Written by Assistant Editor Jerry Lindsey.
The future traffic flow configuration at Genesee Street and U. S. Route 30 filled much of the agenda of the Morrison City Council on September 11, 2023. Public comments were received from a local resident who lives in corner housing, who presented the situation that faces his family if the street parking on Genesee is eliminated. His comments were followed by Rev. Dr. Micheal Selburg, Pastor of First Presbyterian Church; he presented the church’s concerns. He urged the Council to “Move forward.”
Initial Council action approved parade permits for a Halloween Parade on Saturday, October 28, (1:00 p.m.) and a Homecoming Parade on Friday, September 29 (3:00 p.m.)
The City of Morrison has entered a Memorandum of Understanding with the Blackhawk Illinois Capital Improvement Program. It will apply for Economic Development assistance through a Capital Improvement Plan Coordinator, funded by Blackhawk through December 31, 2024.
The purchase of audio-video equipment ($17,351.69) to be used for recording and broadcasting future Morrison City Council meetings was approved with a negative vote, entered from Councilman Brucker.
In the remaining action, Fehr Graham Engineering & Environmental was approved to provide engineering services, in the future rehabilitation of the CDBG Sanitary Sewer System. Willett Hofmann was approved for changes to the Maple and Elm Streets water main loop.
Pay requests were approved to Fischer Excavating for the IL Route 78 Water Main project of $52,433.08 and $345,504.78.
Following the above Action items, Mayor Scott Vandermyde established a “Study Session,” where the topic of discussion would be the Genesee Street/Route 30 Intersection only. Each Council member was allowed five minutes to discuss their opinion of the factors involved in the challenges of the intersection and to offer any proposals for future options. Their responses were varied and accepted without allowing responses from other members.
Mayor Vandermyde: * Remove traffic lights without closing the street.
Mafaffey: * Owns concerns with closing Genesee. *Has questions about more alternatives.
Kruse: * Fix the current water situation.
Zuidema: * If we cannot reduce the cost of replacing traffic lights, then remove the lights.
Schlegel: * Needs more information on options. *Questions cooperation from the State of Illinois.
Bruckner: * Remove traffic signals. * Repair the water situation. * Supply a pedestrian walk signal.
Tichler: * Remove Traffic Signal. * Close Genesee. * Hear more from the public.
Tervelt: * Remove traffic signal. * Add a pedestrian signal. * Repair existing intersection.
West: * Repair intersection. *Retain current light signals.
Mayor Vandermyde advised that the project’s future would be settled by establishing steps of the progress and discussing and voting on each step, prior to moving forward, allowing for adequate discussion and consideration. The project’s future will appear on future City Council Agendas. The public is welcome to contact their Council representative to discuss concerns and ideas for the future of the intersection.