On Monday, September 22, 2025, Mayor Sott Vandermyde called the Council Meeting to order at 6:31 p.m., in the City of Morrison Community Room, at Odell Public Library, 307 S. Madison Street, Morrison, IL. Aldermen included Ward 1, Sidonna Mahaffey; Ward 2, Todd Schlegel; Ward 4, Kevin Bruckner, Jr. and Matt Tichler.
PRESENTATIONS
The Mayor led a pair of Morrison Police Sergeants in taking their Oath of Office, citing their promotions. Top-to-bottom, Sgt. Curt Workman was assigned to Patrol; Sgt. Cory Drowns was assigned to Investigations.
PUBLIC HEARING
Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Open Space Land Acquisition and Development Grant Program – Application for Outdoor Recreation Facility at Sports Complex. Last year the City missed being being chosen as a recipient of this grant to create a Pollinator Garden, so this presentation addressed why. Even though several facets of the grant were addressed in the first application–three features IDNR wanted were not: habitat creation, addressing wild life, and the wetland. Last year, green technology was required; the City added solar-powered lighting near the bouncing pillow and playground area. A recreational component was required; the City cited the pillow and playground. Tuesday, September 30, is the deadline to reapply for the $224,000 State Pollinator Garden Grant. Morrison will pay half the cost to install it–$112,000. Bids would be let March 26, 2026.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
• Stephanie Vavra cited seven locations that display recent new, or enlarged signage around town, each designed to inform and protect drivers and pedestrians. She extended appreciation to those who initiated and installed them (on City, State, and Federal levels.)
• James Palmer and Devin Darsidan addressed fast drivers on Base Street, noting 29 youngsters who play in a two block area. They asked for stop signs to be installed in three locations, in order to force trucks and cars to stop and slow down.
REPORT OF CITY OFFICERS, DEPARTMENT HEADS, COMMISSIONS, BOARDS, AND/OR COMMITTEES
Chief of Police Michael Moon thanked Quality Concrete who supplied concrete blocks during Paint the Town, and [School officials] Brian Bartoz and Paul Vandermyde who placed them to “keep kids safe.”
CONSENT AGENDA Four items were approved unanimously.
1. City Council, Meeting Minutes, September 8, 2025
2. Bills Payable – $191,670.74
3. Treasurer’s Reports, July (FY03, CY07) & August (FY04, CY08), 2025
4. Parade Permit, Morrison High School, Homecoming Parade, October 3, 2025
5. Pay Request No 4, Balayti Painting, Public Works Building Exterior Painting Project, $2200 The City pulled this item from the Agenda. City Administrator Melton stated, “He [Balayti] will do the project right, one way or another.” The motion to move this matter to Items for Consideration, Discussion, and Possible Action died.
6. Appointment of Sara Dunne, Alderperson Ward 3, Term Expiring 2029. After taking the Oath of Office, Dunne joined the Council members.
ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION, DISCUSSION, AND POSSIBLE ACTION
1. No Item was Removed from Consent Agenda
2. Pollinator Garden Request – Molly Johnson (U of I Extension Office) strives to promote pollinators in Illinois. She requests the City grant 2000 square feet of land, to create a “Production Plot” for prairie plants to grow. Water is available at French Creek Park to aid establishment of deep roots.
3. Road Surface Patching, Waive Formal Bidding Process, Project Not to Exceed $40,000 – Bartens and Company is working on U. S. Route 30 and offered a surface patching quote of $35,000. Melton suggested waiving the bidding process [and hiring Bartens and Co.], not to exceed $40,000. Schlegel moved to accept the waiver, and Tichler offered the second; motion passed.
4. Tax Increment Financing District – Consulting Proposal, SB Friedman $39,919 – There was an update and discussion. SB Friedman Development Advisors have presented a proposal to provide financing, related to a proposed TIF District. The land is mostly on the east side of town, from the railroad tracks north, mostly east of N. Jackson Street, but south of Hazel Road.
5. U. S. Route 30 Reconstruction Project & N. Genesee Street Options – Update from Administrator Melton. IDOT is patching Milnes Drive to Base Street with 5000 square feet of asphalt. The Project Engineer would like a Genesee to Main Street closure. The traffic lights will be removed; there is not enough traffic at that intersection. Genesee would not be a through street.
ADJOURNMENT
Schlegel moved to adjourn, with a second from Dunne, and the meeting was adjourned.