The Minonk City Council approved a recommendation by the Waste Disposal Committee to enter into an agreement with the Association for Developmentally Disabled in Woodford County organization to take and receive recyclable material from waste bins placed behind City Hall. The ADDWC employs developmentally disabled persons to sort the waste for resale on the open market. This process generates a small amount of revenue for the ADDWC. They will charge the City $50 per haul to pick up a full recycle container bin. The City must purchase a 20 yard recycling trailer bin for $17,000 and ADDWC will provide a 12 yard container to be rotated with the pickup of the other container bin.
City Administrator Doug Elder said he estimated the agreement would save the City $6,000 to $7,000 per year compared to the current contract with Tomlinson Disposal which expires on April 27. He said the savings will pay for the recycling trailer in 2 and 1/2 years. However, ADDWC will not accept metal or glass. Alderman Cunningham asked if that is a problem by not accepting metal or glass. Alderman Ruestman said that he checked the recycling bin in Minonk and found little glass or metal in the bin. Cunningham asked how are we going to prevent people from putting metal, tin, or glass in the recycling bins to which City Administrator Elder said that the compartments in the bins will be labeled with what is accepted and signs will be posted as to what will not be accepted.
Minonk area resident Dave Uphoff told the council that this is not a viable recycling plan. He said he takes his recycling material to Bloomington and the bins are full of tin and glass. Furthermore, Uphoff added, the City of Minonk successfully fought off the installation of a landfill 17 years ago and the City installed curb side recycling to show its support in keeping material from going to landfills. He indicated that the City pioneered recycling for smaller communities and has an obligation to continue its legacy of recycling and to make the city look progressive.
Demolition Contract Awarded
Ben Hulse Excavating of Flanagan submitted the low bid of $26,380 to remove three vacant houses in the city. The high bid was $50,725. The properties are located at 322 N. Chestnut, 828 N. Jefferson, and 736 N. Johnson.
City Administrator Comments
City Administrator Doug Elder urged citizens to complete their census forms which they will be receiving this week. Elder said city revenue is based on population and an under reporting of census figures will hurt the city financially.
The annual budget hearing for the public has been pushed back 2 weeks to April 19 due to potential state changes that may affect the city's revenue.
The closing on the sale of Section 6 will be completed this week.
Mayor's Comments
Mayor Koos congratulated Fieldcrest's Nathan Ropp for winning the state Class 2A 3-point shoot out at Peoria last week.
The City may lose $49,000 in income tax revenue this year that is contingent on whether a proposed cut by Government Quinn to reduce the city's 10% cut from local income taxes by 30% to 7%, is approved by the state legislature.