On Monday, August 26, 2013, the City of Morrison Council Meeting convened at 7:00 p.m. in the Whiteside County Board Room, 400 N. Cherry Street, Morrison, IL.
In attendance were Mayor Everett Pannier; Aldermen Curt Bender, Michael Blean, Scott Connelly, Dale Eizenga, David Helms, Leo Sullivan, Marti Wood, and Harvey Zuidema; City Clerk Melanie Schroeder; Acting City Administrator/Director of Public Services Gary Tresenriter; Morrison Sports Complex Director Jim DuBois; Chief of Police Brian Melton; City Engineer Mick Gronewold; City Attorney Tim Zollinger.
Three speakers addressed the Council during Public Comment. Liz and Brent Fischbach celebrate their first anniversary this month as owners of Baked by Liz, 119 E. Main Street. She filed a request on Friday, August 23, for a street closure permit, from 130 to 100 E. Main Steet, that would allow for an outdoor public celebration, from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 31. She spoke with two business owners in the block who “are okay” with the idea. Fischbach will ask owners of Da’ Bar, too. They have insurance. Mayor Pannier asked Attorney Zollinger, “Can we take action if [this] is not on the agenda?” The latter replied you “can approve it retroactively.” Fischbach was asked to talk with her neighbors and report at the Special Council Meeting on Thursday, August 29. Stan Mitick, representing Friends of the Parks and the Morrison-Rockwood Recreational Trail, said they “hope the project moves rapidly to completion.” They will commit to keeping it clean from litter and trash. Mayor Pannier added, “and trim along the sides?” Mitick replied, “Yes.” John Kuehl owns Spencer’s Automotive. He is opposed to allowing recreational vehicles on streets, including golf carts, to drive where the speed limit is 25 MPH or less. “They need lights, brakes, mirrors, turn signals, insurance, and [must] be a licensed driver. The Police will inspect [them] before giving permits.” He distributed six packets of material, including Illinois Senate Bill Amendment 1530 addressing limits on such vehicles.
During his Report of City Officers Mayor Pannier stated the Council will discuss interviews with City Administrator candidates [held on Saturday, August 24] and will have a discussion tonight during Executive Session. Bids “were very favorable” for the bike trail, as was paperwork.
Department Heads reports were brief. Chief Melton announced he had submitted his report to the Aldermen on Friday, August 23. Director of Public Services Tresenriter stated the containment [system] went up last week [around] the [water] tower. It goes up and own each day; the top half stays in place. The men will work on the outside [repairing and sandblasting] for two weeks, before going inside.
Matt Sheeler and Sarah McKenna represented WipFli LLP, CPA’s and Consultants. The former summarized the 2013 Annual Financial Report. The City received an “unqualified opinion,” the highest level, which meant “It’s clean; no complaints were found.” Many positive fund balances were noted; all the City’s deposits were covered; $400,000 in principle was paid down on a $1.8 million IEPA loan. New standards are required for IMRF; a $1.2 million liability–as of 2016–is currently unfunded. This causes a “deficit” to be noted and reported. Sheeler stated, “The City Administrator position will strengthen internal controls.” Mayor Pannier replied the Council will “look to see what we can do to correct apparent deficiencies.”
Consent Agenda items were approved without discusion: August 12, 2013, Regular Session Minutes; Bills Payable of $111,138.17; July 2013 Treasurer’s Report; final pay request by Miller Trucking, for east end water main improvements.
Items for Consideration and Possible Action included eight items.
- The 2013 Annual Financial Report was approved.
- Alderman Connelly began discussion about covers on temporary pools that he felt should be water permeable to avoid a hazard. Attorney Zollinger said if that is the desire of the Council, he suggests appropriate language [be added to the Ordinance] if models do not have that [type of] cover. Mayor Pannier asked, “Can we write that down…and approve the Ordinance as amended?” Members discussed a grace period to comply; Chief Melton suggested “by next year.” The Mayor replied, “Eight months gets you into March” from the passage date. Owners would have to have a permit to erect a new pool and need a cover to limit water accumulation. Ordinance #13-30 was approved.
- Ordinance #13-31 on storm water management was tabled. Alderman Bender had stated, “This is quite a lengthy Ordinance. Is there any way we could consider tabling it…to get a better grasp of it?”
- Also tabled was a request by Shane and Wendy Gallentine for a Special Use Liquor License at Hero’s Tap, on Saturday, September 21, and Sunday, September 22, 2013. Saturday is the Paint the Town event, and they want to hold a fenced, daytime beer garden with a band later in the evening. Concerns were expressed about appropriateness on the day of a family event; noise from the band; rules as to who is allowed inside the fence, which might include children if food is served; hours; security; clean up. Wendy stated the Paint the Town Committee approached them, as a way to draw more people to the event. Chief Melton requested Hero’s Tap bring a specific plan [to the Monday, September 9, Council meeting] for approval, but Mayor Pannier said [that date] would not fit the 14 days [prior to an event] needed for approval. “It has to be decided before our next meeting.” Alderman Helms wants comments from the Paint the Town Committee. The Gallentines will present information on Thursday, August 29, during a Special Council Meeting at City Hall.
