NW Illinois News

City of Morrison City Council met Sept. 22.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

CALL TO ORDER

The Morrison City Council met in Regular Session on September 22, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. in the Morrison Community Room, 307 South Madison Street, Morrison, Illinois. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Scott Vandermyde at 6:31 p.m. City Clerk Mike 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 Jr, Sara Dunne (after appointment), Sidonna Mahaffey, Todd Schlegel, and Matt Tichler. Absent: Seth Buckwalter and Vernon Tervelt. Vacancy: Ward 1. Other city officials present were City Administrator Brian Melton, Police Chief Michael Moon, and City Treasurer Margaret Jones.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE - Cited.

PRESENTATIONS

Mayor Vandermyde swore in Officer Curt Workman as Patrol Sergeant and Officer Cory Drowns as Investigations Sergeant.

PUBLIC HEARING

Dan Pepin, of Community Funding & Planning Services, discussed the Illinois Department of Natural Resources’ Open Space Land Acquisition and Development Grant Program and the city’s application for an additional outdoor recreation structure (playground with ADA access) at Morrison Sports Complex. Though originally approved, our application was removed from the 2024 funding cycle. This year’s application will also include solar, solar lighting, and wildlife and environment conservations efforts (i.e., pollinator plot planning, bird houses, etc.). The City’s application addresses recreation diversity, wildlife protection, environment conservation, and the use of green technology. A public discussion was conducted with questions and comments from council members and those public members present. Comments included that there are several local organizations and schools that would be interested in participating in these efforts should the City be awarded the grant, there are several locations to consider pollinator plots, and the plots must be managed. Pepin added that he would update the Sports Complex’s inventory matrix with recent improvements and submit the grant application by the September 30th deadline.

PUBLIC COMMENT

Stephanie Vavra complemented the city’s increase in informative signage throughout the city.

James Palmer and Devin Darsidan discussed the need for stop signs on North Base Street at West Knox Street and West North Street. There are many children living in their neighborhood with a new business coming to the “old Wells Fargo building.” They believe there is significant traffic on North Base Street and drivers are ignoring the city-wide speed limit.

REPORT OF CITY OFFICERS, DEPARTMENT HEADS AND/OR COMMITTEES

Parks and Rec Director Nathan Jacobs provided a written report in the council packet. Superintendent of Utilities Shane Osborn also provided a written report distributed at the meeting.

Chief Moon reported the Police Department had a busy weekend with Paint the Town and Harvest Hammer. Quality Concrete donated concrete blocks for road closures. Thanks to Brian Bartoz and Nate Vandermyde in assisting with their placements.

Mayor Vandermyde removed Pay Request No 4, Balayti Painting, Public Works Building Exterior Painting Project, $2,200 from Consent Agenda.

CONSENT AGENDA

Ald Schlegel moved to approve the City Council, Meeting Minutes, September 8, 2025; Bills Payable - $191,670.74; Treasurer’s Reports, July (FY03, CY07) & August (FY04, CY08), 2025; Parade Permit, Morrison High School, Homecoming Parade, October 3, 2025; and Appointment of Sara Dunne, Alderperson Ward 3, Term Expiring 2029; seconded by Ald Mahaffey. Ayes: Bruckner, Mahaffey, Schlegel, and Tichler. Nays: None. Absent: Buckwalter and Tervelt. Motion passed.

Mayor Vandermyde swore in Sara Dunne as Alderperson Ward 3.

ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION, DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION

CA Melton discussed Pay Request No 4, Balayti Painting, Public Works Building Exterior Painting Project, $2,200. CA Melton discussed the city’s punch list with the owner. The pay request died with the lack of a motion.

Molly Johnson (U of I Extension Office), working with Morrison Community Hospital, reviewed plans for a 2,000 square foot Pollinator Garden to be planted east of the community garden in French Creek Park. Johnson submitted a two-year management plan including assistance by master gardeners with their grant application to the Burt Family Foundation. The plot will be solarized (plastic to kill existing growth), tilled and a weed barrier installed. Planting plugs would be used to create a more cultivated garden. Ald Mahaffey asked if other locations were reviewed. Ald Schlegel requested renderings or photos of what the garden might look like. Ald Dunne said that establishing the garden takes time to develop. The Council did not act on this request and will await additional information from Molly Johnson.

Ald Schlegel moved to waive the formal bidding process and authorized the Road Surface Patching Project, not to exceed $40,000 as presented; seconded by Ald Tichler. CA Melton explained the efforts for annual road surface maintenance and the limited opportunity to complete road patching yet this year. A list of priority road repairs was included in the packet. Ayes: Bruckner, Dunne, Mahaffey, Schlegel, and Tichler. Nays: None. Absent: Buckwalter and Tervelt. Motion passed.

Council reviewed the consulting proposal from SB Friedman ($39,919) for developing a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District. Regulations and location of the district were discussed. The City’s attorney and/or a SB Friedman representative will be invited to a council meeting in the near future.

US RT 30 Reconstruction Project & North Genesee Street Options – Update: CA Melton informed council that IDOT has awarded a road patching project to Martin and Company for Lincolnway, Milnes Drive to Base Street. That project will start October 13. A sewer repair will be completed yet this week on Lincolnway as well that will require an overnight road closure. IDOT has also requested that the City reconsider the closure of North Genesee Street from Lincolnway to Main Street as IDOT continues to finalize the plan and design for the US RT 30 reconstruction. Closing this portion of North Genesee Street may reduce the need for a turning land and therefore lessening the impact of land acquisition. More public discussions are expected during future council meetings.

ADJOURNMENT

Ald Schlegel moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Ald Mahaffey. Without objection, the meeting adjourned at approximately 7:55 pm.

https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/3871/Morrison/6084566/06-Oct_14_2025p.pdf