The Morris City Council and Public Works Authority met for their regular monthly meetings Tuesday. During the brief session the council approved a cemetery location for infants and toddlers up to one year of age.
Members considered two options – Section 2B, located west of the chapel in the old cemetery, and Section 12-12-1 through 8 in the new cemetery. They ultimately voted to designate Section 2B.
Prior to the vote, Mayor Joe Berryhill noted that earlier concerns about Section 2B appeared to be unfounded.
“After doing further investigation and looking at everything that was supposed to be in that area, it was either misinterpreted or mistold to the ones that had concerns [about it],” he said.
Councilmember Lou Ann Robinson made the motion, with Councilmember Katie Peavler seconding. The motion was carried unanimously.
The council also heard monthly reports from city departments.
The police department reported 110 contacts during September, though the number of citations issued was not specified, four property abatements were completed by Code Enforcement, and two reserve officers remain in the academy.
The fire department reported the following for September:
• City: Two first responses and one false alarm.
• Rural: Two MVAs, one first response, two lift assists, two EMS assists, one grass fire, two vehicle fires, one false alarm and one miscellaneous call.
Morris Public Works Authority made the following report: Two sewer jets, a blown line at the S. Hughes lift station repaired, six holes fixed in the N. Hughes tinhorn, “no parking” signs installed near the school, parking lines painted at City Hall and in the business district, four openings and closings at the cemetery, 24 locates and six work orders completed.
Later in the meeting, the council discussed possible dates for citywide trick-or-treating – Oct. 30 or Oct. 31 – while trying to avoid conflicts with other community events. Ultimately, they determined no vote was needed and tabled the item.
Before the decision, Councilmember Matt Sharp and City Attorney Heath Mueller questioned whether an official vote was necessary and raised concerns about potential liability to the city if it designated a specific date. The consensus among members was that residents could decide for themselves when to participate.
Both the city council and public works authority approved the minutes from their Sept. 9 meetings as well as the payment of claims. They adjourned just before 7:20 p.m.
