After serving as City Treasurer in an elective position for 23 years, Stephen O'Riley was hired by the Minonk City Council to serve as City Treasurer in an appointive position. The only person to run for the elective position of City Treasurer in last
April's election was not seated because he did not satisfy the residency
requirements. The Council then approved a motion last month to make the City Treasurer an appointive position. O'Riley will receive a salary of $6,600 per year.
Demolition of vacant houses approved
Alderman Sean Cunningham moved that the City Council authorize Police Chief Cavera to begin the process of demolition of properties located at 736 Johnson Street and 828 Jefferson Street as outlined in the letter from Attorney Curt Richardson of Miller, Hall, and Triggs dated May 15, 2009, seconded by Alderman Jenkins. Both properties have been vacated and are in an advanced stage of disrepair.
Mayor's Comments
• Thanked Alderman Hill, City Clerk Jim Liner, and Administrative Assistant Bobbie Evans for meeting with the representative from the United States Census Bureau. Mayor Koos said we need to begin reminding people that there will be a census conducted in 2010 and there will be a public awareness campaign and Alderman Hill will be involved with it. He reminded the public that it is very important that they fill out the forms sent to them and that the forms have been streamlined to only 10 questions for the next census. He said many of our tax dollars are based on our population and the more accurate we are the more we will be able to get our share of the tax revenue that is coming to us.
• Announced that the search firm hired by the City to find a new City Administrator has received 40 applicants and they will be narrowing all of that down and there will be a Special City Council Meeting at 8 a.m. on Saturday June 13, 2009 for interviewing applicants for the position of City Administrator and all candidates are qualified for the position.
• Thanked the Public Works Department for all of their work while being short staffed and accomplishing all the things they are getting done.