Carbondale Reporter

City of Murphysboro City Council met Feb. 25.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The Murphysboro, Illinois, City Council met in regular session, pursuant to its ordinances, on the 25th day of February, 2025. 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. City Clerk Gina Hunziker was directed to call the roll. The roll was called with the following:

Present: Barb Hughes, Angela Jackson, W.J. Pittman, John Erbes, Gary McComb, Scott Strack, Don Gladden

Absent: Jance Curry-Witzman, Rick Runge, Mike Austin

The council then reviewed the minutes from the previous meeting.

Motion: To approve the minutes of the February 11, 2025, 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: Alderman McComb asked about the payment on page two for the electric bike path. Mayor Stephens stated split it with Carbondale and the County, is in the unincorporated area, for the light. Alderman Hughes stated there is $14,000 from the hotel/motel funds.

Motion: To approve the accounts payable, register 16, through February 25, 2025. All aldermen received a copy of the register for their review, prior to the meeting.

Motion by Alderman Hughes Second by Alderman Gladden

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

Motion Carried

Presentation of Financial Reports by Scott Evans, Budget Officer: Mr. Evans presented the Sales/Home Rule Tax Receipts and the State Income Tax Receipts. Alderman Erbes asked how many months Income Tax behind? Mr. Evans stated probably one month.

No public comment.

Mayor Stephens opened discussion for Building & Grounds related items.

Old Business: Nothing at this time.

New Business:

Consideration of Ordinance Authorizing Real Estate Sales Agreement for Purchase of Real Estate Located at 404 North 13th Street: Mayor Stephens stated this was discussed at the previous meeting.

Motion: To approve the Ordinance Authorizing Real Estate Sales Agreement for Purchase of Real Estate Located at 404 North 13th Street.

Motion by Alderman Gladden Second by Alderman Strack

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

Motion Carried

No public comment.

Mayor Stephens opened discussion for Community Relations Committee related items.

Old Business: Nothing at this time.

New Business:

Consideration of Street Closure Request from Murphysboro Chamber of Commerce – St. Patrick’s Day Festivities, Saturday, March 22, 2025:

Motion: To approve the Street Closure Request from Murphysboro Chamber of Commerce for St. Patrick Day Festivities Saturday, March 22, 2025.

Motion by Alderman McComb Second by Alderman Pittman

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

Motion Carried

Consideration of Street Closure Request from Murphysboro Cruise Nights – Cruise nights, 1st Saturday of April to October (except May):

Motion: To approve the Street Closure Request from Murphysboro Cruise Nights for the 1st Saturday of April to October, except May.

Motion by Alderman McComb Second by Alderman Strack

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:

Consideration of Revisions to Chapter 22 of the Revised Code: Alderman Gladden stated removed two Articles due to state law.

Motion: To approve the Chapter 22 Revisions as amended.

Motion by Alderman Pittman Second by Alderman Hughes

Attorney Blake stated the Fair Housing Code – required to have one due to grant we have, need to update ours. Identity Theft Policy Section 22.1.7 (D) need to eliminate. Can we amend previous motion to delete Section 22.1.7 (D)? Need to rescind the motion.

Motion: To rescind the previous motion to approve the Chapter 22 revisions until updates are made.

Motion by Alderman Pittman Second by Alderman Hughes

Consideration of the Revisions to Chapter 25 of the Revised Code: Mr. Manwaring stated he does not think 25-2-1 (B) is a proper description of boulevards. Mayor Stephens stated may need to strike any reference to Private Boulevards. Attorney Blake stated need to look at it a little closer. Will table.

Consideration of Revisions to Chapter 27 of the Revised Code: Attorney Blake stated need to go over the Truancy provisions, needs to reflect minor truancies regarding attending school, minors can’t be charged and fined. Also need to look at cannabis, what state law states. Need to look at 27-2-17 begging. Will table.

No public comment.

Alderman McComb opened discussion for Public Works related items.

