NW Illinois News

City of Morrison City Council met Oct. 15.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The Morrison City Council met in Regular Session on October 15, 2024, at 6:30 p.m. in the lower-level meeting room of City Hall, 200 West Main Street, Morrison, Illinois. The meeting was called to order at 6:30 pm by Mayor Scott Vandermyde. City Administrator Brian Melton recorded the minutes. Due to technical difficulties, the meeting was not offered to the public via Zoom or video recorded.

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. City Clerk Michael Hemmer, Police Chief Kevin Soenksen and Rec. Services Director Nathan Jacobs were absent. Treasurer Margaret Jones was present.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE - Cited.

PUBLIC COMMENT - None.

REPORT OF CITY OFFICERS, DEPARTMENT HEADS AND/OR COMMITTEES

CA Melton informed the council that Chief Soenksen and Director Jacobs both had other commitments preventing their presence. The Morrison Community Hospital has applied for a Variance and Building Permit for their addition. The Action Plan and Final Report of the Strategic Plan is being completed and will be brought to the Council for final action in the near future. A revised rental agreement for the Community Room will be proposed in the near future for the Council's consideration.

CONSENT AGENDA

Ald Schlegel moved to approve Council Meeting Minutes for September 23, 2024 (with corrections); Bills Payable - $145,015.68; Historic Preservation Commission Meeting Minutes for October 1, 2024; and Proclamation for October - Domestic Violence Awareness Month; seconded by Ald Zuidema. Ayes: Bruckner, Kruse, Mahaffey, Schlegel, Tichler, West and Zuidema. Nays: None. Absent: Tervelt. Motion passed.

ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE ACTION

Ald Schlegel moved to approve the Building Facia Reimbursement to Buckwalter Properties in the amount of $4,029.60, seconded by Ald Bruckner. Discussion followed. Ayes: Bruckner, Mahaffey, Schlegel, Tichler, West and Zuidema. Nays: None. Recused: Kruse. Absent: Tervelt. Motion passed.

Ald Zuidema moved to approve Ordinance 24-12 Agreement with IML - Minimum/Maximum Contribution for 2025, seconded by Ald Tichler. Ayes: Bruckner, Kruse, Mahaffey, Schlegel, Tichler, West and Zuidema. Nays: None. Absent: Tervelt. Motion passed.

Ald Zuidema moved to approve IML Membership & Risk Management Annual Contribution for 2025, $96,036.74, seconded by Ald Mahaffey. Ayes: Bruckner, Kruse, Mahaffey, Schlegel, Tichler, West and Zuidema. Nays: None. Absent: Tervelt. Motion passed.

ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION & INFORMATION

Capital Improvement Plan - CA Melton discussed the plan for streets and provided updated cost estimations. Several projects were reviewed and discussed for short-, medium- and long-term projects. An updated plan to complete South Genesee Street in CY2025 will be offered for action at the October 28th council meeting.

Bid Proposals - Public Works Buildings Exterior Painting - Continued discussion was conducted on this project. An updated Request for Bids will be offered for action at the October 28th council meeting.

Honoring Arnie 'The Farmer' Beswick - Discussion was conducted on ways to honor Arnie to included naming the pocket park at Cherry/Lincolnway and a proclamation for November 9, 2024. Additional information will be sought from IDOT, since the park is within the State's right-of-way and the City has a permit to use and maintain the property as a park. Further preparation of these activities will be made for action at the October 28th council meeting.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

Ald Zuidema moved to enter Executive Session, seconded by Ald Tichler. Ayes: Bruckner, Kruse, Mahaffey, Schlegel, Tichler, West and Zuidema. Nays: None. Absent: Tervelt. Motion passed and Executive Session entered at 7:22 pm.

Ald West moved to exit Executive Session, seconded by Ald Zuidema. Ayes: Bruckner, Kruse, Mahaffey, Schlegel, Tichler, West and Zuidema. Nays: None. Absent: Tervelt. Motion passed and Executive Session ended at 7:26 pm.

ACTION FOLLOWING EXECUTIVE SESSION

Ald West moved to compensate City Administrator Brian Melton with an annual salary increase of 3% effective October 1, 2024, seconded by Ald Zuidema. 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 West. The meeting adjourned at approximately 7:30 pm with no objection, Tervelt absent.

https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/3871/Morrison/4971823/6-Oct_15_2024.pdf