Monday, June 09, 2008

City starts legal proceeding against violator of zoning law

Monday, June 09, 2008 - Posted 1:44:35 PM
The Minonk City Council approved a recommendation from the zoning board to initiate appropriate legal proceedings against Tracy Arbogast, 404 Locust Street, Minonk, Illinois 61760, by notifying him that due to his non-compliance with requirements of the City’s Zoning Ordinance, he is now being required to remove a building from his property to a location outside of the corporate City boundary.

Arbogast has fourteen days to abide to the requirements of the zoning ordinance. After that if he did not comply, it is a fine of $200 per day for any day he is not in compliance with our zoning ordinance.

Public Comments

Sherry Willis (403 Washington Street) stated that when she moved to town there was a stop sign at the corner of West Fourth and Washington Street and about eight years ago it was taken down. She said that there are speeders through that area and she requested that the stop sign be installed again at that corner. Mayor Koos said that the issue will be referred to the Public Safety Committee and they will bring back a recommendation to the Council.

Ron Redenius reported that when he attempted to dump his recyclables in the recycling bin that it was full. He wanted to know if there was a schedule on which they pick it up and empty and bring it back.  Mayor Koos reported that the bin has emptied twice so far and Police Chief Cavera said that he called the carrier the last time the bin was full.

Charlie McGuire said that he has people question him as to the garbage pick-up and if there is limitations on the size of the trash cans, number of bags, and weight of each.  Mayor Koos responded that as of right now there are no restrictions within reason.

Dean Barth reported that he saw old furniture that had been dumped out in the country about a mile from town.

John Hill asked about the pick-up of large items by the garbage carrier and if the charge was still $10.  Mayor Koos reported that as of right now the City does not have a signed contract. The Mayor said, "We have an agreement that our garbage will be picked up and we are working through a contract at the moment and still negotiating."

City Council Comments

Alderman Petersen reported that much has been happening out at all of the ball diamonds this spring. He said that the Parks and Rec Board, Public Works Department, and volunteers have done a lot of work and it looks nice and he wanted to thank all those that have helped.

Mayor's Comments

• Extended the City’s condolence to the Marshall family with the passing of Ellen Marshall whose husband Ron “Corky” Marshall was a former mayor.
• Reported that Dave Uphoff will be retiring from Minonk Talk and that he is changing the website to basically a static website. There will no longer be current news, editorials, e-mails, comments. • The website will be turned into an historical website.
• The City did have our economic development tabs on Minonk Talk so we will have to decide shortly how we want to pursue on the internet with that and market our sites that are available to us on the world wide web.
• Thanked Dave Uphoff for all of his contributions to the community with his website and for his tree donating and planting, and his work in establishing the Westside Park pavilion.
• Reported that a news letter has been sent to all residents informing them that garbage pick-up is now Thursday for the entire town.
• Titians Environmental of El Paso, Illinois will be the carrier and the City is in the process of negotiating a new contract with them.

Alderman Petersen asked what Dave Uphoff would be doing for the $2000 that the Council approved at the last meeting and what does that go for.

Mayor Koos responded that he is not accepting the money.

Alderman Ruestman asked if residents could have their garbage out at the curb by 5:30 a.m. on Thursdays since the carrier will be doing the whole town on one day and they will be starting earlier.

Alderman Cunningham said that there will be more of a formal notice once the new contract is totally negotiated as far as all details are concerned.

                        Viewer comments on this article

Jason B wrote on 6/15/2008 at 08:47:02

JAF11.  Everyone is entitled to their own opinions.  And I am sorry you feel that way about me even if you don't really know me.  Shows a lot about yourself and how you judge people.  Your right I resigned from my committees the last 6 months in office.  There were good reasons why and if you would like to know why I resigned you are more then welcome to stop by my house anytime to hear my side before passing judgment on an open forum.  However, the people in my ward obviously don't feel the way you do.  Because since leaving the Council I have had numerous calls, e-mails and people coming up to me to asking if I would get back on.  After all there is more to being an Alderman then just talking for the sake of talking in meetings  It is a 24 hour a day 7 week job.
Jason B wrote on 6/15/2008 at 08:47:35

To Russell R I appreciate the nice comments.  It is nice to know that there are people in this community that do appreciate the people who try to make a difference.  Happy Fathers Day to all.


