South West Illinois News

Murphysboro City Council met August 23.

Here is the minutes as provided by the Council:

The Murphysboro, Illinois, City Council met in regular session, pursuant to its ordinances, on the 23rd day of August 2016. Mayor Stephens called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and Father Gary Gummersheimer 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, Herb Voss, Russell Brown, Gary

McComb, Bill Pierson, John Erbes, Gloria Campos, Tom Ridings

Absent: Russell Brown, Danny Bratton

Motion: To approve the minutes of the August 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 Campos Mayor called for a voice vote. All were in favor. Motion Carried

Motion: To approve the accounts payable, register #650, #651, and #652 through August 23, 2016, accounts receivable through August 23, 2016 and payroll through August 23, 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 Hughes Mayor called for a voice vote. All were in favor. Motion Carried

COMMITTEE/COMMISSION REPORTS

Mayor Stephens opened the Budget and Finance Committee Meeting.

Smysor Trust funds were discussed. Alderman McComb talked to Darrin about making a list of what he needs, mowers, etc. Also the mosquito truck needs to be replaced. Alderman Pierson stated that although Alderman Brown wanted the funds

put into demolition he doesn’t agree with that; however, he thinks we should contact the Smysor Trust and get their input on how to spend the $15,000.00. Mayor Stephens will contact the Smysor trust and get their approval.

Scott Evans presented the following financial reports: Schedule of Operating Expenses by Department vs. Budget, Summary of GF IPTIP Receipts, Schedule of Healthcare Costs, Comparison of Budgeted vs. Actual Payroll, Schedule of Sales/HR Tax Receipts, Schedule of State Income Tax Receipts Vouchered, Schedule of Certificates of Deposit, and Schedule of Costs Related to WWTP Construction.

Jim Stewart informed the council that the new WWTP would be on line possibly in mid-September.

Health insurance renewal was discussed. There is an increase of approximately $314,000. This is with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois. Sandra is going to get additional health quotes but in order to do that she has to have health applications completed by the employees. She is waiting on those now and once she receives them they will proceed with getting quotes from other insurers.

Public comment: Judy Bost asked if that is the reason the real estate taxes went up that much. Mayor responded those costs did not affect the real estate taxes.

Mayor Stephens opened the Building and Grounds Committee Meeting.

Attorney Blake gave an update on the franchise agreement with Ameren. We made provisions to their model so we can use their poles. Revisions are made; however, he wants to go over Ameren’s wordage with Brian Manwaring to make sure everything is okay with him. After his meeting with Brian they will send the agreement to Ameren. This is in regard to attachments to Ameren’s equipment.

Discussion was held regarding bidding out maintenance services for heating and air. Our agreement now is basically a hand shake, no formal agreement. Mayor Stephens thinks we need a formal agreement. Attorney Blake stated we do need to add prevailing wage language to what we are proposing. Aldermen think that if we didn’t have a formal agreement we do need one.

Motion: To approve the bidding out of maintenance services for heating and air and to use the bid specifications with the inclusion of the prevailing wage requirement. Motion by Alderman Pierson Second by Alderman Hughes Mayor Stephens called for a voice vote. All were in favor.

No public comment.

Mayor Stephens opened the Community Relations Meeting.

Council members determined that was no support for instituting a fee for street closures.

Water drainage issues on North 16th Street & Roberta Drive. Mayor Stephens stated we will budget dollars for it. Bill Center stated that when we had a grant it was all set then one resident out there would not allow the crossing of his property and that is the only way it can be corrected so the issue was dropped. Cleaning out the ditch will help lessen the problem. He will check with Billy Knowles to see what cost might be.

Banner placement /17th Street banner poles issue was discussed. Mayor inquired about length of poles and was told they should be at least 40’ poles to do job. Mayor stated he had poles but someone needs to pick them up and then we will have Mike Clutts set them.

Fee for the Class P liquor license was discussed. It would cost $825 for two separate licenses. Mayor suggest it at $750, the same as for a Class A license.

Motion: To approve the fee of $750 for a Class P liquor license. Motion by Alderman Hughes Second by Alderman McComb Mayor Stephens called for a voice vote. All were in favor. Motion carried.

The Ryan vs Marfio alley litigation and approval of the settlement proposal was discussed. Mr. Marfio will dedicate that part that is his to the city. Mr. Whiteside will prepare the legal description, plat and stake the location, the city pay up to $1500 for Mr. Whiteside’s services. No attorney fees paid by the city for Ryan’s or Marfio's.

Motion: To approve the settlement proposal on Ryan vs Marfio alley litigation as follows: Mr. Marfio will dedicate to the city the alley on his property; Ray Whiteside will prepare legal description, plat and stake the alley; the city will pay up to $1500 for Mr. Whiteside’s services; Mr. Ryan will pay all attorney fees for Ryan and City. Motion by Alderman Pierson Second by Alderman Erbes Mayor Stephens called for a voice vote. All were in favor. Motion carried.

