On Monday, January 13, 2014, the City of Morrison Council Meeting met at 7:00 p.m. in the Whiteside County Board Room, 400 N. Cherry Street, Morrison, IL. Aldermen included Curt Bender, Scott Connelly, Dale Eizenga, David Helms, Leo Sullivan, Marti Wood, and Harvey Zuidema. Michael Blean was absent.
Board and Commission Reports were not discussed for either the Planning/Zoning Commission or Morrison Historic Preservation Commission. However, P/ZC Chairman Kevin Kuehl reiterated approval of a change in annexation of “the Wilkens Property” into the City and zoning it I-1, for Office and Light Industrial use. His commission approved moving the Sign Ordinance from the Municipal Code to his Commission. This would allow variances in signage. Noted in the MHPC report was a date of Friday, June 27, for presenting nomination to the Illinois Historic Sites Advisory Commission, to list our “Main Street Historic District” on the National Register.
Reports of City Officers included a comment from City Administrator Barry Dykhuizen. He and Mayor Everett Pannier were invited by the Odell Public Library Friends to discuss the City of Morrison Community Room. Topics were a cleaning schedule; making the room more useful and attractive; rental fees.
The Consent Agenda was approved.
- December 9, 2013, Regular Session Minutes
- Bills Payable–$553,136.06
- December 2013 Treasurer’s Report
- Amend Miscellaneous Expense Line Item (01-62-9280); add $325,000 for Housing Assistance Grant: CA Dykhuizen explained, “You could see it entered [from the Housing Grant] as a budget item,” but it needs “clarifying….It was an anticipated expense; we didn’t use it.” Mayor Pannier added, “We’ll double check.” He asked if payments have been received for the Morrison-Rockwood Trail and the Market Street Parking Lot. Noah Carmichael, City Engineer, reported we are awaiting the Illinois Department of Natural Resources payment towards the trail. Director of Public Services Gary Tresenriter stated, “We got the lot grant money [$55,300.11] today.”
- Request for Partial Payment, Maxcor, Inc., Water Tower Rehab–$379,937.20
Items for Consideration and Possible Action included four items.
- Ordinance #14-01, Move Sign Ordinance to the Zoning Code, was approved.
- Ordinance #14-02, Repealing Morrison Business Advisory Group Ordinance, was approved. City Attorney Tim Zollinger said the Council needs to give 30-to-90 days’ notice for the repeal to become effective. The Mayor advised amending the motion to become effective in 30 days.
- Resolution #14-03, Annexation of property commonly known as the Wilkens Property, was tabled until the Monday, January 27, meeting. The concern, raised by Alderman Zuidema, was the possible sale of a portion of the proposed annexed land. It would not allow firearm hunting, because it would be within the City limits.
- Terminate Utility Bill contracted Mailing Service: approved. CA Dykhuizen indicated City office staff recommended a return to the 2012 method of using postcards, rather than full-page letters and return envelopes, to mail customer bills. The Mayor said, “We have an in-house printer and supply of postcards.” CA Dykhuizen added, “It’s really fairly minimal [the staff preparation time.] It was their idea.” The current cost to mail statements is $17,496, and the postcard method will only cost $7795.20–a savings of nearly $9700. He commented the previous “quality of service from Wells Fargo Bank was good; it worked well.”
Other Items for Consideration, Discussion, and Information
- Fee Schedule Review: “Some fees are too high…too low…[or] could be eliminated,” observed CA Dykhuizen. The Mayor asked him to make a future presentation.
- Discuss purchase of Police vehicle: There was considerable conversation about purchasing a new squad. Chief of Police Brian Melton stated, “It is a significant cost [from] our budget. It’s more of a critical tool or equipment we need to do our job, like bullet-proof vests and a firearm. It’s our office; 90% of their work is done there, during their entire shift. It can be dangerous if” the squad is not up to par and available to the Police officer. Alderman Sullivan noted the Police Department needs to replace a vehicle every year. The Mayor said it would be “best to have enough cash to buy one a year without borrowing.” He hopes the Council will have an answer by the Monday, January 27, meeting.
- Goal setting meeting: CA Dykhuizen asked Aldermen to specifically identify their priorities for the City using categories. His questionnaire is due by month’s end. The Monday, February 24, meeting will begin at 6:00 p.m., and a facilitator will guide the Councilmen.
- Mayor Pannier reported the contract with the City Administrator requires a review in January and April of the first year.
Action from Executive Session
- The Council authorized the Mayor and/or City Administrator to enter into negotiations for the eventual sale of public land. Mayor Pannier stated this was “a portion of the land we bought for a waste water plant there. We need to see if the land is saleable. We [then] need to make an annexation decision and possible sale of these nine-to-ten acres of wet lands.”