jaf11 wrote on 6/14/2008 at 19:14:30

In response to Russell's email, I attended quite a few of the meetings that Mr. Buchanan served on as alderman for this city.  From the beginning, I wondered what he was doing on the council.  In the end he resigned from all committies and just sat there and said nothing.  I can tell you, if he had been representing my ward I would of asked him to resign his seat. I have been active in this community and done things to make it a better place to raise a family in.  I am just voiceing my opinion on what I think of Mr. Buchanan.  I have read many comments about the Mayor and the rest of the Council, but I did not see you come to defend them Russell.  Why did you not denfend them when people made remarks about them and did not sign their name?
Russell wrote on 6/14/2008 at 06:12:58

Page 2

I guess it comes down to the fact, some have the heart to try and help their community in any way they can.  Others elect to sit back, complain and ridicule those attempting to make change. 
Thanks Dave, for your years of service.  Thanks to our council for all they do, or attempt to do. Thanks to the new garbage guy who finally picked up my trash, I owe you one.  Thanks to the City workers and rec board, the baseball diamonds look great, even if some school leaders do not agree;) And lastly Happy father's Day Buck,

Russell wrote on 6/14/2008 at 06:11:25

Jaf11, how many meetings did you attend while Jason held a seat?  One or two? 

Ya, your right, real dumb guy.  He leads system projects for the largest Insurance Company in the United States.  With his lovely wife, he is raising a set of twins.  In his off time, he has served on government boards, volunteered hundreds of hours putting together your fourth of July festival and has ran the JFL program for years.

Unfortunately for you jaf11, you will soon be loosing your form, which you have used to attack those who are strong enough to attempt to make a difference.  I do not agree with all the decision our current, or past council has made.  Jason has also disagreed with some decisions and has voiced his concern using his name, and not an alias.

(cont below)

tihsho wrote on 6/14/2008 at 04:54:58

I think our city "leaders" should have thanked David before he got burnt out! Maybe even offered money instead of him having to request it, these people are not thoughtfull. I am dissappointed in the lack of appreciation given to Mr. Uphoff, right up to the end ,thanking him then asking what the $2000 is for. I am sure the "leaders" will find an exspensive solution to the lack of a good website now.
Chris J wrote on 6/13/2008 at 22:09:07

I am appalled that Jaf11's derogatory comment about Jason Buchanan was approved by this website!  I thought the point of registering for a username was to protect the integrity of the website by ensuring that inappropriate, unjust and/or slanderous comments were blocked?  

I think it's disgusting that Jaf11 is allowed to insult someone while hiding behind a username.  However, I'm guessing that the comment was allowed because Jaf's credibility is evident since the comment he/she posted is rife with grammatical errors.  

In my opinion, Jaf is wrongfully using this forum to potshot!  Shame on you Jaf11!   
Chris Jenkins

PS: FYI-> Spell check is available within this forum.....it's the blue check mark with the ABC by it! 
jaf11 wrote on 6/13/2008 at 18:06:46

Emo, are you talking about the same Jason "Buck" Buchanan I know?  INTELLIGENT!!!!  He was an alderman for the city and when I attended meetings he never added anything to the meetings that showed me he was intelligent.  Maybe he's changed since he got off the council, but I doult it.
emo wrote on 6/12/2008 at 09:19:46

The Rumor going around is that I am Jason "Buck" Buchanan.  This is not true, if I were that wouldn't be half bad.  Jason is a very intelligent person, who does a lot for his community.
gerdie wrote on 6/11/2008 at 05:49:07

I thought that the whole big plan when the new park was built that there was suppose to be a community building and pool to go with it. What did ever happen to those plans? I agree, if gas just keeps going up and up, what is there for the kids to do all summer that will keep them out of trouble and close to home??
Jason B wrote on 6/10/2008 at 13:42:27

Emo the T-Ball Diamond is located on what use to be a Sand Volleyball pit.  Before that it was grass and a concrete slap for bikes to be parked.  The pool was acually located where the open area with the trees and playset is.  It would be nice if the Millinum Group could build a pool out at their park.
emo wrote on 6/10/2008 at 08:29:45

Kind of hard to get a pool when your town is $300K in the hole, plus minonk never took care of their last pool, it's a Tee Ball dimond now
snydly73 wrote on 6/9/2008 at 16:19:23

Im just wondering what it would take to get a town pool? The kids need one, especially with gas prices being too high to travel  to other towns. I would be more than happy to pay a little extra on the waterbill monthly, im sure alot of people feel the same way. Do I need to get a petition started?
Jason B wrote on 6/9/2008 at 13:19:20

I think the Council took the right action in getting a new Garbage Company.  However, I would hope that the Mayor and Council have learned from the past mistakes and take their time and negotiate wisely this time.  I would also hope they do a better job at letting the community know what is in the final contract once it is complete. 

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