Village of Morton

The Board of Trustees discussed several police department initiatives, including a restructuring to remove the Lieutenant rank, the creation of a second Deputy Chief position, employee promotions, and the procurement of office furniture. Additional business included the approval of Building Improvement Grants for local businesses, the adoption of updated fire and life safety codes, amendments to the garbage utility service fuel surcharge, the procurement of a new wheel loader for various public works departments, and a new 20-year water tower lease agreement with Verizon Wireless. The Board also reviewed financial reports and procurement documentation.

The agenda for the Regular Meeting included several key items for consideration. The Village Administrator was scheduled to present an Ordinance amending the Personnel Policy Manual, specifically adding sections regarding Return-to-Work, Alternate, and Light Duty Assignments, as well as updating leave provisions for the Nursing Mothers in the Workplace Act, Family Neonatal Intensive Care Leave Act, and Blood and Organ Donation Leave Act. The Corporation Counsel was set to present an Ordinance authorizing the purchase of 12 E. Jackson Street under amended contract terms. The Director of Public Works planned to present an Ordinance amending Municipal Code regarding service line installation fees, a Resolution for sealcoating maintenance utilizing IDOT MFT Funds, and Resolutions authorizing agreements for the Landscape Waste Program and design services for the Queenwood Fire Station. The Zoning and Code Enforcement Officer was scheduled to present permit type reports for Q3 and Year-to-Date FY26.

The agenda included items such as the approval of minutes from the previous meeting, consideration of a tax levy ordinance for the fiscal year beginning May 1, 2025, and ending April 30, 2026, and a building improvement grant recommendation. Discussions also covered an IEPA loan agreement, a boundary line agreement with the City of East Peoria, and an amendment to the 2025 Comprehensive Plan.

A public hearing was held regarding an ordinance for the levy and assessment of taxes for the fiscal year beginning May 1, 2024, and ending April 30, 2025. The board approved the ordinance, building improvement grant recommendations, a resolution modifying the staffing model for the full-time fire department, easements with several trusts and Albrecht Properties I, L.P., the purchase of real property from Albrecht Properties I, L.P., and the 2024 Aggregate Recycling Project contract with Gensini Excavating, Inc. Amendments to Title 8 of the Morton Municipal Code regarding state-mandated water sampling were also approved.