Carbondale Reporter

City of Murphysboro City Council met July 16.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

Murphysboro, Illinois, City Council met in regular session, pursuant to its ordinances, on the 16th day of July, 2024. Mayor Stephens called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m. Mayor Stephens gave the invocation and then led the council in the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. Deputy City Clerk Sandra Ripley was directed to call the roll. The roll was called with the following:

Present: Barbara Hughes, Jance Curry-Witzman, Mike Austin, Angela Jackson, W.J. Pittman, John Erbes, Gary McComb, Scott Strack, Don Gladden,

Absent: Rick Runge

The council then reviewed the minutes from the previous meeting. There were no corrections noted.

Motion: To approve the minutes of the July 2, 2024 council meeting as presented.

Motion by Alderman McComb Second by Alderman Strack

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

Motion Carried

COMMITTEE/COMMISSION REPORTS

Mayor Stephens noted that there were a few residents in the audience that were here regarding the recent flooding. That topic would be discussed under Public Works.

Alderman Pittman opened discussion for Budget & Finance related items.

Old Business: There were no items under old business.

New Business:

The council reviewed the Accounts Payable Registers #842 and #843, the Accounts Receivable Register and Payroll Register for the month of June that was included in their packet.

Motion: To approve the accounts payable registers #842 and #843, accounts receivable register and payroll register as presented.

Motion by Alderman Gladden Second by Alderman McComb

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

Motion Carried

Scott Evans, Budget Officer, presented financial reports including the Schedule of Sales/HR Tax Receipts, the Schedule of Healthcare Costs, as well as a new Health Reimbursement report. Mayor Stephens advised that he had received a report from Kroger on their sales from 2023 in order to make predictions on how the elimination of the grocery tax on 1/1/2026 could affect our revenues.

The council reviewed the Resolution authorized the borrowing of money by Sallie Logan Public Library from the First Bank & Trust Company secured by a mortgage on real estate. Alderman Pittman advised that the bank was requiring this for the financing of their new HVAC upgrade project. Alderman Erbes questioned whether the City would be signing the promissory note or the Library. Alderman Pittman stated that the Library would be signing the note and mortgage.

Motion: To approve the Resolution authorizing the borrowing of money by Sallie Logan Public Library from the First Bank and Trust Company secured by a mortgage on real estate.

Motion by Alderman Gladden Second by Alderman Erbes

Mayor Stephens called for a voice vote. Alderman Pittman abstained.

All others were in favor.

Motion Carried

No public comment.

Alderman Austin opened discussion for Building & Grounds related items.

Old Business: There were no items listed under old business.

New Business:

Included in packets for consideration was an agreement for use of firing range by Murphysboro Trap. This is a renewal agreement for another three year term.

Motion: To approve the renewal of the Agreement for Use of Firing Range with Murphysboro Trap.

Motion by Alderman McComb Second by Alderman Gladden

Mayor Stephens called for a voice vote. Alderman Strack abstained.

All others were in favor.

Motion Carried

No public comment.

Mayor Stephens opened discussion for Community Relations Committee related items.

Old Business: There were no items listed under old business.

New Business: There were no items listed under new business.

No public comment.

Alderman Gladden opened discussion for Public Improvement related items.

Old business: There were no items listed under old business for consideration.

New business: The first item under new business was the consideration of Chapter 20 of the Revised Code. This chapter is relative to the Library and the only changes that were made were all to comply with state statue.

Motion: To approve Chapter 20 of the Revised Code as presented.

Motion by Alderman Austin Second by Alderman McComb

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

Motion Carried

The second item discussed was the consideration of Chapter 21 of the Revised Code. This chapter is the Liquor Code. Mayor Stephens questions section 21-2-4 on prohibited licenses. The topic of bring your of beverage to events was addressed. It was agreed that this Chapter would be tabled for further discussion.

No public comment.

Alderman McComb opened discussion for Public Works related items.

Old business: There were no items listed under old business for consideration.

