Morris City Council approves 2025 utility rate increases, appoints fire officers and OKs PERA settlement; mayoral statement on cannabis read

MORRIS CITY — The Morris City Council on Dec. 10 approved multiple routine and substantive items, including a resolution to raise utility rates for 2025, appointments to the Morris Fire Department, and a PERA duty‑disability settlement for a city police officer listed on the agenda.

The council voted to adopt a resolution that adjusts sewer, water and stormwater fees in 2025. City staff said the change reflects a recent utility rate study: roughly a 1% annual increase for water, about a 4% increase for sewer and a doubling of the stormwater fee to build reserves for future storm-pipe work. The council approved the resolution by roll call; the changes take effect Jan. 1, 2025.

City staff framed the increases as necessary to maintain infrastructure and to prepare for known projects, including water‑tower rehabilitation expected within five years and planned storm‑pipe replacements. The manager said water‑meter purchases are budgeted annually and that the stormwater increase is intended to build a reserve rather than fund recurring operating costs.

Also on the consent and resolution calendar, the council:

- Approved appointments for officers of the Morris Fire Department for 2025. The council moved and approved the resolution by roll call. - Approved a PERA (duty‑disability) settlement agreement for a police officer listed on the agenda as Anita Veil; the council moved and approved the resolution after noting the item had been discussed in the earlier closed session.

Other action and business

The council approved the consent agenda (city bills audit, gambling reports, City of Morris Tree Board minutes and the Morris Transit report) and a slate of 2025 liquor and dance licenses. Council members also approved corrected minutes from the Nov. 26 meeting.

City manager updates and forthcoming items

City management reported both city unions have reached tentative three‑year agreements; draft contracts will be prepared for the next meeting. Staff previewed an RFQ (request for qualifications) for city engineering services to be brought to the council for approval, and said the Gen 2 Group will present Eastside Park plans at the Dec. 23 meeting.

Mayor’s statement on cannabis

The presiding officer (Speaker 1) read a prepared statement addressing the city’s position on cannabis and hemp. The statement recounted that the council previously decided not to pursue a municipal cannabis retail store, referenced Ordinance No. 127 (first reading approved; second reading scheduled Dec. 23, 2024) delegating retail regulation to Stevens County, and cited Ordinance No. 119 (adopted October 2023) on cannabis and hemp use in public spaces. The presiding officer urged residents to contact Stevens County commissioners with input on retail regulation and invited the public to the Dec. 23 meeting to learn more.

What happens next

Council members said the final 2025 budget and levy will return for approval at the Dec. 23 meeting. The council recessed briefly to start a 6:00 p.m. Truth‑in‑Taxation session to review the proposed 5.4% levy increase for 2025 and department‑level budget changes.

Quotes

“Cannabis in Minnesota became legal for recreational use in August of 2023,” the presiding officer read, and later said, “The cannabis ship has sailed,” framing the city’s role as regulatory and urging resident engagement with county decision‑makers.

End note

No controversial policy reversals or failed motions were recorded; the items described above were approved as presented and will appear on the Dec. 23 agenda for final budget action, the second reading of Ordinance No. 127 and the Eastside Park presentation.