City of Murphysboro City Council met May 30.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
The Murphysboro, Illinois, City Council met in regular session, pursuant to its ordinances, on the 30th day of May, 2023. Mayor Stephens called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. and invited Pastor Cindy 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 John Erbes as a re-elected Alderman.
Mayor Stephens then directed City Clerk Gina Hunziker to call the roll. The roll was called with the following:
Present: Rick Runge, Mike Austin, Angela Jackson, W.J. Pittman, John Erbes, Gary McComb, Don Gladden
Absent: Barb Hughes, Jance Curry-Witzman
The council then reviewed the minutes from the previous meeting. Alderman Gladden stated page 3 under Public Comment change Deputy Mayor to Deputy Governor and correct a typo on page 4.
Motion: To approve the minutes and corrections of the May 16, 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 |
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 #598 & 599, through May 30, 2023. All aldermen received a copy of the accounts payable for their review, prior to the meeting.
| Motion by Alderman Erbes | Second by Alderman Gladden |
Motion Carried
Financial Statements prepared by Scott Evans, Budget Officer: Mr. Evans reviewed the Income Statement, Balance Sheet, Income Tax Receipts and Cash & Equivalents.
No public comment.
Alderman Austin opened discussion for Building & Grounds related items.
Old Business: Nothing at this time.
Alderman Austin asked where we are at with the storage shed? Mayor Stephens stated Ms. Ripley found a used one at Cook Buildings for $2500. Alderman Austin asked if the old one had been removed yet? No. Alderman Erbes stated Cook Buildings said they would remove the old one, Alderman McComb stated the deadbolt has been changed, do not have a key.
New Business: Nothing at this time.
No public comment.
Mayor Stephens opened discussion for Community Relations Committee related items.
Old Business: Nothing at this time.
New Business:
Presentation by Les Winkler on the Shawnee National Forest: He, his wife and John Wallace are present representing the Shawnee National Park and Climate Preserve and hope the city will support their proposal. There are 63 National Parks, 312 million visits to them last year, multiple books on them, the coal mines are gone, population is declining. Re-designation as a National Park & Climate Preserve would increase employment, dollars spent there by visitors. Want to move from Department of Agriculture to Department of Interior. There is no visitor center, only one bathhouse, eminent domain is not used to acquire land, offers the same protections. Goal is to expand recreational uses – birds, horse trails, biking, hunting, dogs, etc. He also had a copy of Myth Busters they had put together and sent to the Mayor. If this isn’t the best opportunity for economic recovery, what is? Mayor Stephens thanked Mr. Winkler for his presentation and asked if they are asking for a letter of support? Will talk to the council. Where have you gotten support so far? Mr. Winkler stated City of Carbondale, Illinois Audubon, Carrier Mills, Audubon societies, trying to build public support. Alderman Runge asked what kind of feedback from Senator Durbin? Mr. Winkler stated have had good meetings, all have expressed support but none have come forth and made a public pronouncement yet. Mayor Stephens thanked them for coming and presenting, will get back with them.
Public comment: John Wallace stated another concern has been fees, assessing fee to enter each National Park is different.
Mayor Stephens opened discussion for Public Improvement related items.
Old business: Nothing at this time.
New business:
Discussion of Logan School Property: Mayor Stephens stated there are representatives from First Baptist Church present. Pastor Nathan Borish stated the church has recently acquired Logan School. It is in rough shape, have put up six lights to light up the grounds, building entrance points have been secured, scraped off a full load of dirt off the asphalt, would like to see if the city street sweeper would make a pass over it. June 7th from 5-7 p.m. will be having a community outreach event, have purchased some new playground equipment. Goal is to have an annual outreach event, other events and attractions on other weekends, is meeting with Hometown Christmas. Will be talking to the community and getting their thoughts and ideas. If do not have the funds to renovate, will use funds raised to make it a community park and demo the building. Mayor Stephens asked about the shape of the roof? Pastor Borish stated is in rough shape, would need a full replacement and some of the deck boards and joists. Mayor Stephens asked if had looked at grant funding? Lot of history. Pastor Borish stated looking at every opportunity for grants and funding. Had a study done and there are no structural concerns, just the roof. Alderman Pittman stated no issue with getting the street sweeper. Mayor Stephens stated he has asked Ms. Bryant to have them go over and clean the asphalt. Pastor Borish thanked the mayor for setting up the meeting to make it happen.
