The Morris City Council approved completion of a water system improvement project during Monday evening’s session.

Mayor Jeremy conducted the session, which opened with Kevin Wilson of the Eastern Oklahoma Development District speaking to the members during a public hearing. Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) project 17-177 replaced 3900 linear feet of 8” cast iron sewer lines, according to Wilson. CDBG funds totaled $100,000 with the construction project cost at $94,000, $6,000 for administrative costs; and the city’s leverage commitment was $120,442.

“This project has been monitored and cleared by the Department of Commerce and we’re ready to wrap up this evening and proceed to the next one,” Wilson said.

The council acknowledged completion of the project and all costs had been incurred or obligated.

The council went into an executive session at 7:06 p.m. Upon return to open meeting at 7:45 p.m., approval was given for the council to discuss the executive session minutes of April 13 with an investigator.

Agenda items approved by the council were:

• Updating council signatures on the city’s bank accounts for the general, cemetery, court and the City of Morris Mabrey Visa card. This action removed the former mayor’s name from the accounts;

• 2020-2021 Agreement for Services between the City of Morris and Morris Youth Sports, Inc. The same contract was approved with the additional stipulation of having proof of liability insurance and a waiver in case services could not provide services (such as a shutdown due to COVID-19), the contract would be null and void;

• Ordinance No. 322-20 regarding demolition of structures within city limits. This update puts guidelines that requires citizens to remove all debris from a demolition site, and within a reasonable time frame;

• Donation of a Crown Victoria to the Beggs Police Department;

• Purchase of new time clocks for the city departments (one for police departments and another for Public Works and other city workers);

• Budget Amendment for the Cemetery Fund for $8,000 for the fiscal year 2019-2020.

The council also approved ending the contract with NCourt (formally known as GovPay)for online credit card payment and approved a new contract with Forte, an interactive credit card payment method with GWorks which works with their current system.

Department Reports:

• Police Chief Tim Bell reported issuance of 10 tickets; one arrest and two felony cases filed with district attorney’s office.

• Fire Chief Tim Stewart reported for both city and rural departments responded for one lift assist, and trailer fire, a grass fire, an MBA and a false alarm.

• Morris Public Works Authority City Superintendent Archie Coverdill reported there was one funeral during the month and no water leaks.