Morris City Council takes steps to protect city from future natural disasters

MORRIS – At its meeting Monday night, the City Council took steps to make Morris eligible for federal assistance in the event of a natural disaster.

The council passed a resolution approving and adopting the Grundy County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan.

Mayor Richard Kopczick explained that this plan is on file with the Federal Emergency Management Agency and was originally done in July 2013 but has since been updated by Grundy County. By approving and adopting the plan, it will make the city of Morris eligible for FEMA assistance if it experiences a natural disaster such as flooding or tornado damage.

The Building and Grounds Committee recommended in the form of a motion that the council authorize the execution of a contract with Southwest Pest Control Services Co. for pest management services in city-owned buildings. The motion passed, 8-0.

The Parks and Annexation Committee recommended in the form of a motion that the council authorize the execution of a contract with Ken’s Pond & Lake Management Services for aquatic vegetation in the Illinois & Michigan Canal from Price Street to Calhoun Street and that the council authorize the execution of a contract with Ken’s Pond & Lake Management Services for aquatic weed control at the lake at Fields of Saratoga. Both motions passed, 8-0.

Kopczick said the city has used Ken’s Pond & Lake Management Services for the canal in the past. He said this would be the same contract, in which there is budgeted four applications on the canal, but will most likely only use two or three. He also noted that it made a significant difference in both the appearance and smell of the canal in the downtown area.