On Monday, September 22, 2014, the City of Morrison Council Meeting convened in comfort at 7:00 p.m., in the Whiteside County Board Room, 400 N. Cherry Street, Morrison, IL. The entire room was served by new black vinyl chairs. This meeting was even more brisk than the one on September 8; it was adjourned at 7:28, with a “Go, Bears!” from the Mayor. The Agenda follows.
Mayor Everett Pannier called the meeting to order. In attendance were City Clerk Melanie Schroeder; City Administrator Barry Dykhuizen; Treasurer Evan Haag; Chief of Police Brian Melton; Aldermen Curt Bender, Michael Blean, Scott Connelley, Dale Eizenga, David Helms, Leo Sullivan, Marti Wood, and Harvey Zuidema.
Lester Mathew addressed the Council during Public Comment and spoke first about the dozen fruit trees planted at French Creek Park, along the south side walking path. Due to damage by Japanese beetles, “three or four were replaced…by Spangler’s[ Landscape Design].” Further leaf damage will necessitate that more are replaced. Mathew offered his thanks to City employees for watering the trees and the storm clean up–“a fantastic job in a limited amount of time.”
Reports of City Officers
City Clerk Schroeder stated the “Circulation Period” for Aldermanic candidates begins on Tuesday, September 23. Current Aldermen Blean (Ward 1), Sullivan (Ward 2), Wood (Ward 3), and Connelley (Ward 4)–as well as any potential candidates–must gather signatures of endorsement. Persons must file their petitions and intent to run for the post from Monday, December 15, through Monday, December 22, 2014. CA Dykhuizen reported City employees installed 78 new Chamber of Commerce banners, with the last one mounted last week. He stated there has been a “substantial/noticeable” decrease in the number of water main breaks recently, with only “four or five active leaks” now. There were “12 to 14 in the summer,” he said. The City is still using Well #4, but Baxter & Woodman reviewed the offline Well #5. Piping and valves may need to be changed, but “leaks seem to be slowing down…for now,” he added. The City will seed the parkways this fall where leaks were repaired. Ninety kids registered for soccer, he said, and described “a packed soccer field tonight” at the Morrison Sports Complex. Mayor Pannier attended a presentation in Dixon, IL, today. He spoke with the Head and Chief IDOT Engineers about repairs to IL Route 78 and U. S. Highway 30 near Casey’s General Store. The officials promised an engineering study to determine cost estimates.
Monthly Reports of Department Heads were accepted from the City Engineer and Chief of Police without comment. Chief Melton added that “Squad 1 lives, but” more testing is being done and major repairs may be needed. “She overheated before we knew it;” which did internal damage, he explained.
The Consent Agenda was approved without discussion.
- September 8, 2014, Regular Session Minutes
- Bills Payable of $1,084,727.72
- August 2014 Treasurer’s Report
- Request for parade permit, Morrison High School Homecoming Parade
- Request for parade permit, Chamber of Commerce Halloween Parade
- Renewal of Agreement with Rock Island GROWTH Corporation.
Other Items for Consideration, Discussion, and Information dealt with three topics.
- Draft Ordinance to create Parks & Recreation Commission–The Mayor stated he would like to move this to an Action Item for the meeting on Monday, October 13. He is looking for people to submit their own or others’ names for the position, with interests and experience included. He seeks both genders and someone in the Morrison School District.
- Draft Ordinance regulating projecting signs–CA Dykhuizen reported the Planning/Zoning Commission has approved perpendicular sign usage on Downtown businesses. He said the few current perpendicular signs are “out of code, [but] have been grandfathered in.” He added the Chamber of Commerce will work with suppliers and business owners. Tim Slavin requested review by Morrison Historic Preservation Commission before the Ordinance is approved.
- Adjust Water and Sewer rates–CA Dykhuizen discussed proposed sewer rate increases for Fiscal Year 2014-2015. The need is for an October Ordinance requesting the changes, in order to have it begin with the November billing cycle. He displayed a table projecting a FY 14-15 sewer rate increase of 45%. That was the maximum proposed rate increase, before the EPA suggested that the City use a 30-year loan payoff rate, rather than a 20-year payoff. The City has not voted yet to spread the loan repayment over 30 years. The fee covers both Wastewater Service Charges [$18/month] and individual Wastewater Use Charges [$12.26] per 1000 gallons. “This is the ‘worst case scenario’,” stated the Mayor, “but we don’t think it’s going to happen. We need some sort of rate increase this year” but it will not be as high as before. These rates were set before the City purchased a farm, so land acquisition costs were not figured, noted CA Dykhuizen.
- Mayor Pannier noted that “most everyone picked up their [Paint The Town] supplies” in spite of the rainy intermission on Saturday, September 20. He added Jon Martin [of CAPA] stated, of the 1900 pre-registrations, only eight bags went unclaimed.