The Minonk City Council approved the appointment of Corey Ruestman as
alderman in Ward II at the Council's normal Monday night meeting. Mayor
Koos said that at the second council meeting in April that he asked for
applications to fill the vacancy left by the resignation of Alderman
Steve Mattox. During that time he received two applications. One
application was not from the correct ward which meant only one
application came from Ward II and that was from Corey Ruestman.
The second appointment was Deborah West who was appointed as EMS
Chief by the Council. Mayor Koos said that interviews for this position
started last November. Koos said the city had specific guidelines
for this position and said that "We have found a good candidate who is
a good leader and a good manager."
Police Chief Butler presented plaque
City Administrator Trent Smith presented Bill Butler with a plaque on
behalf of the Minonk City Council and the City of Minonk for
appreciation of 30 years of service to the City and 22 years as Chief
of Police.
Following the plaque presentation, Mayor Koos presented to Bill Butler
on behalf of the City of Minonk a set of golf clubs as a gift of
appreciation for his 30 years of service and dedication to the City.
Fieldcrest gets TIF funds for roof repair
The Council approved a recommendation from the EDC Committee to
pay $20,000 from the TIF II pool to Fieldcrest Community Unit School
District #6 for the roof repair project on the high school located at
One Dornbush Drive payable over four years at $5,000 per year.
Fieldcrest requests TIF pass through on school referendum
Fieldcrest Board President Joe Kirkpatrick said that the school board
has voted to put a referendum on the ballet in November 2006 and it
will be for a $.65 increase in the education fund. Kirkpatrick stated
that it will not raise anybody’s taxes.
He asked the Minonk City Council to pass a resolution to pass through
untouched the full amount of the tax increase from the various TIFS in
the City of Minonk. Kirkpatrick explained that the City of Wenona has
already passed a similar resolution. He also said that he would like the
tax referendum committee to have the opportunity to make a brief
presentation to the City Council and consider a resolution of support
for the referendum.
City Clerk James M. Liner asked Joe Kirkpatrick for the exact
wording he wanted on the resolution for the pass through. Joe
Kirkpatrick responded that the City might want to talk to their TIF
attorney about that as the City of Wenona has done.
Alderman Cunningham moved that the City of Minonk have a
resolution prepared by our attorney with the proper legal wording for
the TIF pass through for this referendum, seconded by Alderman Petersen.
Com Ed reports that street lights are fixed
Com Ed External Affairs Manager Jeff Hettrick reported that 20
street light outages had been reported and as of 9 a.m. that morning all 20 of them
had been fixed. The average days to repair them is three days. Hettrick
said that they are more than happy to fix the lights. "As long as they
get reported we will have someone come out and fix them."
Hettrick gave the Council a handout as far as reporting street
lights that are not working. He said that anybody can report a street
light out. Com Ed has several methods for reporting outages. The first
is an outage fax form; the second is a VRU (Voice Response Unit). With
this you call 1-800-EDISON and you talk to an operator to report an
outage. And the third option is on a Web site at www.exeloncorp.com.
City Administrator comments
• Reminded the public not to blow grass clippings into the street
----Ordinance 2004-07 ($75 to $750 fine). Said that we will have the
police out watching for this.
• Reminded the public of the long grass/weeds Ordinance 2004-08
(10 inches maximum) with fines of $250 1st offence, $500 2nd offence,
$750 3rd offence, plus cost of city mowing the property. There
will be a notice of this published in the paper this week as a reminder
to the public.
• Reminded the public that berm maintenance is also the responsibility of the adjacent property owner.
• Reported on the current pubic works projects:
1. Third Street extension
2. Finish installing new sewer line of West Seventh Street
3. Finish bakery sidewalk
4. Level and pack Ag lime on ball diamonds
5. Clean streets with sweeper
Mayor's comments
• Congratulated Corey Ruestman for wanting to be on the Council
• Thanked Rob Frederick for serving as interim ambulance chief and
for his dedication and service to the community, squad, and St. James
Hospital.
• Welcomed Deb West as new EMS Chief and reported that May 22, 2006 will be her first day on the job.
• Want to emphasize the blowing of grass clippings onto the street.
It is a public works’ issue because they get into our sewer and it
clogs up the sewer pipes and all sorts of problems result. Please blow
the grass clippings back into the berm area.