City of Chester City Council Met May 11.
Here is the minutes provided by the council:
The Murphysboro, Illinois, City Council met in regular session, pursuant to its ordinances. Mayor Stephens called the meeting to order at 6:04 p.m. and invited Pastor Jim Frye to lead the council in prayer. Following the invocation, Mayor Stephens led the council in the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag.
Swearing in of Newly Elected Officials: Mayor Stephens swore in re-elected City Clerk Gina Hunziker. City Clerk Hunziker then swore in re-elected Mayor William Stephens, and then re-elected Aldermen Jance Curry-Witzman, W.J. Pittman, Gary McComb and Michael Bastien and newly elected Alderman Michael Austin.
Mayor Stephens then directed City Clerk Hunziker to call the roll. The roll was called with the following:
Present: Barb Hughes, Jance Curry-Witzman, Russell Brown, Gary McComb, John Erbes, Mike Austin, Mike Bastien, Gloria Campos, W.J. Pittman
Absent: None
The council then reviewed the minutes from the previous meeting.
Motion: To approve the minutes of the April 27, 2021, 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
Alderman Hughes inquired as to:
#176 page 13 Wm Myer? On cars sent to auction.
Motion: To approve the accounts payable register #176, through May 11, 2021, accounts receivable through April 30, 2021, and payroll through April, 2021. All aldermen received a copy of the accounts payable, prior to the meeting.
Motion by Alderman Bastien Second by Alderman Curry-witzman
Mayor Stephens called for a voice vote. All were in favor.
Motion Carried
COMMITTEE/COMMISSION REPORTS
Alderman Pittman opened discussion for Budget & Finance related items.
Old Business: Nothing at this time.
New Business:
Presentation of Financial Reports by Scott Evans, Budget Officer: Scott Evans stated the Sales Tax had again exceeded last year’s May, was for February sales. Income Tax is showing large payment due to taxes collected in April by the IRS. Operating Expenses versus Budget is running under budget in the expense category, healthcare Is still running under budget and actual revenues are still ahead of budgeted. Mayor Stephens asked if the WWTP payment had been made yet? Mr. Evans answered yes, due in May and November.
No public comment.
Alderman McComb opened discussion for Building & Grounds related items.
Old Business: Nothing at this time.
New Business: Nothing at this time.
No public comment.
Alderman Erbes opened discussion for Community Relations Committee related items.
Old Business: Nothing at this time.
New Business:
Dedication of Murphysboro Masonic Lodge #498: Alderman McComb stated they are supposed to contact Sandra, with a date in June. Ms. Ripley stated she believes it is in July.
Request for Street Closures – Brews Brothers Taproom, Friday, August 27, from 4p to 11p:
Motion: To Approve the Street Closure Request From Brews Brothers Taproom on August 27 From 4:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. for the 1100 Block of Chestnut Street.
Motion by Alderman Campos Second by Alderman Hughes
Mayor Stephens called for a voice vote. All were in favor.
Motion Carried
Alderman McComb asked if anyone has talked to Brews Brothers regarding their outdoor stage, people can’t get wheelchairs down the sidewalk, ask them to move it back? Mayor Stephens stated he will contact Kyle.
No public comment.
Alderman Bastien opened discussion for Public Improvement related items.
Old business: Nothing at this time.
New business:
Discussion Regarding Dilapidated Housing – Barbara Zimmerman: Cory Zimmerman and Barbara Zimmerman were present and Cory Zimmerman read a statement prepared by his mother. They reside at 324 Murphy Street. The house with the trailer to the east of us is vacant. Told these two properties have been condemned. Why is Mr. Bastien not being held accountable? Have had to call the police, had to get a Post Office box for their mail, several break-ins, etc. There is a truck with a spotlight that shines it into the house, knock on the windows, front door has been jimmied, would you put up with this? They have called the police. Asking to put up a No Parking sign at the dead end. Ms. Zimmerman stated there are squatters in the trailer, sees their flashlights, it is a harassment, why can’t it be torn down if it is condemned?
