On Monday, May 26, 2015, the City of Morrison Council convened at 6:58 p.m. in the Whiteside County Board Room, 400 N. Cherry Street, Morrison, IL, and adjourned at 8:12.
In attendance were Mayor Everett Pannier, City Clerk Melanie Schroeder, City Administrator Barry Dykhuizen; Aldermen Curt Bender, Michael Blean, Scott Connelly, Dale Eizenga, Dave Helms, Vernon Tervelt, Mick Welding, and Harvey Zuidema; Treasurer Evan Haag; Director of Public Works Gary Tresenriter; City Attorney Tim Zollinger.
Dave Zuidema spoke during Public Comment–He described an incident on Sunday, May 10, 2015, where two citizens received citations for off-hour parking on Main Street. He stated the people “are going to fight it. Don’t we use common sense?” He added, on Memorial Day he was checking 12 cars parked on the north side of [High Street.] “A squad car was sitting there,” and a “sign said, ‘No Parking This Side.’ The Officer had to walk past [the cars].” Zuidema took photos. “I hope you do the right thing.” Mayor Pannier commented he “has had conversations” about this incident; he “will not pull tickets. I will not do that. [Furthermore,] those streets were blocked off” [at the cemetery.] At a later date, Chief of Police Brian Melton stated, “The Morrison Police Officers absolutely use their discretion in writing citations. I don’t think it the place of a City Council meeting to hold court on a citation issued by the Police Department.”
Reports of City Officers and Department Heads—Attorney Zollinger reported he has changes to make for the State to look at in the prosecution of Ordinance violations. The Mayor stated he will do away with passing and signing of written copies of motions under consideration, as it “is a waste of time. [We will] try it tonight.”
The Consent Agenda was approved without discussion.
1. May1, 2015 Regular Session Minutes
2. Bills Payable of $88,062.82
3. April 2015 Treasurer’s Report
4.City Hall Board Room Video Conference Equipment
Items for Consideration and Possible Action were approved. Alderman Connelly abstained from items 1 and 2.
1. Ordinance #15-06 – Authorizing Execution of Quit Claim Deed to MIT–This legal description is about “a small gap of” land at the north of the MIT property line, which is of no interest to the City. “We know we don’t own it,” said the Mayor. We can square off the survey boundary and move forward with the plat. Zollinger said, “It’s equivalent to a clerical error.”
2. Ordinance #15-08 – Vacating a portion of Tech Drive–Zollinger explained the portion of land can be vacated with a 3/4 vote of the Aldermen. “We will retain the utility rights until the Waste Water Treatment Plant is done. It won’t be a City sidewalk from then on.”
3. Copier/Printer Exchange, Sterling Business Machines–CA Dykhuizen stated the “City office machine is eight years old…costs more than leasing a new machine by $5200. [We ] are charged by the page.” Schroeder researched “three or four suppliers.” A new machine will also send faxes, so the current fax machine can be eliminated. “We need to find a home for the” one we own, added CA Dykhuizen.
4. Ordinance #15-07 – Disposal of Surplus Equipment
Other Items for Consideration and Discussion and Information
- WWTP Site Update/Review Sale of House/Route 78 Frontage–“The land is zoned Commercial-Industrial,” reported CA Dykhuizen. The City may sell the property at bid or public auction; an appraisal is unnecessary, stated Zollinger. The decision was to seek realtor’s values on the house alone; on the land alone; on both.
- Guide to Organizing Park Districts in Illinois–During Goal Setting in 2014, one of five items proposed concerned a Park District, said CA Dykhuizen. He wants to gauge interest at this time and determine how much time staff should put into this topic. Zollinger stated a Park District is a separate Governmental entity, whose boundaries the City would define. A hundred registered voters would file a request/petition with the Court; a hearing would follow; the Court would grant an order to put the question on the ballot. If the ballot is approved, Park District Commissioners would set a tax levy. He cited tax rates for Park Districts between 7.5% and 12%. Alderman Blean said we could consider a “fee to play” rather than taxes.
- Limits on Household Pets–CA Dykhuizen solicited Ordinances from the State; most limited households to three or four cats or dogs. Morrison’s Ordinance does not identify a cap on the number, but it implies owners need to feed and care for animals properly. Discussion will continue.