Carbondale Reporter

City of Murphysboro City Council met May 16.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The Murphysboro, Illinois, City Council met in regular session, pursuant to its ordinances, on the 16th day of May, 2023. Mayor Stephens called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. and invited Pastor Jim Fry to lead the council in prayer. Following the invocation, Mayor Stephens led the council in the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag.

City Clerk Hunziker swore in Barb Hughes, Don Gladden and Rick Runge as the re-elected and newly elected aldermen.

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, Rick Runge, Mike Austin, Angela Jackson, W.J. Pittman, Gary McComb, Mike Bastien, Don Gladden

Absent: John Erbes

Motion: To Declare Vacancy Position of Alderman Ward 3.

Motion by Alderman Bastien

Second by Alderman McComb

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

Motion Carried

Appointment of Angela Jackson to Alderman Vacancy Ward 3: Mayor Stephens recommended Angela Jackson for the Ward 3 Alderman Vacancy.

Motion: To confirm the Appointment of Angela Jackson to the Ward 3 Alderman Vacancy.

Motion by Alderman Hughes

Second by Alderman Gladden

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

Motion Carried

City Clerk Hunziker swore in Angela Jackson to fill the Alderman Vacancy in Ward 3.

Presentation of Proclamation to Mike Bastien: Alderman Bastien stated it has been a pleasure serving, wishes the city the best. Mayor Stephens then read the proclamation into the record, declaring May 18, 2023, Mike Bastien Day.

The council then reviewed the minutes from the previous meeting. Alderman Hughes stated page 3 under Public Works needs to be corrected to Midwest Tree Service will remove the trees not Darrin Mills, page 5 under Tim Lee’s comments would like ”her” changed to the person’s name. Alderman Gladden requested fire on Clarke Street be added to his comments on page 5.

Motion: To approve the minutes and corrections of the April 25, 2023, council meeting. All aldermen received a copy of the minutes, for their review, prior to the meeting.

Motion by Alderman McComb

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:

Motion: To approve the accounts payable, registers #595, 596 & 597, through May 16, 2023, accounts receivable through April 30, 2023, and payroll through April, 2023. All aldermen received a copy of the accounts payable for their review, prior to the meeting.

Motion by Alderman McComb

Second by Alderman Curry-Witzman

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

Motion Carried

Financial Statements prepared by Scott Evans, Budget Officer: Mr. Evans reviewed the State Income Tax Receipts, Sales/HR Tax, Healthcare costs, General Fund budget v actuals, and Salaries. May will have three payrolls.

Consideration of Increase for Auxiliary Officers: Chief Ellermeyer discussed increases for Auxiliary Officers due to the increase in minimum wage, increase Auxiliary Chief to $20/hour, Lt. increase to $17/hour, Sgt. to $16/hour and officers increase to $15/hour.

Motion: To approve the Hourly Wage increases for Auxiliary Officers as proposed by Chief Ellermeyer.

Motion by Alderman Hughes

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 Building & Grounds related items.

Old Business:

Update on Replacement of Outdoor Shed at administration Office: Mayor Stephens stated Ms. Ripley found a shed by Niemann Flooring for $2500, used, 8X12, still has full warranty. Ms. Ripley stated it would take two to three weeks to schedule set up, leveling, etc. Mr. Mills stated can remove the old one. Mayor Stephens stated maybe Cook can haul it off. Alderman McComb stated Ms. Ripley will check with Cook and see if they will haul it off.

Motion: To approve the purchase of the used 8X12 storage shed at Cook Portable Warehouse for $2500.

Motion by Alderman Pittman

Second by Alderman Hughes

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

Motion Carried

New Business: Nothing at this time.

Public comment: Mayor Stephens stated in a meeting with the Governor of Illinois, talked about the new city hall, Governor instructed the Deputy Governor to work with Mayor Stephens, 7-8 million, possibly help get to go towards building.

Mayor Stephens opened discussion for Community Relations Committee related items.

Old Business: Nothing at this time.

New Business:

Recognition of Georgia Marshall: Alderman Hughes stated was talking to Alderman Austin after feeding the soccer team, Georgia Marshall is always there to help with anything needed, ladies soccer team ate around 8 p.m., she stated, unpaid. Would like to recognize her, maybe with gift cards. She is very dedicated. Alderman Austin stated she is not compensated for her time, volunteers it. Alderman McComb suggested a $100 gift card. Alderman Hughes stated she will pick it up. Alderman Gladden stated give it to her on behalf of the city council.

Motion: To approve the purchase of a $100.00 Visa gift card to be presented to Georgia Marshall .

Motion by Alderman McComb

Second by Alderman Curry-Witzman

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

Motion Carried

Public comment: She is over five schools, goes over and beyond.

Alderman Bastien opened discussion for Public Improvement related items.

Old business: Nothing at this time.

New business:

Presentation by Historic Preservation Commission of Restoration Hero – 1826 Spruce Street by James Barlow: It is an amazing house. Alderman Bastien thanked James and Denise Barlow for relocating back to Murphysboro.

No public comment.

Alderman McComb opened discussion for Public Works related items.

Old business: Nothing at this time.

