Carbondale Reporter

City of Murphysboro City Council met April 8.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The Murphysboro, Illinois, City Council met in regular session, pursuant to its ordinances, on the 8th day of April, 2025. Mayor Stephens called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. and invited Pastor Jim Frye to lead 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, Jance Curry-Witzman, Rick Runge, Mike Austin, Angela Jackson, W.J. Pittman, John Erbes, Gary McComb, Scott Strack, Don Gladden

Absent: None

The council then reviewed the minutes from the previous meeting. Correction will be made to page 2 to add the names of the aldermen who made the motion and second to approve accounts payable.

Motion: To approve the minutes of the March 25, 2025, council meeting as amended. 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, Accounts Receivable and Payroll Registers: Alderman McComb asked Chief Ellermeyer why go to Perry County for hail repair? Chief Ellermeyer stated only one around here, it is who the shops call to come here.

Motion: To approve the accounts payable, register 25 & 27, through April 8, 2025, accounts receivable through March 31, 2025, and payroll through March, 2025. All aldermen received a copy of the register for their review, prior to the meeting.

Motion by Alderman McComb Second by Alderman Curry-Witzman

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

Motion Carried

Presentation of Financial Reports by Scott Evans, Budget Officer: Budget Officer Evans discussed Sales/Home Rule Tax Receipts and Bank Loan balances.

Consideration of Enforcement of the Video Gaming Push Tax: Mayor Stephens stated advised in 2021 to adopt tax, has been litigated for several years, is likely going to stand, have Attorney Blake look at, start enforcing. Attorney Blake explained it is an amusement tax on the person playing the game, up to the terminal operator to collect the tax, argument by terminal operator association is they don’t have the means to collect the tax, question is how to implement it. Need to do some more investigation, how Waukegan/Carol Stream is doing it. Mayor Stephens stated will hold until next meeting.

Public comment: Pastor Frye suggested charging a five dollar entry fee, making it way too complicated.

Alderman Austin opened discussion for Building & Grounds related items.

Old Business:

Alderman Austin spoke to tammy Caldwell, HUD office closed in Chicago. All applications have been scored, just waiting to hear when funds have been released. Hopefully hear by June or July.

New Business:

Update on City Hall building: Mr. Manwaring stated issue in City Hall building, extensive water coming in, approximately one inch in the server room, has receded, having Woods System coming in. Mayor Stephens stated progress toward new building, communicating with architect. Have looked at reducing square footage. For example, council room is three times larger than current one, can be smaller, have parking across the street, move to concept of one story building. Waiting on estimate to have new floor plan drawn up. Trying to get down to 12-13 million cost.

Consideration of Bids for Roof Replacement:

Public Works – 316 North 12th Street:

Fire Chief’s Office – 253 North 10th Street:

Shooting Range – 2898 West Stewart Lane:

Alderman McComb asked why putting solar on roof of shooting range? Should put on ground. Mayor Stephens agreed with Alderman McComb. Chief Ellermeyer stated only area is towards filtration plant, see what cost would be that much further compared to roof cost. Alderman Austin stated look into panels on ground for shooting range. Mayor Stephens stated makes sense to go with shingles. Alderman Austin stated will hold to next meeting

No public comment.

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.

Alderman McComb opened discussion for Public Works related items.

Old business:

Consideration of No Parking on the West/South Side and Cul-de-sac of Sandra Court: Chief Ellermeyer stated looks like one residence has a get together and has several cars. Will get with reporting party and see what the issue is.

New business:

Consideration of Declaring Equipment as Surplus:

Street Department 2001 Dodge 3500

Street Department 1992 Case 695 Tractor

Motion: To approve Declaring Equipment as Surplus Street Department 2001 Dodge 3500 and 1992 Case 695 Tractor.

Motion by Alderman Strack Second by Alderman Runge

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

Motion Carried

Consideration of Engineering Agreement for Cellular Read Project: Mr. Sheffer stated typical agreement for EPA program, this is for water meters.

Motion: To approve the Engineering Agreement for Cellular Read Project.

Motion by Alderman Gladden Second by Alderman Strack

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

Motion Carried

Public comment: Public member asked about the building with the bricks falling off it. Mayor Stephens stated Mr. John Murphy has parked a lift there for three weeks and nothing has happened. Have messaged him, no response. Originally said problem is with contractor but no response since then. Okay to send letter saying discussed with council, need to see action within thirty days? Attorney Blake stated haven’t taken any legal action yet. Alderman Pittman asked discuss demo, would that be next step? Mayor Stephens stated will have Attorney Blake draft a notice.

Alderman Erbes opened discussion for Public Safety related items.

Old business:

Update on Animal Control Facility: Chief Ellermeyer stated Mayor has been in contact. Mayor Stephens stated received invite to meeting April 22 to sort out arrangements and questions we have.

New business:

Consideration of Declaring Equipment as Surplus – Fire Department SCBA Fill Station: Chief McBride stated received grant to replace, current one was donated from Carbondale. Received new one this week. Would like to donate to Vergennes Fire Department, they will pay for repairs.

Motion: To approve Declaring Equipment as Surplus the Fire Department SCBA Fill Station and donate it to the Vergennes Fire Department.

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: Nothing at this time.

New business: Nothing at this time.

No public comment.

MAYOR’S REPORT

Cruise Night Schedule Update: Rescheduled to this Saturday, Josh Sayers stepping back, have new volunteers.

Southwest Connector: received letter of support from House Speaker Welch.

Flooding: All departments have been working well and coordinating with each other.

Cemetery mowers: standing water, were able to weedeat.

Old Depot Fundraiser: Friday at Faye’s from 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm.

ALDERMEN ANNOUNCEMENTS/REQUESTS

Barb Hughes Bruce Davis with Habitat For Humanity house reached out, would like lot next to it. Will check with Charlie.

Jance Curry-Witzman Nothing

Rick Runge Congratulations to Alderman Austin on his retirement last Friday.

Mike Austin Thank all for working efficiently & effectively.

Angela Jackson Thank all who voted for me, it is an honor to serve. Thank you to Darrin for putting up barricades on South 4th Street.

W. J. Pittman Nothing

John Erbes Thanks to city staff, great work.

Gary McComb Barricades on Shomaker, people moving them, Chief keep an eye on? Yes.

Scott Strack Nothing

Don Gladden Congratulations to Mike, thanks to Harold for his report.

DEPARTMENT HEAD ANNOUNCEMENTS/REQUESTS

Richard Blake Purchase of two lots on North 13th Street is complete. There is a platted alley, has not been vacated, draw up ordinance? Put on next agenda.

Sandra Ripley Working with Brandy Dagner at City Hope and she’s working with First Baptist for Serve Day.

Scott Evans Nothing

Steve McBride Nothing

Jaime Ellermeyer Nothing

Brian Manwaring River, projected crest Thursday is 37 feet.

Harold Sheffer Environmental cleanup site, meeting this Thursday.

Katharine Volle Nothing

Tim Lee Absent

Charlie Eisert Absent

Pat Gladson Nothing

Darrin Mills Nothing

Mayor Stephens adjourned the meeting at 7:05 p.m.

https://murphysboro.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/City-Council-Mtg-Minutes-2025-Apr-8.docx