig there. This is a standard agreement. Alderman Pittman asked passes the IEPA test? Attorney Blake stated yes.

Motion: To Approve the IEPA Highway Authority Agreement for Bost Truck Service.

Motion by Alderman Erbes Second by Alderman Gladden

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

Discussion regarding Council Meeting Format/Covid: Alderman Pittman stated would be nice to have Department Heads here. Mayor Stephens stated will have them attend in person for future meetings.

ALDERMEN ANNOUNCEMENTS/REQUESTS

Barb Hughes Commend the workers on snow removal.

Jance Curry-Witzman Nothing

Gloria Campos Absent

Mike Austin Nothing

Russell Brown Absent

W. J. Pittman Nothing

John Erbes Appreciate the city workers, Fire Dept did ice rescue drills.

Gary McComb They did a good job on the streets.

Mike Bastien Nothing

Don Gladden Did we ticket cars parked on snow routes? Alderman McComb stated the public has to call the police department and they will get a ticket and towed. Alderman Gladden stated so the police are not pro-active. Chief Ellermeyer stated had the guys go out and check snow routes. They were busy getting cars out that were stuck. If you have one, call it in.

DEPARTMENT HEAD ANNOUNCEMENTS/REQUESTS

Richard Blake Nothing

Sandra Ripley Nothing

Scott Evans Nothing

Harold Sheffer Nothing

Steve McBride Nothing

Jamie Ellermeyer Nothing

Charlie Eisert Nothing

Tim Lee Nothing

Brian Manwaring Nothing

Darrin Mills Nothing

Pat Gladson Nothing

Katharine Volle Nothing

Leandra Bryant Nothing

Motion: To adjourn.

Motion by Alderman McComb Second by Alderman Curry-Witzman

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

Motion Carried

Meeting adjourned at 7:51 p.m.

https://www.murphysboro.com/City%20Council%20Mtg%20Minutes%202022-Feb%208.docx