On Monday, August 13, 2018, the City Council Meeting convened at 7:04 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; Police Chief Brian Melton; Aldermen Dale Eizenga, Dave Helms, Kenneth Mahaffey, Vernon Tervelt, Mick Welding, Josh West, and Harvey Zuidema.
During PUBLIC COMMENT, Ramesh Shah, three-year owner and operator of Fast Stop, 615 E. Lincolnway, Morrison, explained his request for “a [City] Pouring License.” This would allow him to apply for a State Gaming License. Shah noted a 40% decrease in revenue since they opened. Gaming would provide a boost to their income as well as the City’s.
During REPORT OF CITY OFFICERS/DEPARTMENT HEADS, Chief Melton reported Officer “Kevin Soenksen is back to full duty. We have scheduled full patrols each day of the Fair[, August 14 through 18.]” One new squad is being equipped. Before school begins next week, he “will conduct a teacher orientation for safety and Violent Intruder Training.” CA Dykhuizen reported, “Bids are opening tomorrow for [seal coating] Sunset Street and for [fixing] a cracked ceiling. Fehr Graham should do the street work by fall, on Scenic and Sycamore [Streets], hopefully before the end of August.”
During BOARD AND COMMISSION REPORTS, Mayor Pannier stated he attended the last Morrison Historic Preservation Commission meeting, which he described as “a good meeting and discussion on remuneration for local projects. We will have an Ordinance ready for the next Council meeting.”
The CONSENT AGENDA items were approved without discussion.
- July 23, 2018, Regular Session Minutes
- Bills Payable of $152,069.86
- Request for Street Closure–Morrison Chamber of Commerce
There was one ITEM FOR CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE ACTION on the Agenda: Wastewater Treatment Plant Application for Payment #24 (Final), Request for Loan Distribution #25, and Change Order #9. However, earlier n the day the engineering firm requested that it be postponed. No action was taken.
Two OTHER ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION, DISCUSSION, AND INFORMATION, were discussed. The Mayor said, “The Parks and Rec Commission needs to concur with City employees and the Parks and Rec Committee members.” He added, “The School may take over some of the activities.” We need to “get a plan put together; [it] might be considerably different.” Zuidema noted “the green, Street Department building has not been torn down and the area cleaned up. It needs to come down to fulfill this contract.” Mayor Pannier and CA Dykhuizen both argued they do not recall this action as part of any agreement with either Baxter & Woodman or Fehr Graham. Dykhuizen stated there “were no discussions, none.” The Mayor said, “There never has been a motion to tear it down.” Zuidema answered, “It was in the contract.”
The swift meeting adjourned at 7:25.