New business:

Discussion regarding Water Main Extension at Maes Road & Industrial Park Road: Mayor Stephens stated Tim Lee sent him a message, the extension requested and paid for by Sherry Lee and other neighbors, Zeigler Road, Shadow Road and Kimmel Bridge Road, states it is a win-win situation. Alderman McComb stated he thinks they are starting on it pretty quick. Alderman Hughes asked they pay 50% up front and the rest on completion? Yes.

Motion: To approve the Water Main Extension Request by Sherry Lee.

Motion by Alderman Gladden

Second by Alderman Austin

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

Motion Carried

No public comment.

Mayor Stephens opened discussion for Public Safety related items.

Old business:

Consideration of removing Loading Zones and adding Extra Lighting on N. 13th Street: Mayor Stephens reference the handout for this area, faded crosswalk, Mr. Mills will repaint it. Loading zone sign, START Director does not know why it is there, no problem with removing it. Alderman Pittman stated business owners on Walnut Street park in front of businesses in 100 block of North 13th Street, make it a two hour parking zone? Attorney Blake stated that would need to be a new agenda item. Alderman Hughes stated people would not pay attention to it. Mayor Stephens suggested customer parking only sign, has seen it in other cities. Chief Ellermeyer stated starting to get apartments above those businesses so the tenants are parking there also. There is one light by the nail salon, need extra lighting. Mayor Stephens stated would like to add two street lights between Walnut and Hanson on North 13th Street, that area is not well lit.

Motion: To approve the removal of the Loading Zone sign and install two additional street lights on North 13th Street between Walnut and Hanson.

Motion by Alderman McComb

Second by Alderman Curry-Witzman

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

Motion Carried

New business:

Consideration of Declaring Vehicles as Surplus – 2013 Dodge Charger and 2013 Ford Expedition: Chief Ellermeyer stated will sell at Cannings.

Motion: To approve declaring vehicles as surplus – 2013 Dodge Charger and 2013 Ford Expedition.

Motion by Alderman McComb

Second by Alderman Pittman

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

Motion Carried

Update on Retail Theft Grant: Chief Ellermeyer stated Alderman Bastien brought this grant to his attention, it is for cameras, video cameras, through the attorney general’s office, applied for it and received $126,000 to help prevent retail theft. Will cover four main intersections in and out of town, company is called Flock, have the cameras and plate readers. Can re-apply for this grant. Mr. Manwaring reached out to some others and received approximately $70,000 for other areas, approximately 25 cameras. Another $10,000 to put officers in plains clothes and patrol. Can re-apply each year. Will be a big help. Thank you Alderman Bastien for your help in getting this done, couldn’t have gotten it without him. Alderman McComb thanked Alderman Bastien, Chief Ellermeyer, Sgt. Etherton and Ashley for their 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

Thanked the council for their support by moving the meeting so could travel to Washington D.C. Met with Congressmen Bost, Durbin several others regarding the Southwest Illinois Connector proposal, spoke about it on the floor in Congress. $1000 of expenses incurred will be reimbursed by SW IL Connector.

ALDERMEN ANNOUNCEMENTS/REQUESTS

Barb Hughes Nothing

Jance Curry-Witzman Nothing

Rick Runge Nothing

Mike Austin National Police Week, signed by John F. Kennedy in 1962.

Thanked the chief and all his people for the good work they do.

Angela Jackson Saturday is a 5K Run/Walk that raises funds for the American

Cancer Society.

W. J. Pittman Nothing

John Erbes Absent

Gary McComb Thanked Mike for the years he put in and the ways he has helped

us, will miss you.

Mike Bastien Will miss everyone.

Don Gladden Nothing

DEPARTMENT HEAD ANNOUNCEMENTS/REQUESTS

Richard Blake Nothing

Sandra Ripley At the next meeting the photographer will be here to take pictures

for the website and group photo, at 5 pm.

Scott Evans Nothing

Ted Beggs Nothing

Steve McBride Nothing

Jaime Ellermeyer Thanked Mike for all his support.

Charlie Eisert Absent

Tim Lee Absent

Brian Manwaring Nothing

Darrin Mills Nothing

Pat Gladson Nothing

Katharine Volle Nothing

Leandra Bryant: Nothing

Motion: To go into executive session at 7:08 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.

Motion by Alderman Gladden Second by Alderman Pittman

Yeas: Alderman Hughes, Alderman Curry-Witzman, Alderman Runge, Alderman Austin, Alderman Jackson, Alderman Pittman, Alderman Erbes, Alderman McComb, Alderman Bastien, Alderman Gladden

Nays: None

Absent: Alderman Erbes

Motion Carried

Motion: To come out of executive session at 7:17 p.m.

Motion by Alderman McComb Second by Alderman Hughes

Yeas: Alderman Hughes, Alderman Curry-Witzman, Alderman Runge, Alderman Austin, Alderman Jackson, Alderman Pittman, Alderman McComb, Alderman Bastien, Alderman Gladden

Nays: None

Absent: Alderman Erbes

Motion Carried

Motion: To resume the regular council session at 7:17 p.m.

Motion by Alderman McComb

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 Curry-Witzman

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

Motion Carried

Meeting adjourned at 7:18 p.m.

https://murphysboro.com/government/administration/meeting-agendas-and-minutes/