Chief Hollo gave an update on the back to school traffic issue. A new route was developed and presented to the new principal. It was instituted and there are no issues now. Cars come in on 14th and go out on Candy Lane. Alderman Campos is concerned about all the traffic on 16th Street and this new route will make that worse. She wants a stop sign. Chief Hollo indicated that he would be glad for her to ride with him and then see there is not really a problem with speed. He thinks there would be different concerns caused with stop signs.

No public comment.

Alderman McComb opened the Public Improvement Committee Meeting.

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Landscape waste pickup/storage area fees were discussed. One dollar stickers for bags that the city picks up, also what about yearly stickers for vehicles. Do we want usage stickers for vehicles as well as bags? Darrin indicated the service is being abused. Alderman Pierson doesn’t want to charge or pay more fees, they are just more taxes. He stated that Darrin has the right to decide what to pick up and what not to pick up. We should pick up leaves, small branches, not trees. Mayor Stephens stated he did not think it too onus to charge $1 per bag and to have a vehicle sticker to identify the person as a resident for taking trash to the holding area. Mr. Ryan was not in favor of the vehicle sticker, he stated we should just ask for their driver’s license. However, only a policeman could request to see a driver’s license. Mayor Stephens will draft something.

Request from Habitat for Humanity to transfer the property at 2012 Division Street to them. Bruce Davis indicated they want to do footings by November.

Motion: To approve to transfer the property at 2012 Division Street to Habitat for Humanity. Motion by Alderman Hughes Second by Alderman Voss Alderman McComb called for a voice vote. All were in favor. Motion Carried.

Mayor Stephens opened the bids received on surplus property. They were as follows:

231 South 8th Street #14-04-397-023-S. Eliot & T. Ayres-$503 231 South 8th Street #14-04-397-024-S. Eliot & T. Ayres-$301 251 S. 9th Street-S. Eliot & T. Ayres-$2702 407 S. 16th Street-General JALM $10 600 Dewey #14-09-204-004-Jack Allen-$355 600 Dewey #14-09-203-009-Jack Allen $155 601 McKinney-Jack Allen $755 2001 Lindell-Joseph Icenogle $909 2109 Commercial Avenue-Alvaro Garcia $700; Friends of Murphysboro $100 2102 Commercial-Adrien Wilcoxon-$200; Friends of Murphysboro $100 Lot below Old 4th Street water tower #14-04-478-003-Jack Allen $1255 8th Street by Douglas School #14-09-126-017-Jack Allen $155

Motion: To approve accepting the high bids as presented. Motion by Alderman Pierson Seconded by Alderman Voss Mayor Stephens called for a voice vote. All were in favor. Motion Carried

Alderman Campos discussed the cleanup for the Apple Festival. Sandra stated that cleanup will be held September 11th starting at 1 p.m. All volunteers are welcome.

Alderman Campos asked that we look at the sidewalk across from Da Nite, it is in bad shape.

No public comment.

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Alderman Pierson opened the Public Works Committee Meeting.

There was no old or new business and no public comment.

Mayor Stephens opened the Public Safety Committee Meeting

There was no old or new business and no public comment.

Alderman Hughes opened the Personnel Committee Meeting.

Mayor Stephens informed the council that Mark Brittingham had delivered the final contract for the public works and clerical union employees and that he had signed the papers.

Mayor Stephens stated that the city, with the assistance of Mark Brittingham, will be starting negotiation with FOP shortly.

MAYOR’S REPORT

Mayor reminded everyone that the last Sunset Concert at Town Center Park will be on Thursday, August 25th from 6:30-8:30 pm. He also asked to keep the family of Bill Alstat in their prayers.

ALDERMEN ANNOUNCEMENTS/REQUESTS

Barb Hughes Please keep the Kennedy family in your prayers. Inquired if

anyone had been contacted regarding Feed the Team Night.

Linda Porter-Smith There are several big potholes on Hanson from 6th to 12th

Street. Can we patch them? Darrin agrees the potholes are bad but patching is pointless, the road needs to be resurfaced. Also the intersection of 9th & Hanson, there is no drain and lots of standing water. Darrin indicated there are no drains in that area, it is the old side of town and they just didn’t put them in. What is the status of Washington School? Mayor Stephens stated Washington School is part of the TIF district and when they get underway with the development we could use those funds to clean up that property. A fence should be erected and clean up the area; however, we could fence off that property now. Mayor will investigate.

Herb Voss Nothing

Gary McComb Nothing.

Bill Pierson He will be sitting on the Carbondale side for the Carbondale

Murphysboro football game only because his son-in-law is the coach.

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John Erbes What is the status of the house on Old 13 by the basketball

court? Richard Blake indicated we did a demand to vacate, and then we will petition through the court and take action to evict.

Gloria Campos She also will be sitting on the Carbondale side at the football

game.

Tom Ridings Nothing

DEPARTMENT HEAD ANNOUNCEMENTS/REQUESTS

Richard Blake Nothing

Sandra Ripley Relay for Life Golf Scramble is 9/24/16. Cost is $65 per person.

Bill Center Nothing

Steve Swafford Nothing

Brian Hollo Nothing

Scott Evans Nothing

Tim Lee Nothing

Darrin Mills Nothing

Jim Stewart Nothing

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

Meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m.

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