“City-Wide Leaf Burning Ban” appeared on the City of Morrison[, IL,] Council Meeting agenda Monday, December 9, 2019, as another item “for Consideration, Discussion, and Information.” It continued as an “Item for Discussion, Consideration, and Information” on January 13 and 27, and February 10, 2020.
A sample Burning Ordinance was presented in Aldermanic packets for January 27.
During Public Comment on Monday, February 10, the following citizens shared their opinions about leaf/yard waste burning.
Jack and Linda Wetzell live on N. Jackson Street. She stated they “have a large yard, almost an acre in back. We set out 30 [paper] bags [for pick up] in the spring and lots of branches. We like to burn leaves and make sure smoke blows out of town. Please give us at least one day a week to get rid of our debris.”
Steve VandeLune lives on Portland Avenue. “Mulching is easier than raking and bagging,” he said. It “puts nutrients into the soil; keeps moisture in the ground; [creates] fertilizer/compost. This lessens City pick up costs and reduces landfill quantities. What does the City do with leaves?” he asked. He suggested creating a composting site, having the vacuum truck take leaves there, and having the City sell compost. He discussed how to make a compost container. “We need to change our mindset, so we see alternatives.”
Tracy Banks-Geiger and husband Ian live on Base Street. She read a letter she wrote in 2012 referencing her family’s respiratory health issues. One reason they moved back to Morrison was for its better air quality. “Environmental health concerns are not being taken seriously. Breathing is [more negatively impactful here] than pollution in downtown Chicago and sends my family to the hospital. It impacts you beyond the day of burning; recovery time to heal from a burn day may take three days. Even inside [her daughter] smells it. Patients get migraines from smoke. [During burn days] those on oxygen must increase their levels.” She suggested leaving the leaves on the ground. “Mulch adds a protective layer of nutrients to the lawn; it is better than burning. Limit [mulching] to the front yard, [because] no one sees your back yard. She urged, “Don’t put aesthetics of lawns above health.”
Mayor Everett Pannier stated the Council “will look at alternatives and make a decision by spring, to change or keep the law or to ban” City yard waste burning.
Later in the meeting, Alderman Josh West opined, “I think we have to err on the side of our citizens. I don’t like being behind [other Cities] on this; I don’t think it’s worth it. Can we let people dump leaves in the quarry?”
The Mayor concluded, “We will hold this open until March and think through the alternatives to burning.”
Citizens are encouraged to attend the following event on Monday, March 9, from 6:30 to 7:00 p.m., prior to the City Council Meeting. Note the location change.
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