On Monday, July 23, 2018, the City Council Meeting convened at 7:05 p.m., in the Whiteside County Board Room, 400 N. Cherry Street, Morrison, IL. Five officials were absent, leaving Mayor pro tem Mick Welding; City Administrator Barry Dykhuizen; Treasurer Evan Haag; Police Chief Brian Melton; Aldermen Arlyn Deets, Dale Eizenga, Kenneth Mahaffey, Vernon Tervelt, and Harvey Zuidema in attendance.
During PUBLIC COMMENT, Kevin and Lynn Kenady and Kent Shepard explained their request for “a street closure and approval of alcohol use on City property, the evening of Paint the Town, on Back [Market] Street.” Their desire is to “extend” the event, for “people to enjoy music/bands [and] take alcohol outside Happy Joe’s and KJ’s.” There would be entrance to a fenced area behind the buildings through their front doors, after customers are checked for ID and given a wristband. Music would play from 5:00 p.m. to midnight. Chief Melton remarked the Council’s approval would be contingent upon submission of a security plan by the business owners.
Matt Hansen from Willett Hofmann & Associates, Inc. offered a June Water System distribution report, checking that all valves were open on the main transmission. Because they want to put Well #5 in service in July, valves were also cleaned. They might test Well #5 and have filed a Consumer Confidence Report with IEPA. Hydrant flushing [during the week beginning Monday, August 6], will clean the system for the well’s start up, and it will remove chlorine residue that can accumulate in water lines that dead end. Flushing “turns over the water to keep it fresh and scours inside the mains, so sediment and buildup is flushed out,” he said.
The first 11 CONSENT AGENDA items were approved without discussion.
- July 9, 2018, Regular Session Minutes
- Bills Payable of $166,801.05
- Application for Payment #1–High Street
- Request for Street Closure–Morrison Christian Reformed Church
- Request for Street Closure–Morrison Rotary Club
- Request for Street Closure (pending receipt of insurance)–CAPA
- Request for Street Closure (pending updated insurance)–Happy Joe’s/Brick Block Pub
- Request for one-day Special & Limited Use Liquor License (pending updated insurance)–Happy Joe’s/Brick Block Pub
- Request for Street Closure–KJ’s Bar & Grill
- Request for one-day Special & Limited Use Liquor License–KJ’s Bar & Grill
- Ordinance #18-20, Authorizing Disposal of Surplus Personal Property
Alderman Tervelt requested the 12th item, Appointment of Michael Anderson as Parks & Recreation Director, be removed and discussed. “My concern is, within a day or two, we hired a person who has had no experience. We need to get some activities out at the Sports Complex and get some activities for our kids.” Welding said, “Travis [McBride] will stay until August 1, to aid the transition. The Mayor has the ability to appoint people to this position.” Dykhuizen stated, “The compensation–$47,125–is the same as the last two.” Tervelt countered, “This person has no degree in putting these programs together[, as McBride did].” Dykhuizen concluded, “An employee expressed an interest. The Mayor feels he would do a good job.” No action was taken.
There were five ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE ACTION.
- Progress Update: Main Street, Willett Hofmann & Associates, Inc. Project Manager Brian Frickenstein stated the Topographic Survey is complete; detailers generated CAD drawings. Engineers are surveying buildings for foundations, walls, the situation and size of the water service, and building materials originally used. “The buildings are old. Basements may be stone walls or masonry, or they were put on foundations that match the [buildings’] age.” He noted basements may contain sidewalk vaults and tanks–buried or in view. “Five buildings will be checked tomorrow; then there will be four left.”
- Ordinance #18-19–Implementation of New Rules Relating to Small Wireless Facilities, Dykhuizen explained having this Ordinance is a formality. It was approved.
- Petition for Bridge Funds 605 ILCS Div 5 5/5 – 501, “The Petition,” explained Dykhuizen, “is the first step of [the bridge fund] project.” The intention is to use State funds for the new Crocker Bridge. “Our share would be 10% of the construction.” The request was approved.
- Whiteside County-City Intergovernmental Agreement–Seal Coating, Costs to reapply sealcoat to “Hilltop Drive and the Sycamore, Sunset, Spruce, and Scenic Streets area will be split 50-50” with the County, said Dykhuizen. Tervelt estimated the City portion would be “$8500.” The agreement was approved.
- Parking Spaces 400 Block of N. Cherry Street, Mayor pro tem Welding had prepared photos of the parking space on N. Cherry Street. After discussion of options, making the area a No Parking Zone was approved.
There were three OTHER ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION, DISCUSSION, AND INFORMATION, the last was due to the position of Parks & Recreation Director.
- School Resource Officer Update/Police Protection Tax Levy, Chief Melton noted, “The Police Protection Tax Levy will be on the ballot for [Tuesday,] November 6. Before that occurs, he would like the Council to commit to the idea that we need an officer, then to show the Community the tax rate would only increase to fund that officer. “It’s just a show of good faith” to seek support for this from the community.] The School District, he said, is certainly interested and “poised and prepared” to fund a School Resource Officer. Welding asked, “What percent would the [District] pay?” Melton answered, “The school [portion] would be 65-to-70% of that officer’s cost.” It would be full-time; at all four schools, but primarily Junior and Senior High buildings; include some sports events. “There are so many benefits to that program, for everyone,” he concluded.
- Review Policy on Handling Billing for Large Water Leaks, Dykhuisen reported, “A leaking toilet is the most-often cause of leaks” that generate a large water bill. “Any water that goes through the meter is billed,” he said. “A stuck flapper on a toilet can sting you a couple hundred dollars.” One citizen recently had a break in a pipe. Reductions of excessively high bills may be made, at the discretion of the Mayor and City Administrator, but “We hardly ever do that on an individualized basis. We make everybody pay.” The Council consensus was to allow the two officials to follow the status quo. [Editor’s note: Click here to learn about toilet bowl leaks.]
- Parks & Recreation Director, The next Regular Council Meeting is Monday, August 13, and “you will be down two Directors,” Dykhuizen stated. Those are Public Works Director and Parks & Recreation Director. Welding said he would talk with Mayor Pannier and put together a Special Council Meeting to discuss Michael Anderson’s qualifications, duties, salary, etc. before August 13.
The meeting adjourned at 8:15.