City officials give August reports
The Morris City Council, which meets in regular session the second Monday of each month, approved an adjustment to dates of their special meetings, so that city attorney Heath Mueller could be in attendance.
Councilwoman Jennifer Simmons further explained the reason for the move.
“We had discussed at our last meeting to have Heath present at all of our meetings. If we want that to happen, he is going to in- crease our rate,” Simmons said, before offering two options.
“If we want to move the night (of the meetings), he has requested that we do it on the first Monday of the month right after court and he will not change the rate,” Simmons said. “The other option is just to choose the first Monday of the month to do an executive session, which is the one he is legally required to be at.”
The board voted for the second option, moving special or executive sessions to the first Monday of the month at 6 p.m., so that Mueller can be in attendance.
— August Reports
Morris Police Chief Tim Bell reported 10 citations issued last month, and Code Enforcement Officer Kenny Boyd reported one property was abated.
Stepping in for Fire Chief Tim Stewart was Joe Berryhill who reported one structure fire on the city side. On the rural side, they reported two lift assists, one first response, two structure fires, one motor vehicle accident and one false alarm.
Morris Public Works reported seven openings and closings at the cemetery. Councilman Jerome Dugas asked about the progress on filling potholes and was told that the openings and closings at the cemetery, as well as lawn care, due to the extended rainy season, had delayed those efforts a bit. Councilwoman Jennifer Simmons also added that Muscogee Nation had filled in some potholes around the school.
— Mayoral Candidates
Three potential mayoral candidates were also in attendance, and Councilman Dugas asked if they would share a few words to reintroduce themselves. Nicholas Jindra, Greg Foreman, and Joe Berryhill each expressed interest in the position.
The City of Morris will hold a special election on Nov. 4, and has asked those interested in the position to file Declarations of Candidacy beginning at 8 a.m on Oct. 2 until 5 p.m. Oct. 4.
— Also at the Meetings
• The board approved the Okmulgee County Hazard Mitigation Plan.
• They also approved appointments to the Morris Cemetery Board.
• No representatives from Morris Youth Professionals were at the meeting to present financials regarding bi-annual payments of $1,750, so the item was tabled.
• Morris Public Works made their last payment to the Oklahoma Water Resource Board in the amount of $51,000. This was said to be the last payment since being the semiannual installment in 2002.
• They also approved surplusing items to auction with Purple Wave or scrap.
