Carbondale Reporter

Johnston City Community Unit School District 1 Board of Education met July 25.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

The Murphysboro, Illinois, City Council met in regular session, pursuant to its ordinances, on the 25th day of July, 2023. Mayor Stephens called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. and led 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, Rick Runge, Mike Austin, Angela Jackson, W.J. Pittman, John Erbes, Don Gladden

Absent: Jance Curry-Witzman, Gary McComb

The council then reviewed the minutes from the previous meeting.

Motion: To approve the minutes of the July 11, 2023, council meeting. All aldermen received a copy of the minutes, for their review, prior to the meeting.

Motion by Alderman Runge Second by Alderman Austin

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:

Consideration of Accounts Payable Registers: Alderman Erbes asked about the two hotel charges on the city bank card, page 4 –paid for hotel rooms for speakers for Big Muddy Monster Festival.

Motion: To approve the accounts payable, register #624 through July 25, 2023. All aldermen received a copy of the accounts payable for their review, prior to the meeting.

Motion by Alderman Hughes Second by Alderman Gladden

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

Motion Carried

Financial Statements prepared by Scott Evans, Budget Officer: Mr. Evans reviewed the State Income Tax Receipts, Cash & Equivalents and Loan Balances. Alderman Erbes asked the length of time on the water tower loan? Twenty years. Is the forgiveness up front? Typically.

Consideration of Increase to Alderman Salaries: Mayor Stephens stated has been at least thirty years since the Aldermen have gotten an increase. Adjusted for inflation, today it would be $514. Would take effect for each member after their next election. Think it should be $500. Alderman Hughes asked so it would be in effect at the next election? Yes. What about per meeting? Same rules apply. Attorney Blake stated it has to be done 180 days prior to the term it would take effect and needs to be an ordinance.

Motion: To increase Alderman Salaries to $500 per month.

Motion by Alderman Gladden Second by Alderman Jackson

Mayor Stephens called for a roll call vote.

Yeas: Alderman Jackson

Nays: Alderman Hughes, Alderman Runge, Alderman Austin, Alderman Pittman, Alderman Erbes, Alderman Gladden

Absent: Alderman Curry-Witzman, Alderman McComb

Motion Did Not Pass

Several Aldermen stated they would like to have until the next meeting to consider this. Alderman Pittman stated can table it until the next meeting.

Consideration of Funding Request for Brew Fest: Mayor Stephens stated he received a letter from Revitalize 62966 requesting a donation for the Big Muddy Brew Fest, as we have done in the past. Alderman Hughes asked how much had been donated last year? $2000.

Motion: To Approve a $2000 donation to Revitalize 62966 for Big Muddy Brew Fest.

Motion by Alderman Austin Second by Alderman Runge

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: Nothing at this time.

New Business:

Consideration of Estimate for Carpet Cleaning at 1818 Walnut Street: Alderman Erbes asked if there was an incident or just needs cleaning? Mayor Stephens stated when the roof was replaced, there had been water leaks, spots on the carpet. Alderman Hughes asked how much do we give to them a year? $6000. Will it come out of that $6000? Mayor Stephens stated the contract says anything over $2000 we split with them. Tried to contact Joe Frye regarding this. Would like the council to vote to approve half pending speaking to Mr. Frye. Alderman Hughes stated vote for the entire amount but ask them for half.

Motion: To Approve $2806.08 to clean the carpet at the Murphysboro Youth & Rec Center.

Motion by Alderman Hughes Second by Alderman Gladden

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

Motion Carried

No public comment.

Mayor Stephens opened discussion for Community Relations Committee related items.

Old Business: Nothing at this time.

New Business: Nothing at this time.

Public comment: Ms. Ripley stated the Joe Frye asked her to take over Community Night Out, will be Tuesday, October 3rd. Asked if new members like shirts for the Apple Festival? Will get new ones for everyone so that they match.

Alderman Gladden opened discussion for Public Improvement related items.

Old business: Nothing at this time

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 Change Order #1 for ARPA Project: Mr. Sheffer stated the boring is in lieu of open cutting, increase of $37,180.00.

Motion: To approve the Change Order #1 for the ARPA Project in the amount of $37,180.00.

Motion by Alderman Pittman Second by Alderman Erbes

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

Motion Carried

Consideration of Pay Estimate #3 for ARPA Project: Mr. Sheffer stated is $114,039.53, recommended the city pay it.

Motion: To approve the Pay Estimate #3 for the ARPA Project in the amount of $114,039.53.

Motion by Alderman Pittman Second by Alderman Austin

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

Motion Carried

Public comment: Alderman Hughes stated there was a lot of flooding on 7th Street, thought the new road would take care of that. Mayor Stephens stated he talked to Mr. Sheffer and others, it only flooded for an hour where before it would have been flooded all day. Mr. Sheffer stated he went out to look at it, lot of water at the school. Question is where can that water go. Will continue to keep an eye on it.

Alderman Erbes opened discussion for Public Safety related items.

Old business: Nothing at this time.