Discussion Regarding Parking on Murphy Street – Barbara Zimmerman: People park on the dead end turn around, live at the last house on the south. Mr. Zimmerman stated the truck pulls a trailer and it blocks the sidewalk. Mayor Stephens stated he appreciated them coming in. Asked if they had met recently with the Police Department? Yes. Will arrange another meeting with them and the Street Department regarding this issue. Alderman Bastien asked Mr. Kennedy if he knows anything regarding this trailer? Mr. Kennedy stated yes, is on the demo list, working on it, is in the demo process. Mayor Stephens asked if any doors or windows open? Mr. Kennedy stated did take some underpinning off. Alderman Hughes stated windows are broken out. Mr. Kennedy stated will check again. Mayor Stephens thanked them for coming and sharing their concerns. Alderman Hughes asked who the owner is? Ronnie Bastien. Asked if we can get ahold of him? Mr. Kennedy stated yes, in contact with him to do something. Alderman Hughes asked how can we hasten this? Ms. Zimmerman has been here several times, going back to 2019. Mr. Kennedy stated have to follow the process. Attorney Blake stated Mr. Kennedy dropped off paperwork today to start court proceedings for demo. Alderman Bastien asked process just starting? Attorney Blake stated with the court. Mayor Stephens asked them to email him pictures and will get with Mr. Mills.
Alderman Erbes asked about the fenced area across from 17th Street? Mayor Stephens stated Amy Mills has big plans for it.
No public comment.
Mayor Stephens opened discussion for Public Works related items.
Old business: Nothing at this time.
New business:
Discussion regarding Oil & Chip Program for 2021: Mayor Stephens stated don’t know how to quantify quantities into dollars on the spreadsheet given and how the budget lines up. Mr. Sheffer stated this list has the 33 worst streets and alleys, cost of $33,355. Alderman Campos stated has eleven alleys. North 16th Street from Walnut to Grace, lots of potholes, how can we fix alleys when there are blocks of potholes? Over twenty potholes on 16th Street. Alderman McComb stated if we don’t do the alleys, gonna lose them, garbage trucks use them daily, have to get alleys in good shape. Alderman Campos stated maybe have a surcharge to the trash company since they are hard on our alleys. Mayor Stephens stated we are $100,000 under budget on expenditures. We have the money to do alleys and a street project. Mr. Evans stated the 33,355 is square yards not dollars. Mr. Sheffer stated will get the cost. If have a list of streets can get a price on it. Mayor Stephens stated can’t act without dollar amounts. Alderman Hughes stated ask Mr. Mills to look at the list. Mr. Mills stated they haven’t gotten any better. Mayor Stephens stated likes Alderman Campos’s idea of surcharge to garbage companies. They are the primary impact on alleys. Get cost estimates for next meeting. Asked the Aldermen to get the streets we need to look at to him. Alderman Campos stated will bring pictures of all the potholes, everybody do that, see how our streets are. Alderman Hughes asked if can remove 7th Street to Enterprise since it is Future Lane and that is being taken care of already?
Consideration of Engineering Services Agreement: Mr. Sheffer stated this is the Engineering Agreement for 7th Street, $200,000 appropriated by IDOT, for contract engineering.
Motion: To Approve the Engineering Services Agreement for the 7th Street Project as presented.
Motion by Alderman Hughes Second by Alderman Erbes
Mayor Stephens called for a voice vote. All were in favor.
Motion Carried
Public comment: Darrin Mills stated after the well-placed letter from the attorney, the potholes at Kroger are being fixed today.
Alderman Brown opened discussion for Public Safety related items.
Old business: Nothing at this time.
New business: Nothing at this time.
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
Discussion regarding the Liquor License Renewal at 1501 Walnut Street: Mayor Stephens asked Mr. Mills if he had asked him to measure the distance from the church. Mr. Mills stated he believes it is 97 feet but will re-measure.
