Assistant Editor Jerry Lindsey wrote this report.
As the Morrison Main Street Renovation moves closer to completion, details demand City Council decisions. The Monday, November 8, 2021, meeting was headed with a presentation from Sand Prairie, to be considered for the installation of the fiber internet planned. Sand Prairie is an affiliate of Jo-Carroll Energy Cooperative of Savanna, IL. It is the last competitive option that the Council will
entertain, prior to finalizing their supplier decision.
Sand Prairie offered their installation options and favoritism was expressed by Council members, due to the fact they are a local cooperative, but they were challenged for their rates. Theirs exceeded rates that would be charged by previous presenters.
Ordinance No. 21-29 “regulating the presence of certain animals (fowls) within the City” was finalized with a “No vote” by Mayor Scott Vandermyde after a 4-to-4 Aldermanic vote.
An Ordinance to levy of taxes for the fiscal year beginning May 1, 2022, and ending April 13, 2023, was unanimously approved, to collect funds totaling $601,320 to be used for the corporate purposes of the City of Morrison. The Tax Levy Summary will include General Corporate Tax; Odell Public Library; Odell Library (building); Police Department; Fire Department; Street Lighting Tax; Cemetery; FICA; Audit, Tort, Liability, and Property Insurance; Emergency Services /Disaster Operations.
The tree/shrub height issue that has been present in several recent Council gatherings was put to rest, by a vote of 7-to-1 to approve Ordinance 21-30. This ruling removed a specific height variance and places the cost of trimming excessive obstruction caused by greenery on the City. The City has the “right to prune, maintain, or remove private trees where deemed to constitute a nuisance greenery, or as may be necessary to insure public safety.”
Interest in establishing lottery/video gambling locations is generating the conversation related to the number of liquor licenses allowed within the City of Morrison. Ordinance 21-30 currently quotes limitations on the number of Class C and F licenses and increased the number of Class D licenses to four. This Ordinance was opposed by Councilmen Kruse and Zuidema and received approval by a vote of 6-to-2.
Mayor Vandermyde challenged each Councilman to contribute ideas for future issues that they consider need attention, to expand the attractiveness of the City of Morrison. Items offered included: family activities; cemetery maintenance; leaf removal
assistance; appearance of “feather flags;” golf course grant; regulating property upkeep; alley repairs; repair of Route 30; new business enticements. Further discussions of the issues will be forthcoming in future Council meetings.