South West Illinois News

Murphysboro City Council met Tuesday, July 12.

The Murphysboro City Council meets at 7 p.m. on the second Tuesday of the month in Council Chambers, 202 N. 11th St.

Here are the minutes as provided by Murphysboro:

Murphysboro City Council Meeting July 12, 2016

The Murphysboro, Illinois, City Council met in regular session, pursuant to its ordinances, on the 12th day of July 2016. Mayor Stephens called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and Pastor Hickam led the council in prayer. Following the invocation, Mayor Stephens led the council in the pledge of allegiance to the flag. Mayor Stephens then directed City Clerk Cottonaro to call the roll. The roll was called with the following

Present: Barb Hughes, Russell Brown, Herb Voss, Gary McComb, Danny Bratton, John Erbes, Gloria Campos, Tom Ridings

Absent: Bill Pierson

Mayor Stephens presented the Russell Breading Memorial Community Service Award to Jamie Stewart Green.

Mayor Stephens inquired about the status of the leaning pole and wires on the corner of Tina Drive & 17th Street. The pole is leaning more but the wires are down. Frontier is the responsible party. Tim Legere will follow up with Frontier. Mike Bergant also stated that the same condition exists at 11th & Gartside Street and asked that we request that repair as well.

Motion: To approve the minutes of the June 14, 2016 council meeting. All aldermen received a copy of the minutes, for their review, prior to the meeting. Motion by Alderman Hughes Second by Alderman Brown Mayor called for a voice vote. All were in favor. Motion Carried

Motion: To approve the accounts payable, register #643 and #644 through July 12, 2016, accounts receivable through July 12, 2016 and payroll through July 12, 2016. All aldermen received a copy of the accounts payable, accounts receivable and payroll for their review, prior to the meeting. Motion by Alderman McComb Second by Alderman Bratton Mayor called for a voice vote. All were in favor. Motion Carried

REQUESTS FROM THE FLOOR

Larry Dunn addressed the council regarding the flooding on Roberta Drive. He stated that in addition to the problem at 1039 Roberta Drive there is also a problem at 1040 Roberta Drive. He thinks they put in an inadequate culvert.

COMMITTEE/COMMISSION REPORTS

Budget and Finance Committee meeting of June 27, 2016

Motion: To approve paying accounts payable register #640 through June 27, 2016. Motion by Alderman Campos Second by Alderman Erbes Mayor Stephens called for a voice vote. All were in favor. Motion carried.

Motion: To accept Scott Evans reports. Motion by Alderman McComb Second by Alderman Hughes Mayor Stephens called for a voice vote. All were in favor. Motion carried.

Motion: To approve the agreement with Credit Collection Partners for debt collection. Motion by Alderman McComb Second by Alderman Brown Mayor Stephens called for a voice vote. All were in favor. Motion carried.

Building and Grounds Committee Meeting of June 27, 2016.

Motion: To approve the request for underground electric easement at 2801 West Riverside Park Road. Motion by Alderman Bratton Second by Alderman McComb Mayor Stephens called for a voice vote. All were in favor. Motion Carried

Motion: To not to seek repair reimbursement costs from MYRC. Motion by Alderman McComb Second by Alderman Hughes Mayor Stephens called for a voice vote. All were in favor. Motion Carried

Motion: To let the library dispose of the surplus chairs in the manner they want. Motion by Alderman Campos Second by Alderman McComb Mayor Stephens called for a voice vote. All were in favor. Motion Carried

Mayor Stephens stated that senior citizens center and public works fire alarm problems had been fixed with batteries and general maintenance; however the fire station control panel was faulty and the cost was $1350.00.

Motion: To approve Security Alarm System to check the fire alarms at the senior citizens center, public works and fire station #2 for necessary repairs and approve and move forward with repairs on fire station #2 in the amount of $1350. Motion by Alderman Campos Second by Alderman Voss Ayes: Barb Hughes, Russell Brown, Herb Voss, Gary McComb, John Erbes, Gloria

Campos, Tom Ridings Nays: Danny Bratton Motion Carried

Community Relations Meeting of June 27, 2016

Motion: To approve the appointment of Ingrid Walker to the Sallie Logan Public Library Board. Motion by Alderman Hughes Second by Alderman Brown Mayor Stephens called for a voice vote. All were in favor. Motion carried.

Motion: To approve the request by 2006 MHS Class for the closure of South 11th Street from Chestnut to Mulberry from 3-11 p.m. on September 24th for a 10-year class reunion. Motion by Alderman Campos Second by Alderman Hughes Mayor Stephens called for a voice vote. All were in favor. Motion carried.

Motion: To approve the Run to Succeed LLC request for a 5K on July 23, 2016 using the Riverside Park Course pending their board approval as well. Motion by Alderman McComb Second by Alderman Voss Mayor Stephens called for a voice vote. All were in favor. Motion carried.

Attorney Blake stated that the law requires ten days prior notification per publication in the newspaper. We would be able to have the change go into effect and hold the August 9th and August 23rd meetings. The standing committee meeting will stay in place for July.

