Carbondale Reporter

City of Murphysboro City Council met Jan. 23.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The Murphysboro, Illinois, City Council met in regular session, pursuant to its ordinances, on the 23rd day of January, 2024. Mayor Stephens called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m. and invited Pastor Bryce Pitlick to lead 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, Angela Jackson, W.J. Pittman, John Erbes, Gary McComb, Don Gladden

Absent: Mike Austin, Noah Fritsche

The council then reviewed the minutes from the previous meeting.

Motion: To approve the minutes of the January 9, 2024, council meeting. All aldermen received a copy of the minutes, for their review, prior to the meeting.

Motion by Alderman McComb Second by Alderman Gladden

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: Council discussed Tourism spending, is usual for beginning of the year, they have a copy of the budget and voted on it.

Motion: To approve the accounts payable, register #723, through January 23, 2024. All aldermen received a copy of the accounts payable 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

Financial Statements prepared by Scott Evans, Budget Officer: Scott Evans presented Sales/HR Tax Receipts, Income Tax Receipts, Loan Balances/Debt Schedule. Mayor Stephens stated thankful for people who came before us that helped make it happen.

Consideration of Equipment Financing: Alderman Pittman stated for mini-excavator and one backhoe, First Bank & Trust, 60 months, $193,051, 5.45% interest, $3687.86 per month.

Motion: To approve the Equipment Financing with First Bank & Trust for 60 months , $193,051, 5345% interest.

Motion by Alderman Hughes Second by Alderman Runge

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

Motion Carried

No public comment.

Mayor Stephens opened discussion for Building & Grounds related items.

Old Business: Nothing at this time.

New Business:

Consideration of Clearing Trees in Tower Grove Cemetery: Mayor Stephen requested this be tabled, still gathering information.

No public comment.

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

Old Business: Nothing at this time.

New Business:

Consideration of Street Closure Request – Cruise Nights 20214 – 1st Saturday of April to September: Alderman Curry-Witzman stated all four have filled out the forms and paid the deposit.

Motion: To approve the Street Closure Request for Cruise Nights 2024 for the first Saturday April through September.

Motion by Alderman McComb Second by Alderman Runge

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

Motion Carried

Consideration of Street Closure Request – Oak Street Art Fair – Saturday, April 27th, 2024:

Motion: To approve the Street Closure Request for the Oak Street Art Fair Saturday, April 27, 2024.

Motion by Alderman McComb Second by Alderman Runge

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

Motion Carried

Consideration of Street Closure Request – Block Party Concert Series 2024 – May to September:

Motion: To approve the Street Closure Request for Block Party Concert Series 2024 – May to September.

Motion by Alderman McComb Second by Alderman Runge

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

Motion Carried

Consideration of Street Closure Request – START Block Party – Saturday, May 18, 2024:

Motion: To approve the Street Closure Request for the START Block Party Saturday, May 18, 2024.

Motion by Alderman McComb Second by Alderman Runge

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.

No public comment.

Alderman McComb opened discussion for Public Works related items.

Old business:

Consideration of Request to Vacate Alley by 2352 McCord Street: Attorney Blake stated Mr. Johnson is still working on documentation, can table.

New business:

Discussion regarding Estimates for Repairs to Intersection of 15th & Poplar Street: alderman McComb stated Mr. Lee will get with Mr. Mills to see if we can do in-house but street will have to be bid out to do. Mayor Stephens stated is concerned, not able to camera it due to obstructions, want to be pro-active on it. Mr. Sheffer stated can finance through DCEO, city qualifies, will require EPA construction permit. Mr. Evans asked have to go with third party to get financing? Yes. Alderman McComb stated need to table it.

Consideration of Proposal for SCADA System Modifications: Mr. Manwaring stated add controls to monitor storage tank on Stave Mill Road. Alderman Gladden asked if Kincaid is amenable to this? Yes.

Motion: To approve the Proposal for SCADA System Modifications.

