NW Illinois News

City of Morrison City Council met Nov. 25.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

CALL TO ORDER

The Morrison City Council met in Regular Session on November 25, 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 Clerk Michael Hemmer recorded the minutes remotely. 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, Vernon Tervelt, Josh West, and Harvey Zuidema. Absent: Matt Tichler. Other city officials present were Police Chief Kevin Soenksen, Treasurer Margaret Jones, and Recreation Services Director Nathan Jacobs.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE - Cited.

PUBLIC COMMENT - None.

REPORT OF CITY OFFICERS, DEPARTMENT HEADS AND/OR COMMITTEES

Chief Soenksen submitted a written report in the council packet.

Recreational Services Director Jacobs informed Council of upcoming program: Turkey Trot.

CONSENT AGENDA

Ald Mahaffey moved to approve Council Meeting Minutes for November 12, 2024; Bills Payable - $91,714.75; Treasurer’s Report for October 2024 (CY 10, FY 6); Historic Preservation Commission, Meeting Minutes for November 12, 2024; and Planning & Zoning Commission, Meeting Minutes for November 13, 2024; seconded by Ald Schlegel. Ayes: Bruckner, Kruse, Mahaffey, Schlegel, Tervelt, West, and Zuidema. Nays: None. Absent: Tichler. Motion passed.

ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE ACTION

Ald Zuidema moved to approve 2025 Meeting Schedule; seconded by Ald Tervelt. Approved by unanimous voice vote. Absent: Tichler. Motion passed.

Ald Schlegel moved to approve 2025 Holiday Schedule; seconded by Ald Zuidema. Approved by unanimous voice vote. Absent: Tichler. Motion passed.

Ald Schlegel moved to approve Reimbursement Request, Building Improvement Program – Urban Eats $2,750 [included in HPC Minutes]; seconded by Ald Bruckner. After discussion, CA Melton clarified matches (50%) and limits ($10,000.00). Mayor Vandermyde approved the $750 overage. Ayes: Bruckner, Kruse, Mahaffey, Schlegel, Tervelt, West, and Zuidema. Nays: None. Absent: Tichler. Motion passed.

Ald Schlegel moved to approve Community Room Rental & Policy Agreement; seconded by Ald Mahaffey. After discussion, Ayes: Bruckner, Kruse, Mahaffey, Schlegel, Tervelt, West, and Zuidema. Nays: None. Absent: Tichler. Motion passed.

Ald Schlegel moved to approve Ordinance 24-15 Property Tax Levy; seconded by Ald West. CA Melton explained that Council was voting on the rate ratios and that valuations might change. Ald Mahaffey moved to amend the ordinance: change the text to match the section 2 to match the table and remove an extra “5” under Police Protection; seconded by Ald Bruckner. Ayes: Bruckner, Kruse, Mahaffey, Schlegel, Tervelt, West, and Zuidema. Nays: None. Absent: Tichler. Changes passed. On the updated Ordinance, Ayes: Bruckner, Kruse, Mahaffey, Schlegel, Tervelt, West, and Zuidema. Nays: None. Absent: Tichler. Motion passed.

Ald West moved to approve Ordinance 24-16 Amending Ch. 20 Fees, Penalties & Bonds; seconded by Ald Mahaffey. Ayes: Bruckner, Kruse, Mahaffey, Schlegel, Tervelt, West, and Zuidema. Nays: None. Absent: Tichler. Motion passed.

Ald Mahaffey moved to approve Ordinance 24-17 Rezoning Property to C-1 Central Business District; seconded by Ald Zuidema. Approved by unanimous voice vote. Absent: Tichler. Motion passed.

Mayor Vandermyde tabled Items 9 & 10: Change Order No. 2 – Hydrant & Catch Basin Project and Payment Request No. 4 & Final – Hydrant & Catch Basin Project.

ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION & INFORMATION

CA Melton discussed Intergovernmental Personnel Benefit Cooperative for the City’s health benefit package, Details in the packet. A quote will be provided in the future for the city’s healthcare, beginning on May 1, 2026.

CA Melton continued discussing Strategic Plan – Executive Summary & Full Report. Details are in the packet.

CA Melton discussed replacing the city’s Backhoe which needs a new transmission. Through Sourcewell (municipal cooperative), a replacement with required attachments would cost $161,311.95. By council consensus, the purchase was agreed upon without objection and would be voted on during the next council meeting.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

Ald Tervelt moved to enter Executive Session pursuant to pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1) Appointment, employment, compensation of specific employees … 2(c)(5) Purchase or lease of real property for the use of the public body …, seconded by Ald Zuidema. All ayes by voice without objection. Executive Session began at approximately 7:20 pm. The session was audio recorded.

Ald Mahaffey moved to exit Executive Session, seconded by Ald Schlegel. All ayes by voice without objection. Motion passed and Regular Session resumed at 7:24 p.m.

ACTION FOLLOWING EXECUTIVE SESSION

Ald Schlegel moved to approve a Holiday Bonus for city workers at $300 fulltime, $150 parttime and $50 for all seasonal workers; seconded by Ald Zuidema. Ayes: Mahaffey, Kruse, Schlegel, Zuidema, Tervelt, West, and Bruckner. Nay: None. Absent: Tichler. Motion passed.

ADJOURNMENT

Ald Tervelt moved to adjourn the meeting; seconded by Ald Zuidema. The meeting adjourned at approximately 7:25 pm with no objection, Tichler was absent.

https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/3871/Morrison/5080873/08_-_Dec_9_2024p.pdf