South West Illinois News

Murphysboro City Council met Nov. 22.

Here is the minutes as provided by the Council:

The Murphysboro, Illinois, City Council met in regular session, pursuant to its ordinances, on the 22nd day of November 2016. Mayor Stephens called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. and Pastor Waterman 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, Linda Porter-Smith, Russell Brown, Herb Voss, Gary

McComb, Bill Pierson, Danny Bratton, John Erbes, Gloria Campos

Absent: Tom Ridings

Motion: To approve the minutes of the November 9, 2016 council meeting. All aldermen received a copy of the minutes, for their review, prior to the meeting.

Motion by Alderman McComb Second by Alderman Brown Mayor called for a voice vote. All were in favor.

Motion Carried

Motion: To approve the accounts payable, register #662 and #663 through November 22, 2016, accounts receivable through November 22, 2016 and payroll through November 22, 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

COMMITTEE/COMMISSION REPORTS

Alderman Bratton opened Budget & Finance Meeting.

Alderman Bratton stated that we have one more bid to come in for the roof at the Senior Citizens Center. We will need approximately $60,000. We need to look at a new tax revenue stream, need to do something like we did with the recreation center.

There was no old or new business to discuss. No public comment. Alderman Brown opened the Building and Grounds Meeting. Barb Anderson addressed the council regarding the Rec Center sign being place at the Town Center. Originally Roth Signs contacted us and said we owed them $1576 for the transmitter for the sign. We could pay that or pay for storage. Then we had to have it cleaned and some wiring done so now the cost is up to approximately $2,000. For safety we should put the sign up on a pole; the pole is an additional $1200. So the total is now approximately $3200. They received a $1000 donation which they put down on deposit and the city put some dollars down. Samron is doing the concrete work and Burke Electric is doing the electric work. Could we contact Smysor Trust to see if we could use those dollars we have left for the sign? It was determined that we could. Motion: To approve to pay the balance due for the Rec Center sign to be placed at Town Center Park out of the Smysor Trust Fund dollars. Motion by Alderman McComb Second by Alderman Brown Alderman Brown called for a voice vote. All were in favor. Motion carried.

No public comment.

Alderman Bratton opened the Community Relations Committee Meeting.

Alderman Campos inquired if there was a plan with regard to the Masonic Home.

Mayor Stephens had attended a meeting with the Masons. The Mayor had contacted an agency in Carmi and they did not think they could help. He had also contacted Pastor Holms of Immanuel Lutheran. The Masons would be willing to give the home to somebody who does this. There is also the possibility to set up a separate nonprofit group who could do it and the Masons fund it and it would remove their liability. Alderman Hughes suggested he check with Catholic Social Services and she will help with the Lutheran Agency if he needs her help. There was no old or new business to discuss. No public comment. Alderman McComb opened the Public Improvement Committee Meeting. There was no old or new business. No public comment.

Alderman Pierson opened the Public Works Committee Meeting.

Jim Stewart stated he was not too happy with the progress on the problems that need to be corrected at the new WWTP. He is still on them. We have some problems with new parts not working and trying to get them in and fixed. Alderman Bratton stated they have quite a punch list and he doesn’t want to pay them until they get it done.

There was no old or new business to discuss. No public comment. Alderman Brown opened the Public Safety Committee Meeting. There was no old or new business. No public Comment.

Alderman Hughes opened the Personnel Committee Meeting.

Alderman Hughes stated that the attorney has submitted a counter proposal to the FOP. We haven’t heard anything back; still working on it.

There was no old or new business. No public Comment.

MAYOR’S REPORT

No old or new business to discuss.

Motion: To go into executive session at 6:29 pm to view a tape form a recent murder.

Motion by Alderman Hughes Seconded by Alderman Campos

Yeas: Barb Hughes, Linda Porter-Smith, Russell Brown, Herb Voss, Gary McComb,

Bill Pierson, Danny Bratton, John Erbes, Gloria Campos

Nays: None

Motion carried.

Motion: To come out of executive session at 6:45 pm.

Motion by Alderman McComb Seconded by Alderman Brown

Yeas: Barb Hughes, Linda Porter-Smith, Russell Brown, Herb Voss, Gary McComb,

Bill Pierson, Danny Bratton, John Erbes, Gloria Campos

Nays: None

Motion Carried

No action taken.

There will be a First Responder Dinner on Sunday, November 27th at the Murphysboro Elks Lodge starting at 5:30. The Murphysboro Fire and Police will receive a $500 donation to split between them.

ALDERMEN ANNOUNCEMENTS/REQUESTS

Barb Hughes Nothing Linda Porter-Smith Status of fencing at Washington School. Waiting on old WWTP demo to use that fence or some of it for there. The plan is to us the fence at public works and Washingt9h School. Darrin stated the west and south side down on the fence; Jim stated in 1-2 weeks demo should be done; fence date is 2-3 weeks out. She wanted to inform everyone that St. Andrews is hosting a free community thanksgiving from 11-2 at the KC Hall and all are invited and welcome. On December 10, 2016 the Liberty Theatre will be hosting an Afternoon with Santa & Mrs. Claus.

Russell Brown Darrin by One Stop want curbs painted yellow. Darrin stated that is a state route so he can’t do but he will pass that on. It’s about 7-8 feet. Mayor stated we will have it painted. Herb Voss Happy Thanksgiving Gary McComb Safe Thanksgiving

Bill Pierson Nothing.

Danny Bratton Happy Thanksgiving. When we have numbers together we need to have a budget meeting. We have a special meeting set up for Monday, 12/5/16 at 6 pm.

John Erbes Nothing

Gloria Campos Happy Thanksgiving. Asking again about the sidewalk on 14th Street. Inviting everyone to walk 14th Street.

DEPARTMENT HEAD ANNOUNCEMENTS/REQUESTS

Ed Heller Ameren is progressing. They now want an exact inventory of what we are on now and our future needs. They are arguing among themselves now about contributing something on the cost of refurbishing the poles. We are getting more money from them in the future.

Sandra Ripley Nothing

Steve Swafford Nothing

Chad Roberts Nothing

Scott Evans Nothing

Eric Kennedy Nothing

Brain Manwaring Nothing

Darrin Mills Nothing

Jim Stewart Nothing

Motion: To adjourn

Motion by Alderman Bratton Second by Alderman McComb

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

Motion Carried

Meeting adjourned at 6:58 p.m.