Building Committee: Mayor Stephens stated current city hall is in a declining state, employees are spread out all over. Need to get a building committee, start researching cost, look at other communities that have combined into one building. Will be costly but need to start looking. Spoke to Mayor Pro Tem Erbes regarding heading the committee and he is in agreement. Aldermen Pittman, Campos, Hughes and Austin all volunteered to be on the committee and believe it is a good idea. Alderman Hughes stated does not want to put money into an old building or spend any towards cosmetics on the current building. We do need one building for everyone. Mayor Stephens asked build in the area where the police department is now? Alderman Hughes asked does the city own all the land except where Dr. Spears is at? Yes. Alderman Pittman stated Dr. Spears has reached out, is open to selling the property to us for a reasonable price, open to negotiating with us. Could reach out to him. Alderman Bastien stated he is also in favor, need to explore our options. Alderman Campos asked where could we look for grants for this, sidewalks, etc? Mayor Stephens stated have seen some for public safety, etc. Alderman Erbes stated he understood Carbondale received a grant for their Public Service Building. Mayor Stephens stated will want to reach out to Cary Manis. Alderman McComb stated move forward with it. Alderman Brown stated he is for it. Alderman Erbes asked if we own the annex building? Yes. Could sell that. Alderman Curry-Witzman stated is in favor. Mayor Stephens stated will put together a committee and report to the council.
Update on the Old Brown Shoe Factory: Worked with Mrs. Homan to push in part of it and fence it, to make it safe and is making payments, that inside the fence is continuing to decay. Alderman Pittman stated he has had people that live on Division Street reach out to him, looks bad. Mayor Stephens stated at some point explore options to take care of it. Mrs. Homan does not have the funds. Maybe take it over and work with some non-profits to get grants or something to take care of it. Alderman Erbes stated had applied one time and did not get it. Mayor Stephens stated maybe hire a consultant to get a good estimate to get it cleaned up. Alderman Erbes stated maybe Greater Egypt will help.
Cemetery Mowing Contract: Carl Clover stated need to straighten up the payments, original agreement was to mow from April 1 through August 31, minimum 21 mowings. Other agreement says payments over twelve months. Can’t meet payroll if paid that way. Mayor Stephens stated the contract adopted by the council was for a flat amount paid over twelve months. Can see about amending that to pay over April through August. Alderman Bastien stated don’t see why can’t do that. Mayor Stephens stated will get it on the agenda for the next meeting. Alderman McComb asked if the previous person was for over twelve months? Yes. Alderman Pittman asked not a certain number of mowing included? Mayor Stephens stated 21 was the minimum. Alderman Erbes stated will need mowing past August. Mr. Clover stated if need to mow after August, it is for free. Mayor Stephens stated will get it on the next agenda.
ALDERMEN ANNOUNCEMENTS/REQUESTS
Barb Hughes Nothing
Jance Curry-Witzman Nothing
Russell Brown Nothing
Gary McComb Send a letter to McDonald’s? Traffic backs up to the intersection, threaten to shut it down? Or wait until there is an accident? Mayor Stephens suggested they need to hire someone to help direct traffic, not sure if it is IDOT or city. Attorney Blake stated believe it is IDOT right-of-way. Maybe ask them to do something.
John Erbes Nothing
Mike Austin Nothing
Mike Bastien Nothing
Gloria Campos Signatures for Lisa Byrd to fill vacancy, what is the process? Mayor Stephens stated it is a mayoral appointment with council agreement. Has two candidates, Lisa Byrd and Mr. Gladden. Hope to appoint someone within the next week.
W. J. Pittman Welcome Mr. Austin.
DEPARTMENT HEAD ANNOUNCEMENTS/REQUESTS
Richard Blake Put on agenda regarding the Mt. Carbon Christian Church property zone change request, have agreed to annexation if zoning change approved. Will need to have Public Hearing at 5:45 before the next meeting.
Sandra Ripley Nothing
Scott Evans Nothing
Harold Sheffer Texted and approximate cost will be $32,500 for oil & chip.
Steve McBride Nothing
Jamie Ellermeyer Nothing
Eric Kennedy nothing
Tim Lee Nothing
Brian Manwaring Nothing
Darrin Mills Nothing
Pat Gladson Would like permission to surplus old Jeep. Mayor Stephens suggested take old Jeep and van Blaine drives, auction off and put towards something fort he Code office. Will put on the agenda.
Katharine Volle Nothing
Motion: To adjourn.
Motion by Alderman Hughes Second by Alderman Campos
Mayor Stephens called for a voice vote. All were in favor.
Motion Carried
Meeting adjourned at 7:28 p.m.
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