Carbondale Reporter

City of Murphysboro City Council met Oct. 11.

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 invited Pastor Charlie Allen 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, Jance Curry-Witzman, Gloria Campos, Mike Austin, John Erbes, Mike Bastien, Don Gladden

Absent: Russell Brown, W.J. Pittman, Gary McComb

Special Presentation by the VFW: Christopher Maynor made a special presentation of Certificates of Appreciation to First Responders Chief Steve McBride and Sargeant Craig Smelter. Mr. Maynor stated due to their care of our community, they have been named the Officer and Fireman of the Year.

The council then reviewed the minutes from the previous meeting.

Motion: To approve the minutes of the September 27, 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 Curry-Witzman

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

Motion Carried

Alderman Hughes stated sees the payment to Vogler Ford for the two vehicles but approval for financing is on the agenda. Will include in motion pending council approval of financing later on the agenda.

Motion: To approve the accounts payable, register #491 & 492 except for the check to Vogler Ford for the two vehicles pending council approval of financing, through October 11, 2022, accounts receivable through September 30, 2022, and payroll through September, 2022. All aldermen received a copy of the accounts payable, prior to the meeting.

Motion by Alderman Hughes

Second by Alderman Campos

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 Sales Tax Report – highest October, in line to meet the projected budget. General Fund Expenses versus Budget – currently under budget, Adm line contains ARPA funds, actual revenues contains funds received to be spent in 2023. Salaries – currently under budget, have three payrolls in November. Alderman Erbes asked the excess in the IT line? Mr. Manwaring purchased computers all in September, will catch up by year end.

Consideration of Financing Street Department and Water Department Trucks:

Consideration of Financing Fire Department Radios: Mr. Evans stated we budgeted to finance these. Currently making 4% on CD’s. Financing is through First Bank & Trust.

Motion: To approve Financing the Street Department and Water Department Trucks at 2.99% for 60 months and Financing the Fire Department Radios at 3.75% for 60 months.

Motion by Alderman Austin

Second by Alderman Erbes

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 Parking Lot Closure for Masonic Lodge Monday, October 31, 2002, from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.: Ms. Ripley stated this is the request mentioned at the last meeting. Alderman Austin asked close it? Mayor Stephens stated put up barricades. Mr. Mills stated nothing has changed, courthouse employees still park there. Mayor Stephens stated unless we are going to enforce it, don’t know who is parking there. Can close it for the whole day. Alderman Campos stated the two-hour parking limit is not enforced. Alderman Bastien stated the majority parking there are employees. Alderman Austin stated give them the opportunity to know what we are saying and police themselves. Mayor Stephens stated will send an email to the county to let them know. Alderman Hughes stated will need to close earlier or there will be cars there. Alderman Bastien stated close it at 4:00 p.m.

Motion: To approve the Parking Lot Closure Request by the Masonic Lodge on October 31, 2022, will block both entrances at 7:00 a.m.

Motion by Alderman Gladden Second by Alderman Campos

Mayor Stephens called a roll call vote.

Yeas: Alderman Hughes, Alderman Curry-Witzman, Alderman Campos, Alderman Gladden

Nays: Alderman Austin, Alderman Erbes, Alderman Bastien

Absent: Alderman Brown, Alderman Pittman, Alderman McComb

Motion Passed

No public comment.

Alderman Bastien opened discussion for Public Improvement related items.

Old business: Discussion regarding the Property at 1441 North 14th Street (former Nursing Home): Alderman Bastien stated has spoken to Code Enforcement, Mr. Eisert. Mr. Eisert stated it is owned by a company out of Florida. Went there today and walked around. Carbondale Police Department and Jackson County cars were there. Grass was mowed. Mayor Stephens stated he walked around the perimeter, able to get in. Dead animals, in bad shape, declining, guttering falling off, windows replaced with boards. Contacted their Attorney Audrey Smith, messaged several times, then told her will have city attorney contact her. Then she asked if there is an organization that will accept it as a donation. Need to consult with attorney to see what action to take. Alderman Campos suggested the city take it as a donation. Chief McBride stated it is in a flood plain, no fire protection/city water due to broken pipe in the building. Mr. Lee stated the boiler room had flooded. Mayor Stephens stated has electricity, some lights were on. Alderman Bastien stated at this time need to turn it over to the city attorney. Attorney Blake stated can review the photos, get some kind of notice. Alderman Erbes asked what can we do? Attorney Blake stated can declare it a public safety issue. Alderman Austin asked who gave permission for active shooter training?

New business: Nothing at this time.

No public comment.

Mayor Stephens opened discussion for Public Works related items.

Old business: Nothing at this time.

New business:

Consideration of Bids for Tank Renovation Project: Mr. Sheffer stated MaxCor Inc low bidder for $959,744.00. EPA loan for $950,000 with 50% forgiveness. $1,036,000 total cost, $86,000 not covered by EPA loan or forgiveness. Mr. Evans stated ARPA money not spoken for is approximately $50,000 that can be put towards this. Mayor Stephens stated can pay balance out of water sewer fund.

Motion: To approve MaxCor Inc bid of $959,744.00 for the Tank Renovation Project.

