NW Illinois News

City of Morrison City Council met Aug. 26.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

CALL TO ORDER

The Morrison City Council met in Regular Session on August 26, 2024, at 6:30 p.m. in the Morrison Community Room, 307 South Madison Street, Morrison, Illinois. The meeting was called to order at 6:31 pm by Mayor Scott Vandermyde. City Clerk Michael 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, Sidonna Mahaffey, Todd Schlegel, Matt Tichler, Vernon Tervelt, Josh West, and Harvey Zuidema. Absent: Greg Kruse. Other city officials present were Police Chief Kevin Soenksen, Recreation Services Director Nathan Jacobs, and Treasurer Margaret Jones.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE - Cited.

PUBLIC HEARING

DNR OSLAD GRANT APPLICATION, SPORTS COMPLEX PLAYGROUND PROJECT. Dan Pepin (Community Funding & Planning Services) reviewed the City’s grant proposal and budget which is due on September 13, 2024. The proposal has been updated to include a shredded rubber surface. Discussion followed.

PUBLIC COMMENT - None.

REPORT OF CITY OFFICERS, DEPARTMENT HEADS AND/OR COMMITTEES

Chief Soenksen reported to Council that no major incidences occurred at the County Fair.

Recreational Services Director Jacobs informed Council that the new walking path signs have been installed including distance.

CONSENT AGENDA

Ald Tervelt requested to remove Historic Preservation Meeting Minutes for August 6, 2024 from the Consent Agenda.

Ald Mahaffey moved to approve Council Meeting Minutes for August 12, 2024, Bills Payable - $77,488.92, Treasurer’s Report for July (CY 07, FY 03), and Street Closure Request – CAPA “Paint The Town”, September 21-22, 2024; seconded by Ald Zuidema. Ayes: Bruckner, Mahaffey, Schlegel, Tervelt, Tichler, West, and Zuidema. Nays: None. Absent: Kruse. Motion passed.

ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE ACTION

Ald Mahaffey moved to approve Historic Preservation Meeting Minutes for August 6, 2024; seconded by Ald West. Ald Tervelt questioned the building improvement reimbursement limits of their program be clarified and to be within what is budgeted by the Council. Council approved the minutes contingent on city officials communicating to the commission that limits would be based on monies allotted by Council. Approved by voice vote. No objection. Kruse absent. Motion passed.

Ald Mahaffey moved to award bid to The Carpet House, $22,549.40 to replace the community room flooring according to the bid specifications; seconded by Ald Schlegel. After discussion, Ayes: Bruckner, Mahaffey, Schlegel, Tervelt, Tichler, West, and Zuidema. Nays: None. Absent: Kruse. Motion passed.

Award Bid – Public Works Buildings Exterior Painting was removed by Mayor Vandermyde. Additional follow-up is necessary on the bids received.

ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION & INFORMATION

Water Tank Maintenance Agreement – USG Water Solutions (Utility Service Co., Inc.) - CA Melton informed Council that the revised contract was submitted to the City Attorney for review. Item will be on the Agenda for the September 9th Council meeting for review and action.

Code Enforcement Officer - Mayor Vandermyde noted that a number of comments in the city survey discussed code enforcement. CA Melton said he was finalizing a draft job description. Ald Schlegel said that any press releases should include that the creation of this position is a result of the community’s input in such survey. Item will be on the Agenda for the September 9th Council meeting for review and action.

Ordinance - Vacant Buildings. CA Melton will make an effort to contact local real estate brokers and building owners for feedback. Discussion followed with clarification of the fee structure. Item may be on the Agenda for the September 9th Council meeting for review and action.

Ordinance Amending & Adopting International Codes. Ald Mahaffey commended the city for this action. Item may be on the Agenda for the September 9th Council meeting for review and action.

Sports Complex – Additional Fencing. CA Melton introduced a plan to add fencing to the Sports Complex along with a bid and explained the benefits. Ald Bruckner pointed out that the fencing was needed for crowd control and safety as well. The gates, when opened, would be wide enough to allow access emergency vehicles. Item will be on the Agenda for the September 9th Council meeting for review and action.

Sidewalk on Academic Drive – Portland Ave. to Junior High School. CA Melton introduced a plan to extend a sidewalk from Portland Avenue to the Junior High School on the north side of Academic Drive. IDOT’s Rt 78 project ends at the intersection and the state right-of-way sidewalk would be a dead-end otherwise. Sidewalk would address safety for children walking/bicycling to school. Willett Hofmann & Assoc. provided a cost projection of up to $60,000, has surveyed the project location and will complete a construction plan to present to Fischer Excavating so that the sidewalk can be completed with IDOT’s project.

Genesee St & Lincolnway Improvement Project. CA Melton provided an update. Item will be on the Agenda for the September 9th Council meeting for review and action.

ADJOURNMENT

Ald Zuidema moved to adjourn the meeting; seconded by Ald Mahaffey. The meeting adjourned at approximately 7:38 pm with no objection, Kruse absent.

https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/3871/Morrison/4806428/05_-_Sept_9_2024p.pdf