Carbondale Reporter

City of Murphysboro City Council met Sept. 13.

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 Nathan Borish 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, Gloria Campos, Mike Austin, W. J. Pittman, John Erbes, Gary McComb, Mike Bastien, Don Gladden

Absent: Jance Curry-Witzman, Russell Brown

The council then reviewed the minutes from the previous meeting.

Motion: To approve the minutes of the August 23, 2022, council meeting. All aldermen received a copy of the minutes, for their review, prior to the meeting.

Motion by Alderman Erbes

Second by Alderman Austin

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

Motion Carried

Alderman Erbes inquired as to the timeframe of the water bill for the Splash Pad and does the Park District pay part of it. Bill is for sixty days and yes, they pay part of it.

Motion: To approve the accounts payable, register #472 & 473, through September 13, 2022, accounts receivable through August 31, 2022, and payroll through August, 2022. All aldermen received a copy of the accounts payable, prior to the meeting.

Motion by Alderman Campos

Second by Alderman Pittman

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 good month for Sales/Tax receipts; Operating Expenses versus Budget–still under budget, still have ARPA funds and potential building costs, Future Lane was more than budgeted; Actual Revenue is slightly ahead of Budgeted Revenues; Payroll has a bit of a cushion going into the last quarter.

Review Rehab Loan Policy for Revisions: Alderman Pittman stated recommend removing “Mayor Appointed Building and Contractor Expert”. Mr. Evans stated had five members in case of a tie. Mayor Stephens stated will get together and review for the next meeting. Attorney Heller stated need to change fourth Monday on page one and on page two have to remove 25 years old, change to be of legal age. Alderman Gladden asked about the 4% interest? Mr. Evans stated they are going to look at it, make it a floating rate based on different things. Alderman Pittman stated will get together sometime in the next couple of weeks.

Consideration of Raising the Video Gaming Terminal Fee: Mayor Stephens stated will table this, Ms. Ripley provided the IML Fact sheet. Are currently assessing $25 per terminal and according to the act can assess up to $250 per terminal. Alderman Hughes stated went over the fees a few years ago and on average others were charging $75-100 per. Mayor Stephens stated will come back to it at the next meeting.

No public comment.

Alderman Erbes opened discussion for Building & Grounds related items.

Old Business: Nothing at this time.

New Business:

Consideration of Fire Alarm System Proposal for Public Works: Alderman Erbes stated the quote is in the packet. Chief McBride stated it replaces the alarm system in Public Works, had some areas that were unprotected. Quote is for $5828.00 and will be monitored by the police station. Alderman McComb asked if he recommended this system? Yes.

Motion: To approve the Fire Alarm System Proposal from Security Alarm for $5828.00.

Motion by Alderman McComb

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.

New Business:

Apple Festival Parade – Meet at 21st & Walnut at 10:30 a.m.: Alderman Austin reminded everyone walking in the parade to meet Saturday at 10:30. This requires a lot of work by the Fire, Police and city employees, really appreciate it.

Public comment: Tammy Hardy asked how do you feel regarding chickens on the edge of city limits? Very relaxing, bug control, puts food on my table, cages are kept clean. Mayor Stephens stated had issue with animal control officer. Ms. Hardy stated have ten chickens, all hens, lay 7-10 eggs a day. Mayor Stephens stated have had this discussion before, could do it sensibly, did not pass. Alderman McComb stated some people should be able to, need to research it. Mayor Stephens stated not on the agenda but are you asking us to reconsider our policy? Yes. Alderman Campos stated she would like to see it on the agenda. Mayor Stephens thanked Ms. Hardy and stated we will look at revisiting this.

Alderman Campos stated she attended the First Baptist Church carnival workers luncheon as the translator. Welcomed them on behalf of the city. FBC did a fabulous job, were about fifty people there. Murphysboro is the only town that does this, they really appreciated it.

Alderman Bastien opened discussion for Public Improvement related items.

Old business: Nothing at this time.

New business:

Consideration of Approving Chastain and Associates to Submit ITEP Grant Application and Resolution for ITEP Grant Application: Mr. Sheffer stated this is the grant application the city did two years ago for ADA compliance. Mayor Stephens stated 10th to 18th Street and street lighting on Walnut. Chastain and Associates were paid through grant funding, $3000, need them to re-submit. Mr. Heller stated ok to combine the motions.

