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Council
Minutes
March 8, 2010
STATE OF ILLINOIS
COUNTY OF WHITESIDE
CITY OF MORRISON
OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS
The Morrison City Council met in Regular
Session on March 8, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers, 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 Scott
Connelly, Dave Rose, Sarah Thorndike, Jim Blakemore, Barb Bees and Bob
Snodgrass.
Aldermen Gus Hayenga and Pat Zuidema were
absent.
Other City Officials present included City
Administrator Tim Long, City Attorney Lester Weinstine, Superintendent
of Public Services Gary Tresenriter, Sports Complex Director Jim DuBois
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 February
8, 2010, seconded by Alderman Thorndike. On a voice vote, the motion
carried.
Alderman Blakemore moved to
approve the minutes of the February 22, 2010 Council Work Session,
seconded by Alderman Snodgrass. On a voice vote, the motion carried.
Alderman Bees moved to
approve the minutes of the February 25, 2010 Special City Council
Meeting held on February 25, 2010, seconded by Alderman Connelly. On a
voice vote, the motion carried.
Alderman Thorndike moved to
approve the January 2010 Treasurer’s Report, seconded by Alderman
Snodgrass. On a roll call vote of 6 ayes (Rose, Thorndike, Blakemore,
Bees, Snodgrass, Connelly) and 0 nays, the motion carried.
Alderman Snodgrass moved to
ratify payment of the bills paid in the amount of $68,519.82, seconded
by Alderman Blakemore. On a roll call vote of 6 ayes (Thorndike,
Blakemore, Bees, Snodgrass, Connelly, Rose) and 0 nays, the motion
carried.
Alderman Snodgrass moved to
approve payment of the bills payable in the amount of $18,304.61,
holding the check payable to ComEd pending a review of one of the ComEd
accounts, seconded by Alderman Bees. On a roll call vote of 6 ayes
(Blakemore, Bees, Snodgrass, Connelly, Rose, Thorndike) and 0 nays, the
motion carried.
Mayor Drey opened the
meeting to public comment. The public asked questions and commented
about the following topics: the Historic Preservation
District/Ordinance, tax credits for properties within the District,
Certified Local Governments, brick streets and their repair, the
bike/walk path to the Sports Complex, employee Christmas bonuses,
sidewalk repair and handicap access, the Treasurer’s Report, and
Historic Preservation grants. Mayor Drey, Alderman Bees, Alderman
Connelly and Administrator Long addressed the questions and comments.
Department Head Reports:
1)
Superintendent Tresenriter stated that the Union Pacific Railroad
has closed the Jackson Street Railroad crossing temporarily as the
tracks have settled 4”. The crossing should be closed for a couple of
days.2)
The annual Grove Hill Cemetery clean up will be March 22, 2010 thru
March 26, 2010. The public is reminded that decorations wished to be
kept need to be removed before the 22nd.
The February 4, 2010
Morrison Business Advisory Group minutes were included in the packet.
The February 9, 2010 and
March 2, 2010 Historic Preservation Commission minutes were included in
the packet.
The Report from the
January 27, 2010 adjourned Planning/Zoning Meeting was included in the
packet. Chairman Bob Gale reported on the meeting and the Boards review
and recommendation of a text amendment to the Zoning Code, allowing a
physical fitness center to be a permitted use in a C-1 Central Business
District. The text amendment was presented to the Council as Ordinance
#10-05. Alderman Thorndike moved to adopt Ordinance #10-05 – A Text
Amendment to the City of Morrison Zoning Code, Permitting a Physical
Fitness Center as a Permitted Use in a C-1 Central Business District,
seconded by Alderman Bees. On a roll call vote of 6 ayes (Bees,
Snodgrass, Connelly, Rose, Thorndike, Blakemore) and 0 nays, the motion
carried.
Chairman Gale also
reported on the Boards review of a Request for Special Use for the
property located at 126 East Lincolnway, as presented by Gary Milnes.
The Special Use would allow for the operation of a physical fitness
center on the lower level at this address.
Alderman Blakemore moved
to approve the Special Use as requested by Gary Milnes for the lower
level of the property located at 126 East Lincolnway, seconded by
Alderman Thorndike. On a roll call vote of 6 ayes (Snodgrass, Connelly,
Rose, Thorndike, Blakemore, Bees) and 0 nays, the motion carried.
Alderman Bees moved to
adopt Ordinance #10-01 – Special Use – 126 East Lincolnway, seconded by
Alderman Blakemore Snodgrass. On a roll call vote of 6 ayes (Connelly,
Rose, Thorndike, Blakemore, Bees, Snodgrass) and 0 nays, the motion
carried.
Alderman Snodgrass moved to
approve the rezoning of property owned by Rock River Lumber & Grain Co.,
which is located west of 13080 Lincoln Road, Morrison from A-1 to I-2,
seconded by Alderman Thorndike. This property is located within 1 ½
mile radius of the Morrison city limits.
