Council approves resolution to advance state aid for Seventh Street project; awaits governor's signature on disaster declaration

The Morris City Council on Aug. 26 approved Resolution 4057-08-25 to authorize advancing state aid dollars for the Seventh Street project, allowing state funds to be used to pay the contractor as work progresses.

City manager Becca told the council that the resolution is required when advancing state aid so the contractor can be paid in stages as portions of the project are completed. The council moved, seconded and then approved the resolution by roll-call vote; Council member Selby, Coral, Miller and Mayor W. recorded “yes.”

Becca also updated the council on flood-related recovery: a preliminary damage assessment with Homeland Security Emergency Management estimated about $2.3 million in damage across nine counties, below the FEMA threshold of $10.7 million. The city is awaiting the governor’s state disaster declaration; once signed, the city would be eligible for reimbursement of roughly 75% of eligible costs, Becca said. “Once that is signed, we will be eligible to be reimbursed by the state 75% of our costs,” she said.

Becca said staff are completing cleanup tasks, including street sweeping and alley repairs, and that the city needs to finish work before one-time reimbursement can be processed. Council members discussed timing concerns and construction scheduling; one member noted the resolution is not effective until signed by the city manager and mayor.

The council also discussed related budget items elsewhere in the packet, including a small Local Government Aid (LGA) increase of $6,243 and ongoing preliminary budget planning.