City of Murphysboro City Council met July 12

By Angelica Saylo Pilo

Aug 12, 2022

City of Murphysboro City Council met July 12.

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 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 Deputy City Clerk Sandra M. Ripley to call the roll. The roll was called with the following:

Present: Barb Hughes, Jance Curry-Witzman (by teleconference), Gloria Campos, Mike Austin, W.J. Pittman, John Erbes, Mike Bastien

Absent: Russell Brown, Gary McComb, Don Gladden

The council then reviewed the minutes from the previous meeting. No comments or corrections were noted.

Motion: To approve the minutes of the June 28, 2022, council meeting, as typed. All aldermen received a copy of the minutes, for their review, prior to the meeting.

Motion by Alderman Bastien

Second by Alderman Pittman

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

Motion Carried

Mayor Stephens asked if there were any questions on the accounts payable, accounts receivable or payroll registers that were presented in their packets. The check to Mark Brittingham was questioned as to if this would be his final check. It was stated that it was. It was noted that the check to Brews Brothers Taproom was still being held and Mayor Stephens presented the Aldermen with a handout relative to that check request. The expenditure of tourism funds in general was discussed. It was agreed that a copy of the minutes from the Tourism Commission would be included to support any check requests.

Motion: To approve the accounts payable register #447, accounts receivable and payroll registers. All aldermen received a copy prior to the meeting.

Motion by Alderman Austin

Second by Alderman Hughes

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:

Scott Evans, Budget Officer presented three Financial Statements for discussion. The first report was the Schedule of Sales/Home Rule Tax Receipts. The second was the Schedule of Operating Expenses for General Fund and the third report was the Comparison of Budgeted versus Actual Payroll. Mr. Evans stated that the sales tax number is a little lower than this time last year, but still higher than last month. The operating expenses for General Fund showed a surplus at the end of June and the payroll report also showed that we were under budget through June.

There was no public comment.

Alderman Erbes opened discussion for Building & Grounds related items.

Old Business: Nothing at this time.

New Business: Nothing at this time.

Under Public Comment, Jason Spears spoke on behalf of his mother and father, Carla and Geoff Spears. Jason detailed the background of the City offering $215,000 to purchase the property located at 1008 Locust Street and indicated that he would be the liaison for this negotiation. Alderman Pittman detailed his recollection of conversations with Mr. and Mrs. Spears. Jason advised the council that they were willing to accept $260,000 for the property and could be out as early as February 1st, 2023 and that was their final offer.

Chairman Austin opened discussion for Community Relations related items.

Old Business: Nothing at this time.

New Business: Alderman Austin stated that we have a request to close the alleyway between Regions Bank and the Murphysboro Event Center on Friday, July 15th to allow a food truck for an event that is being held at the Liberty Theatre. Alderman Bastien inquired if there were any events being held at the Murphysboro Event Center.

Motion: To Approve the closure of the alleyway between Regions Bank and the Murphysboro Event Center on Friday, July 15th, 2022 as requested.

Motion by Alderman Pittman

Second by Alderman Campos

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

Motion Carried

There was no public comment.

Chairman Bastien opened discussion for Public Improvement related items.

Old business: Nothing at this time.

New business: Nothing at this time.

There was no public comment.

On behalf of Chairman McComb, Mayor Stephens opened discussion for Public Works related items.

Old business: Nothing at this time.

New business:

Mayor Stephens indicated that there are two items in reference to the 16th Street Storm Sewer Improvement Project that was up for consideration. The first was Change Order #1 and the second was Pay Estimate #2 in the amount of $3,264.00 to ACI X. Engineer, Ted Beggs, advised that the project has now been finalized with the completion of the oil and chip work.

Motion: To Approve Change Order #1 for the 16th Street Storm Sewer Improvement Project.

Motion by Alderman Pittman

Second by Alderman Hughes

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

Motion Carried

Motion: To Approve Pay Estimate #2 in the amount of $3264.00 payable to ACI X for the 16th Street Storm Sewer Improvement Project.

Motion by Alderman Hughes

Second by Alderman Bastien

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

Motion Carried

There was no public comment.

On behalf of Chairman Brown, Mayor Stephens opened discussion for Public Safety related items.

Old business: Nothing at this time.

New business:

Mayor Stephens indicated that there are traffic and parking related issues on South 20th Street from Walnut Street to Spruce Street. Questions regarding where the businesses in that area would park as well as possibilities for making the street one-way were discussed. Chief Ellermeyer indicated that most of the gaming parlor business was from foot-traffic.

Motion: To Approve designating South 20th Street from Walnut Street to Spruce Street as No Parking on either side.

Motion by Alderman Hughes

Second by Alderman Bastien

Mayor Stephens called for a voice vote. Alderman Pittman voted No, all others were in favor.

Motion Carried

Under public comment Street Foreman, Darrin Mills, indicated that while working up by the Daum Building he witnessed a lady circling the parking lot and finally stopped him to ask where someone could park to go to the Courthouse. Darrin indicated that at one point, 2-hour parking in that lot was being enforced. However, now it appears to be all courthouse employees using the parking lot. Mayor Stephens stated that he would contact the Presiding Judge and Sheriff Burns.

Alderman Hughes opened discussion for Personnel related items.

Old business: Nothing at this time.

New business:

Alderman McComb advised that two new summer help workers started today and would run through the end of September.

There was no public comment.

MAYOR’S REPORT

Mayor Stephens requested everyone to review the handout in regards to the Brews Brothers Taproom check request. He also advised that the Daniels building behind the Bank of Carbondale has been sold to Deryk and Mandy Pfeaster.

ALDERMEN ANNOUNCEMENTS/REQUESTS

Barb Hughes Nothing

Jance Curry-Witzman Nothing

Gloria Campos Advised that the Building Committee toured the Roxana City Hall and apologized to our staff

Mike Austin Nothing

Russell Brown Absent

W. J. Pittman Nothing

John Erbes Nothing

Gary McComb Absent

Mike Bastien Nothing

Don Gladden Absent

DEPARTMENT HEAD ANNOUNCEMENTS/REQUESTS