City of Morrison City Council met March 9

City of Morrison City Council met March 9.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

CALL TO ORDER 

The Morrison City Council met in Regular Session on Monday, March 9, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. in the Morrison Community Room, 307 South Madison Street, Morrison, Illinois. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Scott Vandermyde at 6:30 p.m. City Clerk Mike Hemmer recorded the minutes. Meeting was offered to the public via Zoom and video recording to be available at https://www.youtube.com/@CityofMorrisonIL. 

ROLL CALL 

Alderpersons present on roll call were Kevin Bruckner Jr, Seth Buckwalter, Sara Dunne, Sidonna Mahaffey, and Todd Schlegel. Absent: Vernon Tervel and Matt Tichler. Vacancy: Ward 1. Other city officials present were Police Chief Michael Moon, Recreation Services Director Nathan Jacobs, City Treasurer Margaret Jones, and City Administrator Brian Melton. 

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – Cited. 

PUBLIC COMMENT – None. 

PRESENTATION 

Karla Burn (with Charla Olson) of Morrison On the Move (OTM), presented the group’s interest in partnering with the City of Morrison to revitalize the tennis court located at Kelly Park. After assessing the current condition of the court and gathering community feedback, OTM would like to upgrade, remove, and replace the existing tennis court and convert the space into a dual-use facility that would include four pickleball courts in addition to updated tennis accommodations. Ald Schlegel and Mahaffey both recognized the organization for doing a great job. Suggestions by Alderpersons included secure onsite net storage and access, trimming courtside tree overhangs, signage, and clarification of maintenance responsibilities. 

REPORT OF CITY OFFICERS, DEPARTMENT HEADS AND/OR COMMITTEES 

Police Chief Michael Moon and Superintendent of Utilities Shane Osborn provided written reports in the council packet. Chief Moon recognized Officer Simmon’s help at South Side Elementary School with their Arcade Night. 

Recreation Services Director Jacobs provided an update on upcoming events and recent event turnouts.

CONSENT AGENDA 

Ald Schlegel moved to approve City Council, Meeting Minutes, February 23, 2026; Bills Payable – $55,078.66; Financial Report, February 2026 (FY10, CY02); Historic Preservation Commission, Meeting Minutes of March 3, 2026; and Retainer Agreement, Napoli Shkolnik PLLC, PFAS Cost Recovery Program; seconded by Ald Buckwalter. Council discussed. Ayes: Bruckner, Buckwalter, Dunne, Mahaffey, and Schlegel. Absent: Tichler and Tervelt. Nays: None. Motion passed. 

ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION, DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION 

Mayor Vandermyde removed Resolution 26-01: Resolution for Improvement Under the Highway Code (IDOT) and Local Public Agency Engineering Services Agreement (IDOT) from discussion. 

Ald Mahaffey moved to support Morrison On The Move’s plan for Kelly Park Tennis Court Renovations; seconded by Ald Bruckner. CA Melton said this action was necessary because the park was city property and similar to the city’s and OTM’s cooperation for the Dog Park. All ayes by voice vote without objection. Motion passed. 

Council discussed Ordinance 26-02: Municipal Code Updates DRAFT. CA Melton said the ordinance was currently under review by the city attorney. Some terms were discussed. 

The City’s Infrastructure Plan – Water & Streets DRAFT was discussed. CA Melton said these plans will be incorporated into the FY2027 Budget Plan. Council members were asked to evaluate the priorities listed and provide any other feedback. Some items presented were dependent on grant funding. 

CA Melton discussed FY2027 Budget Plan PRELIMINARY DRAFT. Melton offered council members a workshop on planning and budgeting The budget will need to be posted for public viewing on April 13 and voted for approval as an ordinance on April 27. 

Chief Rob Vegter of the Morrison Fire Department provided a written letter in the council packet. Ald Buckwalter, also a volunteer firefighter, reviewed some of the details of the fire department’s plans and reasoning. CA Melton would try to get a more formal presentation organized and a budget request to be reviewed and included in the city’s budget plan. 

EXECUTIVE SESSION 

Ald Buckwalter moved to enter Executive Session pursuant to 5 ILCS 120//2(c)(2) Collective negotiating matters and 2(c)(21) Discussion of minutes of meetings lawfully closed under this Act and /2.06(d); seconded by Ald Schlegel. Executive Session began at 7:08 pm. 

Ald Mahaffey moved to exit Executive Session; seconded by Ald Schlegel. All ayes by voice vote. Executive Session ended at 7:27 pm. 

ACTION FOLLOWING EXECUTIVE SESSION 

Ald Bruckner moved to seal Executive Session Minutes: August 2025 – February 2026; seconded by Ald Buckwalter. All ayes by voice vote without objection. Motion passed. 

ADJOURNMENT 

Ald Buckwalter moved to adjourn, seconded by Ald Schlegel. Without objection, the meeting adjourned at 7:28 pm. 

https://www.morrisonil.org/events?view=list-month&end_date=2026-03-30&start_date=2026-02-28