NW Illinois News

City of Morrison City Council met Feb. 24.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

CALL TO ORDER

The Morrison City Council met in Regular Session on February 24, 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, Sidonna Mahaffey, Todd Schlegel, Vernon Tervelt, Matt Tichler, Josh West, and Harvey Zuidema. Absent: Greg Kruse. Other city officials present were City Administrator Brian Melton, Police Chief Kevin Soenksen (remote), Treasurer Margaret Jones, Recreation Services Director Nathan Jacobs and City Attorney Tim Zollinger.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE - Cited.

PUBLIC COMMENT - None.

REPORT OF CITY OFFICERS, DEPARTMENT HEADS AND/OR COMMITTEES

Chief Soenksen reported Officer Flack was on Investigative Training this week and the department’s new tasers, which were covered by a grant, arrived.

Recreational Services Director Jacobs reported that youth wrestling, and basketball are over. Youth Volleyball, about to begin, already had 42 signups.

CONSENT AGENDA

Ald Schlegel moved to approve City Council Meeting Minutes - February 10, 2025, Bills Payable - $56,150.08, Treasurer’s Report (CY 1, FY 9), and Appoint Mike Buckwalter to Planning & Zoning Commission; seconded by Ald Mahaffey. Ayes: Bruckner, Mahaffey, Schlegel, Tervelt, Tichler, West, and Zuidema. Nays: None. Absent: Kruse. Motion passed.

ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE ACTION

Mayor Vandermyde moved to Discussion Ordinance 25-02 Implementing a Non-Home Rule Municipal Retailers’ Occupation Tax, also known as the “Grocery Tax” due to changes suggested by City Attorney Zollinger.

Ald Schlegel moved to approve Change Orders No. 1-3, Daxon Construction Company (PW Building Renovation Project), $27,405; seconded by Ald Zuidema. Details of the required changes were discussed during the last Council meeting. Ayes: Bruckner, Mahaffey, Schlegel, Tervelt, Tichler, West, and Zuidema. Nays: None. Absent: Kruse. Motion passed.

Ald Schlegel moved to approve Sanitary Line Extension, East Knox Street - Morrison Community Hospital Expansion Project, City’s Project Cost Share of 50%, $18,564.64; seconded by Ald Bruckner. Council discussed. Ayes: Bruckner, Mahaffey, Schlegel, Tichler, and West. Nays: Tervelt and Zuidema. Absent: Kruse. Motion passed.

Ald Mahaffey moved to approve Memorandum of Understanding – Whiteside County Sheriff for Public Safety Shared System & Services; seconded by Ald Zuidema. Council discussed. On advice from Attorney Zollinger, a roll call vote was made. Ayes: Bruckner, Mahaffey, Schlegel, Tervelt, Tichler, West, and Zuidema. Nays: None. Absent: Kruse. Motion passed.

Ald Mahaffey moved to approve Central Square Public Safety Suite Pro – Records Management & Computer Aided Dispatching, 5-year Licensing Agreement – Annual Payment to Whiteside County Sheriff, $5,134.60; seconded by Ald Zuidema. Council discussed. Ayes: Bruckner, Mahaffey, Schlegel, Tervelt, Tichler, West, and Zuidema. Nays: None. Absent: Kruse. Motion passed.

ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION & INFORMATION

Council reviewed updated 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. Attorney Zollinger discussed the refinements of the ordinance’s language. The revised text reflects the codification of city code which be helpful in future discussion and a definition of “grocery”. Mayor Vandermyde stated that the ordinance would be voted on during either of the next two Council meetings.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

Ald Tervelt moved to enter Executive Session pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(5) Purchase or lease of real property for the use of the public; seconded by Ald Mahaffey. All ayes by voice without objection, Ald Kruse absent. Executive Session began at approximately 6:59 pm. The session was audio recorded.

Ald Bruckner moved to exit Executive Session, seconded by Ald Mahaffey. All ayes by voice without objection, Ald Kruse was absent. Motion passed and Regular Session resumed at 7:05 p.m.

ACTION FOLLOWING EXECUTIVE SESSION

Ald Tichler moved to approve the City entering a Real Estate Contract with Ramon E Leal to purchase 8.7 acres for $217,500.00 with contingencies and 10% escrow. The City would commit to the purchase by August 1, 2025, subject to grant funding approval by the State of Illinois; seconded by Ald Mahaffey and Schlegel. Ayes: Bruckner, Mahaffey, Schlegel, Tichler, West, and Zuidema. Nays: Tervelt. Absent: Kruse. Motion passed.

ADJOURNMENT

Ald Zuidema moved to adjourn the meeting; seconded by Ald Mahaffey. The meeting adjourned at approximately 7:09 pm with no objection.

https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/3871/Morrison/5386198/11_-_Mar_10_2025p.pdf