The Minonk City Council approved two applications for TIF II funding at its normal Monday night meeting April 2. The first application to be approved was for Zivney Cheese, Inc. for the interior improvements made to retain/increase their business in the building located at 205 Oak Street. Zivney Cheese, Inc. employs 14 full-time and 2 part-time employees. The funds will be used for the purchase of a grinder/hammer mill to further refine their whey byproduct at a cost of $18,245.43. The TIF funding will pay a maximum of 50% of the project cost being $9,122.71 payable in a lump sum to final receipts being submitted.
The second application to be approved was for Heartland Cable located at 167 West Fifth Street. The project cost is $10,026.29 and will include an interior renovation project including ceiling and flooring replacement and replacing the front and side windows and doors. Heartland Cable employs four full-time people. The TIF funding will pay a maximum of 50% of the $10,026.29 project cost being $5,013.14 payable in a lump sum subject to final receipts being submitted.
COLA increase approved
The Council approved Ordinance 2007-02 Utility Rate Amendment. City Administrator Trent Smith said that the ordinance amendment allows for an increase for the water and sewer rates each year based on the cost of living COLA which is based on the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W). These rates shall be adjusted annually, effective May 1st of each year.
Recreation Board Resignation
Mayor Bill Koos announced the resignation of Bill Moline from the Recreation Board. The Council approved the appointment of Mindy Goodrich to replace Moline on the Recreation Board.
Public Comments
Larry Hill asked about the purchase of the buildings from SMF.
Mayor Koos said that the purchase has been completed and that Trent Smith will announce it and it will be advertised in the paper for bids for renovations to the old street shed on Jefferson Street.
Rodney Ruestman asked about the progress of the ball field drainage problems.
Mayor Koos responded by reporting the following:
• Had a meeting with the Fieldcrest superintendent and president of the Board of Education
• Toured the ball fields last Friday after 3 ½ inches of rain and got a good idea what the issue is on the fields.
• Talked with the Rec Board and Council members and they are in agreement they want high school baseball back at Minonk.
• On the East ball diamond (Softball) we went in with a quick fix and used what is called “French drains”.
• On the West diamond we went in and took off some of the crown to get the water off for a quick fix.
• Told the school that we cannot move the fences back, but we did offer to raise the right and left field fence on the West diamond up to 15 feet and that we will start at both corners and move in at a height of 15 feet until we reach 300 feet.
• Asked for a commitment from the high school that they are coming back to Minonk for their games and we will be presenting this to the school board for their approval and if they are not coming back, then we are going to prepare those fields for Minonk’s recreation programs and what our needs are.
Marla Weber asked when the date was changed for T-Ball and the summer recreation programs regarding the cutoff date for youth participating in the summer baseball program. She asked that they consider moving the date to September 1 like the school does so they all play at the same grade level.
Alderwoman Carls responded that the April cutoff date has been in place for three years, but was only loosely followed in the past. She also said that the April cutoff has been put in place so that children are playing with others of the same age and that the Recreation Board has decided to start enforcing the rule this year.
Rodney Ruestman responded that in the past the Recreation Board has basically not been following the policies that they set up and felt that the board should follow the school year cutoff date.
Scott Hillenburg suggested that the Recreation Board should go by the little league rules and this would allow kids to be playing with their classmates.
Mayor Koos said that there needs to be some modifications and adjustment and that this should be done by the Recreation Board and not by the City Council. Koos said, "These issues need to be solved by the Recreation Board and the Council will address it through the budget process fiscally. The rules need to have a tolerance level set by the community through the Recreation Board and let them administer the rules." Koos suggested that a special Recreation Board meeting be set up to address the concerns before this goes on much longer into the end of the summer. Koos added, "We need to address it so that people know this year as they finish up the season; this is how we are going to do it next season. That is how I see the Council’s role in this matter. There are always two questions----can we get involved and should we get involved. Can we, yes; should we, no?"
City Administrator Comments
• Reported that the Public Works Department is moving into the SMF buildings on 10th Street.
• Reported the advertising of bids for the Old Street Shed on Jefferson Street to convert it into the new ambulance shed. All bids must be in by 4 p.m. on April 20, 2007.
Mayor's Comments
• Welcomed Laura Rineer who is the new editor of the Woodford County Journal.
• Announced the letting of bids for the building on Jefferson Street and said that the bids received would be processed through the committees.
• Reminded that Clean Up Days are April 29 (Sunday) and April 30 (Monday).