Assistant Editor Jerry Lindsey wrote this report.
The environment within the Morrison, IL, City Council chambers on Monday, August 9, 2021, was a mixture of questions, opportunities, and challenges. The opening presentation revived an issue that divided the area several years ago–a proposed U. S. Route 30 bypass. Two Fulton, IL, members of Highway 30 Commission urged the Council to join their efforts, to pursue the four-lane extension of Route 30, by offering a new approach that retained the traffic flow through the City of Morrison. The presenters acknowledged the fact that the previous proposal utilized too much valuable farmland, and the construction cost would have exceeded $20 million per mile. Today’s proposal was staked at approximately $10 million per mile and would not interrupt the current two-lane passage through Morrison. The Council was presented drawings of a proposed highway that connected with the Route 30 four-lane in Fulton; reduced to two-lanes through Morrison; expanded back to four-lanes on the east side of Morrison; continued to a connection in Rock Falls, IL. No decision was made by the Council. The visitors noted an urgency to respond that would save considerable funding, if the project received a go-forward vote.
Wendy Gallentine, co-owner of Hero’s Bar & Grill and Double G Saloon (formerly KJ’s), asked Aldermen to consider changing the Ordinance barring alcohol sales prior to noon on Sunday, to a 10:00 a.m. serving allowance. Mayor Vandermyde said that considerations of the proposed change would be presented at a future meeting.
Kathy Schmidt, representing On the Move with Parks and Recreation (nonprofit) and the Bark Park movement, informed the Council of the current grant-seeking action. She requested a $10,000 contribution from the City to assist in the needed walkways, curbs, and parking, necessary in the new Bark Park construction.
LeAnn Schafer, Morrison Chamber of Commerce Director, requested the use of City property to orchestrate a Bark Park fundraiser, the afternoon following the Harvest Hammer, on Saturday, September 18. Action to proceed was unanimously approved.
Schafer again faced the Council requesting a $20,000 contribution to procure holiday lighting for the new light poles, that “would continue the excitement on Main Street into the festive holidays.” The Council agreed to the purchase of holiday lighting to be displayed on 72 poles on Main Street, for a total not to exceed $22,500.
Aldermen approved the use of the new Main Street for Block Parties, on Friday, August 27, or Sunday, August 29, and Saturday, September 18.
The evening ended with discussions related to future actions:
- raising the height that trees are trimmed over City streets
- contract details for Moring Disposal.