Council Minutes

January 9, 2012

STATE OF ILLINOIS
COUNTY OF WHITESIDE
CITY OF MORRISON
OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS 

The Morrison City Council met in Regular Session on January 9, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. in Whiteside County Board Room, 400 North Cherry Street, Morrison, IL.  Mayor Roger Drey called the meeting to order.  City Clerk Melanie T. Schroeder recorded the minutes. 

Aldermen present on roll call were Gus Hayenga, Michael Blean, Sarah Thorndike, Leo Sullivan, Pat Zuidema, Marti Wood and Dave Rose. Alderman Ron Kallemeyn was absent. 

Other City Officials present included City Administrator Jim Wise, City Attorney Tim Zollinger, Director of Public Works Gary Tresenriter, Treasurer Ernie Huling, Sports Complex Director Jim DuBois and Chief of Police Brian Melton. 

                        Mayor Drey led the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance. 

Mayor Drey opened the meeting to public comment.  The public commented about the following topics: the Memorandum of Agreement between the City and the MADC and the IDOT pedestrian pathway crossing French Creek. 

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

Attorney Zollinger reminded the Council that they are required to complete the Open Meetings Act training by 1/2013. 

Administrator Wise stated that Director DuBois has been working with the family of Vernon Paul, to rededicate the field in his name and move the monument to the Sports Complex, as the High School is no longer using the field on North Genesee Street. 

Administrator Wise also mentioned that Accounting Director Shelli Sibley located a $9,000+ overcharge in Moring Disposal billings.  The monies have been credited back to the City. 

Director DuBois presented his report:

1)      The State of Illinois has approved the signage on Route 30 for the Sports Complex.

2)      He is working on signage on Interstate 88 for the Sports Complex attraction signs.

3)      Playground equipment quotes are being obtained.  There is a possibility of private funding or grants for this project.  Equipment may be installed Spring 2012.

4)      Several UAAAS tournaments have been scheduled.

5)      He is working on the FY 12-13 budget.

6)      Small exercise shelters may be placed around the walking trails at the Sports Complex.

7)      A marquee sign/message board may also be placed at the Complex. 

Director Tresenriter presented drawings showing the process of the direct rotary drilling at Well #5.  As he informed the Council in December, the contractor hit a crack/void in the limestone.  Director Tresenriter explained the process the contractor needs to perform to mitigate the issue with the crack/void.  He is hoping an engineer with Layne Western can be present at the 1/23/12 meeting to answer any Council questions.

Chief Melton stated that he will have his annual report prepared for the next meeting.  He is also working on the FY 12-13 budget and will be providing a 5-year plan of the department’s “summary of needs”. 

Alderman Rose moved to approve the Consent Agenda, which consisted of the following items: December 12, 2011 Regular Session Minutes, Bills Payable and the November 2011 Treasurer’s Report, seconded by Alderman Hayenga.  On a roll call vote of 7 ayes (Blean, Thorndike, Sullivan, Zuidema, Wood, Rose, Hayenga) and 0 nays, the motion carried. 

                        Agenda Action Items:

1)      Planning/Zoning Commission Chairman, Bob Gale, presented the Commissions’ findings regarding an amendment to the C-1 District, to permit the placement of body art establishments in that District.  Alderman Wood moved to approve the ordinance amending the City of Morrison Zoning Ordinance as stated in Ordinance #12-01, seconded by Alderman Zuidema.  On a roll call vote of 7 ayes (Thorndike, Sullivan, Zuidema, Wood, Rose, Hayenga, Blean) and 0 nays, the motion carried.

2)      Alderman Rose moved we approve the 2012 annual siren maintenance contract with Fulton Technologies as presented, seconded by Alderman Wood.  On a roll call of 7 ayes (Sullivan, Zuidema, Wood, Rose, Hayenga, Blean, Thorndike) and 0 nays, the motion carried.

3)      Alderman Thorndike moved to enter into the agreement of Morrison City and MADC with the city contributing $25,000 annually toward economic development for a period of three years 1 January 2012 through 31 December 2014, seconded by Alderman Blean.  On a roll call vote of 6 ayes (Zuidema, Rose, Hayenga, Blean, Thorndike, Sullivan) and 1 nay (Wood), the motion carried.