Motion: To approve two council meetings to be held on the second and fourth Tuesdays at 7 p.m. Motion by Alderman Bratton Second by Alderman Campos Ayes: Barb Hughes, Russell Brown, Herb Voss, Gary McComb, Danny Bratton,

Attorney Blake informed the council that we would be able to open bids at the August 23, 2016 council meeting.

Motion: To approve an ad for surplus property as submitted with the exception of the property at 500 North 17th Street, 2012 Division Street and South 3rd Street/4th Street/Division Street. Motion by Alderman McComb Second by Alderman Bratton Mayor Stephens called for a voice vote. All were in favor. Motion Carried.

Public Works Committee Meeting of June 27, 2016.

Motion: To approve the sludge removal bid from Perry Ridge Landfill for a flat fee of $44/ton which includes a 30 yard roll off delivered and picked up, liners and transportation with the city signing a three year contract. Motion by Alderman Bratton Seconded by Alderman Brown Mayor Stephens called for a voice vote. All were in favor. Motion Carried

Motion: To approve the repair of the WWTP truck bed at a cost of $5700. Motion by Alderman Bratton Seconded by Alderman Campos Ayes: Barb Hughes, Russell Brown, Herb Voss, Danny Bratton, John Erbes, Gloria

Campos Tom Ridings Nays: Gary McComb Motion Carried

Alderman Bratton addressed the issue of the flooding on Roberta Drive. He thinks we should take out the trees, clean out and build a retention pond for some relief. He wants the council to investigate and put the cost on the next year’s budget to repair. Harold Sheffer stated it is a complex problem. It was stated that in the past there were grant dollars available however, there was a problem with the residents resisting and the grant dollars were lost. Mayor Stephens stated we should see what we need to do to repair the problem and seek bids for fixing the problem.

Public Safety Committee Meeting of June 27, 2015

No action taken.

Personnel Committee Meeting of June 27, 2016.

Motion: To approve the budgeted two percent raise from here going forward for department heads Brian Hollo, Eric Kennedy, Steve Swafford and Sandra Ripley. Motion by Alderman McComb Second by Alderman Hughes Mayor Stephens called for a voice vote. All were in favor. Motion Carried.Motion: To approve releasing executive session minutes of October 13, 2015, December 28, 2015, and April 25, 2016 and hold executive session minutes from February 22, 2016, March 21, 2016, May 23, 2016 and June 14, 2016. Motion by Alderman Bratton Second by Alderman Hughes Mayor Stephens called for a voice vote. All were in favor. Motion Carried.

MAYOR’S REPORT

There was a discussion of the appointment of Linda Porter-Smith as Ward 3 Alderman. She had sought election last time. She would be filling the unexpired term of Mark Costa.

Motion: To approve the appointment of Linda Porter-Smith as Ward 3 Alderman. Motion by Alderman McComb Second by Alderman Campos Mayor Stephens called for a voice vote. All were in favor. Motion Carried.

Motion: To approve the ordinance authorizing the transfer of three lots between South 3rd and South 4th Street to Ms. Eugenia Robinson. Motion by Alderman McComb Second by Alderman Bratton Mayor Stephens called for a voice vote. All were in favor. Motion Carried.

We will start the discussion for advertising for this position at the standing committee meeting.

Motion: To approve the acceptance of the resignation of Chief Hollo effective Friday, October 7, 2016. Motion by Alderman McComb Second by Alderman Bratton Mayor Stephens called for a voice vote. All were in favor. Motion Carried.

Mayor Stephens announced there will be a Bocce Buddy Game Day Saturday, August 6, 2016, from 11-2 p.m. at Riverside Park. There will be free admission, lunch and T-shirts. The Kiwanis are sponsoring this to introduce bocce to a population that would not normally play that game.

ALDERMEN ANNOUNCEMENTS/REQUESTS

Tom Ridings Nothing

Gloria Campos Nothing

John Erbes Wants to commend Alderman McComb on all the effort he put forth getting the holding area property.

Danny Bratton He also wants to commend Alderman McComb for the many hours he has put into the holding area property and the surplus property issue. He also noted that Mr. Green was in the audience and asked if he wanted to address the council. Mr. Green stated they are progressing with what they want to do. They have $5,000 and are applying for a city loan. He stated that only Alderman Pierson had attended and supported them at the fund raiser. They are now feeding 30- 40 kids a day and feeding 40 people on Saturday.

Gary McComb They will be holding a bicycle sale at the Farmer’s Market this weekend. Bike will be $10 each and they have 40-55 bikes. Dollars raised from this project will go to landscaping at the Daum Building.

Herb Voss Nothing

Russell Brown Wanted to know what we are going to do about Costa’s property.

Barb Hughes Nothing

DEPARTMENT HEAD ANNOUNCEMENTS/REQUESTS

Richard Blake Nothing

Harold Sheffer Working on demo price with River City

Steven Swafford Nothing

Tim Legere Nothing

Eric Kennedy Nothing

Tim Lee Nothing

Darrin Mills Nothing

Jim Stewart 85% done on WWTP

Motion: To adjourn Motion by Alderman McComb Second by Alderman Bratton Mayor Stephens called for a voice vote. All were in favor. Motion Carried

Meeting adjourned at 8:13 p.m.