Carbondale Reporter

City of Murphysboro City Council met July. 22.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The Murphysboro, Illinois, City Council met in regular session, pursuant to its ordinances, on the 22nd day of July, 2025. Mayor Stephens called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. and invited Alderman Hughes 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, Len Novara, Don Gladden

Absent: Gary McComb

The council then reviewed the minutes from the previous meeting.

Motion: To approve the minutes of the July 8, 2025, council meeting. All aldermen received a copy of the minutes, 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

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 Hughes stated still feel did not need to reimburse person from vendor’s market. Mayor Stephens stated after the last meeting, confusion regarding the 5-2 vote, followed up with our attorney. Attorney Blake stated when motion for appropriation of money, required majority vote of all aldermen (6). In this situation, the Mayor could have voted and would have been upped to six votes and would have passed. Alderman Pittman asked about the pontoon rentals? For Tourism.

Motion: To approve the accounts payable, register 88, 89 & 110, through July 22, 2025. All aldermen received a copy of the register for their review, prior to the meeting.

Motion by Alderman Gladden Second by Alderman Erbes

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 List of Cash & Cash Equivalents, Schedule of CD’s, Bank loan balances, State Income Tax Receipts.

Consideration of Radio Advertisement: Mayor Stephens stated same sponsorship as last year. Alderman Gladden stated do not see any value in the $95/two mentions. Alderman Hughes asked two live mentions for $95/month, total $760? Yes. Alderman Pittman stated shows we are supportive.

Motion: To approve the Radio Advertisement Sponsorship at $175/month for 8 months for a total of $1400.00 and Booster at $95/month for 8 months for a total of $760.00 for a total of $2160.00.

Motion by Alderman Austin Second by Alderman Runge

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

Motion Carried

No public comment.

Alderman Austin opened discussion for Building & Grounds related items.

Old Business: Nothing at this time.

Alderman Austin stated had spoken to Terri Bryant regarding the Housing Rehabilitation funding, going to try and get it moved up.

New Business:

Consideration of Contract with A & I Builders LLC for Solar Installation: Attorney Blake stated A&I contract for WWTP and addendum A. Looking at getting language finalized. Dollar amount and equipment specs for each location will be different but rest of contract will be the same. Revisions were made regarding payment due date 30 days, second payment due upon successful witness test, indemnification provision made mutual and applies equally to both parties. All are acceptable to Dee for A&I. Dee Tanner stated in total agreement.

Motion: To approve contract with A & I Builders LLC for Solar Installation with the revisions as stated by and agreed to the city attorney and A & I representative Dee Tanner.

Motion by Alderman Runge Second by Alderman Pittman

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

Motion Carried

No public comment.

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

Old Business: Nothing at this time.

New Business:

Consideration of Request from Murphysboro Hometown Christmas for use of Parking Lot for Drive-In Movie: Alderman Curry-Witzman stated they are looking for space. Chief Ellermeyer stated may or may not be enough space, would recommend putting the screen on the south side, but am ok with it. Alderman Runge stated looking for a big enough space. Would the city open for public restrooms? They city building is always open, can use the restrooms.

Motion: To approve the request from Murphysboro Hometown Christmas to use the Parking Lot for the Drive-In Movie with discussion with Chief Ellermeyer and Chief McBride.

Motion by Alderman Pittman 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:

Consideration of Suggested Revisions to Chapter 30 of the Revised Code of Ordinances: Alderman Gladden asked to table, awaiting additional information.

New business: Nothing at this time.

No public comment

Mayor Stephens opened discussion for Public Works related items.

Old business: Nothing at this time.

New business:

Consideration of quote for Tree Removal at 2132 Hortense Street: Mr. Mills stated large tree on the boulevard, large limb fell out, almost hit house, too large for us to do.

Motion: To approve bid from Midwest Tree Service to remove tree for $2250.00.

Motion by Alderman Gladden Second by Alderman Pittman

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

Motion Carried

Mayor Stephens recognized the Mayor of Grand Tower Richard Pyatt, stated we surplused a 1991 Dodge truck, might be helpful to their public works. Mayor Pyatt stated it would be our public works. Have to repay tax money to CIPS, property taxes have doubled this year and will next year. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Mayor Stephens stated not on agenda but do we want to donate? Council was in agreement, will put on the next agenda.

