City agrees to install signals, survey property

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With Alderman Randy Larson opposed, the Morris City Council Monday agreed to pay Ayer’s Electric $76,660 to install traffic lights at Liberty and Chapin streets.

Significant portions of the old lights the Illinois Department of Transportation removed from Division and Benton Streets will be used at Liberty and Chapin streets.

“It is a safety issue,” Mayor Richard Kopczick said. “Try to cross Liberty Street at noon.”

He said when Liberty Street was redone, supports were found, indicating there were signals at the intersection at one time.

When Center School was open, the school district asked that no signals be installed at the intersection so the school buses could go straight west to the high school and Shabbona, he added.

Warren Olson of Chamlin and Associates said the traffic lights on Liberty Street are on timers and sequenced.

Alderman also approved paying Chamlin and Associates to do a survey and topographical study of a small portion of the city-owned land at North and East streets. An appraisal of the land will also be done.

Part of the Federal Paperboard property, last March the city agreed to purchase five acres from the county, which received the land when the property taxes were not paid.

The city is looking at selling a strip of the land facing North Street to the Grundy-Three Rivers Habitat for Humanity for houses. The city cannot donate the land to any organization.

Olson said the survey will cover roughly 1.1 acres out of the five acres owned by the city. The survey would include an area about 300 feet along North Street and 150 feet deep.

It was explained the buyer would divide the strip into about five lots for homes. An alley could be extended from East Street so garages would be at the rear of the lots.

“It’s way of returning this to the tax rolls,” Alderman William Martin said, and improving the appearance.

Olson estimated the cost of the survey at less than $2,500, with the appraisal done by someone else at a separate fee.

Also Monday:

• The Presbyterian Church received permission to serve cocoa to shoppers during Midnight Madness on Dec. 4.

• Grundy Bank received permission to block two parking spaces in front of its building from 12:30 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 28, for the annual coat drive drop off.

• The 5K Walk for Cancer Committee received permission to hold its event May 31, 2010.
 

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