Budget Issues Addressed at Morrison City Council

Mayor Roger Drey presented Certificates of Recognition to MHS football players during the Morrison City Council meeting on January 23, 2012. From left: Mayor Drey, Coach Bielema, Matt McDonnell, Logan Kuehl, and Mark McDonnell. (PA photo/L. Forth)

By Lynnette Forth For The Prairie Advocate News

MORRISON – The Whiteside County Board Room was filled to overflowing on January 23, 2012 during the Morrison City Council meeting. The full house was partially due to the presentation of certificates to the MHS football players on their 1st place win at State, and also because many citizens had signed up to speak during the public comment portion of the meeting.

Nancy Riggen spoke to aldermen regarding the Community Room proposed user fees. “I encourage you to consider all the options before making a decision,” Riggen noted. Joni Staley commented on the city’s unclaimed property program, informing them that she had found a piece of jewelry at Mary’s Restaurant, and had many conversations with Chief Melton expressing her desire to get the jewelry back if it was not claimed.

Jerry Noble from the Library Board addressed the council, speaking about the situation of the previous utility bill. “We want to work with the council, we are open to suggestions, and we will make every effort to get this problem ironed out. I appreciate your time and effort,” Noble said.

Terry Wilkens commented on several issues, including the repayment of the water and sewer loan which auditors had suggested a payment plan for. “The repayment is long overdue. I urge the council to look at this during the budget review.” Wilkens also spoke in regards to the change of drop off locations for the Food Pantry which used to be available at City Hall, and also the urgency of the bike path on Route 78.

Director of Public Works Gary Tresenritter informed aldermen of the progress on drilling at well house #5.

Chief of Police Brian Melton mentioned that he had sent his monthly report last week for the review of the council.

All items listed on the consent agenda were approved which included: minutes from the January 9th meeting, bills payable in the amount of $34,859.12, and the December 2011 treasurers report.

City Administrator Jim Wise spoke to the council about the form he sent to them used for ranking the City Engineering Firms wishing to provide engineering services to the City. “We discussed these two weeks ago, and I asked the council if they would fill the form out so we can select a firm at the next meeting.”

A bid from David Pape in the amount of $100.00 was accepted for the sale of property at 420 E. Wall Street. Sickley Construction had submitted a request for payment on the work they had provided on Well #5, which was approved by the City. Layne Christensen also submitted a request for payment on drilling done on Well #5, which was also approved.

Resolution #12-03, pertaining to authorizing the release of found property was approved, granting Joni Staley the jewelry she found, and some money that was found by Kendra Kophamer.

Chief Melton informed the council that the city had been awarded a grant of up to $17,102.00 for the purchase of a new police vehicle. The City would be required to pay 25% of the cost, which would be roughly $5,200.00. “This is good news,” Melton stated. The Department would trade in the police car in the worst shape, and hopefully purchase the new vehicle locally.

FY 2013 budget

Administrator Wise advised the council members to review a memo he recently sent out regarding the FY 13 budget. The memo stated that Chief Melton is requesting that he be allowed to carry over 103 hours of vacation, or be allowed to carry over 40 hours and be paid the difference of 63 hours. Wise has opted to approve that Melton carry over 40 hours into the next fiscal year, and that he draws compensation for the remaining 63 hours of vacation time owed to him. Wise is also asking that the Chief of Police, Director of Public Works, Director of the Sports Complex, Personnel Director, Accounts Manager, and the Executive Administrative Assistant receive a 3.5% increase in their base wages within their respective departmental budgets for the FY 2013 budget.

In regards to the Morrison Community Room, Wise is recommending that the city council amend Article III, Division II Community Room, striking section 38-80(exemptions) effectively requiring all users of the Community Room be required to submit a user’s fee. Wise requests this action be completed no later than May 1st 2012. “One fee may not fit all,” Wise mentioned, noting that 85% of the users are non-profit organizations. Council was considering the option of keeping it open or charging people to use it. Right now it is closed because Wise was investigating the cause of a large utility bill. Citizens are concerned that council would decide to keep it closed.

Wise is also asking the council to rescind the agreement between the City and Deerview Condominium Association of September 11, 2006 and amended August 6, 2009, stipulating that the City shall reimburse the Condominium Association annually for street lighting costs. “We need to stop expending money for expenses that could be paid by the groups,” Wise stated In the memo.

Wise is also asking the council to consolidate the Parks and Forestry Department and the Sports Complex to form a new department, the Department of Parks of Recreation. Forestry will remain a function of the Public Works Department aligned under the Streets Department. As a result, it is recommended that the Sports Complex Director Jim DuBois, assume the position of Director of Parks and Recreation, which will require board approval.

Lastly, Wise asked the council to adopt the proposed fee schedule at the February 13th 2012 meeting.

Council members asked by Wise to discuss Ordinances #12-02, #12-03, #12-04, and #12-05 over the next three weeks and revisit the issues during the February 13th meeting.

Items for consideration included the discussion of the Odell Library/city gas utility cost sharing agreement.

“We need to come to an agreement” Wise said. Alderman Sarah Thorndike asked Wise, “Do you anticipate a meeting between the council and the library board?”.

“If that’s what the council wants,” Wise replied. Attorney Tim Zollinger informed the council that notice of a public meeting would need to be published if in fact a meeting was decided upon.

The creation of yard waste disposal alternatives was discussed. Administrator Wise commented, “I have gotten a few calls about this. The last time this issue was addressed was fifteen years ago. We need to review the current ordinance and decide if we want to further restrict burning or do away with it completely.” This issue will be further discussed at the next meeting.

The last item for consideration was the Fiscal Year 2013 budget. Wise asked the council for direction. Marti Wood suggested turning off the electricity at the Sports Complex to save money. Director Dubois noted that people walk from 5-7 a.m. and 5-7 p.m.

Wood also read a list of questions pertaining to Administrator Wise’s recommendation for the FY 2013 budget. Wood questioned how allowing Chief Melton to be paid for unused vacation time would balance the budget.

“He needs to take his vacation with the high level of stress his job entails,” Wood said. “A novel idea for Morrison would be trying to work within the budget we do have—not burdening our taxpayers even more! Everything that has been proposed looks like more cost to our citizens. As councilmen we need to represent our residents and make the best decisions without putting them in the poor house for wants, not needs.” Audience members applauded loudly to Woods comments.

The next meeting is scheduled for February 13th in the Whiteside County Board Room.