Carbondale Reporter

City of Murphysboro City Council met Aug. 9.

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 6:02 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 Gina Hunziker to call the roll. The roll was called with the following:

Present: Jance Curry-Witzman, Gloria Campos, Mike Austin, W. J. Pittman, John Erbes, Mike Bastien, Don Gladden

Absent: Barb Hughes, Russell Brown, Gary McComb

The council then reviewed the minutes from the previous meeting.

Motion: To approve the minutes of the July 26, 2022, council meeting. All aldermen received a copy of the minutes, for their review, prior to the meeting.

Motion by Alderman Bastien

Second by Alderman Erbes

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

Motion Carried

Motion: To approve the accounts payable, register #451 & 468, through August 9, 2022, accounts receivable through July 31, 2022, and payroll through July, 2022. All aldermen received a copy of the accounts payable, prior to the meeting.

Motion by Alderman Austin

Second by Alderman Campos

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:

Consideration of Check Request from Brews Brothers Taproom: Mayor Stephens presented a handout that shows the recipients of the donations, have approved donations for this in the past, brings in large crowds. Alderman Erbes stated does not believe donations were made in previous years or at least not to this extent. Alderman Pittman stated not asking to fund the whole thing, big benefit to this town as well as to their business. Alderman Gladden asked if it was $1300 before? Mayor Stephens stated not sure what year. Alderman Gladden stated he will make a motion to allocate $2000 to them this year. Alderman Campos stated is not tourism allowing money? Tourism approved this $5000 to help support series of events. Why supporting private business? Alderman Pittman stated tourism, brings tax dollars. Alderman Campos stated think we need to honor this, their board approved $5000.

Motion: To approve the Check Request from Brews Brothers for the amount of $2000.00 instead of $5000.00.

Motion by Alderman Gladden

Second by Alderman Austin

Mayor Stephens called for a voice vote. In favor Mike Austin, Mike Bastien, Don Gladden, opposed Jance Curry-Witzman, Gloria Campos, JW Pittman and John Erbes.

Motion Did Not Pass

Motion: To approve the Check Request from Brews Brothers for the amount of $5000.00.

Motion by Alderman Campos

Second by Alderman Curry-Witzman

Mayor Stephens called for a voice vote. All were in favor except Mike Austin and Don Gladden.

Motion Carried

New Business:

Financial Statements prepared by Scott Evans, Budget Officer: Mr. Evans stated Tourism is within their allotment; Balance Sheet – first six months is a little bit more than fifty percent capitalized; Income Statement showing a small surplus; Cash Position was presented and discussed. Mayor Stephens stated thankful for Mr. Evans reports.

Consideration of Donation Request for the Big Muddy Monster Brew Fest: Alderman Pittman asked if they also get money from tourism? Mayor Stephens stated yes, get funds from city and tourism.

Motion: To approve the Donation Request for the Big Muddy Monster Brew Fest for the amount of $2000.00.

Motion by Alderman Bastien

Second by Alderman Campos

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

Motion Carried

No public comment.

Alderman Erbes opened discussion for Building & Grounds related items.

Old Business: Nothing at this time.

New Business: Nothing at this time.

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 Closures and Assistance for Apple Festival: Alderman Austin stated no new requests, same services as requested previous years. Alderman Pittman asked if they had filled out a form? No. Also, can't approve Region Bank parking lot. Mayor Stephens stated there was a question about where to park the buses. Alderman Pittman stated there is a rock pile in the alley behind the Liberty and Ozburn Insurance, also has clean out pipe sticking up about three feet, always have rides set up there. Mayor Stephens stated it is a private parking lot but assume a permit was issued, should have a time limit, will follow-up with Mr. Eisert.

Motion: To approve the Request for Street Closures and Assistance for Apple Festival pending the Street Closure form being filled out.

Motion by Alderman Pittman

Second by Alderman Campos

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

Motion Carried

Consideration of Participation at Apple Festival – Kids Free Fair, Saturday, September 17th from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.: Alderman Austin stated they are asking for our participation. Mayor Stephens stated will participate. Alderman Campos stated guess we are all in.

Consideration of Participation at Community Night Out, Tuesday, October 4th from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.: Ms. Ripley stated have served food in the past. Mayor Stephens thanked the Park District for taking this event over.

No public comment.

Alderman Bastien opened discussion for Public Improvement related items.

Old business: Nothing at this time.

New business:

Discussion regarding the Property at 102 North 10th Street: Alderman Bastien stated there has been a complaint called in to the Code office, windows out. Mr. Eisert went down, will board it up, Mitch Murphy has windows, going to start installing, Mr. Eisert will keep an eye on it, monitor the situation.

No public comment.

Mayor Stephens opened discussion for Public Works related items.

Old business: Nothing at this time.

New business: Nothing at this time.

