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Morris City Council approves package of ordinances, hires new city manager and OKs airport grants
Summary
At its Feb. 24 meeting, the Morris City Council adopted three second-reading ordinances (nuisance code, a zoning map amendment for rail spurs, and boards/commissions updates), approved airport engineering and fencing grants, authorized an appraisal to sell the municipal liquor store building, and approved an employment contract for Zoe Johnson as incoming city manager.
MORRIS, Minn. — The Morris City Council on Feb. 24 approved a slate of legislation and administrative actions, including three second-reading ordinances, airport grant and engineering work, and the hiring of Zoe Johnson as the city’s new manager.
The council adopted Ordinance No. 129, a revision to the city’s nuisance code; Ordinance No. 131, an amendment to the zoning map to accommodate railroad and rail spur tracks; and Ordinance No. 132, which codifies changes to boards and commissions. All three measures passed the council’s roll-call votes with the members present recorded as voting yes.
Why it matters: The zoning change (Ordinance 131) will allow rail-spur development adjacent to existing heavy-industrial use and was presented by staff as a way to reduce local truck traffic for an ethanol facility by enabling more rail shipments. The nuisance-code update (Ordinance 129) is intended to clarify definitions and enforcement procedures; it drew public comment about language and process but was adopted with an effective date scheduled after publication to meet the 30-day requirement cited in the city charter.
In other action, the council approved an $18,000 engineering-services proposal to prepare plans and bid documents required to apply for federal and state airport funding for roughly $470,000 of snow-removal equipment for the municipal airport; staff said most of the engineering cost would be reimbursable under airport-aid formulas. The council also approved a state airport fund grant agreement (Minnesota DOT agreement number 1062594 in meeting materials) to install a gate and fencing at the airport entrance and around hanger areas to limit unauthorized access.
The council authorized hiring a commercial appraiser to value the old municipal liquor-store building and associated parking to inform a planned sale. Council discussion noted issues such as retaining public parking and potential replatting before sale.
Personnel: The council approved an employment contract for Zoe Johnson, who the council selected following a candidate interview day. Council members discussed an April 1 start date and a payroll arrangement that would allow Johnson to continue contributing to an existing MissionSquare 457 deferred-compensation account; staff said the city would not contribute to that outside plan but will facilitate payroll deductions.
Votes at a glance: - Ordinance 129 (nuisance code) — Adopted (roll call: all present 'yes') - Ordinance 131 (zoning map — railroad/rail spur) — Adopted (roll call: all present 'yes') - Ordinance 132 (boards & commissions) — Adopted (roll call: all present 'yes') - Airport engineering services proposal (snow-removal equipment grant application) — Approved (roll call: all present 'yes') - Airport fencing and gate grant agreement (MN DOT #1062594) — Approved (roll call: all present 'yes') - Appraisal services to value municipal liquor-store building — Approved (roll call: all present 'yes') - Employment contract for Zoe Johnson — Approved (roll call: all present 'yes')
What’s next: Staff will submit the airport grant applications, proceed with appraisal and property-platting discussions for the liquor-store property, and onboard the incoming city manager. The council also received a notice that a council member announced a resignation; the body will consider a resolution to accept that resignation and start the vacancy-filling process at its next meeting.
