Murphysboro City Mayor Will Stephens | City of Murphysboro Website
Murphysboro City Mayor Will Stephens | City of Murphysboro Website
City of Murphysboro City Council met Nov. 7.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
The Murphysboro, Illinois, City Council met in regular session, pursuant to its ordinances, on the 7th day of November, 2023. Mayor Stephens called the meeting to order at 6:01 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, Jance Curry-Witzman, Rick Runge, Mike Austin, Angela Jackson, W.J. Pittman, Gary McComb, Noah Fritsche, Don Gladden
Absent: John Erbes
The council then reviewed the minutes from the previous meeting.
Motion: To approve the minutes of the October 24, 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 Hughes
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, Accounts Receivable and Payroll Registers: Alderman Gladden thanked Ms. Ripley for making the receivables report easier to read.
Motion: To approve the accounts payable, registers #670 & 671, through November 7, 2023, accounts receivable through October 31, 2023, and payroll through October, 2023. All aldermen received a copy of the accounts payable for their review, prior to the meeting.
Motion by Alderman Runge Second by Alderman McComb
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 Sales/Home Rule Tax Receipts, Balance Sheet, Health Insurance, Operating Expenses vs. Budget and Payroll.
Consideration of Renewal of Line of Credit at First Bank & Trust Co.: Mr. Evans asked if there is a $50 fee to renew? Alderman Pittman stated should be no origination fee, changed how we do it. Mr. Evans asked when will the bank need fresh appraisals? Alderman Pittman stated with a new loan, try to keep four years or less, if just refreshing, not need as often. Mr. Evans stated didn’t know if just do it if needed. Mayor Stephens stated his suggestion is to renew.
Motion: To Approve Renewal of Line of Credit at First Bank & Trust Co.
Motion by Alderman McComb Second by Alderman Gladden
Mayor Stephens called for a voice vote. All were in favor, Alderman Pittman abstained.
Motion Carried
No public comment.
Alderman Austin opened discussion for Building & Grounds related items.
Old Business: Nothing at this time.
New Business: Nothing at this time.
Public comment: Alderman McComb stated the city carries insurance and the Senior Citizen’s Group carry insurance, would like to speak to Alderman Austin concerning this. Alderman Austin stated he will call her.
Alderman Curry-Witzman opened discussion for Community Relations Committee related items.
Old Business: Nothing at this time
New Business:
Consideration of Application from Murphysboro Main Street for 5K Run/Walk Saturday, December 2nd: Alderman Curry-Witzman stated they have completed everything except the application fee.
Motion: To Approve Murphysboro Main Street 5K Run/Walk Application.
Motion by Alderman McComb Second by Alderman Gladden
Mayor Stephens called for a voice vote. All were in favor.
Motion Carried
No public comment.
Alderman Gladden opened discussion for Public Improvement related items.
Old business: Nothing at this time.
New business: Nothing at this time.
Public comment: Alderman Gladden asked when will they be done on 7th Street? Mr. Sheffer stated he will check on it.
Alderman McComb opened discussion for Public Works related items.
Old business:
Discussion regarding Sewer Back-Ups on Tina Drive: Mayor Stephens asked that it be moved to the executive session.
New business:
Consideration of Purchase of Properties from the Jackson County Trustee:
329 North 12th Street – 14-04-330-015:
Motion: To Approve Purchase of 329 North 12th Street from the Jackson County Trustee.
Motion by Alderman Pittman Second by Alderman Gladden
Mayor Stephens called for a voice vote. All were in favor.
Motion Carried
1414 Poplar Street – 14-04-308-005:
Motion: To Approve Purchase of 1414 Poplar Street from the Jackson County Trustee.
Motion by Alderman Pittman Second by Alderman Gladden
Mayor Stephens called for a voice vote. All were in favor.
Motion Carried
1205 Rover Street – 14-09-126-003 and 14-09-126-004:
Motion: To Approve Purchase of 1205 Rover Street from the Jackson County Trustee.
