Carbondale Reporter

City of Murphysboro City Council met Aug. 26.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The Murphysboro, Illinois, City Council met in regular session, pursuant to its ordinances, on the 26th day of August, 2025. Mayor Stephens called the meeting to order at 7:00 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, Gary McComb, Len Novara, Don Gladden

Absent:

The council then reviewed the minutes from the previous meeting.

Motion: To approve the minutes of the August 12, 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 Pittman

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

Motion Carried

Open House Q & A with the Public: Asked if forming a new committee? Have a sub-committee, Building committee that has been meeting and working. Also asked if any advantages to having a Building commission regarding financing? Do not know that it would affect any financing.

COMMITTEE/COMMISSION REPORTS

Alderman Pittman opened discussion for Budget & Finance related items.

Old Business: Nothing at this time.

New Business:

Consideration of Change Order and Pay Estimate for the Fiddler Ridge Road Project:

Motion: To approve the change Order in the amount of $16,877.50.

Motion by Alderman Gladden Second by Alderman Curry-Witzman

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

Motion Carried

Motion: To approve the Pay Estimate in the Amount of $213,342.50.

Motion by Alderman Runge Second by Alderman Hughes

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

Motion Carried

Consideration of Accounts Payable Registers: Alderman Runge asked if the Influencers provide a breakdown of what we are getting from them? Lisa/Tourism stated will get that information to Ms. Ripley.

Motion: To approve the accounts payable, register 136 & 137, through August 26, 2025. All aldermen received a copy of the register for their review, prior to the meeting.

Motion by Alderman Erbes Second by Alderman Austin

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 presented the Income Tax Receipts, General Fund Operating Expenses Actual vs. Budget, Payroll and Building cost scenarios for the new Public Safety Building.

Consideration of Donation Request from Murphysboro Hometown Christmas: Alderman Pittman asked what amount budgeted? Same as last year, $10,000.

Motion: To approve a $10,000 donation to Murphysboro Hometown Christmas.

Motion by Alderman Gladden Second by Alderman Hughes

Mayor Stephens called for a voice vote. All were in favor, Alderman Runge abstained.

Motion Carried

No public comment.

Alderman Austin opened discussion for Building & Grounds related items.

Old Business: Nothing at this time.

New Business:

Consideration of Electrical Upgrade and Automatic Transfer Switch at Public Works: Alderman Austin stated received a quote in the amount of $8972.28. Mr. Lee stated never had transfer switch, if lights go out have to use flashlights. While doing the meter work, do the transfer switch. Alderman McComb stated should not be any tax on the bid. Alderman Austin stated the bid amount should be $8541.52.

Motion: To approve the bid from A & I Supply in the amount of $8541.52.

Motion by Alderman Gladden 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 for Assistance and Street Closure – Murphysboro Barbecue Cook-off September 17-21, 2025: Alderman Curry-Witzman stated received request letter and form filled out.

Motion: To approve the Request for Assistance and Street Closures for the Murphysboro Barbecue Cook-off September 17-21, 2025.

Motion by Alderman Runge Second by Alderman Gladden

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: Nothing at this time.

No public comment.

Alderman McComb opened discussion for Public Works related items.

Old business: Nothing at this time.

New business:

Discussion regarding Parking Issue at 1515 Spruce Street: Mayor Stephens requested that we table, residents who requested this not able to attend tonight.

Consideration of Estimate for Valve Box Repair at Wastewater Treatment Plant: Mr. Lee stated they tried to fix it but it is too deep.

Motion: To approve the bid from A & W Plumbing in the amount of $9951.00.

Motion by Alderman Pittman Second by Alderman Erbes

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

Motion Carried

No public comment.

Alderman Erbes opened discussion for Public Safety related items.

Old business:

Update on Animal Control Facility: Mayor Stephens stated the house has been torn down at the old Humane Shelter. Chief Ellermeyer stated they are still shooting for October 1st.

New business: Nothing at this time.

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

Thanked the Revitalize Committee and all involved with installing the Apple at the Old Depot.

Public Comment – Francine Snider – here at last meeting, neighbor has not mowed, buckets of water, 609 South 20th Street. Only when people complain do things get looked at? Mayor Stephens stated we do have people that drive around. Mr. Eisert stated we have issued tickets, the city has mowed and towed a car off it, have a lien against it, doing our best. Mrs. Snider asked is it cheaper to let grass grow and trash pile up and let the city deal with it? Mayor Stephens stated you have all kinds of circumstances, renters, bank own it, median income is very low.

ALDERMEN ANNOUNCEMENTS/REQUESTS

Barb Hughes Re-do boat ramp at park? Any update on it? Mr. Sheffer stated run into bad soil, working on it.

Jance Curry-Witzman Thanks Clerk Hunziker for getting lights on Shomaker repaired.

Rick Runge Nothing

Mike Austin Virginia Winn-O’Connor letter received & read.

Angela Jackson Nothing

W. J. Pittman Nothing

John Erbes Nothing

Gary McComb Letter from Virginia, see about getting full-time person, have Aldermen drive around & report any issues. Also need to change some ordinances, put on agenda. Attorney Blake stated we have the ordinances, it’s enforcing them.

Len Novara Nothing

Don Gladden Resident 900 Block N. 24th Street requested we put curbs on N. 24th Street.

DEPARTMENT HEAD ANNOUNCEMENTS/REQUESTS

Richard Blake Nothing

Sandra Ripley Nothing

Scott Evans Nothing

Steve McBride Nothing

Jamie Ellermeyer July 4th went very well, thanks to JCHA for your help.

Brian Manwaring Absent

Harold Sheffer Report on Pond Creek Study, next week.

Katharine Volle Nothing

Tim Lee Nothing

Charlie Eisert Nothing

Pat Gladson Absent

Darrin Mills Absent

Mayor Stephens adjourned the meeting at 7:52 p.m.

https://murphysboro.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/City-Council-Mtg-Minutes-2025-Aug-26.docx