The Morris City Council and Public Works Authority held their regular meeting Tuesday, addressing a variety of city matters, beginning with the approval of the previous meeting minutes and the payment claims for the month, which were also approved during the subsequent Public Works meeting.
Next, the council received August reports from city officials. The Morris Public Works Authority reported two cemetery openings and closings, along with 16 water leaks. Morris Police Chief Kenneth Boyd reported 107 contacts and 12 citations issued. He also announced that Officer Hanley had returned to the department fulltime.
Fire Chief Tim Stewart provided a breakdown of fire department activity, reporting one EMS assist, four public service calls, and one miscellaneous incident on the city side. In rural areas, the department had one first response call, one EMS assist, two grass fires, one structure fire, one motor vehicle accident, and one false alarm. Chief Stewart also informed attendees about a 9/11 remembrance walk scheduled for the following evening.
During the meeting, Councilman Jerome Dugas expressed his gratitude to the fire department for assisting him with a personal matter. Chief Stewart reassured Dugas, affirming his commitment to the safety of all residents and emphasizing the community’s support for him.
The council then considered a request from Morris Public Schools for a variance to the current water restrictions in order to properly maintain their football field. Football Coach Robert Daniels explained that the request was primarily for the safety of the students playing on the field. MPS Superintendent Becky Alexander echoed those concerns, stating that the variance would only be necessary for about six weeks, until the end of the football season, and that the school had already received quotes for a permanent sprinkler system. The council approved the variance, allowing the school to water the field daily from 6 a.m. to 12 p.m. for at least the next six weeks.
Later in the meeting, the council approved the purchase of two new police vehicles to replace the department’s aging Dodge Chargers. The new vehicles, both pickup trucks, will be better suited for the city’s roads and will come equipped with police packages, eliminating the need for further servicing. The purchase includes trading in the old vehicles.
Lastly, the council approved two resolutions: one establishing an annual fall cleanup event, to take place from the second Saturday through the third Sunday of October, and another setting citywide garage sales on the second and third weekends of April and October.
