Assistant Editor Jerry Lindsey submitted the report.
The Morrison City Council opened the Monday, September 13, 2021, session with a topic brought to the Council by Mayor Scott Vandermyde, from a suggestion by a citizen. It concerned creating an Ordinance regulating headstone height, in the northwest section of Grove Hill Cemetery. The citizen stated that a “flush-to-the-ground” headstone would be in the best interest of maintenance and operation of the cemetery. Council responses varied. Sidonna Mahaffey felt it was “not appropriate.” Alderman Josh West warned that the restriction “may deter the use of the cemetery.” Following much discussion, a motion to act on the Ordinance was not offered; the issue failed due to “lack of action.”
Livestock prohibited within the City limits became more specific in Ordinance 21-23, which now also prohibits chickens. According to Chief of Police Brian Melton, changing environmental interests have urged the City to modify the definition of “agricultural livestock” that are banned within the City limits. The modified Ordinance disallowing livestock reads, in part, “…any member (including any pygmy or miniature variety) of the bovine (cattle), equine (horse), swine (pig or hog), ovine (sheep), or caprine (goat) families, any poultry (any domesticated bird raised for show, eggs, [or] meat, such as chickens, turkeys, geese, or ducks) and any breeding rabbits.” Including chickens to the prohibited list was passed with two opposing votes.
Ordinance 21-24, establishing the maximum number of Class D Liquor Licenses available for issuance, was changed to allow one, new Class D Liquor License, by a vote of five-to-three.
In closing action, the Council agreed to allow the celebration of the completion of Main Street construction, from Base Street to Cherry Street, for Saturday, September 18, 2021. Liquor licenses were extended to allow sales outside during the celebration. The event will be enhanced by a concert of Dualing Pianos as the keynote entertainment.
In non-action items, the issue of trimming trees offered several conflicting opinions among the Aldermen. They discussed trimming to a height that improves the traffic flow of larger vehicles. They asked who would absorb the cost of such trimming. Opposition was present about passing the expense to home-owners. A final height of clearance was not determined. The majority felt there should not be a designated height, but should use a height that “does not hinder traffic flow.”
The public is welcome to attend the next meeting of the Morrison City Council, at the Odell Public Library Community Room, on Monday, September 27, beginning at 7:00 p.m.