City of Murphysboro City Council met Nov. 15
Here is 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., then led the council in prayer and 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, Gloria Campos, Mike Austin, W.J. Pittman, Mike Bastien, Don Gladden
Absent: Jance Curry-Witzman, Russell Brown, John Erbes, Gary McComb
Mayor Stephens invited Chief McBride to present a commendation to Firefighter Robert Alexander. Chief McBride read a letter from Alderman Erbes who made the recommendation for commendation for aiding a citizen having a seizure on October 22, 2022.
The council then reviewed the minutes from the previous meeting. No comments or corrections were noted.
Motion: To approve the minutes of the October 25, 2022, council meeting, as typed. All aldermen received a copy of the minutes, for their review, 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
Mayor Stephens asked if there were any questions on the accounts payable, accounts receivable or payroll registers that were presented in their packets.
Motion: To approve the accounts payable registers #509 and #510, accounts receivable and payroll registers. All aldermen received a copy 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
Alderman Pittman opened discussion for Budget & Finance related items.
Old Business: There was no old business on the agenda.
New Business:
Scott Evans, Budget Officer presented Financial Statements for discussion. The first report was the Schedule of Sales/Home Rule Tax Receipts. The second was the City-Wide Balance Sheet.
Alderman Pittman advised that the line of credit at First Bank & Trust was due for renewal. However, it was agreed that the item would be tabled until more members of the council were present.
There was no public comment
In the absence of Alderman Erbes, Mayor Stephens opened discussion for Building & Grounds related items.
Old Business: There was no old business on the agenda.
New Business: The purchase of property on South 4th Street from the Jackson County Trustee was tabled as the vote will require seven (7) affirmative votes to pass.
Mayor Stephens indicated that the developer for the Country Club Residential Development was not able to attend the meeting, therefore, discussion will be tabled.
There was no public comment.
Chairman Austin opened discussion for Community Relations related items.
Old Business: Nothing at this time.
New Business: Alderman Austin stated that we have Linda Herrold from the Historic Preservation Commission present and would like to give an update from their commission. Ms. Herrold advised that three (3) Restoration Hero Awards were given this year. She also advised that the designation of the Downtown Historic District was granted by the State. Work continues on the Longfellow Historic District.
Alderman Austin reported that a request for 5K has been received from Murphysboro Main Street. They would like to hold a 5K on Saturday, December 10th and use the route that starts and ends on Spruce Street by the Depot. Alderman Austin stated that they would also like to close South 17th Street which would be added to the next council agenda for consideration.
Motion: To Approve the request to hold a 5K run/walk on Saturday, December 10th, 2022 as requested.
Motion by Alderman Campos
Second by Alderman Bastien
Mayor Stephens called for a voice vote. All were in favor.
Motion Carried
Under Public Comment, Alderman Bastien advised that he had received a request for the City Council to participate in the Hometown Christmas Tree Lighting event on Friday, December 2nd, 2022. He indicated that he would set-up a table with the child activity of making reindeer food. All were welcome to help beginning at 5:00 p.m.
Chairman Bastien opened discussion for Public Improvement related items.
Old business: There are no items listed under old business.
New business: There are no items listed under new business.
There was no public comment.
On behalf of Chairman McComb, Mayor Stephens opened discussion for Public Works related items.
Old business: There are no items for discussion under old business.
New business:
Mayor Stephens indicated that Street Foreman, Darrin Mills, had obtained quotes for a new cinder spreader. Mr. Mills stated that the quote from Woody’s Supply was $9,828 which was a reduction of $550 for the installation to be done in-house. There is a four to six month lead time and requested to proceed with placing the order.
Motion: To Approve the purchase of a cinder spreader from Woody’s Supply in the amount of $9,828.
Motion by Alderman Pittman
Second by Alderman Austin
Mayor Stephens called for a voice vote. All were in favor.
Motion Carried
Mr. Mills advised that he was still researching information about Salt Storage Structures. He requested that this item be tabled until more information and quotes could be received.
Mr. Mills requested that the Council consider the Oil and Chip Program for 2023. He indicated that he would like to get the program started earlier so that preparation could be done when the work load was not at its heaviest. He further indicated that he would like the work to be done in the Northwest Quadrant and include Tower Grove Cemetery.
