During a brisk meeting on Monday, September 8, 2014, the City of Morrison Council convened at 7:00 p.m. and adjourned at 7:35, in the Whiteside County Board Room, 400 N. Cherry Street, Morrison, IL. Attending were Mayor Everett Pannier; City Clerk Melanie Schroeder; City Administrator Barry Dykhuizen; Treasurer Evan Haag; Sports Complex Director Jim DuBois; Chief of Police Brian Melton; seven Aldermen: Curt Bender, Michael Blean, Scott Connelley, David Helms, Leo Sullivan, Marti Wood, and Harvey Zuidema.
Board and Commission Reports from the Planning/Zoning Commission and Morrison Historic Preservation Commission elicited no Aldermanic comment. Kevin Kuehl, from the former group, briefly commented on projecting building signs under consideration by Morrison Chamber of Commerce, to make downtown businesses more “walkable.” CA Dykhuizen will forward information to City Attorney Tim Zollinger to prepare a sign Ordinance. Kuehl said, “It would be nice if the Chamber would come up with something that was kind of the same [style].” These would be attached to current buildings, not be posted along roadways.
CA Dykhuizen was the only speaker during Report of City Officers. He stated, “We are still struggling to get the seal coating finished. Gary [Tresenriter] will update you.” Rainy weather has caused several delays. The CA added “The house on W. Morris [Street] is still on the City’s radar.” He hopes to acquire demolition funds.
Chief Melton asked during Reports of Department Heads if there were any questions about his report; Aldermen had none. He reported recent parking changes on Genesee Court “helped traffic” and gave drivers “visibility,” during the first home football game, Friday, September 5,. “It was a good move,” he concluded. The State of Illinois’ first Rail Safety Week is next week. He will educate the public through the media and increase enforcement at railway crossings, including for those who cross at the wrong place. “We’re going to be reminding people.” Mayor Pannier reported on a Springfield, IL, meeting Wednesday, August 27, with Illinois Environmental Protection Agency staff. He is “optimistic” about what he heard; there was a conference call with engineers Fehr-Graham. The City may make financial adjustments to the Waste Water Treatment Plant costs. Aldermen Bender added, “It went well.”
The Consent Agenda was approved.
- August 25, 2014, Regular Session Minutes
- Bills Payable of $62,804.52
- Request for Street Closure, CAPA, Paint the Town
- Final Change Order, Tech Drive, Fischer Excavating
Final Pay Request, Tech Drive, Fischer Excavating
Other Items for Consideration, Discussion, and Information began with discussion of a [Parks and ] Recreation Board. The Mayor would like to “get it in place or established at the first of the year.” Schroeder and CA Dykhuizen estimated the former group existed from the 1970’s to the early 2000’s; it was dissolved. DuBois asked that a committee be formed. Alderman Wood stated, “I initiated that quite a while ago.” He wants to include representation of residents whose children use the sports programs, but who do not live in the City limits. DuBois is not suggesting establishment of a Parks and Recreation District; that would need to come before the voters. This Board would give advice to DuBois, and he would bring that to the Council; their minutes would become part of the Agenda each month. Perhaps the Little League and Junior Tackle programs could come under the umbrella of the Recreation Board. He noted we have more parks to maintain, but some “are getting beat down.” Who uses them and how much are questios. Alderman Zuidema asked, “Why did we take over the swimming pool?” DuBois opens the pool three days a week for a total of six hours for lap swimmers. “We offered no lessons this year.” He continued, “We need to hear more from the taxpayers. The City used to put in[to the budget] $15- to $20,000 for the pool. The City decided to not fund it. People pay to get into the pool,” he said. “It’s an asset to the community, no doubt, but at what cost?” The Mayor said it was “absolutely fantastic” the way people responded after the windstorm on Monday, August 25. He cited City crews and ComEd people who were here promptly to repair service. He noted Tresenriter stated this was the “best response from ComEd,” and they brought in other crews to Morrison. Illinois Department of Transportation came to do tree and brush clean up. The City is “basically cleaned up” after a week. Alderman Zuidema concluded, “The City looked very good.”