Carbondale Reporter

City of Murphysboro City Council met Dec. 19.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The Murphysboro, Illinois, City Council met in regular session, pursuant to its ordinances, on the 19th day of December, 2023. Mayor Stephens called the meeting to order at 5:59 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, John Erbes, Don Gladden

Absent: Gary McComb, Noah Fritsche

The council then reviewed the minutes from the previous meeting.

Motion: To approve the minutes of the December 5, 2023, council meeting. All aldermen received a copy of the minutes, for their review, prior to the meeting.

Motion by Alderman Austin

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:

Consideration of Minutes – December 7, 2023:

Motion: To approve the minutes of the December 7, 2023, Budget & Finance Committee meeting. All aldermen received a copy of the minutes, for their review, prior to the meeting.

Motion by Alderman Erbes

Second by Alderman Gladden

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

Motion Carried

Consideration of Final Payment for the Water Tower Renovation Project: Mr. Sheffer stated the project is complete.

Motion: To approve the Final Payment for the Water Tower Renovation Project in the amount of $29,075.82.

Motion by Alderman Runge

Second by Alderman Gladden

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

Motion Carried

Consideration of Accounts Payable Registers:

Motion: To approve the accounts payable, register #692, through December 19, 2023. All aldermen received a copy of the accounts payable for their review, prior to the meeting.

Motion by Alderman Austin

Second by Alderman Gladden

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

Motion Carried

Presentation of Financial Reports: Budget Officer Scott Evans presented the Sales/Home Rule Tax Receipts, State Income Tax Receipts and update on the CD’s.

Consideration of Proposed Budget for Fiscal Year 2024:

Motion: To reduce the cost for year one fireman $71,766 plus overtime with a net difference of $46,766.

Motion by Alderman Hughes

Second by Alderman Pittman

Yeas: Alderman Hughes, Alderman Jackson, Alderman Pittman, Alderman Gladden

Nays: Alderman Curry-Witzman, Alderman Runge, Alderman Austin, Alderman Erbes

Absent: Alderman McComb, Alderman Fritsche

Tie Breaker: Mayor Stephens Yea

Motion Carried

Chief McBride requested that the $50,000 savings from the reduction of removing one new firefighter from the budget be added to the fire truck line item.

Motion: To add the $50,000 savings from the previous motion to the fire truck line item.

Motion by Alderman Runge

Second by Alderman Curry-Witzman

Yeas: Alderman Hughes, Alderman Curry-Witzman, Alderman Runge, Alderman Austin, Alderman Jackson

Nays: Alderman Pittman, Alderman Erbes, Alderman Gladden

Absent: Alderman McComb, Alderman Fritsche

Motion Carried

Motion: To approve the Proposed Budget for Fiscal Year 2024 as Amended.

Motion by Alderman Gladden

Second by Alderman Austin

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

Motion Carried

No public comment.

Alderman Austin opened discussion for Building & Grounds related items.

Old Business:

Consideration of Engagement with Phelps, Barry & Associates: Mayor Stephens stated is led by Brandon Phelps, will be advocate to get the one million dollars pledge for the new Public Safety Building to be released. Can strike the expense paragraph and electronic payment can be a check (3c and last line 3b). Attorney Blake stated it is a basic contract, one typo in paragraph five – should be any not and, no objection to it. Alderman Hughes asked if for six months? Yes. Can renew for six months? Mayor Stephens stated most decisions are in the first half of the year.

Motion: To approve engaging Phelps, Barry & Associates consulting Services.

Motion by Alderman Runge

Second by Alderman Pittman

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

Motion Carried

New Business: Nothing at this time.

Public comment: Mason stated Cindy B’s plans to tear down the Tanner building, have received asbestos approval, waiting on paperwork.

Alderman Curry-Witzman opened discussion for Community Relations Committee related items.

Old Business: Nothing at this time.

New Business: Nothing at this time.

No public comment.

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: Nothing at this time.

No public comment.

Alderman Erbes opened discussion for Public Safety related items.

Old business:

Consideration of Ordinance Amending Certain Sections of Chapter 3 – Animals: Attorney Blake stated he spoke to Officer Tincher, only additional change is in 3-1-15, added time frame of two years. Typos have been corrected and 3-6-1 penalty has been increased by $50. Alderman Runge stated he thinks two years is too long but he is the expert so will go with what he says. Alderman Gladden stated uncomfortable with it being just two years, do not think it should be two years.

