The Minonk City Council discussed the budget, online training for pubic works employees, the library budget and received an update on the sewer upgrade project at their normal Monday night meeting, Feb. 19.
Alderman John Marcoline said the library budget was out of step with the city's budget as they were unaware that former City Administrator Austin Edmondson had put $10,000 in the library budget. The library was concerned that they didn't have enough money to pay the $6200 for digitizing the Historic Minonk Newspaper Microfilms to be searchable by name. Mayor Bill Koos said the library should contact City Treasurer Steve O'Riely to straighten out the matter so the library can go ahead and pay for the digitizing.
Alderman Mark McNamara said the Public Works department wants to purchase a sewer cam transmitter and locator and wanted to know if bids should be put out for the cam. Mayor Koos said vendors who sell those type of cams should be contacted and send them a request for a bid from them in order to put enough bids out.
Alderman McNamara also wanted to know if the city will agree to spend $1600 for online training on getting a water license for 3 Public Works employees. The Mayor said it can be put in the budget.
Shawn Mauer of the Farnsworth Group told the council about 1/2 of the work has been completed on the sewer upgrade project. He said a leak was found in the lagoon which had to be fixed at a cost of $4400. He also said the project has been held up a bit because of problems getting American made valves for the job.
Mayor Koos said Arthur A. Osten, Jr will be at a special meeting on February 26 at 6:00 pm to discuss the 2018-2019 budget. Mr. Osten will meet with the department heads this week and will have figures to go over at the meeting. The council will also go over the Public Works job classifications at the meeting.