Council Minutes

February 11, 2008
STATE OF ILLINOIS
COUNTY OF WHITESIDE
CITY OF MORRISON
OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS

The Morrison City Council met in regular session on February 11, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 200 West Main Street.  Mayor Roger Drey called the meeting to order.  City Clerk Melanie T. Schroeder recorded the minutes.

Aldermen present on roll call were Dave Rose, Ann Slavin, James Blakemore, Barbara Bees, and Bob Snodgrass.  Alderman Scott Connelly, Alderman Gus Hayenga and Alderman Patricia Zuidema were absent on roll call.

Other City Officials present included City Administrator Tim Long, City Attorney Lester Weinstine, Chief Ernie Huling and Code Inspector Pete Whiting.

Mayor Drey led the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance.

Alderman Bees moved to approve the minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting held on January 28, 2008, seconded by Alderman Rose.  On a voice vote, the motion carried.

Alderman Snodgrass moved to approve the November 2007 Treasurer’s Report, seconded by Alderman Blakemore.  On a roll call vote of 5 ayes (Rose, Slavin, Blakemore, Bees, Snodgrass) and 0 nays, the motion carried.

Alderman Blakemore moved to approve the December 2007 Treasurer’s Report, seconded by Alderman Slavin.  On a roll call vote of 5 ayes (Slavin, Blakemore, Bees, Snodgrass, Rose) and 0 nays, the motion carried.

Alderman Scott Connelly arrived at 7:05 p.m.

Alderman Bees moved to authorize payment of the bills payable as published in the amount of $231,738.45, seconded by Alderman Slavin. On a roll call vote of 6 ayes (Blakemore, Bees, Snodgrass, Connelly, Rose, Slavin) and 0 nays, the motion carried.

Mayor Drey opened the meeting to public comment.  There was none.

Superintendent of Public Services Tresenriter presented his report:

1)      The Public Services Department has exhausted its current salt supply and can purchase no more through the state.  An additional source has been located in Canada and 200 tons have been ordered.

2)      In researching alternatives to using strictly road salt to melt the road ice, Superintendent Tresenriter has located an eco-friendly chemical alternative that could be used as a supplement with the road salt.  This alternative is less corrosive, has a residual effect and would cut road salt consumption in half.  Additional equipment will be required for the salt trucks in order to utilize the new material.  Superintendent Tresenriter will continue to pursue this idea for the next winter season.

The January 30, 2008 Planning/Zoning Board Chairman Report was included in the packet.

The January 2, 2008 Odell Library Board minutes were included in the packet.

Mayor Drey presented his report:

1)      Mayor Drey reminded the council that the Appreciation Dinner is February 16th.

Agenda Action Items:

1)      Police Chief Joe Peña from the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police presented an overview of the Morrison Police Department Staffing Allocation Study and the Functional Analysis reports.  He reviewed the Association’s findings, recommendations, and answered questions from the Council.

2)      A proposal has been received from Baxter & Woodman engineers with regard to conducting a water and sewer rate study.  Alderman Snodgrass moved to approve the execution of the agreement with Baxter & Woodman to complete a water and sewer rate analysis and recommendations for a cost not to exceed $25,000, seconded by Alderman Bees.  On a roll call vote of 6 ayes (Bees, Snodgrass, Connelly, Rose, Slavin, Blakemore) and 0 nays, the motion carried.

3)      Alderman Rose moved to approve Ordinance #08-03 – An Amendment to an Ordinance Establishing an Enterprise Zone Within the Illinois Counties of Whiteside and Carroll, seconded by Alderman Bees.  On a roll call vote of 6 ayes (Snodgrass, Connelly, Rose, Slavin, Blakemore, Bees) and 0 nays, the motion carried.  This ordinance allows for the construction of a biomass-fueled, renewable energy center on IL Route 84 between Savanna and Thomson.

4)      Alderman Bees moved to approve Resolution # 08-03 – A Resolution Authorizing the Mayor to Certify that the City of Morrison IL can Successfully Undertake and Maintain a Bike Trail Grant from the Recreational Trails Program of the IL Department of Natural Resources, seconded by Alderman Slavin.  On a roll call vote of 6 ayes (Connelly, Rose, Slavin, Blakemore, Bees, Snodgrass) and 0 nays, the motion carried.

5)      Alderman Rose moved to proceed with the Lincoln Highway Gazebo project, seconded by Alderman Blakemore.  On a roll call vote of 0 ayes and 6 nays (Rose, Slavin, Blakemore, Bees, Snodgrass, Connelly) the motion failed.

6)      Because the motion to proceed with the Lincoln Highway Gazebo project died, there was no reason to create the line items for the Gazebo Engineering or Construction.

7)      Alderman Snodgrass moved to approve the creation of line items for the Rock Creek Bridge Engineering at a cost not to exceed $50,000, seconded by Alderman Connelly.  On a roll call vote of 6 ayes (Slavin, Blakemore, Bees, Snodgrass, Connelly) and 0 nays, the motion carried.

8)      Alderman Bees moved to approve the creation of line items for the Rock Creek Bridge Construction, seconded by Alderman Blakemore.  On a roll call vote of 6 ayes (Blakemore, Bees, Snodgrass, Connelly, Rose, Slavin) and 0 nays, the motion carried.

Other Business:

1)      Alderman Bees expressed her thanks to the Public Services Department for the great job clearing the snow.  All other Aldermen echoed the sentiment.

2)      Alderman Snodgrass pointed out that there is a very large pothole at the corner of Jackson Street and East Wall Street.  It is in need of fill, even if it’s just gravel.

Alderman Blakemore moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Alderman Snodgrass.  On a voice vote, the motion carried. 

Mayor Drey adjourned the meeting at 8:07 p.m.

Approved: 

Roger K. Drey, Mayor

Melanie T. Schroeder, City Clerk