Motion made by Alderman Gladden to amend it so there is no timeline/no two years but no second so motion died.

Motion: To Approve Ordinance Amending Certain Sections of Chapter 3 – Animals as presented.

Motion by Alderman Runge

Second by Alderman Pittman

Mayor Stephens called for a voice vote. All were in favor except Alderman Curry-Witzman, Alderman Jackson and Alderman Gladden

Motion Carried

New business: Nothing at this time.

No public comment.

Alderman Hughes opened discussion for Personnel related items.

Old business: Nothing at this time.

New business:

Consideration of change of Employee Health Carrier: discussion of increase in health insurance cost. Ms. Ripley stated had quote from Allstate Insurance, was approximately 6% increase. Employees only concern is the out-of-pocket change for out of network otherwise very similar, few changes, comparable insurance. Alderman Pittman asked the department heads if everyone is comfortable with the change? Chief Ellermeyer stated his people looked at the dependent coverage went up. Mr. Evans stated this is a bit different, self-insured plan with training wheels, has some safety nets in place, will also be able to see where the money is being spent. Number of employees with dependent coverage is two. Mr. Evans thinks will see decrease of approximately $100,000. Alderman Pittman suggested consider if stay under budget, at end of year maybe reimburse difference to the ones with dependent coverage? Mason asked if found out what the maximum out-of-pocket out of network is? Mr. Lee stated no big concerns in his group. Alderman Gladden stated he attended the meeting, compliments to the staff on how well it was handled.

Motion: To Approve the change of Employee Health Carrier.

Motion by Alderman Gladden

Second by Alderman Pittman

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

Motion Carried

No public comment.

MAYOR’S REPORT

Consideration of Ordinance Establishing Tourism Commission: Mayor Stephens stated amend appointees to be in Jackson County not just have a 62966 zip code.

Motion: To Approve as Amended the Ordinance Establishing the Tourism Commission.

Motion by Alderman Gladden

Second by Alderman Austin

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

Motion Carried

Consideration of Appointment of Ryan Harper to Tourism Commission:

Motion: To Approve the Appointment of Ryan Harper to the Tourism Commission.

Motion by Alderman Pittman

Second by Alderman Hughes

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

Motion Carried

Consideration of Appointment of Lilly Cook to Tourism Commission:

Motion: To Approve the Appointment of Lilly Cook to the Tourism Commission.

Motion by Alderman Curry-Witzman

Second by Alderman Austin

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

Motion Carried

ALDERMEN ANNOUNCEMENTS/REQUESTS

Barb Hughes Merry Christmas, thank you everyone for your thoughts and prayers after losing my sister.

Jance Curry-Witzman Nothing

Rick Runge Thanks Sandra and all who planned the Christmas party.

Mike Austin Nothing

Angela Jackson Nothing

W. J. Pittman Nothing

John Erbes Second the thanks for the party.

Gary McComb Absent

Noah Fritsche Absent

Don Gladden Nothing

DEPARTMENT HEAD ANNOUNCEMENTS/REQUESTS

Richard Blake Nothing

Sandra Ripley Nothing

Scott Evans Nothing

Harold Sheffer Nothing

Steve McBride Nothing

Jamie Ellermeyer Nothing

Charlie Eisert Sent Clearwave a nastygram regarding Chris Mueller property, sidewalk along Spruce, 20th St-fixing it. Frontier coming in next, will permit by Ward. Mr. Lee said resources will be a problem going forward. Alderman Pittman asked if cheaper to outsource locating? Mr. Lee stated issues with that. Maybe ask them for help with them. Will Frontier meet with the Council? Alderman Pittman stated maybe tell them they need to. Mayor Stephens Stated add to agenda-consideration of Clearwave continuing.

Tim Lee Nothing

Brian Manwaring Nothing

Darrin Mills Nothing

Pat Gladson Nothing

Katharine Volle Nothing

Leandra Bryant: Absent

Mayor Stephens adjourned the meeting at 7:00 p.m.

https://murphysboro.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/City-Council-Mtg-Minutes-2023-Dec-19.docx