Overflowing Attendance at Morrison City Council

By Ron Kallemeyn For the Prairie Advocate

On March 8, 2010, the Morrison City Council held its regular meeting at City Hall in front of an audience that was too big for the conference room and was spilling over into the next room. After approving the minutes and paying the bills, Mayor Drey opened the meeting to the public during the “public comment” item on the agenda. It quickly appeared that many of the people in attendance were there to observe the public comment.

First on the list was Stephanie Deckro, a local business woman owning property that is inside the historic district. She asked the Council several pointed questions about the Morrison Historic Preservation Ordinance and whether the tax benefits or incentives included property owners. She wanted to know if there was anyplace that property owners could look to see if they might qualify for tax incentives or review other conditions imposed under the Historic Preservation Ordinance. The best answer she received was that people could find information on the internet. Mayor Drey ended the discussion with his gavel when it became a back-and-forth about whether repealing the Historic Preservation Ordinance and starting over with more public involvement would be beneficial.

Next, Luke VanderBleek spoke. He discussed the details that he knew about the tax benefits that property owners could receive. According to him, business owners would have to nearly double the value of their property in making historical renovations in order to receive any tax benefits. He also argued against seeking the Certified Local Government status. The Certified Local Government status is a historic preservation program run by the National Parks Service. There are some tax incentives, but as Mr. VanderBleek pointed out there are cumbersome restrictions on how much money must be spent and what work can be done. He also listed a series of economic development statistics of nearby cities, apparently to counteract statistics the council was given when they first heard about the Certified Local Government status.

Another concerned citizen asked what the city was going to do about the rapidly deteriorating brick paved streets in Morrison. Other than a consensus by the Council that they knew there was a problem and that it was discussed about a year ago, nothing was said about actually doing anything about it. A related question was asked about the progress the city was making in converting all of the crosswalks in the City from curbs to ramps. The public service supervisor explained that they update the crosswalks as they do other work near the ones that need them.

A Special City Council Meeting was held on February 25, 2010 at City Hall according to the minutes approved. The meeting was to approve a tax agreement with Pete Harkness and his car dealership. The agreement was needed according to Harkness to help to pay for updates required by GM to keep all of its dealerships up-to-date in regards to appearance. He said that without it he would be forced to close the dealership. According to the agreement the city will rebate 75% of the confirmed tax received from the dealership for years one through five. In year six the rebate will be reduced to 50% of the taxes.

The Council also amended an ordinance regarding the commercial zone C-1. They put language in it to allow for a fitness center to be a special use in that zone. They also approved a special use permit requested by Gary Milnes on behalf of Weston Burkholder. The permit will allow Weston Burkholder to operate a fitness center at the lower level of 126 East Lincolnway (the old Catholic church). The center will be open to both men and women 24 hours, seven days per week.

The Council also approved a request to change the zoning for the expansion of Rock River Lumber and Grain. The zoning change is actually a county zoning change, but it needed Morrison’s approval due to it being located within one and a half miles of city limits.

In the reports of City Officers, the City Clerk indicated that the message board outside of City Hall was not working as they were having computer problems with it. They hoped to have it fixed soon. Gary Trensenriter also reported that the railroad was closing the Jackson Street crossing for repairs for a few days starting immediately.

In other business, the Council approved the purchase of four softball and one baseball scoreboards for the Morrison Sports Complex. They chose to hold off the purchase of a scoreboard for the junior tackle field until closer to the season date. They adopted an ordinance bringing the city ordinances in compliance with the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). Also approved were the agreements for the Emerald Ash Borer Compliance and the Illinois Water and Wastewater Mutual Aide and Assistance.

In addition, the Morrison City Council approved the issue of $1 million in bonds. This would pay the remainder of the Morrison Sport Complex expenses and other things. They would be at 3.7946% interest and would have 20 year terms. It will have a debt service of about $80,000 per year to be paid from savings resulting from two retirements within the next year.

The Council specifically did not take action on the Fee Increases for birth and death certificates. The goal is to keep the fees uniform throughout the county and the other two entities that issue these documents, Whiteside County, and the City of Sterling, did not take action on the fee increases as of yet.

In addition, they did not take action on the approval of the proposal for well #3 and water treatment plant inspection. An engineering inspection is needed to determine whether there are possible lead paint and asbestos containment issues when and if these structures are demolished or rehabilitated.

The meeting then went into an executive session. The next meeting will be a work session at City Hall at 7:00 P.M. on March 22, 2010.

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