New business:

Discussion Regarding Steps off of South 5th Street: Alderman Erbes stated the steps aren’t a problem, the railing is bad, was hit by a car. Mr. Mill stated they bent the railing back in place. Mayor Stephens stated received an email from Greg McLaughlin with IDOT, stating that the city is responsible, found a copy of the agreement concerning this. Ms. Ripley and Mayor Stephens looked at some railings online, maybe check with Penn Aluminum and see if they would make them for us at cost. Mr. Mills stated can look at it. Alderman Pittman stated if Public Works can do it, just do it. Mayor Stephens asked Mr. Mills to take a look at it, let the council know. Mr. Mills stated he will do that.

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

Flynn Robinson Memorial: Has convinced SIU Maintenance to paint the SIU logo on the basketball court at Bridgewood at no cost. Flynn Robinson is in the Murphysboro Hall of Fame, was an NBA All-Star, attended Douglass School, would like to dedicate the court to him, celebrate a Murphysboro native. Approximate cost of $3300 for everything. Alderman Hughes stated we may want to put some cameras there. Mayor Stephens stated Jackson County Housing Authority has received a grant and thinks they will be doing that.

Motion: To pursue the acquisition and placement of the Flynn Robinson Memorial at the Bridgewood basketball court.

Motion by Alderman Gladden Second by Alderman Pittman

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

Motion Carried

December Council Dates: Were discussed along with working on the budget earlier and moving the November meeting dates to keep the meetings two weeks apart.

Motion: To change the November meetings to November 7 and 21 and the December meetings to December 5 and 19.

Motion by Alderman Pittman Second by Alderman Austin

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

Motion Carried

Acknowledgement and Appreciation of Smysor Trust Grant: Mayor Stephens stated is very grateful and appreciative for all the Smysor Trust does for the City of Murphysboro. Recently received a check for $15,000 for the concerts and maintenance of the parks.

ALDERMEN ANNOUNCEMENTS/REQUESTS

Barb Hughes Nothing

Jance Curry-Witzman Absent

Rick Runge Thanked Darrin and crew for 2 projects-drain at 14th & Illinois and 16th & Roberta.

Mike Austin Where at regarding salt shed permanent structure? Darrin will go back & look to see where we were at. Mayor Stephens heard car wash on Poplar Street is going to be for sale, could level & use that. Double cloth structure? Will put this back on the agenda.

Angela Jackson Nothing

W. J. Pittman Nothing

John Erbes Nothing

Gary McComb Absent

Don Gladden Nothing

Mayor Stephens stated was approached by a stranger in Kroger’s who told him that the Public Works Department is doing a great job.

DEPARTMENT HEAD ANNOUNCEMENTS/REQUESTS

Richard Blake Nothing

Sandra Ripley Happy birthday Will. Still have a couple people that need to get

their web site photos taken. If not using the envelopes your

council packet is delivered in, please return, re-uses them. Is

cross-training Donna on payroll.

Scott Evans Nothing

Harold Sheffer Nothing

Steve McBride Thanks to Berean and city Hope churches for their Community

Work day, painted some fire hydrants. Any other organizations

Want to help, have the paint.

Jaime Ellermeyer Nothing

Charlie Eisert Absent

Tim Lee Nothing

Brian Manwaring Absent

Darrin Mills Nothing

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)(21) Meetings for the discussion of minutes of meetings lawfully closed under the Act either for purpose of approval by the body of the minutes or semi-annual review of the minutes as required by the Act.

Motion by Alderman Hughes Second by Alderman Pittman

Yeas: Alderman Hughes, Alderman Runge, Alderman Austin, Alderman Jackson, Alderman Pittman, Alderman Erbes, Alderman Gladden

Nays: None

Absent: Alderman Curry-Witzman, Alderman McComb

Motion Carried

Motion: To come out of executive session at 7:20 p.m.

Motion by Alderman Pittman Second by Alderman Hughes

Yeas: Alderman Hughes, Alderman Runge, Alderman Austin, Alderman Jackson, Alderman Pittman, Alderman Erbes, Alderman Gladden

Nays: None

Absent: Alderman Curry-Witzman, Alderman McComb

Motion Carried

Motion: To go back into regular session.

Motion by Alderman Hughes Second by Alderman Pittman

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

Motion Carried

Motion: To Release the Executive Meeting Minutes from 11/12/19, 6/22/21, 8/24/21, 2/22/22, 3/8/22, 5/24/22, 6/14/22, 6/28/22, 9/27/22, 11/29/22 and 12/13/22.

Motion by Alderman Gladden Second by Alderman Erbes

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

Motion Carried

Motion: To Hold the Executive Meeting Minutes From 1/11/22, 9/13/22, 4/25/23 and 5/16/23.

Motion by Alderman Gladden Second by Alderman Erbes

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

Motion Carried

Motion: To adjourn.

Motion by Alderman Pittman Second by Alderman Hughes

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

Motion Carried

Meeting adjourned at 7:21 p.m.

https://murphysboro.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/City-Council-Mtg-Minutes-2023-July-25.docx