VILLAGE OF MORRICE
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
PERRY TOWNSHIP HALL
Tuesday, November 10, 2020
6:00 p.m.
(Approved 12/08/20)
Meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Trustee Phyllis Dickerson.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Council Members Present: Phyllis Dickerson, Belinda Markell, Cathy Mulholland, Robert Peterson,
Todd Scott, and Philip Hruska.
Absent: Harold Dickerson.
Also Present: Attorney: John Gormley, Police Chief: Matt Balsley, and Clerk: Karen McGuire.
Additions / Deletions to Agenda: Add: 12.8 Amend Farm Contract
Guest Comments on the Agenda: None.
MOTION by C. Mulholland, seconded by P. Hruska to approve the agenda, as amended. All ayes.
Motion carried.
MOTION by P. Hruska, seconded by R. Peterson to approve the October 13, 2020 minutes as received.
All ayes. Motion carried.
Special Guests: None.
PUBLIC HEARING
At 6:03 p.m. Trustee P. Dickerson opened the Public Hearing for comments from the public regarding:
9.1 Site Plan Review – Ridgefield Condos/Grit Building Contractors, LLC – Morrice Road
There were no public comments. Trustee P. Dickerson closed the Public Hearing at 6:04 p.m.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
10.1 Personnel / Police / Transfer Station / Insurance / Retirement
Chief Balsley reminded everyone that beginning November 1st the winter parking restrictions went into effect. There is no parking on any Village street between 3:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. from November 1 through April 1.
10.2 DPW / Municipal Buildings / Park
No Report.
10.3 Streets / Sidewalks / Newsletter / Web Site
No Report.
10.4 Sewer / Codes
No Report.
10.5 Zoning / Ordinances / Annex / 425 / DDA
No Report.
10.6 SSESA
No Report.
10.7 Homecoming
No Report.
Village of Morrice
Regular Meeting Minutes
November 10, 2020
10.8 Budget
No Report. The next Budget Committee meeting is scheduled for Sunday, December 6th at 2:00 p.m.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
11.1 Offer on Lagoon Sprayer
The lagoon operator reported that Valley Irrigation had a farmer who offered $5,000.00 for the old sprayer. Clerk requested the offer in writing. Nothing has been received to date. TABLED.
11.2 Noise Ordinance
Chief Balsley reminded Council that this Ordinance was Tabled at the last meeting to give Council members time to review it. It is updating the old Noise Ordinance and including new information. The approved date will need to be revised.
MOTION by P. Dickerson, seconded by B. Markell to approve the Noise Ordinance as presented.
Roll Call: Ayes: B. Markell, C. Mulholland, P. Hruska, T. Scott, P. Dickerson. Nays: R. Peterson.
Absent: Harold Dickerson. Motion carried.
NEW BUSINESS
12.1 Consider Planning Commission Recommendation – Special Use Permit – Ridgefield Condos/Grit Building Contractors, LLC.
There was discussion regarding the property being listed for sale, fencing and screening, lighting and landscaping plans, and the timeline for construction. Mr. Crugher of Grit Building Contractors and their engineer answered questions and explained the plans to date. They would like to sell two units this winter and begin building in the spring. They have not been able to list the units for sale until after they received final approvals from the Village.
MOTION by P. Hruska, seconded by C. Mulholland to the Special Use Permit as presented.
Roll Call: Ayes: C. Mulholland, R. Peterson, P. Hruska, T. Scott, B. Markell, P. Dickerson. Nays: None. Absent: H. Dickerson Motion carried.
12.2 Approve Site Plan Review – Ridgefield Condos/Grit Building Contractors, LLC – Morrice Road Project
There was much discussion regarding sidewalks at the proposed site and how the wetland designation
affects where sidewalk can be placed.
MOTION by R. Peterson approve the Site Plan Review as presented, without conditions. No second was received. Motion failed.
MOTION by P. Hruska, seconded by C. Mulholland to approve the Site Plan Review with the conditions that the sidewalk be continued east to the Morrice Road apron and a curb cut be installed in the road apron for said sidewalk.
Roll Call: Ayes: R. Peterson, P. Hruska, B. Markell, C. Mulholland, P. Dickerson. Nays: T. Scott.
Absent: H. Dickerson. Motion carried.
