Assistant Editor Jerry Lindsey wrote this report.
Tim Zollinger, Attorney for the City of Morrison, IL, opened the City Council meeting of Monday, November 23, 2020, with an update on filing a lawsuit against Mega Properties, to expedite the renovation of a 100 W. Main Street property. Failure of the owner to act by Tuesday, December 1, will result in the City moving forward with a motion of default.
A citizen request to open a new business, that conflicts with the current restrictions for bar and tavern distances from residential property, was deferred to the Planning and Zoning Commission for a recommendation.
A unanimous vote on changes in Ordinance 20-27 will establish altered dimension restrictions on monuments and markers in Grove Hill Cemetery. A monument must now be placed only on the exterior lot lines, and its foundation must be contained within the dimension of the grave(s). Monuments must consist of only three pieces and be erected on a base that does not exceed six inches in height and six inches in width from front-to-back.
The recent litigation ruling on Fox Fire Tavern in Geneva, IL, which allowed a Temporary Restraining Order on Governor Pritzker’s COVID-19 restrictions, has generated concerns within Morrison, They relate to the options available to the City for enforcement of the same COVID-19 guidelines. The Council’s desire to minimize the economic impact on their pandemic decisions, made for challenging discussion without final resolution.
Attorney Zollinger opened the discussion with his legal interpretation of the current situation:
1) The City has limited legal power over restaurants without liquor licenses.
2) The City has authority over liquor license holders. Continuing to operate with State Restrictions in place may be seen as disorderly conduct.
3) Courts have recently upheld the Governor’s Executive Orders, which has allowed some enforcement options.
A possible alternative of resolution revolved around a possible coordinated effort, within all Whiteside County communities, to enforce the Governor’s guidelines and move the issue into the courts, This is where the uncertainty of cooperative action from the States Attorney currently exists. The Council discussion ended with the coordination conversations to be initiated among neighboring communities. It would be initiated by Mayor Everett Pannier and City Administrator Barry Dykhuizen.
In closing discussions, the funding and location of the proposed Public Works Building would be delayed, until after the December opening of the Main Street project bids.