NW Illinois News

City of Morrison City Council met April 29.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

CALL TO ORDER

The Morrison City Council met in Regular Session on April 29, 2024, at 6:30 p.m. in the Morrison Community Room, 307 South Madison Street, Morrison, Illinois. The meeting was called to order at 6:30 pm by Mayor Scott Vandermyde. City Administrator Brian Melton 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, Greg Kruse, Sidonna Mahaffey, Todd Schlegel, Matt Tichler, Josh West, and Harvey Zuidema. Absent: Vernon Tervelt. Other city officials present were Police Chief Pedro Valladares, Sgt. Kevin Soenksen, Treasurer Margaret Jones, Attorney Tim Zollinger, Superintendent of Utilities Shane Osborn and Superintendent of Streets and Park Mike Garland. City Clerk Michael Hemmer and Recreation Services Director Nathan Jacobs were absent.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Cited.

PUBLIC HEARING

Mayor Vandermyde announced and opened the public hearing for public comments to Ordinance 24-01 FY25 Budget Plan and then Ordinance 24-03 Annexation of Contiguous Territory. All those present signed-in. No comments were provided or heard by the Council. Mayor Vandermyde closed the public hearing and continued into the regularly scheduled council meeting.

PUBLIC COMMENT

None.

PRESENTATIONS

None.

REPORT OF CITY OFFICERS, DEPARTMENT HEADS AND/OR COMMITTEES

Chief Valladares provided an update on the Flock Camera System that should be installed in early May 2024; a grant of over $9,000 was received for the body-worn cameras from the Illinois

Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board to reimburse funding already spent; and Officer Dan Simmons was recognized for his recent 20-year anniversary.

CA Melton provided an update on the Whiteside County Chargers, a semi-pro football team, utilizing the Morrison Sports Complex for their home games for 2024; Welcomes Shane Osborn and Mike Garland to the meeting; and a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony occurred last week for the Disc Golf Course in Kelly Park.

CONSENT AGENDA

Ald Zuidema moved to approve Consent Agenda consisting of Council Meeting Minutes for April 15, 2024; Bills Payable - $139,739.88; Treasurer’s Report for March 2024, Mayoral Appointments to Odell Public Library Board of Trustees – Marc Adami, Rebecca West and Melissa Nyboer (all terms expire April 30, 2027), Historic Preservation Commission – Lynn Kenady (term expires April 30, 2027) and Barbara Bees, and Planning & Zoning Commission – Kathy Schmidt (term expires April 30, 2029); seconded by Ald Mahaffey. After discussion: Ald West moved to amend the motion to include the term expiration of Barbara Bees to be April 30, 2026; seconded by Ald Schlegel. Ayes: Bruckner, Kruse, Mahaffey, Schlegel, Tichler, West, and Zuidema. Nays: None. Absent: Tervelt. Amendment to original motion passed. Vote for amended motion: Ayes: Bruckner, Kruse, Mahaffey, Schlegel, Tichler, West, and Zuidema. Nays: None. Absent: Tervelt. Amended motion passed.

ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE ACTION

Ald Bruckner moved to approve Ordinance 24-01 Fiscal Year 2025 Budget Plan as presented, seconded by Ald Tichler. After no discussion: Ayes: Bruckner, Kruse, Mahaffey, Schlegel, Tichler, West, and Zuidema. Nays: None. Absent: Tervelt. Motion passed.

Ald Mahaffey moved to approved Ordinance 24-03 Annexation of Contiguous Territory as presented, seconded by Ald Zuidema. After no discussion: Ayes: Bruckner, Kruse, Mahaffey, Schlegel, Tichler, West, and Zuidema. Nays: None. Absent: Tervelt. Motion passed.

Ald West moved to accept the donation from Morrison On The Move of playground equipment (jumping pillow) to be located at the Morrison Sports Complex as presented and to authorize the City to install electricity, assist in installation and be responsible for ongoing maintenance, seconded by Ald Mahaffey. After discussion: Ayes: Bruckner, Kruse, Mahaffey, Schlegel, Tichler, West, and Zuidema. Nays: None. Absent: Tervelt. Motion passed.

Ald Schlegel moved to approve the Architectural Services Proposal by McCloud & Associates for renovation to the Public Works Building in the amount of $9,550.00, seconded by Ald Bruckner. After discussion: Ayes: Bruckner, Kruse, Mahaffey, Schlegel, Tichler, West, and Zuidema. Nays: None. Absent: Tervelt. Motion passed.

Ald Schlegel moved to approve the purchase of a skid loader in the amount of $66,679.75 from Bobcat of Dixon as presented, seconded by Ald Bruckner. After discussion: Ayes: Bruckner, Kruse, Mahaffey, Schlegel, Tichler, West, and Zuidema. Nays: None. Absent: Tervelt. Motion passed.

Ald Schlegel moved to approve the purchase of a mini excavator in the amount of $59,989.93 from Bobcat of Dixon as presented, seconded by Ald Zuidema. After discussion: Ayes: Bruckner, Kruse, Mahaffey, Schlegel, Tichler, West, and Zuidema. Nays: None. Absent: Tervelt. Motion passed.

Ald Kruse moved to approve the purchase of an equipment trailer in the amount of $14,018.00 from 3D Trailer & Auto, Fulton as presented, seconded by Ald Tichler. After discussion: Ayes: Bruckner, Kruse, Mahaffey, Schlegel, Tichler, West, and Zuidema. Nays: None. Absent: Tervelt. Motion passed.

ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION & INFORMATION

CA Melton provided an update on the progress of the Strategic Plan. Letters to all residents for the survey are scheduled to be mailed out on May 2. CA Melton urged the Council and the community to support and complete the survey. Focus Group sessions are scheduled for May 14 and invitations were sent out to forty-four community stakeholders. To date, the response has been very positive!

EXECUTIVE SESSION

Ald Schlegel moved to enter Executive Session pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1) Appointment, employment, compensation of specific employees …, seconded by Ald Zuidema. All ayes by voice without objection. Executive Session began at approximately 7:10 pm. The session was audio recorded.

Ald Kruse moved to exit Executive Session, seconded by Ald Zuidema. All ayes by voice without objection. Motion passed and Regular Session resumed at 7:16 pm.

ACTION FOLLOWING EXECUTIVE SESSION

Ald Schlegel moved to approve the Employment Agreement as presented and appoint Kevin Soenksen as Chief of Police, seconded by Ald Zuidema. After no discussion: Ayes: Bruckner, Kruse, Mahaffey, Schlegel, Tichler, West, and Zuidema. Nays: None. Absent: Tervelt. Motion passed.

Ald Mahaffey moved to approve a five percent increase in hourly wage for Barb King and Shelli Davis, as presented, seconded by Ald Schlegel. After no discussion: Ayes: Bruckner, Kruse, Mahaffey, Schlegel, Tichler, West, and Zuidema. Nays: None. Absent: Tervelt. Motion passed.

ADJOURNMENT

Ald Zuidema moved to adjourn the meeting; seconded by Ald Schlegel. The meeting adjourned at approximately 7:23 pm without objection.

https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/3871/Morrison/4309147/01-May_13_2024p.pdf