Assistant Editor Jerry Lindsey wrote the report.
The Monday, January 23, 2023, meeting of the Morrison City Council was opened with the introduction of, and presentation of the Oath of Office to, the new Morrison Police Chief, Pedro N. Valladares, Jr. Chief Valladares will begin his service to the Morrison community on Wednesday, February 1. Recently retired from 25 years of service to the Moline, IL, Police Department, Valladares brings a Law Enforcement Masters Degree to accompany his years of experience as a DARE officer, School Liaison Officer, Community Oriented Policing Unit Sergeant, Platoon Sergeant, and Hostage Negotiating Team Supervisor.
Kevin Soenksen was awarded a one-time compensation of $4000 in appreciation for his service as Acting Chief of Police, in the period of transition since the departure of former Chief Brian Melton.
Additional action included the following.
A) Signatures of Lori Matlack were removed from all existing Morrison bank accounts to add Accounting Director Michelle Davis as a Signatory.
B) A Water Infrastructure Plan was updated to include Phase IV and Phase V, to complete the East Main Street Loop.
C) Approval was granted of a Notice of Intent to Fischer Excavating, Inc. in the amount of $1,401,785.20, for the Phase III project, pending the approval of the IEPA loan approval.
D) Approval was granted for engineering services of Wendling Engineering Services, for the 2023 Street Improvement Project, which includes resurfacing of portions of Jackson, Heaton, and Cherry Streets.
Closing conversations noted that Matt Henson, Vice President of Willett Hoffman Associates, Inc. would be present at the Monday, February 27, City Council meeting. He will present support for a forthcoming proposal for a “low water rate increase.” City Administrator Melton noted that a “relatively low increase” would be beneficial to keeping a positive fund balance, that would be needed in the case of a City emergency.
The Morrison City Council will convene again on Monday, February 13, 2023, at 6:30 p.m., at Odell Public Library, in the City of Morrison Community Room.