No public comment.

Alderman Erbes opened discussion for Public Safety related items.

Old business:

Update on Animal Control Facility: Mayor Stephens stated this morning had a meeting with Carbondale officials. County said 80% sure will be open December 1, tree on property fell on one of the primary buildings, have to get it fixed. Have posted some jobs. Budget year is December 1st.

Consideration of Request for a Light in the Alley of the 2000 Block of Roblee Avenue and Commercial Avenue: After some discussion, Mayor Stephens stated get the sense did not want to do this.

New business:

Consideration of Request for Parking Spaces on the West Side of the 100 Block of South 20th Street: Kim Kalaher, owner Heartland Chiropractic, business across the street has a new owner, no parking problems. Do not hardly have enough parking. Two parking spots in front of her office on South 20th Street, would have no vision or clearance issues. Alderman Pittman stated voted no on making it no parking last time, what if it becomes a problem? Ms. Kalaher stated city offered that, did not request the no parking. Chief Ellermeyer stated he is good with it.

Motion: To approve Two Parking Spaces on West Side of the 100 Block of South 20th Street.

Motion by Alderman Hughes Second by Alderman Curry-Witzman

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

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

Reimbursement of Expenses from injury to Farmers Market Vendor: Discussed earlier in meeting.

Lake Forest/Wolf Hill Road set to get underway tomorrow.

Enterprise Avenue will start in the next ten days.

Fiddler Ridge Road will be three weeks to one month.

The former Jackson County Rehab and Care facility: spoke to Merle Taylor and Regina Pierson, she forwarded reports regarding the furnace and pipes regarding asbestos abatement. Would like to move forward with purchase. Attorney Blake stated have a signed contract. If want to do any further inspections, have sixty days to let him know. Alderman Pittman asked what are the next steps? Attorney Blake stated title work being done. Alderman Pittman stated comfortable moving forward.

Alderman Gladden asked about the Brown Shoe factory? Mayor Stephens stated Federal Environmental agency waiting on approval to go onto property and clean up.

Public: Dean and Francine Snyder – own property at 607 South 20th Street, 609 next to us is dangerous, lots of junk, weeds, no trash pickup. Spoke to Charlie, he thought they already had a case started, Gary Darnell did not mention it. Mayor Stephens stated will follow up on it.

Thanked Alderman Austin for being the point man on Solar.

Open House for New City Hall: Would like to officially move forward on the new city hall building. Would like to have an open house to invite the public to see the proposed plans and get their input. Suggesting August 26 from 5:30 to 6:30, council meeting at 7:00, manage the agenda to make it a little lighter. Alderman Erbes stated the Historical Society has information from when the current building was proposed and the controversy.

ALDERMEN ANNOUNCEMENTS/REQUESTS

Barb Hughes Nothing

Jance Curry-Witzman Nothing

Rick Runge Nothing

Mike Austin Nothing

Angela Jackson Nothing

W. J. Pittman Asked if any progress on street closure? Tree went between interior & exterior brick, Mitch found brick mason our of St. Louis.

John Erbes Grandkids requested and a tour was arranged of the WWTP.

Gary McComb Absen

Len Novara Nothing

Don Gladden Done at the AmerenCIPS spot? Charlie stated he had requested they pour concrete in boulevard, stated going to plant grass. Sent info, they weed-eated, now two feet tall weeds. Going to start billing them every time we go there.

DEPARTMENT HEAD ANNOUNCEMENTS/REQUESTS

Richard Blake Nothing

Sandra Ripley Nothing

Scott Evans Nothing

Steve McBride Kudos to Darrin Mills, called us when smelled gas, able to get it shut down quickly.

Jamie Ellermeyer Appreciate putting the information together on the new building.

Had an officer fall down the steps when arrestee was resisting.

Had to replace ac last year. TriCo went very well.

Brian Manwaring Absent

Harold Sheffer Pond Creek drainage study almost finalized. Blackwood Dr, box culvert will probably be needed.

Katharine Volle Absent

Tim Lee Nothing

Charlie Eisert Nothing

Pat Gladson Nothing

Darrin Mills Nothing

Mayor Stephens adjourned the meeting at 7:17 p.m.

https://murphysboro.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/City-Council-Mtg-Minutes-2025-July-22.docx