NW Illinois News

City of Morrison City Council met March 27.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The Morrison City Council met in Regular Session on March 27, 2023, at 6:30 p.m. in the Morrison Community Room, 307 South Madison Street, Morrison, Illinois. The meeting was called to order at 6:35 p.m. by Mayor Vandermyde. City Clerk Hemmer recorded the minutes.

Alderpersons present on roll call were Kruse, Mahaffey, Welding, Tervelt, West, Bruckner and Deets. Absent: Zuidema. Other City officials present were City Administrator Melton, Police Sargent Sorenson, Recreational Services Director Jacobs, and City Treasurer Jones.

PUBLIC COMMENT

None.

REPORT OF CITY OFFICERS, DEPARTMENT HEADS, AND/OR COMMITTEES

Sargent Sorenson presented to council the Morrison Police Department's "Monthly Activity Report". The council had no questions.

Rec. Director Jacobs reported that he is working on expanding the menu at the concessions stand at the ballpark, April 10 begins soccer and that he will attend an Excel training session.

CONSENT AGENDA

Ald Deets moved to approve the Consent Agenda as presented, which included approve Council Meeting Minutes for March 13, 2023; approve Bills Payable; approve Financial Report - February 2023; Proclamation - Junior Achievement Day is April 6, 2023; seconded by Ald Bruckner. Ayes: Kruse, Mahaffey, Welding, Tervelt, West, Bruckner and Deets. Nays: None. Absent: Zuidema. Motion passed.

ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT AGENDA

None.

OTHER ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION, DISCUSSION & INFORMATION

Ald Welding moved to approve Proposed Website & Mobile App Service with Apptegy as presented; seconded by Ald Tervelt. Following discussion; Ayes: Kruse, Mahaffey, Welding, West, Bruckner and Deets. Nays: Tervelt. Absent: Zuidema. Motion passed.

Ald Mahaffey moved to approve Ordinance 23-02 Amend Ch. 8 Animals -- Chickens & Quail; seconded by Ald Bruckner. Following discussion; Ald Kruse moved to amend the ordinance to strike all references to chickens; eliminate fees, permits and licensing for raising quail; limit number of quails to 12 birds per household; birds must be kept under humane conditions and to floor space needed for each bird be set to one square foot; and that the quail must be kept in an enclosed shelter. Following discussion; Ayes: Kruse, and Tervelt. Nays: Mahaffey, Welding, West, Bruckner and Deets. Absent: Zuidema. Motion failed. Discussion continued. Ald Mahaffey moved to approve Ordinance 23-02 to remove "not" in Q1; seconded by Ald Kruse. Ayes: Kruse, Mahaffey, Welding, West, Bruckner and Deets. Nays: Tervelt. Absent: Zuidema. Motion passed. Ald Bruckner moved to change the quantity of birds would be limited to six chickens or twelve quail or a combination thereof (each chicken translated into two quails); seconded by Ald Mahaffey. Ayes: Kruse, Mahaffey, Welding, West, Bruckner and Deets. Nays: Tervelt. Absent: Zuidema. Motion passed. Council then voted on the ordinance as modified to include the two changes previously voted on. Ayes: Mahaffey, Welding, West, and Bruckner. Nays: Kruse and Tervelt. Absent: Zuidema. Motion passed.

Ald West moved to approve Ordinance 23-03 Amend Ch. 8 Animals - Revised Definition of Ag. Livestock; seconded by Ald Bruckner. Following discussion; Ayes: Kruse, Mahaffey, Welding, West, Bruckner and Deets. Nays: Tervelt. Absent: Zuidema. Motion passed.

OTHER ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION, DISCUSSION & INFORMATION

Ordinance 23-04 Establishing Water and Sewer Rates for FY2024 to FY2027: CA Melton discussed the planned increases in water and sewer rates. Council discussed ways to advise the public rate increases and reasons. This will be presented for a vote during the next council session

Budget Preparation FY2024: CA Melton presented the first draft of the FY24 Budget. The final budget will be presented to Council in May for approval.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

Pursuant to Open Meetings Act / Exceptions, 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(2), Ald Deets made a motion to enter Executive Session to consider "Collective negotiating matters... ." and 2(c)(5) "To discuss the purchase or lease of real property for the use of the public body..."; seconded by Ald Welding. All ayes. Motion passed and Executive Session began at approximately 7:38 pm. The session was audio recorded.

Ald Deets moved to exit Executive Session, seconded by Ald Bruckner. All ayes. Motion passed and Regular Session resumed at 8:05 p.m.

No action from Executive Session.

Adjournment. Ald Kruse moved to adjourn the meeting; seconded by Ald Deets. The meeting adjourned at approximately 8:10 pm, without objection.

https://www.morrisonil.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/12-April-10-2023p.pdf