Consideration of Amendment to Agreement for Engineering Services – 17th Street and Boot Camp Tank Repair Project: Tabled until the next meeting. Mr. Shaffer stated has to be inspected before repair, will set that up.

No public comment.

Mayor Stephens opened discussion for Public Safety related items.

Old business:

Discussion regarding No Parking on South 20th Street from Walnut to Spruce: James and Maura Lee, owners, were present. Mr. Lee stated opened in 2019, generate greater than $50,000 in revenue for the city. They are the only one affected by this. Have a lot of foot traffic and vehicles. Have elderly and handicapped people who park at Huck’s and walk across the alley. Asking the council to rescind the no parking. Chief Ellermeyer stated he spoke to Mr. Lee a year ago and he stated the majority is foot traffic. Alderman Bastien asked if Huck’s gave permission for them to park in their lot? Mr. Lee stated they have allowed it. Kristin Glasford stated she is a patron and citizen, have observed accommodations for handicapped persons. To close parking seems extreme and to rely on other businesses to provide parking and for access for deliveries and service people. Patrons ask to be escorted to their cars because they do not feel safe. The reality is he does not have any control over anything outside his door. Mayor Stephens stated there are 15,000 to 18,000 cars a day that navigate these streets, have had positive feedback from other businesses. Appreciate your comments.

Discussion regarding the Request to Add Traffic Cameras at Route 13/Williams Street: Mayor Stephens stated he has discussed this with Brian Manwaring, best thing to do is engage with other businesses, expensive to run network cabling. Alderman Pittman stated we worked with Blip to get their stuff on our water towers, see if there is any line of sight, connectivity? Mayor Stephens stated the bandwidth needed may be more then what Blip is willing to provide. Mr. Manwaring will continue to research it. Alderman Campos asked Chief Ellermeyer about any grants being looked at to get cameras on Walnut Street? Chief Ellermeyer stated there are no grants for this but will continue to talk to Mr. Manwaring regarding this. Mayor Stephens stated it would be helpful. Chief Ellermeyer stated it depends on what kind of system we can afford. Alderman Campos stated vandalism is not covered by insurance. Mayor Stephens stated we do have a few cameras on city buildings. Chief Ellermeyer stated it has helped and businesses with cameras have helped.

New business: Nothing at this time.

No public comment.

Mayor Stephens opened discussion for Personnel related items.

Old business: Nothing at this time.

New business: Nothing at this time.

No public comment.

MAYOR’S REPORT

Nothing at this time.

ALDERMEN ANNOUNCEMENTS/REQUESTS

Barb Hughes Absent

Jance Curry-Witzman Nothing

Gloria Campos Nothing

Mike Austin Three church collaboration – 21 Days of Prayer, starts at 6 a.m.

This week is at City Hope.

Russell Brown Absent

W. J. Pittman Nothing

John Erbes Demolition of Rowden building? Mayor Stephens stated needed to be an asbestos review done, contractor will be coming back for the demolition.

Gary McComb Absent

Mike Bastien Nothing

Don Gladden Thanked Harold for his report.

DEPARTMENT HEAD ANNOUNCEMENTS/REQUESTS

Richard Blake Nothing

Sandra Ripley Nothing

Scott Evans Nothing

Harold Sheffer Nothing

Steve McBride Nothing

Jamie Ellermeyer Nothing

Charlie Eisert Absent

Tim Lee Nothing (teleconference)

Brian Manwaring Absent

Darrin Mills Absent

Pat Gladson Pump due to be shipped shortly.

Katharine Volle Nothing

Leandra Bryant Absent

Motion: To go into executive session at 6:56 pm for Act 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(5) Meetings for the discussion of minutes of meetings lawfully closed under the Act either for purpose of approval by the body of the minutes or semi-annual review of the minutes as required by the Act.

Motion by Alderman Pittman Second by Alderman Gladden

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

Nays: None

Absent: Alderman Hughes, Alderman Brown, Alderman McComb

Motion Carried

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

Motion by Alderman Bastien Second by Alderman Pittman

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

Nays: None

Absent: Alderman Hughes, Alderman Brown, Alderman McComb

Motion Carried

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

Motion by Alderman Gladden Second by Alderman Austin

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

Motion Carried

Motion: To Release Executive Meeting Minutes 3/17/14, 8/28/18, 10/23/18, 3/23/21, 10/26/21 and 1/25/22.

Motion by Alderman Campos Second by Alderman Pittman

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

Motion Carried

Motion: To Continue to Hold Executive Meeting Minutes 6/11/19, 11/12/19, 12/3/19, 2/11/20, 9/8/20, 6/22/21, 8/24/21, 1/11/22, 2/22/22, 3/8/22, 5/24/22, 6/14/22 and 6/28/22.

Motion by Alderman Campos Second by Alderman Pittman

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

Motion Carried

Motion: To adjourn.

Motion by Alderman Pittman

Second by Alderman Erbes

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

Motion Carried

Meeting adjourned at 7:18 p.m.

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