Morris Park Board asking residents to complete a survey
The City of Morris Park Board is asking residents to take a survey in order for them to better understand priorities and receive feedback for the Morris Park system. This will inform the Park Board’s recommendations for future projects to the City Council. You can take the survey online by clicking the URL, or you can take the survey on paper at City Hall or the Morris Public Library. Posters will be put up at establishments around town and at the Stevens County Fair. The Park Board will be leaving the survey open until the end of 2026 to ensure residents/park users have ample opportunity to respond – especially school-age children. Go to www.ci.morris.mn.us/ParkSurvey to complete the survey!
At the city council meeting on August 10, the council also reviewed the budget for 2027, ordered a feasibility study, and learned about some project updates. They approved a public hearing for Conduit Financing requested by Morris Health Services and learned more about fiber optic installation on Atlantic Avenue and Hwy 9. A draft of the comprehensive plan will be reviewed at the next Planning Commission meeting.
The first step in the annual budget process is to review a preliminary budget. The Morris City Council approved this budget guidance memo, which includes presenting a final tax levy with a 3-7% increase for the general fund along with required tax levies for debt service. The final budget will be approved at a later date, and the increase could go down at that point.
The city council ordered a feasibility study for East 3rd, 4th, and 5th Streets and Alley from West 7th to 8th. This is the first step in the process to move forward with this street reconstruction project. This is the next project identified on the Morris Capital Improvement Plan. The existing street section has deteriorated and needs replacement. The sanitary sewer system in this area has started cracking and failing. There are portions of the pipe that are blocked by protruding taps, causing the city to have to regularly clean to prevent backups. One segment of the system is located directly beneath an existing residential structure. The water system needs replacement of hydrants and gate valves. The water main is likely a cast-iron pipe which is susceptible to ruptures and leaks. The engineering feasibility study will survey and investigate the work in order to determine exactly what needs to be done and if it is feasible to do it.
After holding the preconstruction meeting for the Pomme de Terre Trail project, Joe Riley Construction informed the city that they believe their work will begin on August 19 and last about 2-3 weeks, with plans to work from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. City staff will be placing signs along portions of the trail this week to inform trail users, as well as posting a Facebook post and informing the radio and newspaper to spread the word that people will have to stay off the trail for this construction to take place.
The Morris Public Works Director received an estimate for a clear seal coating for $98,312, which will extend the life of the trail for another 5+ years. This would leave $28,188 from the Riverview Foundation donation to cover costs for a sign dedication, some park benches, and other amenity additions to the trail project.
City Manager Zoe Johnson has reached out to the contractor doing the boring work on the State TH9/Atlantic Ave Fiber Optic Project. The City has no liability; Anderson Underground is doing the work, and they will be liable. The work will be happening completely through town, and they are trying to minimize sidewalk disturbance. Barriers will be put up around the pulled panels, and sidewalk closed signs will also be put out if necessary. The contractor that will be pouring new sidewalk panels will be coming in within a week or two of the boring work being completed.
A draft of the Comprehensive Plan will be on the agenda for the August 18 Planning Commission meeting. They will provide feedback and edit the draft Request for Proposals (RFP).
A request for Conduit Financing was received from Morris Health Services. Conduit Financing is a widely used process for non-profits to obtain financing for major projects. The City of Morris will only be a mechanism for MHS to get the financing for a large-scale project they will be doing in the near future. The project is proposed at just under $14 million (with contingency funds included), and MHS is seeking Conduit financing from the City of Morris and the City of Cyrus. With the approval of these two communities, the next step will be to hold a public hearing. The Morris public hearing will be held on September 8.
Johnson told the council that she had heard from the Morris Area Chamber that they hired someone to take on the Executive Director position. They communicated that this person will also be taking on the Tourism services, pending contract approval by the Morris City Council. The new hire is very excited about the growth opportunity.