Motion: To Approve proceeding with the Oil & Chip Program for 2023 in the Northwest Quadrant.
Motion by Alderman Gladden
Second by Alderman Hughes
Mayor Stephens called for a voice vote. All were in favor.
Motion Carried
Mayor Stephens advised that the Shomaker Drive Overlay Project is complete. The job was finished with one change order with “as-built” quantities which resulted in a net decrease of $2,684.92 of the contract price.
Motion: To Approve Change Order #1 for the Shomaker Drive Overlay Project.
Motion by Alderman Pittman
Second by Alderman Campos
Mayor Stephens called for a voice vote. All were in favor.
Motion Carried
Motion: To Approve Pay Estimate #1 (and Final) in the amount of $52,932.89 payable to E.T. Simonds Construction Company for the Shomaker Drive Overlay Project.
Motion by Alderman Pittman
Second by Alderman Austin
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: No old business for discussion.
New business:
Mayor Stephens indicated that there was a request from Ameren/AECOM/06 ENV for street and alley closure at the clean-up site at 6th and Walnut Street. A map was provided for all to review.
Motion: To Approve the street/alley closure request from Ameren/AECOM/06 ENV as proposed.
Motion by Alderman Campos
Second by Alderman Bastien
Mayor Stephens called for a voice vote. All were in favor.
Motion Carried
Mayor Stephens stated that a request was received to make 21st & Wall Street a 4-way stop intersection. It was stated that the request came from Mr. Bill Moeglin. Alderman Hughes requested for the item to be tabled until Chief Ellermeyer could look at past accidents and issues in that vicinity.
Under public comment Alderman Campos inquired about the crossing signal at 21st & Walnut Street. She indicated that it does not seem to be working correctly. Mayor Stephens stated that he will check it out.
Alderman Hughes opened discussion for Personnel related items.
Old business: Nothing at this time.
New business: Nothing at this time.
There was no public comment.
MAYOR’S REPORT
Mayor Stephens stated that he would like to update the City website. The current host is Revize, but would like to give Idea Creative Marketing which is a Murphysboro based business the opportunity. A quote of $4,363.20 was received from Idea Creative Marketing. Alderman Hughes stated that she fully supports moving our business locally.
Motion: To Approve Idea Creative Marketing to host and update the City website in the amount of $4,363.20.
Motion by Alderman Bastien
Second by Alderman Campos
Mayor Stephens called for a voice vote. All were in favor.
Motion Carried
ALDERMEN ANNOUNCEMENTS/REQUESTS
Barb Hughes Nothing
Jance Curry-Witzman Nothing
Gloria Campos Budget/Finance meeting on Thursday? No, it has been postponed.
Mike Austin Nothing
Russell Brown Absent
W. J. Pittman Nothin
John Erbes Absent
Gary McComb Absent
Mike Bastien Nothing
Don Gladden In preparation of the spring rainy season, he inquired about the Pond Creek project and if any contact has been made with Mr. Ruble. It was stated that we are all hoping that the 7th Street project will help with the drainage issues.
DEPARTMENT HEAD ANNOUNCEMENTS/REQUESTS
Richard Blake Stated that he has been in contact with a representative of the former nursing home property. He received pictures of clean-up work that has been accomplished and will be addressing the water line issue as well.
Sandra Ripley Nothing
Scott Evans Nothing
Harold Sheffer Nothing
Steve McBride Nothing
Jamie Ellermeyer Absent
Tim Lee Advised that he spoke to Coe Equipment and the Vactor is currently at the Chassis shop.
Charlie Eisert On behalf of Ashley Runge and Hometown Christmas, he thanked Darrin and his crew for the assistance with putting up all of the Christmas decorations. Also stated that anchors have been installed at Carl Lee Park for the stabilization of the tree.
Brian Manwaring Nothing
Darrin Mills Nothing
Pat Gladson Nothing
Katharine Volle Nothing
Motion: To adjourn.
Motion by Alderman Pittman
Second by Alderman Austin
Mayor Stephens called for a voice vote. All were in favor.
Motion Carried
Meeting adjourned at 6:58 p.m.
https://www.murphysboro.com/government/administration/council_meetings/meeting_agendas_and_minutes.php
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