On Monday, January 12, 2015, the City of Morrison Council Meeting convened at 7:00 p.m. in the Whiteside County Board Room, 400 N. Cherry Street, Morrison, IL. Attending were Mayor Everett Pannier; City Clerk Melanie Schroeder; City Administrator Barry Dykhuizen; Aldermen Curt Bender, Scott Connelly, Dale Eizenga, Dave Helms, Leo Sullivan, and Harvey Zuidema; Treasurer Evan Haag; Director of Public Works Gary Tresenriter; Police Chief Brian Melton; Fehr-Graham City Engineer Shawn Ortgiesen.
Kim Ewoldsen addressed the Council during Public Comment regarding her new positions as Directors of Morrison Area Development Corporation (MADC) and Morrison Chamber of Commerce. She is “excited about getting involved’ and plans to “move the City forward.” At the end of January she will initiate a “Chamber Chat” program, talking with the Morrison business community and public over a two-hour period. The first meeting will be held at Donnybrook Bakery Cafe, 201 W. Main Street.
Report of City Officers began with City Clerk Schroeder reporting on Alderman candidates for the Tuesday, April 7, 2015, Consolidated Election. Aldermen Michael Blean, Ward 1, and Scott Connelly, Ward 4, have petitioned to run for another term. Ward 2 has no candidate at this time. In Ward 3, Vernon Tervelt and Joshua West have filed petitions to fill one seat. CA Dykhuizen reported the demolition bids for 703-705 W. Morris Street came in higher than expected. It is “a problem we can work through,” he concluded. He clarified a recurring monthly bill paid to Illinois Power Marketing; it is for electric costs at the lift stations and the Well House.
Tresenriter complimented his department for their handling of snow removal; Aldermen offered their agreement. A timer that controls Main Street lights “went out,” and so all the lights are on today. It will cost $400 to replace the mechanism. He cited the first water main break since Friday, December 12, 2014. It was in the 400 block of North Street and “could be weather related.”
The Consent Agenda was approved without discussion.
- December 8, 2014, Regular Session Minutes
- Bills Payable of $340,399.15
- November 2014 Treasurer’s Report
- December 2014 Treasurer’s Report
Item for Consideration and Possible Action was explained by CA Dykhuizen as “a standard procedure when we change insurance carriers.” He and City Attorney Tim Zollinger “discussed it last week.” The Ordinance was approved without discussion.
- Ordinance #15-01, 2015 Approving membership in the Illinois Risk Management Association and authorizing the execution of Intergovernmental Cooperation Contract
Other Items for Consideration, Discussion, and Information concerned the sidewalk and street snow removal process in the downtown area. Tresenriter began, “The biggest problem is [downtown] is one lane and one way. [Big] equipment–end loaders, graders, dump trucks–can’t [clear snow] when cars are around.” So, snow must be removed at night, or in the early morning. “The contractor works from the east to Orange Street after 2:00 a.m., then does Market [Street]. Timing is everything; he can’t always remove [all the snow] before cars get there in the morning.” Thus, snow removal may have to wait until the next day to be completed. The sidewalk contractor begins at 4:00 a.m. or may wait until morning. Contractors are called if there is 2″ of snow. “It’s frustrating…Mother Nature doesn’t cooperate with us. We rely on the Police Department to call our [local] crews. They [salt] the hills first. We have 30 miles of streets to plow; one guy drove over 50 miles in eight hours [during the last storm.]” Tresenriter added his men will start logging their mileage during snow removal. “They impress me…they don’t quit until it’s done!” Alderman Eisenga asked, “Do we make nuisance complaints” to the Police for those who do not shovel their residential sidewalks? He was concerned about school children. Chief Melton replied, “Yes; we don’t get many. Landlords are responsible [for removal] if no one lives in [their property.] The Ordinance states [sidewalks be] free of obstructions or debris.” The fine is $50.
Executive Session was approved in order to inform the Council, but Mayor Pannier did not expect action to be taken upon return to Open Session.
- 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(5)–The purchase or lease of real property for the use of the public body, including meetings held for the purpose of discussing whether a particular parcel should be acquired.