Historic Preservation ‘Opt Out’ Approved by Morrrison City Council

By LYNNETTE FORTH | For The Prairie Advocate News

MORRISON – A large number of Morrison residents were in attendance for the January 14th city council meeting to speak on their feelings for the Historic Preservation Commissions’ recommendation to deny the opt-out requests of property owners.

The consent Agenda was approved which included: 2013 Holiday Schedule; Request for payment to DJ Sickley for work done on Well #5-$136,380.24; Request for payment to Layne Christensen for work done on Well #5-$7,830.00; Odell Library Board resignation of Jean Zinnen; Odell Library Board appointment of Ian Geiger; and the 2013 Pet boarding agreement with Clinton Humane Society.

Items for Consideration and possible action:

Authorization for application to the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Public Construction Grant Fund program. City Administrator Wise informed council members that this goes along with the low to moderate income survey. Wise asked the council to make a motion to allow the city to apply for the grant contingent upon receiving the last 300 surveys. The grant is for $400.00, with the qualifying criteria being that 75% of residents complete the survey. (approved)

Authorization of public facilities construction grant design and bid documents. (approved)

Ordinance #13-05-authorizing the city administrator to amend the previously adopted budget for the fiscal year May 1st 2012-April 30th 2013. (approved)

Ordinance #13-01-authorizing execution of an agreement providing for the operation and maintenance of the Odell Public Library and Morrison Community Center facility. (approved)

Historic Preservation opt-out

Ordinance #13-02-removal of 117 W. Wall Street from local Historic Preservation Historic Landmark registry. Alderman Wood questioned, “Why are we even doing this? At the Historic Preservation meetings, we were told that this property has never been registered as a landmark”?

City Administrator Wise answered, “This does not mean that the property owner is opting out of the Historic District, just landmark status.” (approved)

Ordinance #13-03-designation of 5 properties as local Historic Landmarks. Properties include: 708 W. Lincolnway, 13909 Lincolnway, 402 W. Lincolnway, Grove Hill Cemetery, and Veterans Park and Memorial. Alderman Thorndike questioned if the listed property owners are aware of this and have agreed, and she was informed by Mr. Wise, that “yes”, they are and have agreed. (Approved).

Historic District Opt-Out properties-Historic Preservation Commissions Recommendation to deny opt-out requests on: 101 E. Main St, 112 East Main St, and 227-229 East Main St.

Speaking on behalf of the property located at 101 E. Main, resident Steve Deckro stated, “At the time of filing and attending two or three of the commissions meetings, my status and position is 180 degrees from the commission’s recommendations. I would suggest tabling this issue until the rest of the applications for opt out have been heard.”

Nancy Anderson handed out copies of a timeline that she had constructed showing the process of the ordinances establishment. “I have nothing invested in this, I am just a citizen. The point is that this project has taken 16 years from 1996 to the present. The City of Fulton took one year to be on the national registry, and include the community. In Fulton, if you don’t follow through, there is no problem. Dixon took one year and had consultants advise the Historic group and community.

“The problem is that all the communities around us include participation with the community and those involved. We need to stop and consider individual rights,” Anderson stated.

Business owner Stephanie Deckro said, “I believe in the beautification of the structures in our town, but am against rights being taken away of property owners. I would advise the council to be very cautious of taxpayers. I urge you to allow these people to opt out.”

Lonnie Rice also spoke representing the Historic Preservation Commission. Rice informed council members that the commission was give criteria by the council on how these properties are to be opted out. “We are not here to see that people paint their buildings,” Rice added.

In attendance from the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency in Springfield was Catherine O’Connor, who began by congratulating the City of Morrison for being the 77th town added, certified by the local government. “There are 1000’s of communities in the U.S. that have ordinances similar to yours. The language in the ordinance is constitutional. It is a great way to preserve the cultural identity that makes Morrison unique from other towns. There are matching grants through the Historic Preservation Agency available to Morrison to do a Historic survey, do public education, and provide an understanding to all those included.

“The opt out clause will not allow for the grants, and will not be recognized for tax incentives, only the mechanisms available,” O’Connor concluded.

Individual rights emphasized

Business owner Bob Vaugn stated, “I am a building owner of four downtown properties, and an evolving member learning about Historic Preservation. I would like to emphasize individual rights of these wanting to opt out and those who do want to be in the Historic District downtown. Businesses are disappearing in Morrison. Buildings are deteriorating slowly. I worry about how owners are going to find the finances to maintain these structures?

“Individual rights cut both ways,” said Vaughn. “I don’t take the thought that folks are concerned lightly. The commission needs to better educate folks in Morrison. I do care about what happens to the downtown.”

Alderman Wood stated, “I attend meetings of the Historic Preservation Commission, and property owners should not be expected to follow rules that were not set up properly. Owners were not notified properly. We need to create an inviting environment and assist current property owners to prosper. The State of Illinois and the Government are broke. Where can the money come from? The council should allow the listed properties owners to opt out. The owners listed are taking care of their properties. We should commend them, not condemn them.”

Following Woods comments, audience members erupted in a round of applause. Michael Blean stated, “I am personally not aware of the criteria to opt out. I don’t think we should deny them the opportunity”.

Sarah Thorndike stated, “I agree with Michael, but think you are making a big mistake.”

Local Pharmacist Luke VanderBleek addressed the council stating, “This is not the start of the program without the property owner’s ordinance. The current ordinance has reasonable guidelines. We were not allowed due process. I have been caught in a snare. It is not reasonable to not allow people to opt out. Nobody opted in, nobody gets to opt out. If we started this whole process over and let owners in, there would be a different outcome.”

Ward 4 Alderman Scott Connelly said, “The council previously tried to get the community on board with the decision. I understand we need community involvement. It is a balance. Individual rights ARE important. The city and Historic Preservation Commission have made efforts, and even if things weren’t done correctly, we tried to fix it”.

VanderBleek asked to speak again, and was denied by Mayor Drey. Council members shouted “Let him speak.” Drey addressed the audience stating “Luke offered his remarks. We are not going to argue back and forth.”

Alderman Dave Rose stated, “Basically we are going to have a Historic District with pieces missing.”

Council members cast their votes, resulting in a tie, with Mayor Drey having to make the deciding vote. The ordinance was approved with Drey stating, “I agree with Sarah, that it is a mistake though.”

Other Items for Consideration, Discussion, and Information included:

FEMA-French Creek Floodplain Study/Match MADC Contribution. Jim Wise informed the council that he would like them to consider matching MADC’s contribution up to $10,000.00.

Request for relief of utility bill-Stephane Becker. Becker feels that her water bill has been wrongly charged. Over the summer she was billed for 24,000 gallons of water in a month, equaling a bill of $330.00. “My usage has always been between four and six thousand gallons”. Becker said. Mayor Drey advised council members that the water meter has been tested and was found to work on all levels. Council members decided to continue the discussion to the next meeting.

An executive session was held for threatened Litigation 56 ILCS 120/2© (11). Following the executive session, approval of ordinance #13-04-approval of signing of compliance commitment agreement with the IEPA was granted.

The next meeting of the Morrison City Council has been scheduled for January 28th to be held in the Whiteside County Board Room.