The Murphysboro City Council met Dec. 13 to provide gas franchise agreement updates.
Here are the meeting's minutes, as provided by the council:
The Murphysboro City Council meets at 7 p.m. on the second Tuesday of the month in Council Chambers, 202 N. 11th St.
Murphysboro City Council Meeting December 13, 2016
The Murphysboro, Illinois, City Council met in regular session, pursuant to its ordinances, on the 13th day of December 2016. Mayor Stephens called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. and Pastor Jerry 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, Linda Porter-Smith, Russell Brown, Gary McComb, Bill
Pierson, Danny Bratton, John Erbes, Gloria Campos, Tom Ridings
Absent: Herb Voss
Motion: To approve the minutes of the November 22, 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 #664, #665 and #666 through December 13, 2016, accounts receivable through December 13, 2016 and payroll through December 13, 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 Campos Mayor called for a voice vote. All were in favor. Motion Carried
COMMITTEE/COMMISSION REPORTS
Alderman Bratton opened Budget & Finance Meeting.
Motion: To approve placing on public display the proposed budget for FY 2017. Motion by Alderman Bratton Second by Alderman Erbes Alderman Bratton called for a voice vote. All were in favor. Motion carried.
The Public Hearing on the proposed budget for FY 2017 will be held on Tuesday, December 27th at 5:30 pm.
No public comment.
Alderman Brown opened the Building and Grounds Meeting.
An update was given on the franchise agreement with Ameren for gas and electric. Brian Manwaring is looking at maps so he can furnish Ameren with the requested information
The janitorial contract was discussed. Discussion centered on whether we should go out for bid for the service. Jim McAnelly does a good job and has worked for us 19 years. He makes $16,400 a year and wants $21,000. He has not received an increase for a while. Alderman Pierson suggested we bid out to see if he is in the ballpark. We do not have to accept the low bid. Alderman Campos stated we could leave as it is but cut services to two to three days, it is now three days at the city hall and one day at the Daum Building. Alderman Bratton stated we should renegotiate amount of service, do cleaning on Tuesday and Friday. Chief Roberts informed the council that Jim does many ancillary duties, he comes out in the middle of the night if someone vomits on the booking room floor, changes filters, and orders supplies through his vendors for a better price deal. Those things should be taken into account. Alderman McComb agreed to rescind his motion to solicit a bid. Mayor Stephens will engage Jim in that service renegotiation conversation and report back at the next meeting.
No public comment.
Alderman McComb opened the Public Improvement Committee Meeting.
Alderman McComb inquired of Bill Center of the status of improvements to the road leading to the WWTP. Bill stated that Harold said it will be several weeks yet to complete work at WWTP and he wants to see how much money is left after they complete the work and then proceed with the road. Alderman McComb stated they have hauled 25-30 loads of dirt out of there. We shouldn’t be hauling off our dirt and then paying for dirt.
Alderman Campos discussed the necessity of replacing the sidewalks on North 14th Street.
Mayor Stephens discussed the contact with HeartLands Conservancy for completion of the city’s comprehensive plan. He chairs the Murphysboro Plan Commission and they have been working on this plan five to six months. The Smysor Trust gave the city $16,000 to rework the plan. This commission has determined to engage HeartLands Conservancy. He will not be calling for a motion tonight for approval of the contract as there are some revisions involved. Alderman Pierson wanted to know who in the city is going to do the work required. Sandra had stated that she thought that she and her intern could handle the survey data entry. Alderman Bratton wants a schedule of values for what work they complete and an hourly rate. These are things we should require. Mayor Stephens can ask that they break down more of the bill. He will ask for a detailed schedule and revisions and will bring back to council.
No public comment.
Alderman Bratton opened the Community Relations Committee Meeting.
Ms. Emily Burke gave an update on the application for the Brownfield Grant. The application is almost complete; she just needs a few questions answered. She stated that letters of support make a big difference with this grant. They have several but do we have any other business who would write letters? Would Smysor Trust write a letter? Alderman Hughes stated the ministerial council would be good to ask to write a letter. Ms. Burke stated she will have the grant to Mayor Stephens by next week.
No public comment.
