NW Illinois News

City of Morrison City Council met Jan. 13.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

CALL TO ORDER

The Morrison City Council met in Regular Session on January 13, 2025, 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. 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, Todd Schlegel, Vernon Tervelt, Josh West, and Harvey Zuidema. Absent: Sidonna Mahaffey and 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 reported that Officer Chad Hermes resigned effective January 12, 2025, to become Chief of Police Fulton, Illinois. Also, three officers completed Rapid Deployment and Tactile Training, and a new squad car has been placed into service.

Recreational Services Director Jacobs updated the Council on current and upcoming programs.

CONSENT AGENDA

Ald Zuidema requested to remove Bills Payable - $73,275.32 (12-30-24) and $88,238.78 from the Consent Agenda.

Ald West moved to approve City Council Meeting Minutes, December 9, 2024; Financial Report – November 2024 (CY11, FY 7); Historic Preservation Commission Meeting Minutes, December 3, 2024, and January 7, 2025; and Appointment to Library Board, Larry Jackson (to fill vacancy due to resignation of Heather Bush, term expiring April 30th, 2025); seconded by Ald Schlegel. By voice vote, all ayes. Absent: Mahaffey and Tichler. Motion passed.

ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE ACTION

Ald Schlegel moved to approve Bills Payable - $73,275.32 (12-30-24) and $88,238.78; seconded by Ald Bruckner. Ald Zuidema questioned monthly totals not matching summary balances. CA Melton explained that 1) this packet included two months of payables and 2) that the totals matched when outstanding checks were added to the balances. Council then voted: Ayes: Bruckner, Kruse, Schlegel, Tervelt, and West. Nays: Zuidema. Absent: Mahaffey and Tichler. Motion passed.

Ald Kruse moved to approve Reimbursement Request, Building Improvement Program – The Blue Violet $673.94 [Refer to HPC Minutes] and Reimbursement Request, Building Improvement Program – The Blue Violet $2,733.50 [Refer to HPC Minutes]; seconded by Ald Bruckner. After Council discussion, Mayor Vandermyde suggested that from now on, estimates of work needed to be submitted in advance, be approved and within the Council grant limits. Ald Zuidema stated that he believes policy changes/guidelines are required to be on the agenda and that this addition was inappropriate. Mayor Vandermyde dropped the additional wording and asked that Ald Kruse and Bruckner restate their motion, and that Council policy changes/guidelines for HPC would be addressed in a future meeting. Ayes: Bruckner, Kruse, Schlegel, Tervelt, West, and Zuidema. Nays: None. Absent: Mahaffey and Tichler. Motion passed.

Ald Bruckner moved to approve Ordinance 25-01 Intergovernmental Personnel Benefit Cooperative Membership; seconded by Ald Schlegel. David Cook, Executive Director IPBC, made a presentation to Council on how the cooperative worked, which municipalities were already members and how costs were controlled, divided, shared and protected. Council discussion. Ayes: Bruckner, Kruse, Schlegel, Tervelt, West, and Zuidema. Nays: None. Absent: Mahaffey and Tichler. Motion passed.

Ald Zuidema moved to approve Change Order No. 4 – IL RT 78 Watermain & Loops Project, Fischer Excavating (increase of $14,963.02); seconded by Ald Bruckner. Ayes: Bruckner, Kruse, Schlegel, Tervelt, West, and Zuidema. Nays: None. Absent: Mahaffey and Tichler. Motion passed.

Ald Zuidema moved to approve Payment Request No. 6 & FINAL – IL RT 78 Watermain & Loops Project, Fischer Excavating, $115,720.71; seconded by Ald Schlegel. Ayes: Bruckner, Kruse, Schlegel, Tervelt, West, and Zuidema. Nays: None. Absent: Mahaffey and Tichler. Motion passed.

Ald Tervelt moved to Award Bid to Daxon Construction Company for the Public Works Building Interior Renovation; seconded by Ald West. Ayes: Bruckner, Kruse, Schlegel, Tervelt, West, and Zuidema. Nays: None. Absent: Mahaffey and Tichler. Motion passed.

Ald Zuidema moved to approve Change Order No. 2 – Hydrant & Catch Basin Project, Porter Bros.; seconded by Ald Bruckner. Ayes: Bruckner, Kruse, Schlegel, Tervelt, West, and Zuidema. Nays: None. Absent: Mahaffey and Tichler. Motion passed.

Ald Schlegel moved to approve Payment Request No. 4 & Final – Hydrant & Catch Basin Project, Porter Bros.; seconded by Ald Zuidema. Ayes: Bruckner, Kruse, Schlegel, Tervelt, West, and Zuidema. Nays: None. Absent: Mahaffey and Tichler. Motion passed.

Ald West moved to approve Payment Request No. 1 – Alley Work, Porter Bros.; seconded by Ald Bruckner. Council discussed and reported positive feedback from residents. CA Melton said the work was nearly completed and the remaining balance was around $4,000. Ayes: Bruckner, Kruse, Schlegel, Tervelt, West, and Zuidema. Nays: None. Absent: Mahaffey and Tichler. Motion passed.

ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION & INFORMATION

CA Melton discussed the progress on the DCEO – General Infrastructure Improvement Grant. The plan would include building 4 new pickleball courts where the old sewer plant was located and minor repairs to the existing tennis courts at Water Works Park. Consensus was for the City Administrator to move forward on the grant writing.

Morrison Community Hospital Expansion Project requested Knox Street Closure as necessary during their expansion construction project for construction staging and logistics. CA Melton suggested that the street closure would be less disruptive if the street was temporarily closed for the duration of the project. Estimated dates are March 1 through December 31, 2025. An agreement is being drafted for the council future consideration and action.

Council discussed draft Ordinance 25-02 Implementing a Non-Home Rule Municipal Retailers’ Occupation Tax, also known as the “Grocery Tax” with the pending cancellation of the States’ 1% sales (grocery) tax. A decision must be made and filed with the Illinois Department of Revenue by October 1, 2025. Council discussed and consensus was to place on the agenda for action.

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 7:43 pm. The session was audio recorded.

Ald Tervelt moved to exit Executive Session, seconded by Ald Kruse. All ayes by voice without objection. Motion passed and Regular Session resumed at 8:07 p.m.

ACTION FOLLOWING EXECUTIVE SESSION

Ald West moved to approve a 3% increase in pay for Recreation Services Director Nathan Jacobs; seconded by Ald Bruckner. Ayes: Kruse, Schlegel, Zuidema, Tervelt, West, and Bruckner. Nays: None. Absent: Mahaffey and Tichler. Motion passed.

ADJOURNMENT

Ald Tervelt moved to adjourn the meeting; seconded by Ald Kruse. The meeting adjourned at approximately 8:08 pm with no objection.

https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/3871/Morrison/5230054/09_-_Jan_27_2025p.pdf