New business: Alderman McComb began the discussion by noting the drainage issues on North 14th Street. The root problem is the culvert that goes under the railroad near the high school and Charlie Ruble’s property otherwise known as the Pond Creek Drainage. Mayor Stephens stated that through discussions with our Emergency Management Director and City Engineer, it has been determined that hiring a hydrologist would help us determine exactly where the problems were and how to resolve them. The data would also help with grant applications submitted for mitigation. Will need to involve the railroad eventually.

No public comment.

Alderman Erbes opened discussion for Public Safety related items.

Old business: There were no items listed under old business.

New business:

The request for a Children at Play sign at 21st & Clarke Street was discussed. The resident of 2102 Clarke Street, Faylin Jihan, addressed the council and stated that children are in the area playing and heading over to Longfellow Park to play. She is suggesting that the signs be placed on 21st Street for traffic heading North and South.

Motion: To approve installation of Children at Play signs on 21st Street near Clarke Street facing North and South.

Motion by Alderman McComb Second by Alderman Pittman

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: There were no items listed under old business.

New business: There were no items listed under new business.

No public comment.

MAYOR’S REPORT

Mayor Stephens advised that he has received some complaints about the property located at 1504 Snyder Lane. The property is coming up on the tax sale and the City could acquire. The street department has boarded up the doors and windows and is assisting with the smell coming from the stagnant water.

Mayor Stephens also advised that the property at 436 Walnut Street is in complete disrepair. The City has been mowing since 2014. There has not been active water service since 2015. There is a person living there. The question of should we board up access was raised. Attorney Blake outlined the possible code enforcement steps and legal steps we could take. It was agreed that we need to move forward with declaring the structure as dangerous and unsafe to all parties.

Motion: To approve moving forward with legal action to declare the property at 436 Walnut Street as dangerous and unfit for human habitation.

Motion by Alderman Strack Second by Alderman Gladden

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

Motion Carried

ALDERMEN ANNOUNCEMENTS/REQUESTS

Barb Hughes Thanked Darrin and the Street Department for the amount of work accomplished during the recent storms and was thrilled that the storage yard was opened up for our residents

Jance Curry-Witzman Nothing

Rick Runge Absent

Mike Austin Stated that Darrin was working on the window issue at the Sr. Citizens Center and the Solar Project was still in the works as well

Angela Jackson Thanked all for their love and support

W. J. Pittman Noting

John Erbes Nothing

Gary McComb Nothing.

Scott Strack Thanked all responders during the heavy rain storms

Don Gladden Nothing

DEPARTMENT HEAD ANNOUNCEMENTS/REQUESTS

Richard Blake Nothing

Sandra Ripley Nothing

Scott Evans Nothing

Steve McBride Advised that we had 19 calls on July 5th. Street Department did amazing work

Jamie Ellermeyer Nothing

Harold Sheffer Nothing

Charlie Eisert Absent

Tim Lee Nothing

Brian Manwaring Absent

Darrin Mills Nothing

Pat Gladson Nothing

Katharine Volle Nothing

Motion: To go into executive session at 6:57 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.

Motion by Alderman Strack Second by Alderman Curry-Witzman

Yeas: Alderman Hughes, Alderman Curry-Witzman, Alderman Austin, Alderman Jackson, Alderman Pittman, Alderman Erbes, Alderman McComb, Alderman Strack, Alderman Gladden

Nays: None

Absent: Alderman Runge

Motion Carried

Motion: To come out of executive session at 7:17 p.m.

Motion by Alderman McComb Second by Alderman Curry-Witzman

Yeas: Alderman Hughes, Alderman Curry-Witzman, Alderman Austin, Alderman Jackson, Alderman Pittman, Alderman Erbes, Alderman McComb, Alderman Strack, Alderman Gladden

Nays: None

Absent: Alderman Runge

Motion Carried

Motion: To resume regular session.

Motion by Alderman Strack Second by Alderman Gladden

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

Motion Carried

Mayor Stephens adjourned the meeting at 7:18 p.m.

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