No public comment.
Alderman McComb opened discussion for Public Works related items.
Old business: Nothing at this time.
New business:
Consideration of Bids for Oil & Chip Program: Alderman McComb recommended we accept the low bid from Illini Asphalt for $70,652.00.
Motion: To approve the bid from Illini Asphalt for $70,652.00 for the Oil & Chip Program.
| Motion by Alderman Pittman | Second by Alderman Gladden |
Motion Carried
No public comment.
Alderman Erbes opened discussion for Public Safety related items.
Old business: Nothing at this time.
New business:
Consideration of Request for Stop Sign at 20th & Hamilton Street and 20th & Minton Street: Alderman McComb stated have previously said no for one for Minton Street. Mike Kortkamp stated requesting stop sign at Hamilton, people go a lot faster than 25 mph. If police patrol maybe they would slow down. Mayor Stephens stated have asked for additional patrols. Mr. Kortkamp stated maybe that would make them slow down. Mayor Stephens stated I agree with you, lot of traffic going faster than 25 mph. Alderman McComb asked Chief Ellermeyer if there had been any wrecks? Chief Ellermeyer stated not that he knows of. Mr. Kortkamp stated his daughter’s parked car had been hit. Alderman McComb stated the best bet would be to have radar set up and catch the ones doing that. Chief Ellermeyer stated Illinois and 20th Street is a main thoroughfare, several blocks between. Mayor Stephens stated will run patrols, radar data, write some warnings and tickets, then re-visit. Alderman Erbes stated he drove it tonight, someone ran the four-way stop at Gartside.
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
Discussion regarding Valley Ridge Traffic Issues: Told the residents he would mention their concern that people are not stopping at the stop sign on South 19th Street, talked to Chief Ellermeyer.
There is one million dollars in the Illinois Budget to help fund the City Hall. Fifteen million is included for the Southwest Connector for engineering, hopefully that will help get Federal money. Alderman Erbes asked if any expenses incurred to date be reimbursed? Mayor Stephens stated didn’t address any of those specifically but it states all costs.
Clean up day is Friday and Saturday.
ALDERMEN ANNOUNCEMENTS/REQUESTS
Barb Hughes Absent
Jance Curry-Witzman Absent
Rick Runge Nothing
Mike Austin Nothing
Angela Jackson Nothing
W. J. Pittman Nothing
John Erbes Nothing
Gary McComb This weekend is the city-wide clean up.
Don Gladden Nothing
DEPARTMENT HEAD ANNOUNCEMENTS/REQUEST
Richard Blake Nothing
Sandra Ripley Nothing
Scott Evans Auditors will be presenting soon.
Harold Sheffer 7th St. progress is substantial, Samron expecting to be complete June 19 except driveways & sidewalks by Aug 4.
Steve McBride Nothing
Jaime Ellermeyer Officer Gavin Hartley going to State Police, has taken more guns and drugs off the streets, he will be missed.
Charlie Eisert Absent
Tim Lee Absent
Brian Manwaring Absent
Darrin Mills Absent
Pat Gladson Absent
Katharine Volle Nothing
Leandra Bryant: Nothing
Motion: To adjourn.
| Motion by Alderman Erbes | Second by Alderman Runge |
Motion Carried
Meeting adjourned at 7:08 p.m.
https://murphysboro.com/government/administration/meeting-agendas-and-minutes/
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