Motion by Alderman Pittman Second by Alderman Gladden

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

Motion Carried

Public comment: Mr. Nathan Columbo with Clearwave is present. He stated drives around, communicates with Tim and Charlie. Disappointed with concrete sitting there. Made a lot of progress with safety in 2023 and better equipped crews. In 2024 – no activity in 1st quarter, will be assigning proper budgets. Management structure reports directly to Marketing president who reports to CEO. Now does municipal relations. Alderman McComb stated left holes open and accessible. Mayor Stephens stated our attorney found no agreement/law that Clearwave has access to our right-of-way, thinking can just shut it down and be done. Mr. Columbo stated he understands that. Alderman Pittman asked if any open projects? Mr. Eisert stated in communication with Nathan. Alderman Pittman asked if uncompleted jobs will be completed? Yes. Alderman Pittman asked if there is any way to verify depth your lines are? Mr. Columbo stated he and Tim have talked about this, need to go out and audit. In permitting agreements, utility separation is two feet for service connections and four feet for mains. Alderman Hughes asked no new things in first quarter but will be completing restoration work? Yes. Mr. Columbo stated activity continuing is for new residential service, from our line to the house. Mayor Stephens stated he appreciates him coming and hearing our concerns.

Alderman Erbes opened discussion for Public Safety related items.

Old business: Nothing at this time.

New business:

Consideration of Declaring Police Department Items as Surplus: Chief Ellermeyer stated it is all ammunition of no use to us. Alderman Pittman asked if will take to Cannings? Yes.

Motion: To approve Declaring Police Department Items Presented as Surplus.

Motion by Alderman McComb Second by Alderman Hughes

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

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 Accepting Ownership of Outlot A of Big Monster Subdivision from Murphysboro Holdings LLC: Mayor Stephens stated this is the 1/10 acre the monster statue sits on, Mr. Koppies will donate the property to the city.

Motion: To approve Acceptance of Ownership of Outlot A of Big Monster Subdivision from Murphysboro Holdings LLC.

Motion by Alderman McComb Second by Alderman Pittman

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

Motion Carried

Just came from the Southern Illinois Builders Association, presented the Southwest Connector Highway Project, agreed to advocate for it. Money was released but IDOT says didn’t score high enough. Rural areas will never score high enough.

ALDERMEN ANNOUNCEMENTS/REQUESTS

Barb Hughes Nothing

Jance Curry-Witzman Nothing

Rick Runge Nothing

Mike Austin Absent

Angela Jackson Nothing

W. J. Pittman Mapping program? Work on it every day.

John Erbes Thanks to all departments and staff, getting through this weather.

Gary McComb Nothing

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 Nothing

Tim Lee With this zero degree weather, vacant houses, water on but

Don’t shut off, pipes freeze, have to just drive around until find it. If

See something say something.

Brian Manwaring Nothing

Darrin Mills Nothing

Pat Gladson Nothing

Katharine Volle Nothing

Leandra Bryant: Absent

Motion: To go into executive session at 7:12 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 and Act 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(2) Meetings on collective negotiating matters between the public body and its employees or their representatives, or deliberations concerning salary schedules for one or more classes or employees.

Motion by Alderman Hughes Second by Alderman Pittman

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

Nays: None

Absent: Alderman Curry-Witzman, Alderman Austin, Alderman Fritsche

Motion Carried

Motion: To come out of executive session at 7:44 p.m.

Motion by Alderman Hughes Second by Alderman Gladden

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

Nays: None

Absent: Alderman Curry-Witzman, Alderman Austin, Alderman Fritsche

Motion Carried

Motion: To go back into regular session.

Motion by Alderman Pittman Second by Alderman Jackson

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

Motion Carried

Motion: To Release the Executive Meeting Minutes from 1/11/22, 4/25/23, 5/16/23, 7/25/23, 9/26/23 and 10/24/23.

Motion by Alderman Erbes Second by Alderman Pittman

Mayor Stephens called for a voice vote. All were in favor, Alderman Runge in favor for all except 1/11/22.

Motion Carried

Motion: To Hold the Executive Meeting Minutes From 9/13/22 and 11/7/23.

Motion by Alderman Erbes Second by Alderman Pittman

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

Motion Carried

Mayor Stephens adjourned the meeting at 7:46 p.m.

https://murphysboro.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/City-Council-Mtg-Minutes-2024-Jan-23.docx