City of Morrison City Council met Nov. 14.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
The Morrison City Council met in Regular Session on November 14, 2022, at 6:30 p.m. in the Morrison Community Room, 307 South Madison Street, Morrison, Illinois. Mayor Vandermyde called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. City Administrator Brian Melton recorded the minutes on behalf of Michael Hemmer, City Clerk.
Alderpersons present on roll call were Kruse, Mahaffey, Zuidema, Welding, Tervelt, West, Bruckner, and Deets. Absent: None. Other City officials present were City Administrator Melton, Public Services Director Matlack, City Treasurer Jones, Acting Police Chief (Sergeant) Kevin Soenksen and Katie Selburg. City Clerk Michael Hemmer was absent.
PUBLIC COMMENT
There were no public comments.
REPORT OF CITY OFFICERS, DEPARTMENT HEADS, AND/OR COMMITTEES
Public Services Director Matlack reported that the water leak on West Lincolnway was repaired just today. No other reports were presented.
CONSENT AGENDA
Alderperson Deets moved to approve the Consent Agenda as presented, which included Council Meeting Minutes for October 24, 2022, Bills Payable in the amount of $89,598.18, Financial Report for September 2022, Planning & Zoning Commission Minutes for October 26, 2022, Referral of Solar Farm Proposal to Planning and Zoning Commission, Girl Scouts 2023 Cookie Program and Morrison Post Prom Committee Raffle License, seconded by Alderperson Zuidema. Ayes: Kruse, Mahaffey, Zuidema, Welding, Tervelt, West, Bruckner and Deets. Nays: None. Motion passed.
ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT AGENDA
No items were removed from the Consent Agenda
OTHER ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION, DISCUSSION & INFORMATION
Resolution 22-05 Additional Tax Levy of 0.02% Odell Public Library Building & Equipment. Alderperson West moved to approve Resolution 22-05, seconded by Alderperson Deets. CA Melton presented the Resolution as an annual consideration for the additional levy. Ayes: Kruse, Mahaffey, Zuidema, Welding, Tervelt, West, Bruckner and Deets. Nays: None. Motion passed.
Resolution 22-06 Abatement of Tax - John Dyke Property. Alderperson Zuidema moved to approve Resolution 22-06, seconded by Alderperson Welding. CA Melton presented the Resolution as an annual consideration that will expired after 20 years in 2024. Ayes: Kruse, Mahaffey, Zuidema, Welding, Tervelt, West, Bruckner and Deets. Nays: None. Motion passed.
Resolution 22-07 Abatement of Certain Taxes GO Bond 2016-20 and Resolution 22-08 Abatement of Certain Taxes GO Bond 2021-08. Alderperson Welding moved to approve Resolutions 22-07 and 22-08, seconded by Alderperson Zuidema. CA Melton presented the Resolutions as an annual consideration. Ayes: Kruse, Mahaffey, Zuidema, Welding, Tervelt, West, Bruckner and Deets. Nays: None. Motion passed.
Publish/Post DRAFT Ordinance 22-16 Annual Tax Levy. Alderperson Zuidema moved to post DRAFT Ordinance 22-16, seconded by Alderperson Welding. CA Melton presented the draft tax levy to be posted with a total of $618,032 (rate of 1.11331%, 2.963% increase). Ayes: Kruse, Mahaffey, Zuidema, Welding, Tervelt, West, Bruckner and Deets. Nays: None. Motion passed.
MOU-Joint Use of Certain Facilities - Between City of Morrison & MCUSD#6. Alderperson West moved to refer the MOU for legal review and draft, seconded by Alderperson Mahaffey. CA Melton presented a summary of the terms of the MOU. Discussion included clarifications with concessions, field maintenance and use of fields during baseball and softball high school seasons. Ayes: Kruse, Mahaffey, Zuidema, Welding, Tervelt, West, Bruckner and Deets. Nays: None. Motion passed.
Electrical Project with Nelson Electric. Alderperson Deets moved to approved Water Works electrical project up to $6,000 with Nelson Electric and to seek cost for a timer, seconded by Alderperson Bruckner. CA Melton presented the quote to install/restore electricity to the Water Works Tennis Courts. There is some ongoing interest to also utilize the courts for pickleball and during the winter season, an ice rink. Ayes: Kruse, Mahaffey, Zuidema, Welding, Tervelt, West, Bruckner and Deets. Nays: None. Motion passed.
Ordinance 22-15 Variance for Setback-602 W. Park Street. Alderperson Zuidema moved to approve the ordinance as presented, seconded by Alderperson Mahaffey. No discussion. Ayes: Kruse, Mahaffey, Zuidema, Welding, Tervelt, West, Bruckner and Deets. Nays: None. Motion passed.
OTHER ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION, DISCUSSION & INFORMATION
Water Rates. CA Melton informed the Council that preparation continues to update project planning for capital projects in order to further consider the need for a water rate adjustment and/or increase. More to come at future meetings.
Sports Complex. CA Melton offered a suggestion to completely close the Sports Complex for the winter season. This closure means to winterize the complex, turn off the electrical service and provide no snow plowing maintenance. This suggestion is due to years of discussion and debate on the complex and ways to minimize costs considering the amount of public use during such time. No action taken but unanimous support was expressed by all Alderpersons.
Utility Billing. CA Melton offered an idea to offer an incentive, such as a rebate, for utility customers to sign up for electronic billing and autopay for their water/sewer/garbage bills. Each month, there is much time, effort and expense made to prepare and send out utility billing. The City does already offer this service with only approximately 7% of the customers using it. The City would like to promote this service in an effort to save cost and time. After discussion, unanimous support was expressed by all Alderpersons for formal action at a future council meeting.
Executive Session. Alderperson Zuidema moved for Executive Session to consider the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees, seconded by Alderperson West. Ayes: Kruse, Mahaffey, Zuidema, Welding, Tervelt, West, Bruckner and Deets. Nays: None. At approximately 7:14 pm, Executive Session began. At approximately 7:25 pm, Executive Session closed and the Regular Session reconvened.
Compensation. Alderperson Mahaffey moved to compensate employees with a Holiday Bonus to include $250 for full-time employees, $150 for regular part-time employees and $50 for current seasonal employees, seconded by Alderperson Kruse. Ayes: Kruse, Mahaffey, Zuidema, Welding, Tervelt, West, Bruckner and Deets. Nays: None. Motion passed.
Adjournment. Alderperson Kruse moved to adjourn at approximately 7:25 pm, without objection.
https://www.morrisonil.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/7-November-14-2022.pdf
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