Council Minutes

June 14, 2010

STATE OF ILLINOIS
COUNTY OF WHITESIDE
CITY OF MORRISON
OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS 

The Morrison City Council met in Regular Session on June 14, 2010 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 Scott Connelly, Gus Hayenga, Pat Zuidema, 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, Planning/Zoning Board Chairman Bob Gale 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 Session Meeting held on May 10, 2010, seconded by Alderman Zuidema.  On a voice vote, the motion carried.               

Alderman Hayenga moved to approve the minutes of the Personnel Committee Meeting held on May 20, 2010, seconded by Alderman Thorndike.  On a voice vote, the motion carried. 

Alderman Rose moved to approve the minutes of the May 24, 2010 Council Work Session, seconded by Alderman Snodgrass.  On a voice vote, the motion carried. 

Alderman Blakemore moved to approve the minutes of the Personnel Committee Meeting held on May 25, 2010, seconded by Alderman Rose.  On a voice vote, the motion carried. 

Alderman Zuidema moved to approve the minutes of the Personnel Committee Meeting held on June 3, 2010, seconded by Alderman Hayenga.  On a voice vote, the motion carried.                       

                        Alderman Snodgrass moved to approve the April 2010 Treasurer’s Report, seconded by Alderman Rose.  On a roll call vote of 8 ayes (Hayenga, Zuidema, Rose, Thorndike, Rose, Blakemore, Bees, Snodgrass, Connelly) and 0 nays, the motion carried.  Administrator Long stated that the negative balance in Unobligated General Funds should be cleared up with the upcoming real estate tax receipts, the receipt of approximately $80,000 in back sales tax income and receipt of $100,000 in revenue. 

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

                        Alderman Blakemore moved to approve payment of the bills payable in the amount of $98,580.78, seconded by Alderman Snodgrass.  On a roll call vote of 7 ayes (Rose, Blakemore, Bees, Snodgrass, Connelly, Hayenga, Zuidema) and 1 nay (Thorndike), the motion carried. 

Mayor Drey opened the meeting to public comment.  The public asked questions and commented about the following topics: the location of the council meetings and the former proposal to renovate City Hall, Historic Districts, the Vision Statement, Sports Complex expenses vs. revenue, the monthly payment to IDOT for the Route 30 bridge project, bills payable, negative balances on the Treasurers’ Report, the FY 2011 budget and the property at 101 West Main Street.  Administrator Long addressed the questions and comments. 

                        The June 1, 2010 Historic Preservation Commission minutes were included in the packet.  No Council action was required. 

The May 28, 2010 Planning and Zoning Chairman’s Report was included in the packet.    William VanBuren III has requested a rezoning classification for their property located at 16938 Lincoln Road to R-1.  The property is located within 1 ½ mile radius of the City of Morrison city limits.  The Planning and Zoning Board recommends the rezoning classification to the Council.  Alderman Bees moved to approve the rezoning of Mr. VanBuren’s Property as requested, 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 Planning and Zoning Board began reviewing and educating themselves regarding small wind electric systems.  Chairman Gale requested additional Council guidance regarding what the Council would like to receive from the Boards’ review.  The Council would like the Board to propose an ordinance for the regulation of such systems.  The Board will discuss the topic further at their June meeting. 

The June 3, 2010 Morrison Business Advisory Group minutes were included in the packet.  Administrator Long reviewed the minutes of the meeting with the Council.

Mayor Drey has received a resignation from Art Dykema from the Planning and Zoning Board of Appeals.  Alderman Blakemore moved to approve the resignation, seconded by Alderman Bees.  On a roll call vote of 8 ayes (Blakemore, Bees, Snodgrass, Connelly, Hayenga, Zuidema, Rose, Thorndike) and 0 nays.  

Mayor Drey has received a request to appoint Marianne Biagi to the Odell Library Board.  The vacancy was created by the resignation of Richard Vandermyde.  Alderman Zuidema moved to approve the appointment, seconded by Alderman Hayenga.  On a roll call vote of 8 ayes (Bees, Snodgrass, Connelly, Hayenga, Zuidema, Rose, Thorndike, Blakemore) and 0 nays, the appointment was approved. 

City Clerk Schroeder requested the Council enter into Executive Session later in the meeting to discuss Closed Session minutes. 

Administrator Long announced that after 35 years of dedicated service, Public Works employee Steve Osborn has decided to retire effective July 23, 2010. 

Administrator Long reported on his recent attendance at a conference for Illinois City Managers.

                        Agenda Action Items:

1)      Chief Melton reported on his requested opinion of the E-911 Study.  Alderman Bees moved to authorize Mayor Drey to send a resolution to the Whiteside County E-911 Centralized Dispatch Committee in support of a Centralized Dispatch E-911 Center with no commitment of monetary support, seconded by Alderman Snodgrass.  On a roll call vote of 6 ayes (Snodgrass, Connelly, Hayenga, Thorndike, Blakemore, Bees) and 2 nays (Zuidema, Rose), the motion carried.

2)      Superintendent Tresenriter provided an update regarding the aerial flight of Whiteside County in the spring of 2011.  Additional pricing information needs to be gathered and will be brought back to the Council when available.

3)      Alderman Rose moved to adopt Ordinance #10-08 – An Ordinance Ascertaining the Prevailing Rate of Wages, 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.

4)      Alderman Snodgrass moved to approve Resolution #10-05 – Federal Surplus Property Program, seconded by Alderman Bees.  On a roll call vote of 8 ayes (Hayenga, Zuidema, Rose, Thorndike, Blakemore, Bees, Snodgrass, Connelly) and 0 nays, the motion carried.

5)      Alderman Zuidema moved to approve the Web Design Contract between the City of Morrison and Design Loft and The Web Monsters, seconded by Alderman Blakemore.  On a roll call vote of 6 ayes (Zuidema, Rose, Blakemore, Bees, Snodgrass, Connelly) and 2 nays (Thorndike, Hayenga), the motion carried.  The contract states this is for a cost of between $6,600 to $8,000, plus monthly support and maintenance fees.

6)      Superintendent Tresenriter reported that he has received two quotes for conducting an environmental study for demolishing the water plant.  The matter will be discussed further at the June 28, 2010 Council Work Session. 

Other Items for Consideration:

1)      Alderman Thorndike has been investigating what to do with the area between the two maintenance buildings at the Cemetery.  She has spoken with Dave Harrison from the Water Conservation District, who states that the area can be considered and planted as a wetland.  Alderman Thorndike will search for a group that would like to pursue this as a community project.

2)      Alderman Connelly and Alderman Snodgrass have been noticing that some issues have arisen at the Sports Complex regarding bicycles, skateboards, smoking, dogs and motorized vehicles.  Alderman Bees suggested that the matter be referred to the Sports Complex Committee. 

                  Executive Session:

1)      Pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(21), Alderman Zuidema moved to enter Executive Session to discuss matters of Closed Session Minutes, 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.  Executive Session began at 8:23p.m.

2)      Regular Session resumed at 8:37p.m. 

3)      Alderman Hayenga moved to approve Resolution #10-06 – Release of Closed Session Minutes, seconded by Alderman Blakemore.  On a roll call vote of 8 ayes (Blakemore, Bees, Connelly, Hayenga, Zuidema, Rose, Thorndike) and 0 nays, the motion carried.           

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

Mayor Drey adjourned the meeting 8:38p.m.

Approved: 

 Roger K. Drey, Mayor

Melanie T. Schroeder, City Clerk