In a comprehensive city council meeting that addressed multiple critical municipal issues, local officials demonstrated their commitment to community development, infrastructure improvement and fiscal responsibility.
The evening’s proceedings began with the appointment of Katie Peavler to Ward 1C, a moment that highlighted local civic engagement. Keebler, a long-time Morris resident and branch manager at First Family Federal Credit Union, shared her passion for the community. “I’ve grown up in Morris. I’m a Morris graduate. I love my town,” she told council members, emphasizing her deep roots and commitment to local progress.
Departmental reports provided a comprehensive overview of the city’s recent activities. The police department reported approximately 100 community contacts and several citations, though the department noted the resignation of Officer Porter during the month of April. The fire department presented a detailed account of their emergency responses, including four EMS assists on the city side and a range of incidents on the rural side, including three grass fires, one vehicle fire and a motor vehicle accident.
Public Works Director presented a particularly robust report, highlighting several critical infrastructure efforts. The department addressed two water leaks, completed an emergency road repair and received a new sewer jetter that has already been put to use cleaning critical city lines. The team completed 41 locates and even managed a scrap metal run from old infrastructure projects. A significant focus of the meeting was the ongoing DWSRF (Drinking Water State Revolving Fund) project, which promises substantial improvements to the city’s water infrastructure. Mike Redman from Meares Engineering provided a detailed project update, explaining that the project includes constructing a new water tower, refurbishing booster pumps and upsizing eight-inch water lines.
“This is about a 12 to 18 month project total, start to finish,” Redman explained, noting that the engineering phase is currently 95% complete. The project has encountered some delays but remains on track, with careful attention to potential underground infrastructure challenges that could impact costs. The Eastern Oklahoma Development District was approved to conduct an environmental review for the project at a cost of $10,000 – a price point city officials praised as significantly more economical than alternative providers. Scott Harding from the district explained the comprehensive review process, which involves contacting multiple agencies and completing extensive documentation.
The city judge, Javier Ramirez, was also reappointed, presenting his commitment to objective judicial service. “I try to do my best, try to stay objective as I can,” he told the council, highlighting the importance of maintaining a fair and efficient judicial process.
Budget discussions revealed the city’s careful fiscal management, with significant cuts implemented across various departments. The police department alone saved $21,000 annually on insurance, contributing to over $100,000 in total departmental savings.
The council approving Conner Brians as an employee for Public Works.