Clerk Schroeder stated
that the Message Board outside of City Hall is currently not operational
as the server housing the software has lost a driver. The server is
currently being looked at by the city’s IT company. It will either be
repaired or replaced. Until that time, the sign will be
blank.
Attorney Weinstine
requested the Council enter into Executive Session later in the meeting
to discuss matters of litigation.
Agenda Action Items:
1)
Alderman Blakemore moved to approve the purchase of permanent
scoreboards for the baseball and football fields at the Sports Complex
as quoted by Nevco Signs, seconded by Alderman Snodgrass. On a roll
call vote of 6 ayes (Thorndike, Blakemore, Bees, Snodgrass, Connelly,
Rose) and 0 nays, the motion carried.
2)
Clerk Schroeder requested action be postponed regarding the
increase in Certified Birth and Death Copy Fees. It is with hopes that
the fees will be increased, for uniformity reasons, at the other 2
Clerks’ offices in the County. The matter will be brought back to the
Council after the status is received from the other clerks’ offices.
3)
Alderman Thorndike moved to approve the Proposal from Baxter &
Woodman Engineers for the Inspection of Well #3 and Water Treatment
Plant, seconded by Alderman Connelly. Following further discussion,
Council agreed that they would like to receive additional estimates for
the project. As a result, Alderman Thorndike withdrew her motion and
Alderman Connelly withdrew his second. The matter will be brought back
to the council for review pending receipt of additional estimates.
4)
Alderman Rose moved to adopt Ordinance #10-04 – Setting Forth
Provisions for Compliance with the IL Freedom of Information Act,
seconded by Alderman Blakemore. On a roll call vote of 6 ayes
(Blakemore, Bees, Snodgrass, Connelly, Rose, Thorndike) and 0 nays, the
motion carried.
5)
Alderman Rose moved to approve entering into a State of Illinois
Emerald Ash Borer Agreement, seconded by Alderman Connelly. On a roll
call vote of 6 ayes (Bees, Snodgrass, Connelly, Rose, Thorndike,
Blakemore) and 0 nays, the motion carried.
6)
Alderman Bees moved to approve entering into a State of Illinois
Water and Wastewater Mutual Aid and Assistance Agreement, seconded by
Alderman Rose. On a roll call vote of 6 ayes (Snodgrass, Connelly,
Rose, Thorndike, Blakemore, Bees) and 0 nays, the motion carried.
7)
Dave Phillips of Speer Financial presented information regarding
the $1 Million Debt Certificate issuance. The City has received an A-
credit rating. Alderman Rose moved to adopt Ordinance #10-06 –
Authorizing the issuance of Taxable and/or Tax Exempt General Obligation
(Limited Tax) Debt Certificates, Series 2010, 2010A, etc., Including as
Build America Bonds (Direct Payment), and Other Certificates to Finance
Municipal Facilities for the City of Morrison and to approve the low bid
received from Oppenheimer & Co. for Series 2010 Debt Certificates,
seconded by Alderman Snodgrass. On a roll call vote of 6 ayes
(Connelly, Rose, Thorndike, Blakemore, Bees, Snodgrass) and 0 nays, the
motion carried.
8)
Pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(11), Alderman Bees moved to enter
into Executive Session to discuss matters of litigation, seconded by
Alderman Connelly. On a roll call vote of 6 ayes (Rose, Thorndike,
Blakemore, Bees, Snodgrass, Connelly) and 0 nays, the motion carried.
Executive Session began at 8:13 p.m.
9)
Regular Session resumed at 8:20 p.m. There was no action as a
result of Executive Session.
Other Business:
1)
Alderman Bees would like the City’s Organizational Chart revised,
adding some of the positions and a board that have been added since the
last update in 2006.
2)
Alderman Thorndike would like the Council to be involved in the
review of the appointments to the Boards and Commissions.
3)
The Community Garden project is coming along. Alderman Bees and
Alderman Snodgrass have met with the group, lead by Chad Haskell of
Morrison Community Hospital. A location for the Community Garden has
been selected – a plot of land north of the driveway into French Creek
Park.
4)
The walking/biking path to the Sports Complex from Jackson Street
will not be completed before the Complex opens. Alternatives to the
path were discussed.
5)
The next Ordinance Review meeting will be held on March 9, 2010.
Alderman Thorndike would like the group to pick a tentative date for
when a public meeting will be held.
6)
There being no further business, Alderman Rose moved to adjourn
the meeting, seconded by Alderman Blakemore. On a voice vote, the
motion carried.
Mayor
Drey adjourned the meeting 8:35 p.m.
Approved:
Roger K. Drey, Mayor
Melanie T. Schroeder, City Clerk
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