Morris council authorizes engineering task orders, sidewalk project and MnDOT airport grant

The Morris City Council voted to authorize multiple infrastructure steps Tuesday: staff presented and the council approved task order number two for engineering professional services (water, sewer and street assessment work); task order number three for engineering tied to a sidewalk project along Trunk Highway 9 and Birch Avenue; and a maintenance and operations grant agreement with the Minnesota Department of Transportation for airport work.

Staff and consultants explained the task orders are assessment and design work intended to inform later construction. Council members discussed the practical differences between assessment‑based funding and a tax‑base approach and asked staff to provide projected assessment amounts per property; the council approved the task orders to advance project planning.

For the sidewalk project staff read a recommended city share of about $362,475 for engineering and local work. Council members noted the project's safety benefits—students use that stretch of road—and discussed potential state funding to offset local costs. The airport grant resolution was also moved, seconded and approved; staff will execute the MnDOT grant agreement.

Each resolution passed by roll call vote recorded as unanimous in the meeting record. Staff will return with assessment projections, funding details and timelines for next steps.