Monday, January 22, 2007

City Council approves more TIF funding

Monday, January 22, 2007 - Posted 6:01:50 PM by Editor

The Minonk City Council approved  recommendations from the Economic Development Committee for two TIF applications.   The council approved approved the application for TIF II funding from Datatron for an interior renovation project to the building located at 168 West Fifth Street for a maximum of $3,000 or 50% of the project cost, whichever is less, payable in a lump sum subject to final receipts being submitted. The council also approved TIF II funding from Meyer-Jochums Agency, Inc. for interior renovation to the building at 118 West Fifth Street in the amount of 50% ($2192.50) of the estimated $4385.00.

Ambulance Squad new bylaws

Mayor Bill Koos said that it has become apparent that there are some contradictions that cause confusion and problems between the Minonk Ambulance Bylaws and the Minonk Personnel Policy.

Koos said "They are currently writing new bylaws, but to avoid any further confusion or contradictions that may arise here, the old bylaws always said to refer to the Minonk Personnel Policy Manual. To avoid any further problems with this, we should rescind all of the old bylaws of the Minonk Ambulance Squad. The Council passed new ones on April 5, 2004 and there were some even passed before that date. We would rescind all of those with the understanding that in the meantime that it is the Minonk Personnel Policy Manual that will be enforced when it comes to personnel matters concerning the Ambulance Squad or for that matter any employee of the City of Minonk. So in no way does this affect the patient care or protocols, because by law they are obligated to follow the St. James Hospital System."

Mayor Koos said that until the new bylaws are written and approved by the Council, the Minonk Personnel Policy Manual will dictate policy.

Alderman Cunningham asked Mayor Koos if we are rewriting the bylaws.

Mayor Koos responded that the Ambulance Squad has a committee that is writing a new SOP (Standard Operating Procedures).

Alderman Petersen reported that all Ambulance Squad members are aware that this is happening.

Alderman Fortner moved that the City Council rescind all ambulance bylaws approved on April 5, 2004 and all bylaws prior to that and then from here until the new bylaws are written and approved by the Council, the Minonk Personnel Policy Manual will dictate policy; seconded by Alderman Petersen.  The motion was approved.

Mayor Koos said he would like to make one other point and that is that there is in Minonk a Minonk Ambulance Squad and there is a Minonk Ambulance Association.

Koos said the Minonk Ambulance Squad is paid for by the taxpayers as well as fees received from calls that we charge to people using the service. The Ambulance Squad is dictated by federal law, state law, local ordinances, and as well as the protocols of the resource hospital which is St. James Hospital at Pontiac, Illinois.

Koos added "The Minonk Ambulance Association is a fraternal organization and is in no way an official function of the City of Minonk. They have their own set of rules, officers, and financing. In no way is membership on the Minonk Ambulance Association a prerequisite or a requirement to continue to be or to become a member of the Minonk Ambulance Squad. Even if you want to be a squad member, in no way are you obligated to join the association. The association has no dictatorial powers as to how the ambulance runs, is funded, or how it is administered. Only the Minonk City Council, state law, federal law, and St. James Hospital has that authority."

Mayor Koos said that as far as donations and fund raising goes, the public needs to be aware that if you are making a donation to the Minonk Ambulance Squad, it goes into a specific fund that is audited by the City. If you donate to the Minonk Ambulance Association, it goes to the association which the City of Minonk has no authority on how that money is used.

Mayor's comments

• Thanked everyone for attending the Christmas party.

• Reported that there will be another appreciation dinner for the Fourth of July Committee and the Christmas Parade volunteers for all the hard work that all of these people go through putting on all of these events in town. It will be held on January 26, 2007 at LaVon’s.