Council Minutes

April 12, 2010

STATE OF ILLINOIS
COUNTY OF WHITESIDE
CITY OF MORRISON
OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS 

The Morrison City Council met in Regular Session on April 12, 2010 at 7:02 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, Pat Zuidema, Gus Hayenga, Dave Rose, Sarah Thorndike, Jim Blakemore, Barb Bees and Bob Snodgrass. 

Other City Officials present included City Administrator Tim Long, City Attorney

Lester Weinstine, Chief of Police Brian Melton, 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 Blakemore moved to approve the minutes of the Personnel Committee Meeting held on February 3, 2010, seconded by Alderman Rose.  On a voice vote, the motion carried. 

                        Alderman Connelly moved to approve the minutes of the Regular Session Meeting held on March 8, 2010 with corrections, seconded by Alderman Bees.  On a voice vote, the motion carried. 

                        Alderman Snodgrass moved to approve the minutes of the March 22, 2010 Council Work Session, seconded by Alderman Blakemore.  On a voice vote, the motion carried. 

                        Alderman Bees moved to approve the February 2010 Treasurer’s Report, seconded by Alderman Hayenga.  On a roll call vote of 8 ayes (Hayenga, Zuidema, Rose, Thorndike, Blakemore, Bees, Snodgrass, Connelly) and 0 nays, the motion carried. 

                        Alderman Blakemore moved to ratify payment of the bills paid in the amount of $892,863.26, seconded by Alderman Bees.  On a roll call vote of 8 ayes (Zuidema, Rose, Thorndike, Blakemore, Bees, Snodgrass, Connelly, Hayenga) and 0 nays, the motion carried. 

                        Alderman Bees moved to approve payment of the bills payable in the amount of $143,165.99, seconded by Alderman Rose.  On a roll call vote of 8 ayes (Rose, Thorndike, Blakemore, Bees, Snodgrass, Connelly, Hayenga, Zuidema) and 0 nays, the motion carried.   

                        Mayor Drey opened the meeting to public comment.  The public asked questions and commented about the following topics: crack sealing, the sidewalk replacement program and the city’s financial situation.  Administrator Long and Superintendent Tresenriter addressed the questions and comments. 

                        Department Head Reports:

1)      Director DuBois stated the Sports Complex is up and running.  Several local groups are already using the fields.  A travelling league begins using the diamonds on Sunday.  The Council thanked Jim for all of his efforts in getting the Complex ready for play.

2)      Superintendent Tresenriter reported that public works crews are working on the following projects: catch basins, mowing, fire hydrants, manholes and street and alley repairs.

3)      Inspector Whiting stated that construction will be beginning on 2 commercial buildings in the next 30 days.

4)      Director Wood reminded the Council that a Route 30 public meeting will be held on April 15, 2010 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. and will be held at Odell Library Community Room.                 

The March 15, 2010 and April 6, 2010 Morrison Business Advisory Group minutes were included in the packet.  Pete Harkness has tendered his resignation from the Group.  Alderman Snodgrass moved to accept his resignation, seconded by Alderman Rose.  On a roll call vote of 8 ayes (Thorndike, Blakemore, Bees, Snodgrass, Connelly, Hayenga, Zuidema, Rose) and 0 nays, the motion carried. 

The April 6, 2010 Historic Preservation Commission minutes were included in the packet. 

Clerk Schroeder stated that neither the City of Sterling nor the Whiteside County Clerk will be raising their fees for Certified Copies of Birth and Death Certificates.  She recommended that the City of Morrison keep their rates the same to keep consistency throughout the County.  The Council agreed. 

Administrator Long and Alderman Blakemore have been meeting with 3 refuse haulers and have been working on developing a Request for Proposal for Refuse services. 

                        Agenda Action Items:

1)      Alderman Rose moved to approve the Organizational Chart, as presented, seconded by Alderman Hayenga.  On a roll call vote of 8 ayes (Blakemore, Bees, Snodgrass, Connelly, Hayenga, Zuidema, Rose, Thorndike) and 0 nays, the motion carried.

2)      Alderman Thorndike moved to approve the installation of an Illinois Lincoln Highway mural, as recommended by the Morrison Chamber of Commerce, seconded by Alderman Bees.  On a roll call vote of 8 ayes (Bees, Snodgrass, Connelly, Hayenga, Zuidema, Rose, Thorndike, Blakemore) and 0 nays, the motion carried.  The mural will be placed on the East-facing wall at the Fire Department.

3)      IDOT has approached the City requesting to alter the bridge crossing Rock Creek to add 2 Permanent Mounted Impact Attenuators at each end of the bridge.  IDOT needs Council approval and a letter of approval from the City for the addition of the Attenuators.  Alderman Zuidema moved to approve the addition of the Attenuators and the writing of the letter of approval to IDOT, seconded by Alderman Thorndike.  On a roll call vote of 7 ayes (Snodgrass, Connelly, Hayenga, Zuidema, Thorndike, Blakemore, Bees), 1 Recuse (Rose) and 0 nays, the motion carried. 

4)      Alderman Hayenga moved to approve the Proposal for Audit Services as quoted by Lindgren, Callihan, VanOsdol & Co, seconded by Alderman Snodgrass.  On a roll call vote of 8 ayes (Connelly, Hayenga, Zuidema, Rose, Thorndike, Blakemore, Bees, Snodgrass) and 0 nays, the motion carried.  The agreement will be for 3 years, with the option to extend for an additional 2 years.

5)      Alderman Rose moved to approve the appointment of Bob Shambaugh to the Morrison Business Advisory Group, seconded by Alderman Hayenga.  On a roll call vote of 6 ayes (Hayenga, Rose, Thorndike, Blakemore, Snodgrass, Connelly), 1 abstention (Zuidema) and 1 nays (Bees), the motion carried.

Other Business:

1)      Alderman Thorndike questioned if an informational meeting regarding Zoning and Historic Preservation has been scheduled.  The Council was informed that additional information would be presented at the April 26, 2010 Council Work Session.

2)      Council discussed finding an alternate location for holding Council meetings.

3)      Per City Ordinances, yearly reports from City Officers are to be submitted to the Council.  They agreed that either the ordinance needs to be changed or reports need to be submitted.

4)      Alderman Hayenga would like the City to look into a Wind Turbine Ordinance.  Clerk Schroeder will request some model ordinances from her Clerks’ organizations.

5)      McDonalds restaurant will be breaking ground at their new location in May.

6)      Sports Complex revenues and expenses will be shown separately in the budget for clearer tracking purposes.

7)      The March budget figures are forthcoming after the month is balanced.

8)      The Sports Complex Grand Opening will be on May 1.   The ceremony is being planned.

9)      The parking lot at the Sports Complex will be striped soon. 

                        There being no further business, Alderman Rose moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Alderman Zuidema.  On a voice vote, the motion carried. 

Mayor Drey adjourned the meeting 8:33 p.m. 

Approved: 

 Roger K. Drey, Mayor                        

Melanie T. Schroeder, City Clerk