Carbondale Reporter

City of Murphysboro City Council met May 28.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The Murphysboro, Illinois, City Council met in regular session, pursuant to its ordinances, on the 28th day of May, 2024. Mayor Stephens called the meeting to order at 6:02 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, Gary McComb, Scott Strack, Don Gladden

Absent: Jance Curry-Witzman

Promotion of Jonathan Hopkins to Sergeant: Chief Ellermeyer stated has displayed outstanding demeanor as a police office and detective, privilege and honor to promote to Sergeant, very well-deserved. Mayor Stephens then swore Jonathan Hopkins in as Police Sergeant.

The council then reviewed the minutes from the previous meeting.

Motion: To approve the minutes of the May 14, 2024, council meeting. All aldermen received a copy of the minutes, for their review, prior to the meeting.

Motion by Alderman Erbes Second by Alderman McComb

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:

Motion: To approve the accounts payable, register #809, through May 28, 2024. All aldermen received a copy of the accounts payable for their review, prior to the meeting.

Motion by Alderman Runge 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 State Income Tax Receipts and Healthcare costs.

Alderman Pittman stated received approval of financing for the John Deere skid steer, sixty month loan.

Consideration of TIF Application at 1836 Walnut St: Alderman Pittman stated where the old Jack’s Meat Market was, will be new construction.

Motion: To approve the TIF Application for 1836 Walnut Street.

Motion by Alderman Strack Second by Alderman Gladden

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.

Alderman Austin stated still in the process of getting numbers from other solar companies.

New Business:

Consideration of windows for Senior Citizens Center: Alderman Austin stated Mr. Manwaring showed him pictures of windows, holes in the wood at the top of the windows. Asked Mr. Mills to put up new boards. Would like council to discuss. Alderman McComb stated anything that is put up, need to insulate behind it. Mayor Stephens asked boarding windows up? Alderman McComb stated no windows there, just wood. Some need to be rebuilt. North side of building, there are five. Alderman Austin stated hoping we could do a couple this year and maybe the rest next year. Mayor Stephens stated maybe brick it in. Alderman Hughes asked if we have a contract with them? Ms. Ripley stated responsible for building maintenance. Alderman Pittman suggested have a contractor look at. Mayor Stephens stated reach out to Brad Fager to take a look.

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.

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: Nothing at this time.

New business:

Consideration of Report of Zoning Board of Appeals on Video Gaming Parlors: Alderman McComb asked 51% of living from gambling? Attorney Blake stated yes, proposed. Alderman Pittman asked so would have to look at records for new business to determine that? Attorney Blake stated Mr. Eisert has the ability to request those records and so does the Mayor. Alderman Pittman stated feel defining by income makes it hard on liquor commission and code enforcement officer. Attorney Blake stated this ordinance is for any new-not allowed in B1 district. Mayor Stephens stated more important is the distance from residential. Zoning Board member stated the board sent back from 100 feet to 250 feet distance, should cover most if not all from being too close. Alderman Pittman asked current restriction in residential for new bar? Attorney Blake stated commercial established in general. It is 100 feet from a church. Alderman Gladden thanked Attorney Blake, it says what we asked for.

Motion: To approve the Zoning Board of Appeals Report on Video Gaming Parlors.

Motion by Alderman Gladden Second by Alderman Erbes

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

Motion Carried

Ordinance Amending Zoning Code:

Motion: To approve the Ordinance Amending the Zoning Code for Video Gaming Parlors.

Motion by Alderman Gladden Second by Alderman Strack

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

Motion Carried

No public comment.

Alderman Erbes opened discussion for Public Safety related items.

Old business: Nothing at this time.

New business:

Consideration of Amended Intergovernmental Agreement for Fire Protection Services with Kinkaid-Reed’s Creek Conservancy District: Chief McBride stated was contacted by Scott Wilmouth, have had agreement since 2014, asked us to extend the agreement to cover the marina, boat docks and campground. Mayor Stephens asked the 4th of July, have pyrotechnic display, do they have their own protection? Can we cover all our bases that day? Chief McBride stated yes, think it is an individual, not the Conservancy District.

Motion: To approve the Amended Intergovernmental Agreement for Fire Protection Service to include the marina, boat docks and campground.

Motion by Alderman Pittman Second by Alderman Hughes

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

Motion Carried

Consideration of Request for Handicap Sign at 2125 Hortense Residence: Alderman McComb stated thought voted to not put handicap signs on street in residential area. Can’t reserve for a person. Mayor Stephens stated sympathetic but residents don’t have to notify when sell home or move so sign could be removed. Attorney Blake stated there are ADA accessibility regulations. Mayor Stephens stated table and get more information.

No public comment.

Alderman Hughes opened discussion for Personnel related items.

Old business: Nothing at this time.

New business:

Consideration of Summer Help for the Water Maintenance Department: Mayor Stephens stated you mentioned some churches. Alderman Hughes stated my church, Gina’s church and Mike at his elder’s meeting, may come up with some help for us and have opportunity to help community out. Alderman Austin stated summer work very valuable, ability to structure a young person, be able to work in their community and take pride in it. Thinks we should hire young people. Alderman McComb asked Mr. Lee would he be able to supervise any hires? Mr. Lee stated yes. Have a young man asking about a summer job. Could use around the shop, all kind of things. Maybe around twenty hours. Alderman Hughes stated under eighteen years old, don’t have to pay minimum wage, think it’s $12 per hour. Mayor Stephens stated thinks could do both. Alderman Austin stated at $15 per hour, twenty hours, six weeks, $300 per week.

Motion: To approve the hiring of one part-time worker for summer help for six weeks at minimum wage.

Motion by Alderman McComb Second by Alderman Pittman

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

Motion Carried

No public comment.

MAYOR’S REPORT

Southwest Connector Corridor Meeting: Got $6 million for engineering, positive step forward, changed the language - $15 million for any costs associated.

Ceremony for Lawrence Nolan Marker: Went very well, lot of positive good feelings, 150 people there, 400 at the gathering.

Brandon Phelps Update: Didn’t see any funding for the building, meeting with Representative Booth never came.

ALDERMEN ANNOUNCEMENTS/REQUESTS

Barb Hughes Nothing

Jance Curry-Witzman Absent

Rick Runge Nothing

Mike Austin Nothing

Angela Jackson Nothing

W. J. Pittman Nothing

John Erbes Went to the meeting, IDOT is now involved, kudos to the Mayor for getting the language changed.

Gary McComb Cemetery on the hill, someone staying in the woods and roaming around in there. Officer found and arrested him, resident said to tell kudos to the police department.

Scott Strack Nothing

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 Absent

Tim Lee Nothing

Brian Manwaring Nothing

Darrin Mills Absent

Pat Gladson Absent

Katharine Volle Nothing

Leandra Bryant: Absent

Mayor Stephens adjourned the meeting at 7:08 p.m.

https://murphysboro.com/government/administration/meeting-agendas-and-minutes/