Motion: To approve Chastain and Associates submitting ITEP Grant Application and Resolution for ITEP Grant Application.

Motion by Alderman McComb

Second by Alderman Pittman

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

Motion Carried

No public comment.

Alderman McComb opened discussion for Public Works related items.

Old business:

Consideration of Request from Randy Bachmann to Vacate a Portion of an Alley: Mr. Lee stated no water or sewer utilities. Attorney Heller stated he owns both sides of the alley. Alderman Pittman asked does it go through to 11th Street? No, it dead-ends. Alderman McComb stated if there are no utilities, has no problem with it.

Motion: To approve the Request from Randy Bachmann to Vacate a Portion of an Alley.

Motion by Alderman Austin

Second by Alderman Bastien

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

Motion Carried

New business:

Discussion regarding Sewer Service Lines on City Property: Mayor Stephens stated one residential owner and one business owner-sewer goes under city property. Wanted to bring it to council because have continual conversations about this. Alderman Pittman stated his goes under the city line towards the end and he had to replace it. Not comfortable with city employees working on private lines. Alderman Hughes stated had to replace hers also-part of Tina Drive-it is mine to replace. Would be using public resources to do private work. Alderman Pittman stated if it’s a big job, greater than nine feet, we would have to contract it out. Alderman Campos stated not the city’s responsibility. Alderman Erbes stated it is a misconception that they are not responsible for sewer. Mayor Stephens stated he understand their thinking but wanted to bring to council and get your thoughts.

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: Nothing at this time.

No public comment.

MAYOR’S REPORT

Big Muddy Monster Statue: Wildwood Creative and Black Diamond Harley Davidson, along with former alderman Herb Voss. It will be unveiled at the Apple Festival and be kept on display. Will look at what can be done with it, maybe take sealed bids and the winners can display at their business then donate the funds to the Food Pantry. Alderman Bastien stated maybe donate it to be displayed at the Old Depot by Murphysboro Main Street.

7th Street Project: Informed they will be starting to install the storm sewers.

Relay For Life: Alderman Bastien stated next Saturday is the Relay For Life Golf Outing, would the aldermen like to sponsor a hole? Yes.

ALDERMEN ANNOUNCEMENTS/REQUESTS

Barb Hughes Happy Apple Festival.

Jance Curry-Witzman Absent

Gloria Campos Happy Apple Festival and BBQ Championship.

Mike Austin Hard to park at the Chamber of Commerce due to the beauty shop, maybe declare the area in front of the door as a designated parking for the Chamber of commerce.

Russell Brown Absent

W. J. Pittman Nothing

John Erbes Nothing

Gary McComb Have picked up the candy, will be picking up the apples Friday,

Don’t forget to pick up bags.

Mike Bastien Nothing

Don Gladden Nothing

DEPARTMENT HEAD ANNOUNCEMENTS/REQUESTS

Ed Heller Nothing

Sandra Ripley Absent

Scott Evans Thanked the Mayor and council for backing the loan for Main Street.

Harold Sheffer Taking bids for water tower, will start Shomaker overlay around October 10, October 10 EPA loan project for painting towers.

Steve McBride Nothing

Jamie Ellermeyer Thanked Brother Charlie at Elm Street Church, on 9/11 put on a nice program.

Blaine Ensor Thanked Alderman McComb for the doughnuts and pies.

Tim Lee 8” replacement line on Business 13 is moving along.

Brian Manwaring Absent

Darrin Mills 3 complaints about Enterprise Ave, road is destroyed now.

Pat Gladson Nothing

Katharine Volle Nothing

Leandra Bryant Absent

Motion: To go into executive session at 7:02 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, 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 Campos

Second by Alderman McComb

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

Nays: None

Absent: Alderman Curry-Witzman, Alderman Brown

Motion Carried

Motion: To come out of executive session at 7:40 p.m.

Motion by Alderman Gladden

Second by Alderman Austin

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

Nays: None

Absent: Alderman Curry-Witzman, Alderman Brown

Motion Carried

Motion: To resume the regular council session at 7:40 p.m.

Motion by Alderman Bastien

Second by Alderman Hughes

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

Motion Carried

Motion: To adjourn.

Motion by Alderman Pittman

Second by Alderman Campos

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

Motion Carried

Meeting adjourned at 7:40p.m.

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