Alderman Pierson opened the Public Works Committee Meeting.
Motion: To approve the Motor Fuel Maintenance Program for 2017 in the amount of $225,993. Motion by Alderman Bratton Second by Alderman Campos Alderman Pierson called for a voice vote. All were in favor. Motion carried.
The purchase of safety items (life rings) for the WWTP was discussed. In our new plant there is a safety problem. When the men have to do maintenance of units and go out on the center isle they must have safety rings and we do not have them. Cost could come out of existing 2016 budget or we can add it to next years’ budget. Cost is $3400. These are life preserve rings that attach.
Motion: To approve the purchase of life rings for the WWTP at a cost of $3400 out of the 2016 budget. Motion by Alderman Erbes Second by Alderman Bratton Alderman Pierson called for a voice vote. All were in favor. Motion carried.
No public comment.
Alderman Brown opened the Public Safety Committee Meeting.
The tree issue at 419 North 11th Street was discussed. Tree is on private property. Residents got a bid to cut down for $900. They can only pay $300 and want the city to pay the rest. It hangs across 11th Street and is a safety issue. Mayor Stephen’s will solicit bids for removal of tree.
Motion: To approve soliciting bids for removal of tree on North 11th Street. Motion by Alderman Hughes Second by Alderman Brown Alderman Brown called for a voice vote. All were in favor. Motion carried.
Alderman McComb discussed reviewing of our ordinance for trailers parked on streets. On 20th Street there is a real safety issue with a person parking a trailer. Alderman McComb thinks there should be no commercial vehicles parked on city streets at any time. We would have to make allowances for deliveries and mowers. He requests that Eric, Chief Roberts and council look at this issue and we can revisit at our next meeting.
No public Comment.
Alderman Hughes opened the Personnel Committee Meeting.
Alderman Hughes stated that Sandra is requesting to close the office on Thursday, March 30th for all four employees to attend Locis training in Caseyville.
Motion: To approve closing the office on Thursday, March 30th for administrative staff to attend Locus training. Motion by Alderman McComb Second by Alderman Bratton Alderman Hughes called for a voice vote. All were in favor. Motion carried.
No public Comment.
MAYOR’S REPORT
Mayor Stephens discussed a new city seal design. The current city seal is an exact replica of the Illinois seal and most communities have something unique about them on their city seal. Alderman Hughes suggested having a design contest among school children. Mayor will proceed with the city seal.
Motion: To approve the appointment of Lauralee Ryan to the Plan Commission. Motion by Alderman McComb Second by Alderman Erbes Mayor Stephens called for a voice vote. All were in favor. Motion carried.
Mayor Stephens informed the council that after 1-1/2 years he received a commitment from the Jackson County Board to pay $11,000 to Jim Morgan and One Source.
ALDERMEN ANNOUNCEMENTS/REQUESTS
Barb Hughes Merry Christmas and please remember the reason for the
season. The United Methodist Church is sponsoring a Community Christmas Dinner. It will be held at the KC Hall. All are welcome.
Linda Porter-Smith Nathan George will be holding a concert at the Liberty Theater
this Friday night at 7 p.m.
Russell Brown Nothing.
Gary McComb Nothing
Bill Pierson Nothing.
Danny Bratton Nothing.
John Erbes Thanks to Sandra and Leslie for a great city Christmas party.
Gloria Campos Next year we have a worldwide event, the solar eclipse.
People can rent out their homes-Air BNB. There is a hotel/motel tax for that; this would be a great revenue source. Attorney Heller will check with the municipal league.
DEPARTMENT HEAD ANNOUNCEMENTS/REQUESTS
Ed Heller Nothing.
Sandra Ripley Nothing
Bill Center Nothing
Steve Swafford Nothing
Chad Roberts Nothing
Scott Evans Nothing
Eric Kennedy Nothing
Tim Lee Nothing
Brain Manwaring Nothing
Darrin Mills Nothing
Jim Stewart Nothing
Motion: To adjourn Motion by Alderman Bratton Second by Alderman Hughes Mayor Stephens called for a voice vote. All were in favor. Motion Carried
Meeting adjourned at 7:10 p.m.
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