Motion by Alderman Gladden

Second by Alderman Austin

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

Motion Carried

Approval of Notice of Intent to Award Tank Renovation Project: Mr. Sheffer stated have to actually sign a notice of intent to award MaxCor Inc the project, for the IEPA.

Motion: To approve the Notice of Intent to Award Tank Renovation Project.

Motion by Alderman Gladden

Second by Alderman Campos

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

Motion Carried

Consideration of Bid for Tree Removal at 202 North 21st Street: Alderman Bastien stated this is in his ward, started to look bad last year. This year has gotten worse, limbs falling, public hazard.

Motion: To approve the bid for $2800.00 by Midwest Tree Service to remove the tree at 202 North 21st Street.

Motion by Alderman Bastien

Second by Alderman Gladden

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

Motion Carried

Public Comment: Alderman Campos stated there are tree branches blocking the stop signs at 16th & Roberta and at Gartside & 17th. Mr. Mills stated he will take care of.

Mr. Mills stated there is a huge Sycamore tree, Ameren said it is not a problem for them, won’t help take down the tree but will with the stump.

Mayor Stephens opened discussion for Public Safety related items.

Old business: Nothing at this time.

New business:

Consideration of Allowing Chickens within City Limits: Mayor Stephens stated have discussed this before, has not passed. Could model after Carbondale. Alderman Hughes stated is against it due to health issues. Had handouts from IDPH – Infectious Diseases. Feel is hazardous, even the cleanest of coops will have odor. Have seen eye diseases from chicken droppings, still have concerns. Alderman Campos stated she does not have a problem but accepts that it has been voted down in the past. Can she have chickens be considered a support pet, get a note from the doctor? Mayor Stephens stated is a complex question, will be hard to discern, question becomes very foggy. That is a question for the doctor.

Public comment: Tammy Hardy stated we have birds flying all around and other animals, all are harmful to your health. If we keep the chickens and the coop clean, what harm is that? Mayor Stephens stated he appreciates her comments but does not feel there will be any additional consideration on the matter.

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

Consideration of Appointment of Scott Johnson to the Historic Preservation Commission: Mayor Stephens stated Scott Johnson is present this evening. Scott Johnson stated as President of the Jackson County Historical Society, would like to see us get more involved, makes sense for someone to be on that board.

Motion: To approve the Appointment of Scott Johnson to the Historic Preservation Commission.

Motion by Alderman Bastien

Second by Alderman Erbes

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

Motion Carried

Bridgewood Basketball Court: Mayor Stephens stated Jackson County Housing Authority is allotting $25,000 to raise it 5 inches, to help drain properly, fencing, new goals, wanted to know if the city would help out. Have received monetary donations of $2500. Mayor has $1500 left in his budget for travel, would like to re-allocate these funds to use for this project. They would maintain it. SIU Chancellor, basketball team, would like to adopt that court to maintain it, maybe have an SIU practice there.

Motion: To approve the Re-Allocation of the Mayor’s SW Corridor Travel Budget line of $1500 to be donated towards the Repairs of the Bridgewood Basketball Court.

Motion by Alderman Hughes

Second by Alderman Campos

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

Motion Carried

SW Connector Project: Mayor Stephens stated has been elected Chairman of this group, does not commit the city, just his time. Still waiting on potential Federal grant of $400 million. Will run from Murphysboro to Pinckneyville to Waterloo. Will continue to work on this.

ALDERMEN ANNOUNCEMENTS/REQUESTS

Barb Hughes Nothing

Jance Curry-Witzman Nothing

Gloria Campos Nothing

Mike Austin Nothing

Russell Brown Absent

W. J. Pittman Absent

John Erbes Nothing

Gary McComb Absent

Mike Bastien Nothing

Don Gladden Nothing

DEPARTMENT HEAD ANNOUNCEMENTS/REQUESTS

Richard Blake Nothing

Sandra Ripley Insurance Handout-we are significantly under-insured. Mayor

Stephens asked how much under? Each building is listed separately. Additional cost? Can’t answer until it goes to the under writer. They are insured for replacement value. Ask to provide a ballpark figure.

Scott Evans Nothing

Harold Sheffer E.T. Simonds will start on Shomaker Drive tomorrow. Mayor Stephens stated will let Tri-Co School know.

Steve McBride 3 years ago purchased a rescue boat and trailer, is a 2013. Had a seam failure on the boat, needs to be replaced, have the funds in spiller pays, $1600 + shipping, will keep the motor and trailer.

Jamie Ellermeyer Nothing

Charlie Eisert Handout-seven properties need to be demo’d, are on tax sale, would like to purchase. Total cost of about $5691. Would like to demo the property behind the old Ameren building so the workers can park there then the next door neighbor is interested in it. Demo’s will have to wait until 2023 budget.

Tim Lee Excited about the water towers, so important to the city. Brian Manwaring Absent

Darrin Mills Doing general maintenance on the cinder spreaders, no longer Have parts, will get a bid on a new one.

Pat Gladson Nothing

Katharine Volle Nothing

Leandra Bryant Absent

Motion: To adjourn.

Motion by Alderman Austin

Second by Alderman Erbes

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

Motion Carried

Meeting adjourned at 7:21p.m.

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