- Fifteen bids for constructing Rockwood Recreational Trail were opened Thursday, August 15; five qualified. Law Excavating, Inc. of Mt. Carroll, IL, submitted the low bid of $117,566.50, which is a Base Bid plus an Alternate Bid. Discussion about the effects on Boyer’s spring resulted in a change in the bid, leaving the spring as is, with no accomodation for installing a drain tube to direct the water. The City would be willing to asphalt the trail, rather than surface it with rock and chip aggregate, because the bid came in lower than expected. While asphalt would wear better, snowmobile traffic would have an impact on the surface. There is a deadline to complete the grant. Alderman Zuidema said there is a “problem. There never was an easement” obtained from Mt. Pleasant Township for small areas where people can get on and off the trail.
- Because there will be no name or logo painted on the water tower, a credit of $10,260 exists. The costs of additional work total $18,800, which is an actual cost of $8540, less the credit, explained Director Tresenriter. New work included $4800 to remove and replace an internal ladder; $1500 to remove the old fence and replace it with a safer one, so kid’s cannot climb into the area; $12,500 to remove the unnecessary interior fill pipe. OSCHA requires installation of an interior fence/screen, to protect workers from falls. Approval was granted for the Mayor to sign the change order. He suggested looking at a routine maintenance agreement for the tower. “It’s been 15 years,” he added.
- Director Tresenriter apologized for his tardiness in bringing the next item to the Council. “It could have been handled earlier, when [Bob] Vaughn proposed it.” Vaughn requested to take ownership of the Market Street sidewalks behind the Donnybrook Bakery Cafe and Extreme Image Salon, his four contiguous buildings at 201, 203, 205, and 207 W. Main Street. His renderings show they will be constructed to meet ADA standards; Tresenriter added “our engineers say [the plan] meets code.” This rear entrance to the Donnybrook is the only acess that can be made accessible to those with disabilities. In exchange for the extensive underground and surface construction he has done, and will do, Vaughn requested abatement of utility bills for ten years for the restaurant, an upstairs bed-and-breakfast, and an upper apartment. Tresenriter recommended approval “due to all the work he’s been doing. All sidewalks would be the responsibility of the owner. We’ll be ahead [financially.]” Aldermen approved Ordinance #13-32 to vacate the sidewalk under discussion with five ayes (Blean, Sullivan, Helms, Connelly, and Eizenga), two nays (Wood and Zuidema), and Curt Bender‘s abstension.
- Ordinance #13-33, authorizing abatement of utility charges for properties located at 201, 203, and 205 W. Main Street was approved. Aldermen Blean, Helms, Connelly, and Eizenga voted yes; Sullivan, Wood, and Zuidema voted no; Bender abstained. Mayor Pannier added his aye.
Other Items for Consideration, Discussion, and Information
- Gerald Kneeland addressed two infrastructure needs for the “Windsor Manor” assisted living facility at the end of Scenic Street. HR Green needs access to the building and utilities. They want to design a sewer extension to the end of Sunset Drive and the lift station there, while looking at how it could go in now and be used for future development. They will make the City street wider. HR Green will design the work and split the cost of the extension “50-50” with the City after the street construction. A 60′ right-of-way will be deeded to the City. Kneeland estimated construction costs of $3.8 to $4 million dollars, with the total project at $5 million. He said there will be 25 full and part-time jobs created at the facility.
- Mayor Pannier stated the City pays about “$100 a day” for the contract with RK Dixon/CompuSuite for computer/server upgrades and monthly maintenance. It is being reviewed. “It’s an expensive contract,” he concluded.
- Information is coming about the City’s assistance with Resthave’s bonding, stated the Mayor. “They can use our tax statement,” he said.
- A $75,000 grant has already been awarded for improvement of the Market Street parking lot, at a cost of $44, 341. Tresenriter stated the City could replace the [entire] sidewalk on the north side and be ADA complient “for a couple thousand dollars and make it look nice. Our intent is to go out for bids.” The Mayor advised him to “bring it to the Council.”
The Council moved to meet in Executive Session for the following topics, but no action was taken after their return to Open Session.
- “To consider the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees of the public body” 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1)
- “Litigation, when an action against, affecting, or on behalf of the particlar body has been filed and is pending in a court or administrative tribunal, or when the public body finds that such an action is probable or imminent, in which case the basis for the finding shall be recorded and entered into the minutes of the closed meeting” 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(11)