City Administrator Barry Dykhuizen submitted this article.
The City of Morrison starts its Fiscal Year on each May 1st. Now is a good time to review the actions of local elected officials that affect your life. The City Council’s job is to determine need and urgency and prioritize the most necessary projects to the top of the list. And then, most importantly, the Council must match those projects with available resources, to determine what is affordable.
Following is a summation of the biggest projects currently underway in your community. If you have additional comments and questions, please do not hesitate to contact your Alderman; Mayor Pannier at mayor@morrisonil.org; the City Administrator at bdykhuizen@morrisonil.org.
What exactly is the “Main Street Project” that the City Council is considering?
The City Council hired an engineering firm to do planning and design work related to the infrastructure deficiencies on Main Street, from Orange Street to Clinton Street. It is a complete reconstruction of the street and sidewalk, as well as replacement of the water main that is in the street. Also being considered is replacement of the street lights and upgrading to LED’s.
Why is this project considered a priority?
The water main is more-or-less 100 years old. At only 4″ in diameter, the piping is considered undersized by today’s standards and ‘Best Practices.” The surface of the street is in obvious poor condition. The sidewalks are uneven and do not comply with the standards set forth in the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Will the new street surface be asphalt or concrete?
Both options will considered later this year, when there is a clearer picture of material costs.
What is the cost, and how are we paying for it?
The total cost is anticipated to be $3,000,000: $2M for street and sidewalk and $1M for the water main. The plan is to pay for the street and sidewalk portion with revenue from the local 1% Sales Tax. The water main is funded via low-interest loans through the Illinois EPA. With grants and State lending opportunities, the financial model does not call for an increase in water and sewer rates to the community.
When will construction take place?
So far, only the design and engineering has been approved by the City Council. A bid letting will occur over the winter, and if the low bid is within an expected range, construction could occur in 2020.
What other large projects are under consideration?
Expected in 2020 is a complete replacement of the Genesee Court Bridge (over Rock Creek by Morrison High School.) This bridge is deteriorating rapidly and cannot handle traffic loads as needed. It is likely that for most of the summer of 2020, this bridge will be closed entirely. Traffic will have to take alternate routes. Project costs are much higher if the bridge is built in phases, where one lane is always kept open. In addition, preferred construction methods favor a complete closure.
Right now, in addition to Main Street, the City Council is considering [fixing] the road from Route 30 south, to the Railroad on Orange Street, Heaton Street, and Jackson Street. The north end of Orange Street also is recognized as needing attention. Another large project being considered is replacement of the Grove Hill Cemetery Maintenance Building. The building is regularly flooded, subject to mold, and not meeting the needs of the community.
Another project is the completion of a loop in the City’s water system, on the west side of the community. This project connects a water main on the west end of Wall Street to a line at the intersection of Route 30 and Milnes Drive. Creating loops in a municipal water system improves water quality.
City Council meetings are held the second and fourth Monday of the month, at 7:00 p.m. in the Whiteside County Board Room, 400 N. Cherry Street (the Law Enforcement Center), Morrison, IL.