4)      Alderman Hayenga moved to approve the IDOT signal maintenance contract as presented and adopt the Resolutions included therein, seconded by Alderman Thorndike.  On a roll call of 7 ayes (Wood, Rose, Hayenga, Blean, Thorndike, Sullivan, Zuidema) and 0 nays, the motion carried.

5)      Alderman Wood moved to table voting on the IDOT pedestrian revision until our next meeting and the revision as presented to the council in writing with all the facts, seconded by Alderman Sullivan.  On a roll call vote of 3 ayes (Rose, Sullivan, Wood) and 4 nays (Hayenga, Blean, Thorndike, Zuidema), the motion was defeated.  Council discussed the issue.  Alderman Wood spoke of her recent meeting with Chad Spreeman of IDOT.  Mayor Drey called for a motion for approval of the pedestrian path revision.  Alderman Hayenga moved to accept and approve the IDOT pedestrian pathway revision as presented, seconded by Alderman Blean.  On a roll call vote of 5 ayes (Hayenga, Blean, Thorndike, Sullivan, Zuidema) and 2 nays (Wood, Rose), the motion carried.

6)      Alderman Blean moved to accept the proposal from Willett & Hoffman as presented, waiving the requirements of the Local Government Professional Services Selection Act, seconded by Alderman Thorndike.  On a roll call vote of 7 ayes (Blean, Thorndike, Sullivan, Zuidema, Wood, Rose, Hayenga) and 0 nays, the motion carried.

7)      Alderman Zuidema moved to approve the contract with Fehr-Graham as presented with modification of the venue clause to Whiteside County, waiving the requirements of the Local Government Professional Services Selection Act, seconded by Alderman Wood.  On a roll call vote of 7 ayes (Thorndike, Sullivan, Zuidema, Wood, Rose, Hayenga, Blean) and 0 nays, the motion carried.

8)      Alderman Thorndike moved to approve the engineering services agreement amendment #1 with Baxter/Woodman regarding wastewater treatment plan improvements planning, design, bidding and construction services, seconded by Alderman Blean.  On a roll call vote of 7 ayes (Sullivan, Zuidema, Wood, Rose, Hayenga, Blean, Thorndike) and 0 nays, the motion carried. 

Other items for consideration:

1)      Administrator Wise informed that he will present additional information to the Council at the 1/23/12 meeting regarding the selection of a city engineering firm.  Director Tresenriter and Administrator Wise feel comfortable in selecting Willett & Hofmann and Associates as that firm.  Formal council action will take place on 1/23/12.

2)      Administrator Wise presented a timeline regarding the FY 12-13 budget process.

3)      Alderman Thorndike requested a sign be placed at the dog park, asking dog owners to pick up after their dogs.

4)      Alderman Wood questioned the rental of the community room, as Administrator Wise has directed staff to not accept new reservations for the Community Room for the remainder of the FY 12.  Administrator Wise stated that there is a projected budget overrun for FY12 due to several large expenditures associated with the use of the room, and the expectation that those expenditures will continue through the end of the Fiscal Year. 

Executive Session:

1)      Pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(21), Alderman Rose moved to enter Executive Session to discuss matters of Executive Session Minute Review, seconded by Alderman Zuidema.  On a roll call vote of 7 ayes (Zuidema, Wood, Rose, Hayenga, Blean, Thorndike, Sullivan) and 0 nays, the motion carried.  

2)      Executive Session began at 8:21 p.m. 

3)      Regular Session resumed at 8:30 p.m. 

Action from Executive Session:

1)      Alderman Rose moved to adopt Resolution #12-01 regarding the release of closed session minutes, seconded by Alderman Sullivan.  On a roll call vote of 7 ayes (Wood, Rose, Hayenga, Blean, Thorndike, Sullivan, Zuidema) and 0 nays, the motion carried. 

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

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

Approved: 

Roger K. Drey, Mayor

Melanie T. Schroeder, City Clerk