Old business: Nothing at this time.

New business: Nothing at this time.

Alderman McComb stated the two truck beds need to be declared surplus so they can be sold. Mr. Lee stated may have been done at a previous meeting, will check.

No public comment.

Alderman Erbes opened discussion for Public Safety related items.

Old business:

Update on Animal Control Facility: Mayor Stephens stated spoke to Brian Chapman. County closes on the Humane Shelter building on Thursday. They have thirty-two dog kennels and can house forty-six cats. Think there is enough room. Expected to have agreement for us to review before the next meeting.

New business:

Consideration of declaring the 2013 Chevrolet Impala as Surplus: Chief Ellermeyer stated old police car, cycling out, air conditioner probably going out, constantly fixing it.

Motion: To approve Declaring the 2013 Chevrolet Impala as Surplus.

Motion by Alderman McComb Second by Alderman Pittman

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

Motion Carried

Mayor Stephens stated 902 Locust Street, the old American Legion, had bricks on the front fall onto the sidewalk and street. Taxes have not been paid since 2014. Last owner is John Murphy. Have spoken to our city attorney. Street is temporarily closed. Attorney Blake stated John Murphy remains the owner and is responsible for the property. Can take action in an emergency situation due to hazardous potential. If want to demolish, recommend going through the courts. Suggest contacting Mitch Murphy, see if he can grant access to the building to assess the situation. Alderman McComb stated would not recommend any city employees work on that stretch of street. Mayor Stephens asked for council authorization for himself, Mr. Eisert, Chief Ellermeyer, to see about securing the building temporarily, up to a certain dollar amount. Alderman McComb stated have one of you contact a contractor to start taking the bricks down. Mr. Eisert stated put up temporary fence so no one can walk through and go through the court for demolition. Mayor Stephens asked if we have any fencing? Mr. Lee stated no stand alone, but can rent some. Mayor Stephens stated keep track of expenses, his responsibility. Alderman Hughes stated reluctant to put money into repairs. Mayor Stephens stated not repairing, just making it secure. Mr. Lee stated we do have orange snow fencing. Maybe bring in a structural engineer to see if structurally sound. Attorney Blake stated you are authorized to move forward.

Chief Ellermeyer discussed handout which showed 2024 totals for the Police Department.

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 Appointment of Charity Son to the Sallie Logan Public Library Board: She is very involved, organized the chess club at the library.

Motion: To approve the Appointment of Charity Son to the Sallie Logan Library Board.

Motion by Alderman McComb Second by Alderman Hughes

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

Motion Carried

Received a thank you letter from 724 Ministries for the donation.

Also included in our packet is a note from the Murphysboro Relay For Life Team.

ALDERMEN ANNOUNCEMENTS/REQUESTS

Barb Hughes Nothing

Jance Curry-Witzman Absent

Rick Runge Absent

Mike Austin Absent

Angela Jackson Nothing

W. J. Pittman Nothing

John Erbes Nothing

Gary McComb Nothing

Scott Strack Nothin

Don Gladden Nothing

DEPARTMENT HEAD ANNOUNCEMENTS/REQUESTS

Richard Blake Nothing

Sandra Ripley Nothing

Scott Evans Nothin

Steve McBride Applied for & received small equipment grant from the State Fire Marshal’s Office to replace the breathing air fill station.

Jamie Ellermeyer Nothing

Brian Manwaring Nothing

Harold Sheffer Pre-construction meeting tomorrow for the Williams Street projects. ITEP Grant received for Downtown, it is moving along, is in design, waiting on IDOT review.

Katharine Volle Nothing

Tim Lee Had a water main break yesterday, worked through the night, dedicated employees, thanked Alderman Jackson for the cake.

Charlie Eisert Nothing

Pat Gladson Nothing

Darrin Mills Absent

Mayor Stephens adjourned the meeting at 6:55 p.m.

https://murphysboro.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/City-Council-Mtg-Minutes-2025-Feb-25.docx