12.3 DPW Employment/Resignation
- Tribley, DPW Supervisor, submitted a letter stating his intent to retire March 1,2021. He may be willing to work a couple of eight-hour days per week after that date. There was discussion regarding the budget and pay rates, health insurance, the Supervisor position, and the Personnel Manual. The Budget Committee will meet on December 6 to figure out a wage range. The Personnel Committee will meet with R. Tribley to see what his requirements to continue working part-time will be. May need negotiations on
Village of Morrice
Regular Meeting Minutes
November 10, 2020
some items. The Personnel Committee will interview candidates for the full-time position and bring recommendations to the Board at the January 12th meeting.
MOTION by P. Hruska, seconded by P. Dickerson to advertise immediately for one full-time employee.
It was decided to run the advertisement until December 11 on the Village website, Facebook, and the job posting site In Deed, and in The Argus Press.
Roll Call: Ayes: R. Peterson, P. Hruska, T. Scott, B. Markell, C. Mulholland, P. Dickerson. Nays: None. Absent: H. Dickerson. Motion carried.
MOTION by C. Mulholland, seconded by P. Dickerson to accept Robert Tribley’s letter of retirement effective the 1st of March 2021.
Roll Call: Ayes: P. Hruska, T. Scott, B. Markell, C. Mulholland, R. Peterson, P. Dickerson. Nays: None. Absent: H. Dickerson. Motion carried.
12.4 Approve Annual Financial Report for Year Ended 02/29/20
Joe Verlin, from Gabridge & Company, our audit firm, sent a written review rather that appear in person this year. Chief Balsley read the highlights of the report. The Village received a clean or unmodified opinion – there were no issues or concerns.
MOTION by P. Hruska, seconded by T. Scott to accept the audit as presented.
Roll Call: Ayes: B. Markell, C. Mulholland, R. Peterson, P. Hruska, T. Scott, P. Dickerson. Nays: None. Absent: H. Dickerson. Motion carried.
12.5 Christmas Bonuses
- Hruska presented the proposed Christmas Bonuses for 2020. The Budget Committee recommended playing it safe and giving the same amounts as last year.
MOTION by C. Mulholland, seconded by T. Scott to approve, as presented, the proposed Christmas Bonuses for 2020.
Roll Call: Ayes: C. Mulholland, R. Peterson, T. Scott, B. Markell. Nays: None. Abstain: P. Hruska,
- Dickerson. Absent: H. Dickerson. Motion carried.
12.6 Next Meeting – November 24th
MOTION by P. Dickerson, seconded by P. Hruska to cancel the November 24th Council Meeting.
All ayes. Motion carried.
12.7 Set Public Hearings (2) for Special Assessment for Ambulance Funding.
- Parmalee, the Township Treasurer, can’t be here until after the first of the year but he will attend the Public Hearings after that to explain the process. The Hearings must be done by June for inclusion in the tax roll.
MOTION by C. Mulholland, seconded by P. Hruska to set the Public Hearings for January 12th and March 9th, during the Regular Council Meetings. All ayes. Motion carried.
12.8 Amend Farm Contract
- Hruska explained that the farmer and the lagoon operator want to be able to till the ground at the lagoons because the ruts around the sprayer rig are bad. The lease will need to be changed. Gormley replied that the farmer needs to put in writing exactly what he wants to do – how far down it will dig, is he plowing, disking, chisel plowing, etc. This plan will need to be reviewed and approved by the lagoon operator and the engineer. TABLE.
Village of Morrice
Regular Meeting Minutes
November 10, 2020
Review Financial Statements / Pay Bills
MOTION by P. Hruska, seconded by C. Mulholland to pay the bills as presented. (List Attached.)
Roll Call: Ayes: T. Scott, B. Markell, C. Mulholland, R. Peterson, P. Hruska, P. Dickerson. Nays: None. Absent: H. Dickerson. Motion carried.
Announcements / Correspondence: None.
Guest Comments:
- Scott explained that Ted, the Transfer Station operator, has asked for a cement pad to keep debris down at the roll off container. He will bring it up and have information at the next meeting.
MOTION by P. Dickerson, seconded by P. Hruska to adjourn the meeting. All ayes. Motion carried.
Meeting adjourned at 7:45 p.m.
Phyllis Dickerson, Village Trustee
Karen McGuire, Clerk