Motion by Alderman Pittman Second by Alderman Gladden
Mayor Stephens called for a voice vote. All were in favor.
Motion Carried
1203 Rover Street – 14-09-126-005:
Motion: To Approve Purchase of 1203 rover Street from the Jackson County Trustee.
Motion by Alderman Pittman 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 Public Safety related items.
Old business: Nothing at this time.
New business:
Discussion regarding Speed Radar signs: They will capture the speed of cars. Mayor Stephens stated wants to table this issue so that he can review the information given to him.
Consideration of Ordinance Repealing the Municipal Bond Fee: Mayor Stephens stated under the new Safety Act, this is in conflict with state law.
Motion: To Approve the Ordinance Repealing the Municipal bond Fee.
Motion by Alderman McComb Second by Alderman Austin
Mayor Stephens called for a voice vote. All were in favor except for Alderman Pittman.
Motion Carried
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
Consideration of Resolution for DRA Grant for the Enterprise Avenue Project:
Motion: To Approve the Resolution for the DRA Grant for the Enterprise Avenue Project.
Motion by Alderman McComb Second by Alderman Gladden
Mayor Stephens called for a voice vote. All were in favor.
Motion Carried
ALDERMEN ANNOUNCEMENTS/REQUESTS
Barb Hughes Nothing
Jance Curry-Witzman Nothing
Rick Runge Daughter chairs Hometown Christmas, started on it this past Saturday, big thank you to Noah and City Hope, was done in one day.
Mike Austin Nothing
Angela Jackson Nothing
W. J. Pittman Nothing
John Erbes Absent
Gary McComb Nothing
Noah Fritsche Nothing
Don Gladden Football team still in action.
DEPARTMENT HEAD ANNOUNCEMENTS/REQUESTS
Richard Blake Nothing
Sandra Ripley Nothing
Scott Evans Nothing
Harold Sheffer Nothing
Steve McBride Nothing
Jamie Ellermeyer Grant for cameras and license plate reader-put in for 2nd round, received $29,000. Also put in for another grant.
Charlie Eisert Nothing
Tim Lee Nothing
Brian Manwaring Absent
Darrin Mills Absent
Pat Gladson Nothing
Katharine Volle Nothing
Leandra Bryant: Absent
Motion: To go into executive session at 6:39 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 and Act 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(11) Meetings held to discuss litigation “when an action against, affecting or on behalf of the particular public body has been filed and is pending before a court or administration tribunal, or when the public body finds that an action is probably or imminent, in which case the basis for the finding shall be recorded and entered into the minutes of the closed meeting.
Motion by Alderman McComb
Second by Alderman Pittman
Yeas: Alderman Hughes, Alderman Curry-Witzman, Alderman Runge, Alderman Austin, Alderman Jackson, Alderman Pittman, Alderman McComb, Alderman Fritsche, Alderman Gladden
Nays: None
Absent: Alderman Erbes
Motion Carried
Motion: To come out of executive session at 6:58 p.m.
Motion by Alderman McComb
Second by Alderman Gladden
Yeas: Alderman Hughes, Alderman Curry-Witzman, Alderman Runge, Alderman Austin, Alderman Jackson, Alderman Pittman, Alderman McComb, Alderman Fritsche, Alderman Gladden
Nays: None
Absent: Alderman Erbes
Motion Carried
Motion: To go back into regular session.
Motion by Alderman McComb Second by Alderman Gladden
Mayor Stephens called for a voice vote. All were in favor.
Motion Carried
Motion: To Approve the Lease for 1008 Locust Street with Jackson County.
Motion by Alderman Hughes Second by Alderman Austin
Mayor Stephens called for a voice vote. All were in favor.
Motion Carried
Mayor Stephens adjourned the meeting at 6:59 p.m.
https://murphysboro.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/City-Council-Mtg-Minutes-2023-Nov-7.docx
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